Are you a high school student under 18 who’s feeling discouraged about not finding the right opportunity to develop your skills? Do you have the enthusiasm and qualifications but just haven’t found a role that lets you shine? Becoming a junior camp counselor at Concordia Language Villages (CLV) might be the exceptional experience you’re looking for. This unique program allows high schoolers to start building their career skills by taking on leadership roles, working in teams, and immersing themselves in a global cultural environment.
In this article, we’ll explore how a camp counseling position at Concordia Language Villages can jump-start your leadership journey. We’ll cover why camp counseling is such a valuable experience, what the junior counselor role involves (including age requirements and skills), and how to apply. By the end, you’ll see how even as a high school student you have an opportunity to grow, make a difference, and set a strong foundation for your future.
Why Camp Counseling Offers an Exceptional Experience
Working as a camp counselor is more than just a summer job – it’s a transformative learning experience. At Concordia Language Villages in particular, the experience is enriched by a mission-driven, culturally immersive setting. Deep in the North Woods of Minnesota, CLV creates a place that is “both culturally authentic and uniquely our own,” reflecting the music, food, and traditions of different cultures in each language-specific “Village”. Camp counselors become part of a community of staff and educators “from all corners of the globe” who are “passionate about learning every minute of the day”, inspiring campers to become “courageous global citizens through language and cultural immersion”. In other words, you’ll be surrounded by an international team and diverse campers, all learning from each other in a one-of-a-kind environment.
What makes the camp counseling experience truly exceptional? Here are a few key benefits:
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- Leadership Development: As a counselor, you take on real responsibility – from leading activities and games to managing cabin groups. Junior counselors at CLV help teach language and culture to summer camp participants under the guidance of experienced camp “deans”. You might co-lead sports or art projects, organize evening programs, and model positive behavior for campers. These tasks build your confidence as a leader in a supportive setting. One former counselor noted, “I enjoyed collaborating with my colleagues and grew a lot as a person,” thanks to the excellent leadership training provided.
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- Communication & Language Skills: At a language immersion camp, communication is front and center. You’ll speak the target language every day with campers and staff, which is an amazing way to improve fluency and cross-cultural communication. Counselors report that “you get to use your foreign language skills all day every day” and that the Villages are true camps (not just schools) where learning happens through fun activities like canoeing and archery. Even if you’re not a native speaker, by the end of the summer you’ll have sharpened your language abilities and learned to communicate clearly with people from different backgrounds – a crucial skill in any career.
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- Teamwork and Lifelong Friendships: Camp counseling is the ultimate team-oriented job. You and your fellow counselors work together to plan events, solve problems, and support each other through long but rewarding days. The bonds you form are often lasting. Many counselors describe CLV as “my favorite place and home” and say “you’ll make … life long friendships” working there. You’ll be part of a tight-knit team, learning to trust and communicate with peers (often from around the world). This teamwork experience hones your collaboration skills and expands your network of friends and mentors globally.
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- Personal Growth & Global Citizenship: Perhaps the most rewarding aspect is how much you learn about yourself. Stepping out of your comfort zone to lead campers and live in an immersive environment can be challenging, but incredibly growth-promoting. “CLV taught me so much about myself and [the] culture, it has prepared me for a career in International Business,” one counselor wrote, crediting the experience with shaping their future path. By mentoring younger students, you also develop empathy, patience, and confidence. You’ll finish the summer more independent and responsible – with a clearer sense of your strengths and the satisfaction of having positively influenced campers’ lives.
In short, being a camp counselor at Concordia Language Villages is a fun, enriching, and resume-building experience. You get to do what you love – whether that’s practicing a language, teaching cultural crafts, or leading outdoors adventures – all while developing skills that colleges and employers value (leadership, communication, teamwork, etc.) and making unforgettable memories.
