Working at Summer Camp

Paid or Volunteer Senior Staff positions are available for adults 18 and older, Volunteer Junior Staff youth leadership  positions open to teens age 15 (or rising Sophomores) to 17.   Application forms available online.

A staffing experience at Camp Anokijig is one of the most valuable life experiences you will ever have. Learn more and apply for our open Junior Staff and Senior Staff positions.

Why work at Camp Anokijig?

Leadership

You will be responsible for managing people of diverse age groups in a host of different interpersonal and professional areas. This is a valuable experience wherever your career path may be headed.

Job Experience

If you are headed toward a career in education, social work, or any child oriented work; you will gain invaluable experience in hands-on situations. This may lead to great future references. Most importantly it will truly tell you if you have chosen the right career path.

Skill Development

Anokijigs’ paid staff training includes certification in CPR and First Aid. This coupled with sessions that teach invaluable skills in teaching, group leadership, and basic camp counseling techniques provide an opportunity for you to gain skills that are valuable in any career. Lifeguarding certification is also available at no cost.

Personal Growth

At camp, you will live in a new community. You will be exposed to many new situations with your co-workers, campers, and supervisors. Your ability to live and work productively with different people will help develop you into a greater person.

Program Development

Each summer during our paid staff training period, we re-evaluate our camp program. It is the responsibility of each staff member to ensure the continued tradition of quality programming at Anokijig. This is done by constantly seeking new and improving ideas to enhance the standard program. We take great pride in making the greatest possible use of all that a new and returning staff member has to offer.

Most of all you get to make a positive influence on many young people's lives.

Not to mention, it's FUN!

Junior Staff

Volunteer Junior Staff youth leadership program is available for teens
age 15 (or rising sophomores) - 17.

At Camp Anokijig , there are two considerations that greatly influence campers.  One is that the dynamics of our community is a motivating force for personal growth.  Just being surrounded by positive experiences makes a difference.  Two is that campers soon discover that this community is a second home to them and they want to be a part of it…..it is welcoming, fun, and they love it!  A by-product of this environment is that many of our teens want to become part of our Staff.  The entry-way for them to become a member of our Staff is by participating in our Teen Leadership Program.  This is a pathway to Junior Staff and a future connection to Senior Staff and Director responsibilities.  Those individuals who are willing to give of themselves for others, practice a positive way of life, and set a good example for those they seek to work with,  will find this an enriching and enjoyable journey.  When a candidate is accepted, there is no fee required to participate in the Leadership Program.

Junior Staff (Teen Leadership Program)

 Junior Staff Position
Eligibility: 15+ years old or entering your sophomore year of high school
Requirements:
Completion of Online Junior Staff Program Video Training prior to Staff Training
Minimum 3-week onsite commitment:
  • 1 week of training
  • 2+ weeks working with campers
Willingness to participate in various camp activities (with appropriate training)
Responsibilities:
Camper Group Assistant: Work with Senior Staff to assist campers with daily needs and schedules.
Program Area Assistant: Supervised by Senior Staff to assist in teaching and supervision of a specific program area (Waterfront, Horses, Adventure Challenge, Crafts, etc.) or operational area (Trading Post, Work Crew, Kitchen, Special Events, Dining Hall, etc.).
Benefits: Leadership training, outdoor skills development, group management, planning, problem-solving, personal growth, scheduled time off, After Taps Privileges, potential pathway to Senior Staff and Director roles, resume enhancement, service project fulfillment.

Senior Staff

Positions available for adults age 18 and up.
Application forms are available online.

Senior Staff at Camp Anokijig

Camp Anokijig’s Summer Senior Staff are the cornerstone of our camp experience, ensuring the health, safety, and personal growth of every camper. Acting as trusted mentors and caretakers, they take responsibility for the daily supervision, well-being, and guidance of campers throughout their stay. Through their dedication, these staff members deliver a memorable experience that fosters skill-building, independence, and lifelong memories for campers.

Camp Overview

Anokijig offers nine week-long sessions (Sunday-Saturday), with an option for a shorter four-day stay. Campers, grouped by age/grade, live in platform tents, cabins, or bunkhouses under the supervision of 2-3 Senior Staff and 2-8 Junior Staff, maintaining a staff-to-camper ratio of at least 1:4, often nearing 1:3. Our focus on individual choice and community relationships creates a unique resident camp experience that will create memories, develop new skills, and lead to personal growth.

