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.
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 lodges with campers or in a separate cabin in our cabin loop from Sunday afternoon until mid-afternoon on Friday. Counselors will be required to stay on-site from Sunday at 1:00 pm to Friday at 5:00 pm each week. Counselors will be given an average of 3 hours off daily Monday Thursday during residential weeks 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. If a contract or specialty camp is on site with their own counselors CWES counselors will not be required to stay onsite overnight.
During the summer CWES offers:
1. Residential Summer Camps: Campers stay overnight anywhere from a few nights to a full week depending on the session. Some overnight sessions include off-site camping.
2. Day Camp: Campers join CWES staff for the day for nature-based activities and camp programming and return home each night.
3. 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.
Attend and participate in semiweekly 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 lodge or in the cabin loop 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
Work cooperatively with CWES 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 staff housing during non-residential camp weeks and live in lodges with campers or cabin loop with other staff 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
When Counselor/Naturalists are assigned to cabin/lodge duties during CWES camp they will either spend the night in a lodge with campers or stay in a staff cabin in the cabin loop with other cabin staff. During other times 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.
Employment begins June 1st and ends on August 14th. Mandatory training for all staff will be June 1st-5th.
$400/week without lifeguard certification
An additional $15/week incentive for returning counselor/naturalists
$425/week with lifeguard certification
An additional $15/week incentive for returning counselor/naturalists
Lodging meals and laundry are 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 in facilitating environmental education programming and developing valuable leadership skills
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 the camps 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 work a flexible schedule with long hours
Natural resources/outdoor skills
Delivering educational programs
Working with youth and people of all ages backgrounds and abilities
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)
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and interviews will be conducted as applications are received.
Please email your application to:
CWES Phone:
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Individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or interview process should contact Human Resources and Affirmative Action at or
The safety and success of students faculty and staff at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point is paramount. The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act requires the distribution of an annual security report to all current and prospective students faculty and staff. You may obtain the complete report at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing except the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
An offer of employment will require a criminal background check and authorization to work within the United States as required by the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.
UW is an Equal Opportunity Employer:
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex sexual orientation gender identity national origin age pregnancy disability status as a protected veteran or any other bases protected by applicable federal or State law and UW System policies. We are committed to building a workforce that represents a variety of backgrounds perspectives and skills and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.