Portuguese Summer Camp Counselor

Concordia College; Bemidji (MN); On-site; USD 13,000 - 16,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing provided

Meals provided

Paid training

Tuition discounts

Visa sponsorship

Job summary

Concordia Language Villages, a program of Concordia College, seeks a Portuguese Summer Camp Counselor to create immersive language and cultural experiences for youth in Bemidji.

You will lead activities, model language use, supervise residents, and join a dedicated team in a residential camp setting, with housing provided.

This seasonal role runs summer 2027 with shifts up to seven days a week and daily residential hours.

Qualifications

• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively.
• Two years language study or equivalent fluency.
• Experience working with children is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Speak the target language with villagers and staff as much as possible.
• Lead activities and teach language through games, arts, sports, and culture.
• Live in a cabin with villagers and supervise as part of a counseling team.
• Ensure a safe, hygienic space and assist with light village cleaning.
• Be a positive role model and promote use of the target language.

Skills

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent communication

Adaptability

Willingness to learn

Education

Two years language study or equivalent fluency

One year experience with children

Job description

Position Details

Position Title: Portuguese Summer Camp Counselor

Location: Bemidji, Minnesota

Employment Type: Seasonal Recreation Exempt, Temporary, Full-time

General Employment Period: Summer 2027

General Work Schedule: Up to seven days per week

General Shift Hours: Residential: 14 – 16 hours per day, plus overnight residential supervision responsibilities

Minimum Salary: $325/week

Position Opening Date: 11/6/2026

Screening Begins: 12/1/2026

Open Until Filled?: Yes

Why Concordia Language Villages?

At Concordia Language Villages, a program of Concordia College, your workcontributes to something bigger. Every role plays a part in creating immersiveexperiences that inspire curiosity, build connections across cultures, andprepare people to engage thoughtfully with the world.

Here, you'll join a collaborative community where your contributions arevalued, and your work can make a meaningful difference in the lives of ourparticipants.

About the Role

Position Overview

As a Summer Camp Counselor at Concordia Language Villages, you'll help create an immersive language and cultural experience for young people from around the world. Working alongside a team of dedicated staff, you'll lead engaging activities, introduce villagers to language and cultural traditions, and help foster a welcoming, supportive camp community. From games and outdoor adventures to music, art, and everyday Village life, you'll play an important role in helping participants build language skills, develop friendships, and explore new perspectives.

What You'll Do

• Speak the target language with children (“villagers”) and other staff members as much as possible


• Teach language through activities (art, sports,traditional culture) and interactive lessons


• Participate in all aspects of Village life, including meals, song times,evening programs, cultural presentations, and staff meetings.


• Lead games, Cabin Council and other activities to create a cabincommunity.


• Live in a cabin with villagers, as part of acounseling team, to provide supervision.


• Assist with light cleaning of the Village site (including cabins,bathrooms, activity areas, etc.) with villagers and counseling team to ensure asafe, hygienic space for everyone.


• Be a positive role model for desired behaviors among villagers,including the use of target language.

You'll Thrive Here if You:

• Enjoy working collaboratively and building positive relationships with people from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds.


• Are adaptable and comfortable working in a dynamic, community-oriented environment.


• Take pride in contributing to a welcoming, supportive, and engaging experience for others.


• Bring enthusiasm, initiative, and a willingness to learn.


• Find meaning in helping others explore languages, cultures, and new perspectives.

General Responsibilities for All Positions

• Be familiar with and abide by specific policies set forth in the \"Personnel Policies,\" which are designated by Concordia Language Villages administration and individual Village deans.


• Read and become familiar with the responsibilities for your specific area of assignment.


• After receiving your Staff Handbook and other material, read all the information carefully and thoroughly before arriving at the Village.


• Report to orientation prior to your first session as designated by your staff agreement.


• Assist with setting up the Village, preparing for the next session, and maintaining the Village throughout the session.


• Speak the target language with villagers and staff members as much as possible.


• Live in community living arrangements, assigned according to gender; nearly all positions include living and sleeping in a cabin or other housing unit with villagers (participants) of the same gender; positions that do not include living with villagers do include living with other staff members of the same gender.


• Be prepared to use shared bathroom facilities assigned according to gender; shower and toilet stalls are private but situated within common bathroom areas shared with other staff and villagers.


• Model standards for behavior and be sensitive to the health and welfare of the villagers.


• Remain one day after your final session for cleanup, inventory, and evaluation of the program.


• Be at least 16 years of age to be considered for a staff position.


• Be at least 18 years of age to be considered for a staff position if you are not a United States citizen.

Essential Functions of All Positions

• Emotional resiliency and cognitive abilities to carry out job responsibilities specifically in the busy, noisy, communal environment that is the Village.


• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships.


• Ability to exercise good judgment and manage your own needs in order to maintain a youth-centered program.


• Interpersonal skills to interact effectively with individuals and groups in respecting social and cultural diversity and to maintain appropriate boundaries.

Provision of essential functions helps assure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Qualifications

What We're Looking For

We're looking for enthusiastic, adaptable individuals who are passionate about language, culture, and working with young people. Successful counselors bring strong communication skills, creativity, good judgment, and a willingness to participate fully in a collaborative, residential camp environment.

Whether you're an experienced camp counselor or exploring a new opportunity to share your language skills and cultural knowledge, we encourage you to apply!

Required Education & Experience

• Completed two years of language study or haveequivalent fluency


• Broad knowledge of the culture and activities ofthe language.


• At least 18 years of age

Preferred Education & Experience

• One year experience working with children


• Previous attendance or work experience at Concordia Language Villages oranother summer camp

Required Skills and Abilities

Candidates must be able to demonstrate the following:

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability tocommunicate effectively


• Maturity and good judgment


• Enjoy interacting with and managing children


• Adaptability in changing situations

Seasonal Perks

Seasonal employment at Concordia Language Villages offers opportunities to develop new skills, gain valuable experience, and build meaningful connections with people from around the world.

Depending on the position, seasonal employment may include:

• Housing provided during residential employment.


• Meals provided during residential employment.


• Paid training and orientation.


• Applicable tuition discounts for children attending Concordia Language Villages.


• Opportunities for professional development, intercultural learning, and language immersion.


• J-1 Exchange Visitor visa sponsorship for eligible international applicants.

Employment Contingencies

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment requirements, including a criminal background check.

Nondiscrimination Statement

Concordia College does not discriminate against any employee or applicantfor employment on the basis of race, color, creed, sex, religion, nationalorigin, age, veteran status, disability, genetic information, sexualorientation, gender identity, marital status, familial status, publicassistance status, membership or activity in a local human rightscommission, or any other legally protected status. The College iscommitted to providing equal opportunity in employment and fosteringan inclusive and respectful environment for all. Reasonable accommodationsare available to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the recruitment process.