Camp Employment

Work hard, play hard at camp!

You love the outdoors. You love hiking, boating and campfires. Plus, your friends say you’re great with kids. Does this describe you? If so, the perfect job is waiting for you at Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa camps!

Go-getters. Innovators. Risk-takers. Leaders. Your unforgettable summer is here. Our camp community is made up of hard-working, courageous, silly goofy, confident, thoughtful characters. You will work alongside experienced camp professionals who will guide and support you as you promote growth and confidence in girls who are experienced or first-time campers. As a camp staff team, we work to provide girls across Iowa with the best week of their entire summer.

Camp: more than just a job!

It's an opportunity to make your summer meaningful. Share your passion to help build girls of courage, confidence, and character.

APPLY ONLINE

Check out the positions below to see how your talents might align with our needs. If you believe you're a good fit for one of these roles, you can apply online!

Apprentice Counselor toggle arrow

Apprentice Counselor - Starting at $432.00/week (approx. 11 weeks)

Ready to take what you learned in CIT to the next level? Apprentice Counselors are an important part of the camp team, helping with the day-to-day care of campers and jumping in wherever they’re needed. You’ll work alongside Unit Counselors, assist with activities, and help create a fun, safe, and welcoming camp experience for every camper. From helping a camper get ready for the day to joining in on an activity or lending a hand when things get busy, no two days are exactly the same. It’s a great chance to build confidence, gain real camp experience, and discover what it’s like to be an essential part of the team!

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Barn Manager – Starting at $468/week (approx. 11 weeks)

The Barn Manager ensures delivery of a successful equestrian program that provides a quality, creative, challenging, and progressive riding program to campers. The Barn Manager ensures that all horses are taken care of, with the appropriate daily use, feed schedules and medication dosages. The Barn Manager manages a herd of 10-12 leased horses, manages an instructor team of 3-4, and teaches riding and equine care sessions daily.

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Business Manager - Starting at $492.00/week (approx. 11 weeks)

If you love keeping things organized and making sure all the pieces come together, this is the job for you! As Business Manager, you’ll keep camp running behind the scenes by managing the Trading Post, ordering supplies, and keeping financial records up to date. You’ll be the go-to person for making sure camp has what it needs — and when you’re not working your organizational magic, you may jump in to help with campers and activities. It’s a little bit numbers, a little bit logistics, and a whole lot of camp!

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Camp Nurse – Starting at $600/week (approx. 11 weeks)

The Camp Nurse is a certified RN who works in the camp office. The Camp Nurse is in charge of camper medication and distribution, first aid, emergency medical situations, and caring for campers and camp staff when they are ill. There’s a lot of paperwork and organizing involved, but there is also down time to explore camp and join in the fun with campers. Caring for campers and staff mentally and physically is a hugely important job.

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Climbing Director - Starting at $492.00/week (approx. 11 weeks)

Ready to help camp reach new heights? As Climbing Director, you’ll oversee our ropes course and tree climbing programs, leading a team of Climbing Facilitators and helping make every climb a safe, challenging, and memorable experience. You’ll lead and assist with climbing activities, support your facilitator team, and keep up with the important record keeping and documentation that keeps the program running smoothly. If you love adventure, working with people, and spending your days among the trees, this is the job for you!

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Equestrian Counselor - Starting at $456.00/week (approx. 11 weeks)

As an Equestrian Counselor, you’ll be a counselor and a key part of our barn team. You’ll provide direct care and support for campers who are part of our equestrian program, helping them navigate daily camp life while sharing in their time at the barn. You’ll also help with additional barn duties and the day-to-day care that keeps our equestrian program running smoothly. You’ll still experience camp alongside your campers, from morning routines and evening activities to adventures around camp, while helping girls build confidence, learn new skills, and discover the joy of working with horses.

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Food Service Director – Starting at $18/hour (offsite housing)

Our kitchen program brings all of camp together to enjoy wonderful food and each other’s company. The Food Service Director has a lot of responsibility and sets the tone for the entire Food Service staff. They prepare menus in collaboration with the Camp Director and make purchase orders throughout the summer. They fuel the direction the kitchen takes for the summer.

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Food Service Staff – Starting at $16/hour (approx. 11 weeks, housing not provided)

Our kitchen program brings all of camp together to enjoy wonderful food and each other’s company. It’s a tight knit group in the kitchen and there are opportunities to learn and grow in kitchen management, specialized diets, and commercial food production. Food Service staff are responsible for preparing food for meals and the salad bar, plating food to be served family style, and assist in cleaning up after cooking.

