Summer Camp Counselor 2026

Salary : $18.00 - $22.00 Hourly

Location : Monona, WI

Job Type : Seasonal / Limited Term Employee (LTE)

Job Number : 2025-00481

Department : Parks & Recreation

Opening Date : 01 / 01 / 2026

Closing Date : 4 / 30 / 2026 11 : 59 PM Central

Description and Terms of Employment

Monona Parks & Recreation offers a full-day summer camp - MPR - GO! (formerly Camp Winnequah) for children in grades 4K-4. While utilizing outdoor spaces in Monona parks, Camp Winnequah counselors oversee groups participating in program activities and ensure that campers create lasting memories and friendships. Duties include active supervision of children, leading groups in activities, behavioral management, leading "counselors-in-training" (CITs), maintaining safety, and lesson planning. All applicants should be interested in working with children of all ages and possess maturity, flexibility, strong work ethic and dependability, and the ability to have fun while working.

Camp dates are June 15 through August 21, working an average of 30-40 hours per week in an outdoor setting; shifts will vary and will be scheduled between the hours of 7 : 00 am and 5 : 45 pm. Wednesday field trip days will be longer (possibly 10 hour) days. Preference will be given to applicants who are able to work the entire 10 weeks of camp, for the 40-hour-a-week shifts.

Mandatory training will be held June 11-12, with additional hours June 8-10th for work days preparing for camp. CPR training will be held June 6th. All staff must have a current CPR certification (valid 2 years).

Duties and Responsibilities

• Deliver a fun program to campers ages 4-10.
• Ensure that campers know and follow safety and educational procedures during camp programs.
• Assist in the management and care of the physical facilities and equipment in all program areas.
• Responsible for planning daily and weekly activities associated with their specific activity area and small group time
• Assist in maintaining accurate program records including incident reports, daily attendance, and participant information.
• Communicate with parents about participant's experiences and report concerns to Camp Leadership
• Help guide Counselors-in-Training to have a deeper understanding of leadership and counseling skills.
• Ensure activities and groups maintain adequate coverage, subbing as needed.
• Identify and respond to camper behavior issues.
• Attend all-day Wednesday field trips.
• Ensure each camper is having a positive experience, making friends and adjusting well to camp.
• Be responsible for the health, safety, whereabouts, and welfare of campers in general, and specifically campers assigned to your program area and group.
• Work cooperatively with leadership, counselors and support staff to make the summer program run safely and effectively.
• Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, providing support and guidance while supervising all-camp activities and camp functions.
• Provide ongoing program ideas.
• Perform other duties as they arise, including taking photographs, liaising with parents, and helping with any organizational or cleaning work.
• Working outdoors, in all weather, 8-10 hours a day. Ability to walk long distances every day.

Qualifications

Knowledge and Abilities

No benefits are available for this position.

01

Are you 16 years old or older, or will you be 16 by June 10, 2026?

02

Do you have a valid driver's license?

03

Please describe your experience in planning and executing camp, recreation activities, or programs for children.

04

Please describe your supervisory or management experience.

05

Do you hold a current CPR and First Aid Certification? If not, will you be available on June 6th for our in-house training? please explain

06

Please list any additional certifications you hold which are relevant to this position, (i.e., lifeguard, swim instructor, wilderness first aid, etc.)

07

Are you interested in obtaining your lifeguard certification through Monona Parks & Recreation? The full class will be held May 16, 17, 23, and 24; the recertification class will be held May 23rd. The full class includes CPR.

08

Please describe any other commitments you expect to have this summer, including planned vacations, other employment schedules (days you need to be done by a certain time), class schedules, etc.

09

Are you able to attend the Mandatory training on June 11 and 12, 2026?

10

Will you be available to work the last 2 weeks of camp, August 10-14 and 17-21, 2026? These are usually the busiest two weeks of camp.

11

Will you be able to work all 10 Wednesdays : June 17, 24, July 1, 8, 15, 22, 29, Aug 5, 12, and 19?

12

Counselor (6 hours M / T / R / F, 10 hours W) 1st year $18.00 2nd year $18.50 3rd Year $19.00 4th Year $19.50 5th year $20.00Lead Counselor (8 hours 7.5hrs M / T / R / F, 10 hrs W) 1st year $19.00 2nd year $19.50 3rd year $20.00 4th year $20.50 5th year $21.00We will be hiring Lead Counselors for 40hr / wk (open and close shifts) and Counselors for 34 hr / wk (mid day shifts). Choice in this will be based on ability, interview, experience, number of years worked, and availability throughout the summer. Priority will be given to those available all 10 weeks of camp. Which position(s) are you interested in? Preference is not guaranteed. (Check both if you would want to be considered for the counselor position if you are not selected for the Lead Counselor position)

13

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

14

Which shift do you prefer? (Preference is not guaranteed)

Required Question