Junior Camp Counselor Opportunities for High School Students
Age Requirements : One of the best parts about Concordia Language Villages is that you don’t have to wait until you’re an adult to get involved. The program offers specific Junior Counselor positions for teens ages 16–18. That means even if you’re still in high school (typically having completed your junior year, around age 16-17), you can apply to become a counselor and start building your career skills now. For U.S. citizens or permanent residents, 16 is the minimum. (International applicants have to be 18 or older to meet visa requirements, so the junior counselor positions are primarily aimed at U.S. high schoolers.) If you are 18 or above, you would apply for a regular counselor position instead of the junior role
Skills and Qualifications: What does it take to be a successful junior counselor? Concordia Language Villages looks for teens who are enthusiastic about languages, cultures, and working with children. In terms of formal requirements, you should have at least two years of study in the target language (or equivalent cultural knowledge/experience). For example, if you want to be a junior counselor at the Spanish village, having two years of Spanish class (or speaking Spanish at home, etc.) is expected. You also need to be comfortable living away from home and taking care of campers.
Experience working with kids – such as babysitting, tutoring, or previous camp attendance – is a plus (though not strictly required). The hiring team also values maturity, teamwork, and a willingness to learn. If you love being outdoors, making friends from around the world, and guiding younger campers, “this opportunity is for you”!
What Junior Counselors Do: As a junior counselor, your role is essentially that of a camp counselor in training, with many of the same responsibilities as adult counselors. Under the supervision of the Village dean (the camp director) and senior staff, junior counselors help to teach the language and culture to campers through various fun activities. You might find yourself co-teaching language lessons in the morning, leading a cultural dance or craft workshop in the afternoon, supervising swimming or sports, and then helping run an evening program or campfire skit. Junior counselors also live in the cabins with the campers, acting as role models and providing overnight supervision along with other staff. It’s a 24/7 commitment during the camp session – you’ll be fully immersed in camp life, speaking the language as much as possible and ensuring campers are safe, learning, and having fun. Expect plenty of singing, games, and maybe even some dishwashing or cabin clean-up duty; everyone pitches in to keep the camp running smoothly. By taking on these tasks, junior counselors really get a taste of leadership and responsibility, all while being mentored by experienced counselors and staff.
An Immersive, Global Environment: Concordia Language Villages offers programs in numerous languages and cultures, so you can apply to the Village that matches your skills or heritage. There are summer villages for Arabic, Chinese, Danish, Finnish, French (two different programs), German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, and more. Each Village creates an authentic atmosphere of its target culture – from the food in the dining hall to the songs at campfire. When you join the staff, you become part of that cultural immersion. You’ll meet counselors and instructors from countries around the world (for example, the Swedish village may have staff from Sweden, the Japanese village with staff from Japan, etc.), as well as campers from all across the United States. The result is a rich multicultural team experience. One counselor described how “everyone is supportive and there is great and vibrant energy” at the camps. Another said, “the people are what keeps me coming back every year”, highlighting how welcoming the community is. For a teen interested in global experiences, this is an ideal opportunity without even leaving the country – you essentially get a taste of international travel and cultural exchange in your own backyard.
Benefits and Support: While the biggest rewards of being a junior counselor are experiential (leadership skills, friendships, etc.), it’s worth noting that practical benefits are provided too. Junior counselor positions are paid (typically a stipend for the summer) and include free meals and lodging for the duration of your employment. In essence, once you arrive at camp, all your basic needs are covered – you live on-site in the cabins or staff housing and eat with the campers – so you won’t have many expenses. Concordia also provides training and orientation at the start of the summer, so you’ll learn the ropes (and get some on-the-job training in teaching methods, safety, etc.) before campers arrive. Throughout the summer, you’ll have the guidance of the leadership staff (deans and supervisors) who are there to mentor you. By the end of the program, many junior counselors feel a huge sense of accomplishment. As one alumnus summed up their experience: “CLV taught me so much about myself… prepared me for a career” in a global field.
