What are the responsibilities and job description for the Summer Camp Activities Counselor position at True Friends?
ACTIVITIES COUNSELOR
Join us in our mission to provide life-changing experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem for children and adults with disabilities!
As a True Friends Activities Counselor, you'll guide campers through exciting challenges while helping plan, prepare, and lead a variety of activities. You'll create safe, engaging, and memorable experiences that build confidence, teamwork, and adventure for campers of all abilities-making every day at camp both fun and meaningful.
Schedule: Seasonal, Late May - Mid August 2026
Location: Camp Courage, Maple Lake, MN
Pay: $313-$357 per week based on tenure with True Friends, plus opportunity for end of summer bonus
Bonus Information:
- 6-7 weeks worked | additional $60 per week worked
- 8-9 weeks worked | additional $70 per week worked
- 10-11 weeks worked | additional $80 per week worked
- 12-14 weeks worked | additional $90 per week worked
- Requirements: Resident or citizen of the USA, in ‘good standing’ with the organization and a live in summer camp staff member (excludes support staff)
True Friends Benefits:
- Opportunities to gain and strengthen leadership skills
- Meals and lodging provided during employment
- Gain hands-on, career-relevant experience
- Build your portfolio with diverse work examples
- Work in a scenic and inspiring work environment
- ...and more!
How You'll Contribute:
- Facilitate activities and ensure proper maintenance of all equipment
- Use and develop skills to lead a wide range of activities-from high ropes to arts and crafts, from large group games to adaptive archery, and so much more
- Learn how to adapt all activities to meet the needs of campers of all ages and abilities
- Create opportunities that promote empowerment, independence, and confidence
- Facilitate team building, social skill development, and plenty of fun
- Share your unique skills and hobbies as a specialized counselor (waterfront, recreation, or creative) or serve as a well-rounded counselor leading a variety of activities.
What You'll Bring to the Table:
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Prior experience facilitating high ropes activities and maintaining ropes equipment
- Willing to step outside your comfort zone and try new challenges
- Comfortable coaching and leading both small and large groups
- Passionate about making a difference in the world
- Comfortable supporting others with daily living skills (training provided)
- Open to living and working in a communal setting
- Eager to take initiative and demonstrate strong work ethic
- Flexible and adaptable in an ever-changing environment
- Highly valued, but not required: CPR/First Aid certification, Lifeguard certification, camping experience, prior experience working with individuals with disabilities
- Physical demands
- Ability to see, hear, and communicate verbally
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs.
- Ability to walk, sit, stand, bend, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and move continually during working hours
- Ability to feel objects and use fingers to operate tools and controls
- May be required to wear a seat harness for up to 8 hours per day, hanging in harness up to 45 minutes at a time
About True Friends:
True Friends is a nonprofit organization providing life-changing experiences that enhance independence and self-esteem for children and adults with disabilities. True Friends' programs include camp, respite, retreats, team building, therapy and adaptive riding, and travel; serving over 25, 000 individuals annually.
Salary : $313 - $357