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Health Assistant - Add on role (approx. 11 weeks)

As a Health Assistant, you’ll be an important part of our camp health team, working alongside the camp nurse to help keep our campers and staff healthy and cared for. You’ll assist with medication distribution and help the nurse with other health needs as they arise, from caring for minor illnesses and injuries to supporting campers who need a little extra attention. This position is not a counselor role, so you’ll have the opportunity to focus on providing care and supporting the health and well-being of the camp community. It’s a great position for someone who is caring, dependable, organized, and enjoys being part of a team.

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Health Manager - Starting at $492.00/week (approx. 11 weeks)

As a Health Manager, you’ll be responsible for helping care for the health and well-being of campers and staff throughout the camp season. You’ll pass medications, provide first aid, and respond to health concerns as they arise, working closely with the camp nurse and other members of the camp team. You’ll be an important and trusted resource for campers and staff when they aren’t feeling their best or need a little extra care. This is not a counselor position, so your focus will be on providing health care and helping keep our camp community healthy, safe, and ready for all the fun camp has to offer.

Lifeguard or Waterfront Staff/Unit Counselor (training provided) toggle arrow

Lifeguard or Waterfront Staff/Unit Counselor (training provided) – starting at $456/week (approx. 11 weeks)

Lifeguard Counselors guard for 1-2 groups per day, while Waterfront Staff are at the lake all day! In addition to spending time with their assigned unit when they aren’t at the pool or lake guarding or prepping for campers’ favorite part of the day.

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Pool Manager - Starting at $456.00/week (approx. 11 weeks)

As the Pool Manager, you’ll help keep camp’s pool activities safe, organized, and fun. You’ll supervise our lifeguards, coordinate pool activities, and make sure the pool is ready for campers and staff to enjoy. You’ll also jump in as a lifeguard when needed, keeping a watchful eye on swimmers and helping create a positive experience at the pool. This is a great position for someone who is confident leading a team, enjoys being around the water, and is ready to help make every splash at camp a safe and memorable one.

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Program Director – Starting at $468/week (approx. 11 weeks)

The Program Director takes the lead on special events and ensuring programming is carried out for each session! This role works closely with the Unit Leaders and Unit Counselors to create the best camp experience possible!

Riding Instructor/Unit Counselor toggle arrow

Riding Instructor/Unit Counselor – Starting at $456/week (approx. 11 weeks)

Our barn staff have a unique opportunity at camp to work with children and care for a herd of 10-12 horses. They share their passion for horses with campers who are eagerly waiting to get close to these fantastic creatures. They work in a staff team of 4 or 5 other EQ Staff. They may get up early to do chores, but typically still have time to spend with their assigned group of campers.

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Ropes Course Director - Add on role (approx. 11 weeks)

As a Ropes Course Director, you’ll do everything a Unit Counselor does while also taking on a leadership role within our ropes course program. You’ll supervise and support our ropes course facilitators, help make sure activities are safe, fun, and running smoothly, and facilitate groups on both our high and low ropes courses. You’ll also keep course records and program documentation organized and up to date. It’s a great position for someone who loves working with campers, enjoys being outdoors, and is excited to help lead a team while encouraging girls to challenge themselves, build confidence, and have fun along the way.

Ropes Course Facilitator/Unit Counselor (training provided) toggle arrow

Ropes Course Facilitator/Unit Counselor (training provided) – starting at $456/week (approx. 11 weeks)

In addition to Unit Counselor duties, like participating in GaGa ball or leading a horse around the arena, Ropes Course Facilitators use the experiential learning cycle to help campers process abstract thoughts and ideas into real world changes. They learn to ask through provoking questions and manage various group dynamics. They may get called away from their group to run the ropes course.

Tree Climbing Facilitator toggle arrow

Tree Climbing Director - Add on role (approx. 11 weeks)

As a Tree Climbing Director, you’ll do everything a Unit Counselor does while also taking on a leadership role within our tree climbing program. You’ll supervise and support our tree climbing facilitators, help make sure activities are safe, fun, and running smoothly, and lead groups of campers as they climb, challenge themselves, and build confidence in the treetops. You’ll also keep our climbing records and program documents organized and up to date. It’s a great position for someone who loves working with campers, enjoys being outdoors, and is excited to help lead a team while sharing the adventure of tree climbing with campers.

