Sleep Away Camp Counselor at Multicultural Summer Camp (2025)

UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY
For Camp Counselors at a Multicultural Overnight Summer Camp for Kids Ages 7 - 15!
June 22 – August 2, 2025 (pre-camp training June 10 – 20)

Camp Kupugani is a multicultural overnight summer camp focusing on diversity and communication skills in a fun atmosphere. We unite children of diverse backgrounds and provide them with essential skills to empower themselves and build community in an increasingly diverse society. Kids from ages seven to fifteen participate in two-week sessions of our unique summer camp. While typical summer camps are relatively homogeneous and do not challenge campers to stray from their comfort zones, ours focuses on addressing issues of difference and building self-esteem and community. The campers enjoy a fun, challenging camp experience, including activities like rock climbing, river walking, canoeing, playing under waterfalls, and night hikes under the stars, and special team-building activities and games so that fun and personal growth coincide.

We are looking for dynamic, creative, warm, exuberant, experienced people with strong leadership abilities who are passionate about our vision. Counselors will participate in a 10-day staff training and six weeks of our multicultural overnight summer camp program in Leaf River, IL (less than two hours west of Chicago).

Responsibilities:

• Facilitate games, activities, and discussions that encourage campers to appreciate and respect themselves and others.
• Provide a nurturing, safe, fun learning environment for our campers.
• Work closely with other staff members to create a magical experience for our campers they will never forget.
• Share your unique experiences, talents, and skills with our community.
• Live in the cabins with the girls. The parents of our campers rely on the 24-hour supervision by our staff and counselors. Each week you will have time off when you can leave the camp or just take time to relax or do errands.
• Performing camp maintenance functions as needed
• Assisting in the food service area (helping the kitchen staff prepare, serve, and clean up) as scheduled
• Lead & set up various evening programs (campfires, night hikes, overnight campouts, etc.)
• Function as, or assist skill instructor of program areas (canoeing, frisbee golf, biking, archery, crafts, adventure challenge, swimming, rock climbing, etc.) and team building processes.

( Please Note: We will teach you the procedures of each activity during staff training)

• Clean cabins and camp between sessions as needed.

Qualifications:

• Experience in human relations/diversity/cross-cultural education.
• Experience working with children, especially ages 7-15.
• Excellent facilitation skills.
• Stamina to work extremely long, but rewarding hours.
• Ability and desire to live and work in a tight-knit, diverse community.
• Emotional resiliency.
• Possession and practice of critical thinking skills.
• Medical, counseling, musical, theatrical, and/or art experience are desired.
• Certifications in CPR, Wilderness First Aid, and lifeguarding are desired.
• Passion for youth development!

Compensation: Camp Kupugani staff members receive a very competitive salary, and room and board are included. To determine your exact salary, please complete an application. We can then speak with you about your specific qualifications and experience.

To apply:
You can apply online at https://www.ultracamp.com/info/upcomingsessions.aspx? idCamp=1012&campCode=AlF&lnkSubCategory1=Staff Application, e-mail Kevin, or call to get an application and reference forms.

Location: A beautiful summer home
Nestled within 120 acres of lush forests, Camp Kupugani multicultural summer camp resides at beautiful Camp White Eagle alongside the Leaf River in northwestern Illinois. A mere two-hour drive from Chicago, this intimate setting makes for an ideal environment to develop life skills, meet new friends, and enjoy an active outdoor environment. The camp comprises nature’s finest, including woods, trails, a swimming pool, rock climbing walls, game fields, and a 5-acre lake for swimming, a waterfall, water games, and almost a mile of canoeing through the property. Since 1951, Camp White Eagle: certified by the American Camping association--has provided children a secure summer camp environment that encourages the discovery of self and a sense of wonder in the natural world.

The Camp Kupugani Mission
“Kupugani” is a Zulu concept meaning “to raise oneself up.” The fundamental point of Camp Kupugani is to expose girls of varied backgrounds and ethnicities to each other. Living, playing, and working together are the best teachers of instilling bonds of friendship and trust. They represent an important step towards breaking down societal barriers that prevent positive interaction. Camp Kupugani provides a safe atmosphere where children are individually empowered via enhancing their communication skills and engaging in community building. By way of carefully selected program activities, we give them the tools to maximize their potential, free of the sometimes-limiting restrictions of school and predisposed social patterns. At Camp Kupugani, kids have fun while changing their world!

For more information, feel free to visit our website, or call Kevin.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract, Temporary

Pay: $380.00 - $515.00 per week

Benefits:

• Employee discount
• Professional development assistance

Work Location: In person

Salary : $380 - $515