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EMployment

Youth Camp Summer Staff

​

Wisconsin Farmers Union is looking for summer staff who love being outside and who love kids. Our staff spend much of the summer outdoors and having fun while working, teaching, and learning together. 

 

Education and Competencies:

  • Must currently be 18 years of age or older. 

  • Certified lifeguards encouraged to apply; certification may be made available to interested but non-certified hires.

  • Current certification in First Aid and CPR or individual willing to complete certification course during designated training day.

  • Prior camp experience and/or interest in the Wisconsin Farmers Union camp program.

 

Qualifications:

  • Experience, desire and ability to work with and relate to children and peers in an outdoor environment.

    • An interest in agriculture, the outdoors, cooperatives, and/or social justice and enthusiasm for sharing that interest with children is preferred.

    • Some knowledge and training in natural science is preferred.

  • A sense of humor, creativity, and initiative.

  • Desire and ability to work as part of a team.

  • Willingness to abide by the policies and practices of the Wisconsin Farmers Union.

  • Willingness to place the needs of campers and camp above personal desires.

  • Good health and stamina necessary to work in the camp setting.

  • The acceptance of irregular work hours.

  • The acceptance and understanding that employment is at a resident (overnight) camp.

 

Commitment:

  • Preparation and training begins June 9th; position is live-in.

  • Residential camp begins July 9th and ends July 31st, with time off July 3-6. Camp activities throughout the day & evening, with time off scheduled each day, with some work days longer or shorter depending on the camp and other responsibilities.

 

Work Environment:

  • The work is performed on-site, almost exclusively outdoors at the organization’s 23 acre camp facility, WFU Kamp Kenwood, on the Yellow River Channel/Moon Bay area of Lake Wissota, adjoining Lake Wissota State Park.

  • Acceptance of irregular work hours.

  • Acceptance and understanding that employment is at a resident (overnight) camp.

  • Acceptance of living with and working with a small group of individuals for the duration of the camp. 

Lead Camp Cook 


Wisconsin Farmers Union is seeking a dependable, creative, and experienced Lead Camp Cook to join
our summer team at WFU Kamp Kenwood. The Lead Camp Cook will be responsible for overseeing all
kitchen operations and preparing nutritious, delicious meals for 30–70 campers and staff during our
residential youth camps. This role requires leadership in meal planning, food preparation, and kitchen
management. Ideal candidates are passionate about feeding kids well, experienced in group meal
preparation, and capable of adapting to a variety of dietary needs with minimal waste.


Employment Dates:

  • Camp Sessions: July 9–10, July 13–16, July 20–23, and July 27–31

  • Prep/Inventory: Dates prior to sessions (to be scheduled collaboratively)


Salary:
$140/day


Essential Functions:

  • Complete Certified Sex Offender Registry and Criminal Background Checks (required).

  • Be able to meet personal care needs and work long hours in a residential, rustic, outdoor setting.

  • Work on-site during camp sessions in a commercial kitchen.

  • Lead kitchen operations independently while collaborating with the wider camp team.

  • Maintain professional, calm communication in high-stress or emergency situations.

  • Demonstrate physical stamina to prepare and serve three meals daily, plus snacks, to large groups.

  • Show initiative, leadership, and reliability in time-sensitive settings.

  • Be respectful and supportive of diverse camper and staff backgrounds and needs.

​

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Oversee all kitchen activities and lead meal planning and preparation for 30–70 campers and staff

  • each day.

  • Accommodate a wide range of dietary restrictions (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free,

  • nut-free).

  • Efficiently manage inventory, portioning, and use of leftovers to minimize food waste.

  • Conduct inventory prior to each session and coordinate ordering/shopping needs with camp

  • administration.

  • Ensure the kitchen and dining area remain clean, safe, and organized in compliance with food

  • safety standards.

  • Align meal timing with the camp schedule and ensure smooth, timely food service.

  • Supervise and direct kitchen staff or counseling staff, some of whom will have little prior kitchen

  • experience, providing clear instruction and support.

  • Serve as the point person for food-related planning and logistics during camp sessions.


