Counseling Staff

Blue Lake Counseling Staff members serve as role models for campers and provide a warm, caring environment that nurtures self-respect, supports healthy interpersonal relationships, and fosters growth in the arts. Counseling staff members live with campers and remain in residence at Blue Lake for the entire season, including at least 9 days of orientation and training. Blue Lake’s counseling staff is typically made up of undergraduate and graduate students involved in education or arts-related fields.

2026 Work Dates
Applicants must be available for the full work season listed below. Extended work dates for some positions are available to cover pre- and post-camp duties. Please inquire on the application.

• Counselors: June 14 - August 16. This includes 9 days of paid orientation.

• Lifeguards/Counselors: June 10 - August 16. This includes American Red Cross Lifeguard Training and paid orientation.

• Unit Directors: June 9 - August 16. This includes 15 days of paid orientation.

Salary for Blue Lake Counseling Staff
$2,370 - $2,820 plus room and board. Salary is based on years of college study and/or degree(s) earned. Additional stipend/pay rate for Unit Directors and other leadership positions.

Counseling Staff Positions

Camp Counselors (162 full-summer positions available, room & board included)

• Central Camp Counselors serve as role models for campers by demonstrating respect and discipline, and by living by the established camp policies. Duties include living with 10 - 11 campers, eating with your assigned cabin, supervising clean-up details, planning recreational and social activities, laundering the campers' uniform clothes every other day, working 15 - 20 hours a week at a specific work assignment (including performing and artistic assignments), and consistently evaluating and acting on all campers' special needs, problems, and concerns. Camp Counselors are role models, leaders, supervisors, problem solvers, motivators, friends, and guardians for Blue Lake campers.

• Central Camp Counselors/Lifeguards have the same responsibilities as central camp counselors, except that their work assignment is that of a Lifeguard. These counselors also have opportunities to perform with various camp music ensembles or complete other job assignments. Blue Lake will certify candidates with Red Cross certifications prior to staff orientation. Candidates for Lifeguard positions must be physically fit, competent and confident swimmers, able to meet the American Red Cross prerequisites for lifeguarding, and able to arrive at camp by June 10 for American Red Cross Lifeguard training.

• Junior Camp (Camp Bernstein) Counselors have the same responsibilities as Central Camp staff. Work assignments may include teaching sectional and/or technique classes for the Camp Bernstein students. For those interested in these limited sectional/technique teaching positions, a recorded audition is required and teaching experience is preferred. Some counselors may also teach elective classes of art, choir, theater, jazz studies, history of music, or nature studies.

• Unit Counselors have the same responsibilities as central camp cabin counselors, except that they are not assigned a specific group of campers. Instead, unit counselors work with a team of other staff members to provide support and supervision to the larger camper group and living area, as well as fill in for cabin counselors who are ill or are called away from camp on emergencies.

Unit Directors (18 full-summer positions available, room & board included)

Each unit of six cabins is supervised by one Unit Director. Duties include: supervising the counselors of your designated unit, organizing all required paperwork, planning unit activities, delivering important announcements and information to campers and counselors, assisting campers that need special attention, communicating with camper parents, and any other duties designated by the Director of Student Services. Previous camp leadership experience and good communication skills are a must.

See our website for additional staff leadership positions, including Associate Staff Director, Bernstein Leadership, Health Lodge Leadership, and Recreation Director. Previous Blue Lake experience required. Dates and pay vary by position. 

Applicants for counseling positions must meet the following criteria: 

1. At least 18 years of age

2. At least one year of college after completing high school

3. Interest and aptitude in working with young people

Prospective Unit Directors must have previous camp counseling experience, preferably as a part of Blue Lake’s counseling staff.

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp requires three positive references from individuals who hold one of the following positions and have known you for at least six months. References must be a guidance/career counselor, instructor in your major field of study, or manager or supervisor from current or previous employment. Applicants who are musicians should include a Private Lessons Instructor or Music Ensemble Instructor as one of their three references. 

All employees of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp are required to complete two background checks during the employment process: a criminal records clearance (run by Blue Lake), and a central registry clearance (requested by applicant through home state). Any fees associated with the central registry clearance are the responsibility of the applicant.

Those applying for jobs which require proof of certification (Recreation Director, Camp Nurse, etc.) must have a photocopy of the certificate on file with the personnel department before an applicant will be considered for the position. The date of expiration must be visible.