Camp Nor’wester Summer Jobs
2025 Summer Jobs!
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Most positions have a minimum age of 19. Specific positions, especially those that supervise other staff, require staff to be 21 or older. We also require half of the Unit Leaders are 21+.
Jobs that are open to 18 year olds are Kitchen Team, Camp Operations Crew, and Camp Nanny.
*We often hire a limited number of 17 year olds who were past campers for the Kitchen Team.
Age requirements for specific are listed for each position below.
Camp Nor’wester offers a variety of positions suited to different skills, interests, and experience levels. All positions live on-site for the summer and are part of a close-knit community dedicated to providing an incredible camp experience for our campers. Whether you're passionate about working directly with campers or want to support the operations of camp, there’s a role for you!
Positions are available for Unit Staff, who work directly with groups of campers, guiding them through daily camp life; Department Staff, who lead specialized activities like arts, waterfront, or outdoor cooking; and Program Staff, who facilitate aspects of our program outside of activity departments. Supervisory Staff oversee specific program areas, supporting staff and high-quality camper experiences, while Leadership Team directs the overall camp experience, coordinating both staff and programs. Support Staff play vital operational roles, including kitchen, maintenance, and healthcare, ensuring the camp runs smoothly.
Our application allows you to select multiple positions, and we’re happy to help find the right fit based on your strengths and interests. Click on a job title below for more details, including minimum age requirements, contract dates, pay, and a link to the full job description.
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For summer 2025, the general staff contract dates are June 10th through August 21st.
Many positions, such as Leadership Team and Ropes Instructors, have earlier arrival dates. The position-specific dates are listed with each job below.
Please note in your hiring process if you need any adjustments, as we can offer some flexibility especially when we know ahead of time and can be strategic about job placement. We also offer a limited number of half-summer contracts for specific positions.
Head to the Staff Experience page to read about additional work opportunities for Pre-Camp work and our end of summer Family Camp.
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Certifications: All staff are required to have, at a minimum, basic First Aid and CPR certifications from an approved in-person course.
Many positions require Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Lifeguard certification. Some job require specific certifications such as Level 1 Archery or WA Boaters Education. Read the Job Description to see a positions full list of requirements.
Also listed on the job descriptions are any skills or experience requires that each position requires.
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*New for 2025: We are moving to pay summer staff based on a weekly rate. For all positions, these weekly rates reflect a pay increase from 2024 for the full contract.
For summer 2025, the base starting salary is $400/week with higher rates for different positions. All room and board is included (including housing off island on your time off).
We also provide stipends for certifications and bonuses for things like referring other staff or the number of previous summers worked.
Salaries for each position are listed on each Full Job Description.
Unit Staff Positions
At Camp Nor’wester, camp revolves around the unit system, where campers spend most of their four weeks with their group of 10-15 peers; living, eating meals, and navigating the challenges and adventures of camp as a close-knit group. Unit Staff are essential to this structure, guiding campers as they develop the interpersonal skills needed for living and learning together. Unit Staff guide the group through their day at camp, helping campers build relationships, overcome challenges, and fully experience all that Camp offers.
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Minimum Age: 19, Requires Wilderness First Aid or Lifeguard certification
Working with a co-Unit Leader, in charge of a group of approx. 10-15 same aged campers. Plans unit's weekly activities, provides individualized and group support as the unit moves through the daily schedule, participates in activities and events alongside campers, and maintains the well-being and safety of each camper.
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Minimum Age: 19
Substitutes for Unit Leaders who are on time off. Works with other Unit Leader to ensure the health and safety of campers as they participate in the camp program. May also provide relief support to other program areas and departments as needed.
Department Staff Positions
Department Staff run all of Nor’wester’s activity departments. They live in a camper unit and support campers day to day in unit and in their specific program area. Department Staff lead activities in their department during program time, and participate in evening activities and overnight trips with units as assigned. Departments range in size from one staff up to ten staff.
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Minimum Age: 19
Teaches basic archery techniques and safety practices. Must be certified or able to complete Level 1 or higher USA Archery Instructor.
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Minimum Age: 18
Leads groups of campers during camp improvement projects and general camp upkeep and educates camp community on the importance of stewardship and conservation. Also responsible for managing recyclable and non-recyclable waste materials, care and feeding of pigs, and other weekly and daily camp operations task. Requires ability to lift 50 lbs and valid driver’s license.
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Minimum Age: 19
Operates camp store where campers and staff can purchase clothing, gear, stationery, food and treats, etc. Responsible for maintaining accounts and inventory, coordinating weekly camper laundry pick-up and drop-off. Valid driver’s license strongly preferred.