Hours

  • Schedules can be designed collaboratively, but kitchen lead must be onsite for minimum of two

  • meals per day, with guidance and preparation for the third meal.

  • No more than 10 hours per day, with no more than 45 hours in one week.

  • Two days off per week. Days off depend on camp schedule but will prioritize days off being Fridays, Saturdays, or Sundays. May need to work split shifts. Ex - 6:30 AM - 12 PM, 4 PM - 6:30 PM

 

Education and Competencies:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older.

  • Current food manager certification required (or willingness to complete prior to employment).

  • Significant experience in food service, camp kitchens, or group meal preparation preferred.

  • Strong leadership and organizational skills; able to guide a small team.

  • Comfortable working independently and adjusting to a flexible, fast-paced schedule.

  • Able to maintain confidentiality and remain calm under pressure.

  • Excellent time management and problem-solving skills.

  • Able to create and adjust meal plans based on current food inventory.

  • Current drivers license

 

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

  • Work is performed primarily outdoors and in a rustic kitchen/dining facility on a 23-acre lakeside

  • camp.

  • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds over uneven terrain.

  • Exposure to variable weather conditions.

  • Long hours on feet; fast-paced environment; early mornings and some evening hours required.

  • Participation in the overall camp community as part of a small, close-knit summer staff team.

 

Commitment:
The Lead Camp Cook must be available for all camp session dates and a short number of prep days
leading up to each session for inventory and planning.

Camp Cook 


Wisconsin Farmers Union is seeking a dependable and creative Camp Cook to join our summer team at
WFU Kamp Kenwood. The Camp Cook will be responsible for preparing and serving nutritious, delicious
meals for 30–70 campers and staff during our residential youth camps. Ideal candidates have experience
working in kitchen settings, are passionate about feeding kids well, and are able to adapt to a variety of
dietary needs with minimal waste.


Employment Dates:

  • Camp Sessions: July 9–10, July 13–16, July 20–23, and July 27–31

  • Prep/Inventory: Dates prior to sessions (to be scheduled collaboratively)

​

Salary:
$115/day.

​

Essential Functions:

  • Complete Certified Sex Offender Registry and Criminal Background Checks (required).

  • Be able to meet personal care needs and work long hours in a residential, rustic, outdoor setting.

  • Work independently in a busy kitchen environment while being part of a collaborative team.

  • Maintain professional, calm communication in high-stress or emergency situations.

  • Maintain physical stamina to prepare and serve three meals daily, plus snacks, to large groups.

  • Show initiative and reliability in time-sensitive settings.

  • Be respectful and supportive of diverse camper and staff backgrounds and needs.

​

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Plan and prepare meals for 30–70 campers and staff each day of camp.

  • Accommodate a wide range of dietary restrictions (e.g., vegetarian, gluten-free, dairy-free,

  • nut-free).

  • Minimize food waste through efficient planning, portioning, and use of leftovers.

  • Conduct kitchen inventory prior to each session and assist with ordering/shopping needs.

  • Maintain a clean, safe, and organized kitchen and dining area in compliance with food safety

  • standards.

  • Coordinate meal timing with the camp schedule and work with staff to support a smooth dining

  • experience.

  • Supervise and direct any kitchen volunteers or assistant staff.

​

Education and Competencies:

  • Must be 18 years of age or older.

  • Current food handler’s certification required (or willing to complete prior to employment).

  • Prior experience in food service, camp kitchens, or group meal preparation preferred.

  • Comfortable working independently and adjusting to a flexible schedule.

  • Able to maintain confidentiality and remain calm under pressure.

  • Excellent time management and problem-solving skills.

​

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

  • Work is performed primarily outdoors and in a rustic kitchen/dining facility on a 23-acre lakeside

  • camp.

  • Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds over uneven terrain.

  • Exposure to variable weather conditions.

  • Long hours on feet; fast-paced environment; early mornings and some evening hours required.

  • Participation in the overall camp community as part of a small, close-knit summer staff team.

​

Non-Discrimination Policy

The Wisconsin Farmers Union prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, family/parental status, age, disability, socio-economic or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These include employment, youth and adult programs, membership, selection of vendors, appointment of board members and selection of grantees, volunteers and representatives.

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