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Unit Counselors – Starting at $450/week (approx. 11 weeks)

You’re there for the campers 24/7 when they’re at camp. You stay with your group all day (apart from your break time) and experience camp with them. Being a counselor is a hard job, but it’s fun at the same time. You really make a difference with the girls who come to camp. You’ll help girls with basic everyday things like getting up in the morning and brushing their hair and teeth at night, but also with the amazing fun stuff like climbing into the treetops and going on a quest to find a mythical camp creature.

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Unit Leaders – Starting at $468/week (approx. 11 weeks)

Unit Leaders at camp are really the managers of their unit. In addition to completing camper paperwork, and crafting and maintaining the unit’s schedule, Unit Leaders manage group dynamics in their assigned staff group. They have creative freedom to work with girls to make their dreams happen at camp. Unit Leaders meet at the end of each week to review all aspects of camp life and brainstorm ways to make camp better.

Camp Sacajawea

Camp Sacajawea dates:

Specialized Training: May 25-30, 2027
Staff Training: May 31-June 11, 2027
Summer Camp: June 13-August 12, 2027

Camp Tanglefoot

Camp Tanglefoot dates:

Ropes Course Training: May 25-30, 2027
Staff Training: May 31-June 9, 2027
Summer Camp: June 10-August 10, 2027

Questions? We've got answers!

Are you a good fit for camp? toggle arrow

You’ll be a great fit to work at camp if you…

Can commit to a schedule and work the entire or majority of summer. We count on you to be at camp from the start to the end of the summer. Days off may be spent in or out of camp. Many staff members plan outings or activities together on their day off. Most days start early and end late, so energy and enthusiasm will go a long way!

Schedules are hard. If you’re passionate about working at camp, but are concerned about your ability to work the entire summer, apply anyways and we can discuss the possibilities!
Attend training. Depending on your position, you will arrive in May or June to attend training on safety, homesickness, camper advocacy, risk management, programming and more. You’ll also have site-specific training to prepare for the arrival of campers and activities offered at camp.
Are friendly and calm, especially under pressure. We expect camp staff to have a friendly attitude toward campers, parents, and other staff by smiling and greeting everyone you meet, getting to know others, and welcoming all campers who are attending camp to ensure they feel a sense of belonging. Campers will look up to you and see you as a role model.
Are a team player. You will be living in tight spaces and working with the same people all summer. Sometimes you may be tired or under stress, but your co-workers and your campers will count on you to be there for them 100% of the time.

Love working outdoors. We have modern amenities; however, you will be regularly exposed to natural allergens, insects, animals, weather, etc.
Are good at switching gears. All staff need to be ready and eager to help with all areas of camp at any time! Poor weather might change your entire day of plans, and you’ll need to adjust with a smile.
Are willing to learn new things. Parents look to us to be camp experts! You’ll need to learn about leading groups of campers and keeping them safe and happy.
Are willing to disconnect from technology.  Camp has access to the Internet for staff members, but time is limited. Camp phone use is for emergencies only. Staff may bring their own cell phones, but use is limited to when staff members are on their time off. All staff are asked not to have their cell phones in front of campers at any time.
Pay attention to the little things. It doesn’t take much to make a BIG difference at camp—a warm smile, a chat with someone sitting alone, a second to pick up litter. These acts create the positive and inviting culture and environment we strive to offer all campers.
Live by the Girl Scout Promise, Law, and mission at camp. The Girl Scout Promise and Law are the ways Girl Scouts agree to act every day toward one another, other people, and the world. Camp staff will need to become Girl Scout members and therefore abide by the Promise and Law.

Is this position paid? toggle arrow

Yes, camp staff positions are paid. You can find the pay rate in each job description.

Are housing and meals provided as camp staff? toggle arrow

Housing and meals are provided! You’ll live in a cabin or tent in the same living unit as your campers. At Girl Scout camp, you’ll be nearby campers, but won’t share a room with them. That means that you may stay up a little later to make sure they go to bed.

Meals are provided while camp is in session. We make vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or allergen specific meals for staff and campers who may need them.

What training or certifications do you need to work at camp? toggle arrow

All training or certifications required are provided during staff training. You can plan to be certified in CPR and First Aid. There are additional dates for position specific training including ropes course, equestrian, tree climbing, and lifeguarding.

Are there opportunities at camp to earn college credit? toggle arrow

If your degree program has internship requirements that match with camp jobs, we can work with you to complete an internship during the summer. Or if you’re looking for a freer flowing internship program, we can work to meet your goals in a camp job this summer.