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Minimum Age: 19
Teaches art/crafts to groups of campers. General areas of art at camp include: pottery, hand sewing, watercolors, woodworking, beading, knitting & crocheting, and silk screening. Experience teaching in two or more of these areas preferred.
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Minimum Age: 19
Teaches campers how to explore their imaginations using various dance and expressive movement techniques. Will assist groups in development of special presentations to camp community. Experience in multiple forms of dance required; teaching experience preferred.
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Minimum Age: 19
Teaches campers how to explore their imaginations using various dramatic and theatrical techniques. Will assist groups in development of skits and special presentations to camp community. Experience in drama, theatre games and improvisation required; teaching experience preferred.
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Minimum Age: 19
Teaches basic gardening, composting and farming skills to groups of campers. Responsible for watering, weeding and other garden care tasks throughout summer season. Experience with gardening required; teaching experience preferred.
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Minimum Age: 19
Lead activities that expose campers to the natural world of Johns Island, addressing environmental issues of the San Juan Islands, and the importance of stewardship and responsibility. Experience in a variety of natural sciences required; teaching experience preferred.
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Minimum Age: 19
Teaches basic food and cooking skills through facilitation of a cooking activity with a group of campers. Responsible for lighting and maintaining fires to heat clay oven, fire pits or grill. Experience cooking with campfires required, teaching experience preferred.
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Minimum Age: 19, Requires completion of on-site Level 1 Challenge Course training.
Will lead groups of campers and staff through various ropes and challenge course initiatives, and through climbing activities. Requires experience in High/Low course initiatives and facilitation and/or climbing and belaying experience.
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Minimum age: 19, Requires Lifeguard Certification
Instruct campers in sailing, kayaking, and canoeing techniques and safety. Maintain equipment. Depending on experience, may participate in 4-5 day sailing, canoeing or kayaking trips throughout the San Juan Islands. Requires experience with waterfront activities. Small Craft Instructor certification preferred.
Program Staff Positions
Program Staff are involved in programming outside of activity departments. Whether leading trips, leading singing after meals, or documenting it all, Program Staff run some of the most important parts of camp. They live in a camper unit and support campers day to day, as well as serving as Relief Staff when their other responsibilities allow.
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Minimum Age: 19
Lead singing after most meals, organize opportunities for campers to perform, assist groups hosting campfires or chapels, when music is involved. Will also lead groups at camp dances. Requires experience in leading groups in singing and ability to accompany singers on guitar or piano.
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Minimum Age: 21, Requires Wilderness First Aid (or higher)
Serve as the designated Trip Leader for 4- and 5 day trips such as Backpacking, Sailing, Bike Touring, Mountaineering, or Climbing. While at camp responsibilities include trip planning, gear maintenance, and serving as Relief Staff as needed.
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Minimum age: 19
Responsible for filling menu orders for overnight trips, extended trips, and campfires. Experience in trip food helpful. Requires excellent organizational skills and must be able to lift 50 pounds.
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Minimum age: 19
Shoots photos to document all camp activities throughout summer. Submits photos weekly for summer blog entries and social media posts. Categorizes all photo files for easy access in off-season. Serve as Relief Staff.
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Minimum age: 19
Shoots and edits a video of approximately 30 minute-length, which chronicles the summer activities and will be used for promotional purposes. Shooting occurs during the summer, editing of movie takes place in the fall. Serve as Relief Staff.
Supervisory Team Positions
These positions work closely with the Year-Round Program Director, as well as other members of the Leadership Team. They supervise 4-10 other summer staff and manage all aspects of their department. They live in a residential unit and support campers’ day-to-day in-unit and program activities. A commitment to Nor’wester’s philosophy and values and an interest in supporting the staff experience through serving as a bridge between all staff and camp leadership is required.
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Minimum age: 21
Supervises staff of 4. Works closely with the Caretaker to manage Camp Operations. Educates camp community on the importance of recycling and conservation. Supervises groups of campers during camp improvement projects, shower house and outhouse maintenance. Responsible for the care and feeding of pigs. Requires ability to lift 50 lbs and valid driver’s license.
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Minimum age: 21
Supervises staff of 9. Orders supplies, maintains records, plans Craftshop activities for Special Days. Evaluates Craftshop staff. Experience in a variety of art/craft media required; teaching and supervising experience preferred.
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Minimum age: 21, Requires completion of on-site ‘Level Challenge Course’ training.
