The Most Rewarding Job You'll Ever Have
Working at summer camp is one of the most rewarding positions you will ever hold. Camp Nan A Bo Sho focuses on giving children a chance to explore and discover more about themselves in an environment that provides friendship and support. The camp staff plays a huge role in developing our campers into strong and confident individuals. If you have an interest in working with children and love being outdoors, we have a job for you. Applications are now being accepted for the 2026 season.
What You Need to Know
Each year about 35 young people from around the country and the world join us for an unforgettable summer at Camp Nan A Bo Sho. Here’s everything you need to know about what to expect.
Who We Hire
Our camp family is selected based on merit, reflecting the unique makeup and talent of our community. Seasonal staff members must be at least 18 years old and high school graduates. We look for people who have:
- a strong interest in working with youth and a desire to be a positive role model
- enjoy working outdoors
- can work as part of a team toward a common goal
- relate to diverse groups of people
- can work independently with minimal supervision
- are open to new experiences and willing to work long, hard hours for fulfilling personal growth
- live by the YMCA’s four core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility
Junior Counselors must be at least 17 years old and have completed the LIT or CIT program at Camp Nan A Bo Sho.
Benefits
- Competitive pay
- Room and board
- Staff training including American Red Cross CPR/First Aid certifications
- Free laundry access
- Free Wi-Fi
- A summer spent outdoors doing what you love
- Time off to explore the Northwoods of Wisconsin
Training
All seasonal staff go through a series of trainings to prepare them for the job ahead. Sessions include:
- behavior management
- teambuilding
- technical skills
- child abuse prevention
All staff are trained in outdoor skills needed to take campers off-site on overnights and wilderness trips.
All staff ages 18 and older are required to maintain current CPR and First Aid certification. Certification can be obtained before arrival or during pre-season trainings. Lifeguard training is also a plus and is offered free of charge during pre-season.
American Red Cross courses offered:
- CPR for the Professional Rescuer
- First Aid
- Lifeguarding
- Wilderness First Aid
Housing & Meals
Housing and meals are included as a benefit of working at camp. Most meals are served cafeteria-style in Orbison Lodge — three full meals per day, with accommodations for most dietary preferences (vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, dairy free, nut free).
Counselors, Junior Counselors, and Wilderness Trip Leaders live in cabins alongside campers. Each cabin sleeps up to 8 staff and 24 campers, has electricity, and most have air conditioning.
Bathrooms and showers are in a central shared shower house.
You may move cabins each week based on the group you’re assigned to.
Leadership Staff and Directors live in smaller staff cabins that sleep up to 4 people, with shared bathroom and shower facilities nearby.
Time Off
All staff receive two hours off each day and a minimum of 12 hours off each week. Camp sessions run Sunday afternoon to Friday afternoon, with most weekends off — except one during our Family Weekend program. Staff are encouraged to explore the local communities on personal time. Transportation can be arranged for those who need it, and a staff lounge and other indoor spaces are available on camp property.
Available Positions
We hire for a wide range of roles each summer. For full details on each position, download the Position Descriptions document.