What’s it really like to work here?
We may be biased, but working at Camp Kooch-i-ching is the perfect summer job. This job is the perfect opportunity to step away from the routine for a while, become a part of a tight-knit, multi-generational community, and spend your days outdoors in the stunning Canadian wilderness, guiding young men who look up to you and dream of being like you one day.
Want to know a bit more about spending a summer at Camp Kooch-i-ching? Here’s the “need to know.”
Work hard and have fun doing it
Working at a summer camp is not the typical 9-5 job, but that is what makes it so fun. From starting your day by jumping in the lake before breakfast to ending it by the fire on a remote Canadian River after a long day’s paddle, this is an action packed job. Once the campers show up, you’ll spend about a week at camp teaching classes and preparing for your wilderness trip. These canoeing or backpacking trips will last 7, 10, 13, or 21 days.
Leading a wilderness trip is a 24/7 job. Days start with campfire coffee in hand and are filled with miles of paddling, portaging, or backpacking, navigating challenges, and finding fun ways to pass the time with campers and staff. To be sure, you get to enjoy the natural beauty along with everyone else, but when there is a decision to be made, you’re the one in charge.
Once you return to International Falls and all your dirty trip gear has been washed up and packed away, you’ll spend approximately another week in camp before campers go home.
You Will Wear Many Hats
Mentor
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Role Model
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Colleague
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Problem Solver
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Decision Maker
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Wilderness Guide
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Teammate
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Fun Counselor
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Mentor • Role Model • Colleague • Problem Solver • Decision Maker • Wilderness Guide • Teammate • Fun Counselor •
Time off & Finding Balance
Cabin and trip staff members have extended time off (from after lunch to breakfast the next day) once or twice a week while in camp. In addition to this larger block of time, staff members can expect to have periods of time off a few times a day, almost every day. Why “almost?” Because some days, especially right before your trip goes out, you might feel better taking this time to pack your personal gear or review the meal plan for your trip. Or, perhaps a colleague has asked you to help teach a class during what might have been your free period. In sum, staff members work with their peers and unit heads to ensure everyone gets personal time while also ensuring sufficient camper supervision.
This job demands a lot but is also likely the most rewarding job you’ll ever have. With a strong work ethic and a community supporting you, you’ll thrive at Camp Kooch-i-ching.
Pay
We know no one expects to retire after working at a summer camp, but we also know that valuable life experiences don’t pay the bills. We conducted a benchmarking survey in 2022 to ensure that our trip leader and cabin staff salaries are competitive with other summer camps in the midwest. We are constantly seeking ways to increase staff compensation for the life-changing work you do.
The base pay for a Trip Assistant is between $2,150 and $2,775 while the range for a Trip Head is between $3,275 and $4,100, depending on years of work experience. This is considered the “base pay” and where your pay ends up is driven by years as a counselor, certifications, and in-camp responsibilities. Many camp jobs and leadership roles come with additional pay, ranging from $50 - $500 per role. Are you an expert with a bow and arrow and want to lead the archery department? There’s an extra $250 for you. Build your compensation using the skills and passions you already have!
Other Benefits
Travel
We’ve taken all the stress out of getting to and from camp. Instead of putting a pricey flight on a personal credit card, you can book your air travel to and from camp on us through TravelPerk, Kooch’s travel platform. If you choose to drive, there’s plenty of parking space and we’ll provide you with a $400 travel stipend on your final paycheck.
Training
Trip and cabin staff members receive valuable, industry-leading certifications during the pre-season staff training session. Get your Wilderness First Responder or Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification ($1,000 value) prior to campers arriving. You can become an American Red Cross Lifeguard ($250 value) and perfect your whitewater paddle skills with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. Plus, if you arrive early to help open up camp, you will receive an additional weekly stipend based on when you arrive.
Save Money
Did you know the average college student spends between $1,000 and $2,000 during their summer break? With room and board included in your compensation, you’ll find your spending drops drastically while at camp. While you can still get anything you might need delivered to camp, there isn’t a lot of time for online shopping, making you a more mindful consumer as well.
Build your Resumé
What will you be able to add to your resume at the end of the summer? Many skills and real-life stories will help bring them to life in a job interview. Alumni of Camp Kooch-i-ching go on to be attorneys, small business owners, artists, educators, human resources professionals, investment bankers, engineers, entrepreneurs, physician assistants and nurses, tech leaders, and more. There are very few alumni who do not cite their experiences as a Kooch-i-ching staff member as one of the most influential factors in the success in their professional careers.
Logisitcs
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Conflict Resolution
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Resource Management
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Attention to Detail
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Problem Solving
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Risk Management
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Group Leadership
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Time Management
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Logisitcs • Conflict Resolution • Resource Management • Attention to Detail • Problem Solving • Risk Management • Group Leadership • Time Management •
Choose your Summer
Summer At Camp Kooch-i-ching
Paddled an awesome river, saw a moose and the Northern Lights, helped a camper hit a bullseye in Archery class. Came home with a 2-year WFR certification and a 2-year Lifeguard and CPR certificate. Added $3,775 to my bank account at the end of the summer.
First year trip head base pay: $3,275
Department head: $300
Training stipend: $300
Travel stipend: $400
Total Pay: $4,275
Gas: $-200
Rent: $0
Food: $0
Spending money: -$300
Net: $3,775
Summer Internship
Sat in a cubicle, bored many days, watched way too much TV at night, and hated my commute. Found out I want to work at a smaller company. Added $3,900 to my bank account at the end of the summer.
Pay: $10,000
Gas: $-200
Rent: $-3,000
Food: $-1,400
Spending money: -$1,500
Net: $3,900
What’s Next?
Get in touch with Tim Downey to learn more or sign up for a fantastic summer.