Supervises staff of 4-5. Ensures maintenance and safety checks of equipment. Plans department activities for special days. Will lead groups of campers and staff through various ropes and challenge course initiatives, and through climbing activities. Requires documented experience in High/Low course initiatives and facilitation and climbing and belaying.
Full Job Description
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Minimum age: 21
Assists a Unit Director in supporting and supervising Unit Leaders for the younger (9-13) units or older (14-16) units. Observes unit activities and supports development of child care skills by serving as Relief Staff. Will evaluate Unit Leaders and Relief Staff, sharing duties with the Unit Directors. Past Camp Nor’wester experience preferred. Experience as camp counselor required.
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Minimum age: 21, Requires Lifeguard certification
Supervises staff of 9. Oversees waterfront program, scheduling groups, planning overnight trips, and equipment maintenance. Plans department activities for Special Days. Equipment includes kayaks, sailboats, and canoes. Requires experience managing waterfront activities, Small Craft Instructor certification preferred.
Leadership Team Positions
These positions are led by the Year-Round Program Director and play a vital role by overseeing large aspects of the summer experience. A commitment to supporting all summer staff and campers in their experience at Camp is essential. We seek feedback, we problem-solve and design creative solutions, and we do what it takes to make it all happen!
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Minimum Age: 21
Supervises approximately 10 Department Heads. Observes program activities, supports partnership development between department staff. Facilitates special day and event programing. Other Administrative duties as assigned. Past Camp Nor’wester experience preferred. Experience in program oversight and development preferred.
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Minimum Age: 21
Support campers with unique needs have a rewarding camp experience. Work closely with these campers, communicates with parents/guardians, and collaborates with Unit Leaders and staff to develop customized support strategies. Works closely with Mental Health Counselor, Directors, and Unit Directors.
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Minimum Age: 21
Responsible for scheduling Time Off, Break, Relief, and Evening Assignment schedules. Works closely with Directors, Administrative staff and Department Heads. Other Administrative duties as assigned. Past Camp Nor’wester experience preferred.
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Minimum Age: 21
Manages all aspects of the Outcamp Trip program, including 4 and 5 day extended trips and weekly overnight trips. Supervise trip staff and Pack Out Manager, overseeing trip gear, trip food, and trip planning. Other Administrative duties as assigned. Past Camp Nor’wester experience preferred. Experience in trip leading and planning required.
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Minimum Age: 21
Supports and supervises Unit Leader for either the younger units (9-13 year olds) or older unit (14-16 years olds). Along with a Unit Mentor, observe unit activities, support partnership development between Unit Leader. Works closely with Camper Support Coordinator to develop support plans for campers and units. Will evaluate Unit Leader, sharing duties with the Unit Mentor. Other Administrative duties as assigned. Past Camp Nor’wester experience preferred. Experience as camp counselor required.
Support Staff Positions
These roles are ESSENTIAL to successfully running Camp each summer. While their responsibilities do not include camper supervision and unit support, they fill an integral role in daily camp operations, providing support in a variety of areas very necessary to Camp.
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Minimum Age: 18
Will assist in meal preparation and clean up, doing weekly inventory of supplies, and orienting campers to kitchen procedures. Responsible for cleaning dishes, pots and pans, and other equipment used in meal preparation.
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Minimum Age: 21
Will assist in meal preparation and clean up, doing weekly inventory of supplies, and orienting campers to kitchen procedures. Responsible for cleaning dishes, pots and pans, and other equipment used in meal preparation.
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Minimum Age: 21
Supervises Kitchen Team of 10 and cooks; assists cooks when necessary. Responsible for inventories, accepting food deliveries and any special events involving the kitchen. Evaluates kitchen staff. Requires commercial cooking/kitchen experience, and valid driver’s license. Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
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Minimum Age: 24, Current nursing license to practice in WA state and 2+ years experience required.
Responsible for the medical care for the camp community; distribution of medications; first responder in emergency situations. Will submit a written inventory and summary of department activities at the end of the season. Full season and split-season contracts available.
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Minimum Age: 19
Assists the Nurse(s) in providing health care to the camp community. Will participate in other organization and cleaning duties as Health Center assignments allow.
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Minimum Age: 21, Requires valid driver’s license
Drives boat shuttles to and from the camp property daily. Shuttles occur several times a day between various locations in the San Juans. On-site training will occur upon arrival, but boat driving experience is highly preferred and all boat drivers must complete and pass the WA State Boater Safety exam. Must be able to lift 50 pounds.
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Minimum Age: 19
Completes grounds, maintenance, and facilities projects as assigned by the Caretaker. May be trained in the use of special equipment as needed. Works independently, and in teams of two or more.
