Environmental Science Residential Youth Camp Counselor

The week-long residential Environmental Science Camp is a partnership between the NMU Seaborg Center and the Department of Earth, Environmental & Geographical Sciences (EEGS). This summer the camp will be held Sunday, July 12-Saturday July 18, 2026. Counselors will need to be available beginning Saturday, July 11 for required training. We are seeking approximately six (6) qualified NMU or other college-level students (or recent college graduates) to serve as camp counselors. As the camp is field-based, successful candidates must desire to be outdoors and able to explore various Upper Peninsula sites along with 20 high school students. In the past, campers have canoed down the AuTrain River, hiked Sugarloaf Mountain, or explored Presque Isle Park.

The camp counselors serve as chaperones and drivers during off-site field trips, aiding a university faculty member who leads each field trip and delivers the academic portion each day. Counselors supervise evening-time recreational activities such as hikes, watching the sunset, or visiting the PEIF between dinner and quiet time back in the residence hall.

The hourly wage for counselors is $16.00 an hour for seven (7) days of work. At least three (3) camp counselors are with the students at any given time and they alternate shifts. This allows each counselor time off throughout the week. Each counselor is housed in a single room in the residence hall where the campers stay. Meals and housing are included in addition to the hourly pay. During the night, a security assistant from Housing monitors the dorms so the counselors can rest easier.

Camp counselors excel in this position if they: 

• are prepared to help participants experience what may be their first time being independent;
• enjoy meeting and working with people from different backgrounds and creating an inclusive atmosphere;
• are empathetic and welcoming as they help campers settle into a new environment;
• enthusiastically serve as an ambassador to promote NMU, Marquette, and the Upper Peninsula;
• are flexible, working different shifts throughout the week and maintaining a professional outlook at all hours while in or out of the residence hall and wherever participants are present;
• communicate well so that they can update other staff members on concerning and/or notable events;
• prioritize participant safety while maintaining the upbeat atmosphere of the summer program for high school students.

Apply for this position through Handshake no later than Friday, March 20, 2026. Visit the Career Services website for information about Handshake. To apply for the position, access Handshake by logging into MyNMU and clicking on 'Handshake' on the main screen tiles or on the side access bar.

Base compensation: Wage of $16/hour plus overtime hourly pay above 40 hours a week, totaling approximately $1,000 per week, plus room and board. We anticipate that the hired counselors will meet on campus for eight (8) hours of paid in-person training on Saturday, July 11, 2026. The campers arrive the afternoon of Sunday, July 12, 2026.
 

Duties and Responsibilities

• Actively participate in program training/meetings and complete paperwork assigned by the program administrator.
• Assist with check-in and check-out of participants during the camp. 
• Create a welcoming environment for all camp participants where they feel valued and safe and can participate fully, regardless of their background.
• Perform duties as assigned by program administration and faculty.
• Lead group activities.
• Transport participants to and from field trips and evening outings.
• Ensure the safety and well-being of program participants at all times.
• Demonstrate enthusiasm for learning and model appropriate behavior at all times.
• Reside in the residence hall with program participants for the duration of the week.
• Supervise program participants in the dormitory and classroom, and during program activities and outings.
• Maintain a safe dormitory environment.
• Enforce and abide by all program and university policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Current university student in good standing, or recent graduate.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record.
• Previous experience working with high school students.
• Ability to exhibit consistent, positive temperament.
• Strong communication skills.
   

Additional Desirable Qualifications

• Major in EEGS (Earth Science, Environmental Science, Environmental Studies and Sustainability, Geographic Information Science & Technology), Education, or a camp-related department.
• Advising or supervisory experience in a residence hall setting.
• Lifeguard certification.
• CPR, First Aid, and/or First Responder certification.
• Experience with outdoor recreation, field work and/or environmental research.

How to Apply

Apply for this position through Handshake no later than Friday, March 20, 2026. Please provide a resume and complete the “Employment Application, Environmental Science Residential Youth Camp Counselor” file attached on Handshake. We intend to hold interviews the week of March 30, 2026. 
 

Background information about the Environmental Science Camp

The camp introduces high school students to NMU, Marquette, and the surrounding environment. The camp also helps support efforts to recruit future Wildcats. Nearly 60% of the high school students who attended camp and then applied to NMU have enrolled here. To maintain that success in encouraging students to choose NMU, we aim to hire counselors who are excited to share their love of the environment of the Upper Peninsula with high schoolers. The Upper Peninsula supports an incredible environment for teaching and learning in an outdoor setting. 
 

The academic portion of the camp focuses primarily on outdoor experiential learning regarding many of the topics that we teach in our EEGS programs. Faculty members teach the academic portion from approximately 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. We hire six (6) current college students or recent graduates to serve as camp counselors. They facilitate the learning during the daytime discussion (the faculty are in charge of arranging and leading the lessons), and plan fun evening activities with the campers between dinner and quiet time at 10:00 pm. A security assistant monitors the residence hall throughout the night so that counselors can sleep without being expected to be on duty all week long, 24 hours a day. The combination of enthusiastic, engaged counselors and faculty positively contribute to the camp experience for the high school students. The campers leave having developed a scientific perspective to understand our complex world.