Counselor Naturalist

Central Wisconsin Environmental Station

Counselor/Naturalist – Summer 2025

The Central Wisconsin Environmental Station is a field station supported by the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point College of Natural Resources and the UWSP Foundation, Inc. The Station is operated year-round by permanent staff and university students as an environmental education center for people of all ages. 

Description:

Counselor/Naturalists will be responsible for supporting summer camps at the Central Wisconsin Environmental Station (CWES). Naturalists will serve as educators, caretakers, and mentors for all camp participants. Most weeks, counselors live in cabins or lodges with 7-10 campers from Sunday afternoon until mid-afternoon on Friday. Counselors may rotate into the position of “swing counselor,” who will have similar teaching and evening program responsibilities, but are not responsible for campers overnight and sleep in the staff cabins. Counselors will be required to stay on-site from Sunday at 1:00 pm to Friday at 5:00 pm each week except during scheduled time off. Counselors will be given an average of 3 hours off daily Monday – Thursday except in the event of an offsite trip or during an overnight campout. During this off-time counselors will be able to leave the site. Cabin counselors will also be given 1 hour off in the evenings Monday-Thursday for mental/personal health but must remain on site during this time. If a contract or specialty camp is on site with their own counselors, CWES counselors will not be required to stay onsite overnight. Each week at CWES is different and requirements from staff vary. 

During the summer, CWES offers: 

• Residential Summer Camps:Campers stay overnight for anywhere from a few nights to a full week depending on the session. Some overnight sessions include off-site camping.
• Day Camp:Campers join CWES staff for the day for nature-based activities and camp programming and return home each night.
• Contract and Specialty Camps:CWES staff facilitate outside groups that come to use the property and our equipment. These groups come with their own leadership, but CWES staff still have the opportunity to lead various programming.

Daily/Weekly Staff Responsibilities & Duties: 

• Attend and participate in staff meetings
• Assist with camper check in/check out, mealtimes, and other camp happenings
• Under the direct supervision of the Camp Director, present environmental educational programs and lead games and activities (archery, canoeing, arts, tree climbing, etc.)
• Assist lifeguards in waterfront supervision
• Assist with setting up and maintaining equipment and locations on site
• Ensure the safety and well-being of campers
• Utilize appropriate behavior management techniques as trained, or seek guidance when unsure how to proceed
• Maintain professional communication with all other staff members, including radio use
• Reside in a cabin with campers when assigned to do so. This involves ensuring the campers are prepared in the morning, that lights-out is enforced, that they are cared for overnight, and includes fostering a positive group dynamic as well as addressing the needs of the individual
• Assist in camp projects as needed, including the final camp cleanup week
• Facilitate group competitions and relays with campers
• Other duties as assigned

Essential Functions: 

• Work cooperatively with CWES summer and year-round staff to build and maintain a positive, cohesive work atmosphere for all
• Work through conflicts with staff and campers in a compassionate and professional manner
• Live in a shared space with fellow summer staff on non-residential camp weeks, and live in shared space with campers during residential camp weeks
• Serve as a positive role model to campers by following and implementing camp objectives and UWSP policies
• Work in variable weather conditions, often hot temperatures, for several hours at a time
• Assist maintenance and food service staff as needed
• Maintain an inclusive, positive and respectful attitude towards all staff and campers
• Lift 30 lbs

Accommodations:

When Counselor/Naturalists are assigned to a cabin during CWES residential camp, they will spend the night in the cabin with their campers. During other times (i.e. contract and specialty camps), Counselor/Naturalists will be provided shared, staff housing on-site. Shared restrooms, showers, wi-fi, and laundry facilities are provided. When programs are in session, all staff will receive free meals from the dining hall. When programs are not in session, leftovers may be provided but are not guaranteed. 

Schedule:

Employment begins June 2nd and ends on August 15th. Mandatory training for all staff will be June 2nd-7th. A Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training will also be planned and requires pre-online coursework. 

Compensation:

• $400/week without lifeguard certification
• $425/week with lifeguard certification
• Additional $15/week incentive for returning counselor/naturalists
• Lodging, meals, and laundry offered through contracted dates as outlined above
• Internship: UWSP students can qualify to complete a credit bearing internship (NRES 381) over the summer
• Knowledge and experience facilitating environmental education programming and developing valuable leadership skills

Requirements:

• 18 years of age or older
• Must successfully pass a background and reference check, conducted by UW-Stevens Point
• CPR, AED and First Aid certification, or ability to obtain certification prior to employment
• Must maintain effective, appropriate, and sustained mental, emotional, and social interaction while working in camp’s youth-centered and dynamic environment
• Must adapt to changing needs/environment, independent problem solving, and clear communication with campers/staff/community members
• Must live on-site at CWES and working a flexible schedule with long hours

Qualifications: Training, experience or significant interest in…

• Natural resources/outdoor skills
• Delivering educational programs
• Working with youth and people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior experience with summer camp programming
• Familiarity with Wisconsin natural resources
• Wisconsin Boater Safety certification
• Lifeguard certification (strongly preferred but not required, higher pay for lifeguard-certified)