Camp Anokijig serves a diverse audience of campers from across Wisconsin, Illinois, and beyond, including 30-40 international participants each summer. Our commitment to accessibility ensures no child is turned away due to financial constraints, with 150-200 campers annually attending through fee assistance programs.

Resident Camp General Program

SKILL PERIODS…campers choose two specific daily activities to learn and enjoy a new skill or become more proficient in a previously learned skill. The focus is on learning through active fun and games.

ALL CAMP ACTIVITIES…group games, cookouts, campfires, dances, special events, closing ceremonies, and much more.

SECTIONAL ACTIVITIES…campers who live together choose activities to enjoy as a group. This provides an opportunity for each section and their staff to have a great time together doing age appropriate activities.

DIRECTED FREE TIME…all program areas are staffed and supervised for the campers to choose from as they please. They may stay at one activity for a whole period or visit several areas; it’s their choice. This portion of the program provides opportunities for campers to experience independence and practice decision making skills.

There are several categories of Senior Staff at Anokijig who will work with and for the full time Professional Staff who are the core leadership group

Program Area Directors

Program Area Directors lead teaching and recreational programming as well as insure the safety of their given program or area of responsibility.  The natures of these areas demand that all safety considerations and procedures be followed and maintained. Program Area Directors may have several additional staff members under their direct supervision. Program Area Directors will insure that all campers have positive learning experiences that provide challenges to the individual and assist the camper in achieving personal goals. Program Area Directors will usually not have sectional camper duties, but are expected to participate in any “All-Camp” activities. Program Area Directors must possess proper certification and qualified experience in their specific area. Program area directors are generally require to be a minimum of 21 years of age.

Program Area Directors include:

Horsemanship Dir.

Assistant Horsemanship Dir.

Assistant Waterfront Dir.

Assistant to the Camp Director

Crafts Director

Senior Staff

Senior Staff Roles

Senior Staff live with and are responsible for the daily care, supervision, and guidance of campers while also leading and overseeing one of our camp’s program areas.

  • Program Area Responsibilities: Plan and facilitate activities in one of our many program areas for campers and mentor Junior Staff in leadership and responsibility within that program area.
  • Sectional Responsibilities: Provide day-to-day care for a group of campers, planning age-appropriate activities and ensuring a safe, enjoyable experience. Mentoring Junior Staff is an integral part of this role.
  • Summer Leadership Positions and Specialty Area Positions are also available.
Program areas include:
  • Swim Instruction/Lifeguard
  • Swimming games/Lifeguard
  • Windsurfing & Lifeguard
  • Sailing & Lifeguard
  • Canoeing/Paddle Sports & Lifeguard
  • Fishing
  • Fishing Expeditions (day trips)
  • Wrangler
  • Archery (recurve)
  • Advanced  Archery (compound)
  • Medieval Archery (Long Bow)
  • Landgames
  • Maintenance
  • Drama

  • Trailcrafts (camping skills)
  • Woodworking
  • Rifle Range (BB and Pellet)
  • Digital Photography
  • Camp Photographer/media sp.
  • Instumental Music-Ukelele
  • Adventure Challenge
  • Dining Hall Supervisor
  • Cook
  • Nature
  • Day Tripping
  • Special Events Coordinator
  • Staff Engagement Coordinator

Pay and Benefits

  • Pay: Starting at $410/week, with room and board included; pay additions for certifications, experience, and leadership positions (See Here)
  • Duration: Staff agreements range from 7.5 to 15 weeks.
  • Training: Paid orientation includes CPR/First Aid certification and optional lifeguard training, both at no cost.
  • Perks: Internship opportunities, professional certifications, and a vibrant camp community.

Minimum requirements for a Senior Staff member

  • 18 years old or High School graduate
  • Clean background check and willingness to undergo a physical exam (state requirement).
  • Positive attitude, enthusiasm, and a desire to work with children.
  • Online pre-arrival training (5-10 hours).

RESIDENT CAMP GENERAL PROGRAM

  • Skill Periods: Senior Staff plan and teach structured lessons daily, helping campers develop new skills or improve existing ones through engaging, hands-on activities.
  • All-Camp Activities: Senior Staff organize, facilitate, and attend campfires, group games, special events, and closing ceremonies ensuring all are safe, inclusive, and foster a sense of community among campers
  • Sectional Activities: Senior Staff work with their camper groups to facilitate age-appropriate activities that promote teamwork, creativity, and fun. 
  • Free Time: Staff supervise program areas, guiding campers as they explore interests, practice decision-making, and enjoy all camp has to offer.