How to Apply to Concordia Language Villages as a Junior Counselor
Ready to take the next step? Applying to be a junior camp counselor at Concordia Language Villages is a straightforward process, but it’s important to pay attention to details and timelines. Here’s how you can get started on securing this opportunity:
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- Check the Eligibility Criteria: First, make sure you meet the basic requirements. You should be 16 or 17 years old by the start of the summer camp season (generally in June) and a U.S. citizen or authorized to work in the U.S. You should also have studied the target language for at least two years or have equivalent experience with the culture. Think about which language village aligns best with your skills – e.g. if you’ve taken Spanish in school, the Spanish village “El Lago del Bosque” would be a good fit. Being enthusiastic about working with kids is a must, and any prior experience working with youth (such as mentoring, coaching, tutoring, or childcare) will strengthen your application.
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- Explore the Village Options: Concordia Language Villages has camps for around 15 different languages from around the world. Research the ones you’re interested in. Each Village has its own identity and schedule (some run all summer, others only part of the summer). You can find information on each language village on the CLV website. It’s possible to apply to more than one if you are qualified in multiple languages – just remember you’ll need to submit a separate application to each village program of interest. (For example, French has two different camps, and they require separate applications) Most applicants focus on one language, but the option is there if you’re multilingual!
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- Prepare Your Application Materials: The application is typically done online through Concordia’s employment portal. All summer positions are posted by early January each year. You’ll likely need to create an account, fill out an application form, and possibly upload a résumé or list your relevant experiences. Be ready to describe any language experience (classes, travel, heritage, etc.), any work with children, and why you’re interested in the position. Highlight your teamwork, communication, and leadership potential – for instance, mention school clubs, volunteer work, or leadership roles you’ve held, as these show you have the qualities of a good counselor. If you have been a camper at Concordia or another camp before, definitely note that too. You also need to provide references (people like teachers or coaches who can speak to your character).
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- Apply Early: Submit your application as soon as you can – applications open in January for that summer. There isn’t usually a hard deadline listed, but positions can fill up quickly. Concordia notes that they continue hiring until the program’s start date based on need, but the earlier you apply the better your chances.
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- Follow the Selection Process: After applying, you may be contacted by a hiring manager or the dean of the Village for an interview (often this can be done via phone or video call if you’re not local). This is your chance to show your enthusiasm, so be prepared to discuss what excites you about the program and how you’d contribute. Don’t be nervous – the interview is likely to be conversational. They know you’re a student, not an experienced teacher, so they’ll be looking more at your attitude and willingness to learn. If selected, you’ll receive an offer and information on staff training dates, etc. Then the adventure begins!
By following these steps, you can go from wondering what to do with your summer to landing a role as a junior camp counselor. It’s a competitive process but very achievable if you meet the requirements and show your passion. Every year, many high schoolers like you join the ranks of Concordia’s summer staff – and many return for multiple summers because they love it so much.
Conclusion
If you’ve been upset about not finding the right opportunity to grow your leadership and communication skills, take heart: the role of a junior camp counselor at Concordia Language Villages could be exactly what you need. It offers a rare combination of professional development and summer fun. You’ll be entrusted with responsibilities that challenge you, surrounded by an international community that supports you, and doing work that truly makes a difference for younger campers. All of this happens in a vibrant camp atmosphere where learning and adventure go hand in hand – from language immersion classes to campfires under the stars.
Many alumni reflect on their Concordia counselor days as a turning point. It’s an experience that can shape your future, whether you continue in education, pursue international studies, or enter any field that values leadership and teamwork (which is virtually every field!). Perhaps most importantly, it’s an experience that can shape you as a person – giving you confidence, resilience, cultural insights, and lifelong friendships. As one enthusiastic counselor put it, “Wish I could work there every year of my life”, and “anyone interested in teaching languages or cultures should apply”.
So, if you meet the requirements and have the passion, don’t hesitate to start your application. From high school to the North Woods of Minnesota, your journey as a leader could begin at Concordia Language Villages. This is your chance to not only build your resume, but also to make memories and impact others’ lives in a global community. Pack your bags, bring your energy and open mind, and get ready for a summer of growth and exceptional experiences as a camp counselor! Good luck – or as they say in the Villages, bon voyage on this exciting adventure.
Sources:
Concordia Language Villages – Job Posting for Junior Counselor
Concordia Language Villages – Employment Page and FAQs (official site)