Join Our Staff
IS GOD CALLING YOU TO
SERVE CHRIST AT NF?
We Develop Leaders.
Northern Frontier seeks to grow godly men through Christ-centered wilderness camping. What better way to learn leadership than by being on staff? Our staff members undergo over a week of training where they live in a close community and participate in group activities. This creates opportunities that focus on helping individuals operate as leaders in some situations and serve on a team in others. The summer program offers countless scenarios where leadership can be learned through hands-on experience.
"Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." Proverbs 27:17
We Grow Together
Northern Frontier is more than just a camp. It is a community. It comprises the many campers, counselors, and administrative personnel who have spent their summers with us. We are a community that grows together. We believe spiritual maturity can only happen when we fellowship with other believers. This exists at Northern Frontier because of our staff’s commitment to connecting through personal relationships. Our staff is expected to be considerate when speaking and careful when listening. By cultivating a community that respects one another, we can truly grow.
We Invest In Our Staff
Our staff members are our most valuable assets at camp. Only when our staff is equipped can ministry happen at camp. That is why our primary center of focus is on our staff. We believe that by investing in the lives of our staff, we will provide the best summer camp program possible to our campers. Several men and women on-site throughout the summer are available to mentor, counsel, encourage and support our summer staff.
"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." Colossians 3:23
We Work Heartily
Being on staff can be hard work. The days are long and physically exhausting. The work we do at camp makes a difference in many people’s lives. It requires time, focus, energy, and flexibility (even vaporous!) We seek to hire staff who will take ownership of their work and the work of others too. This is because, as believers, we know we are working for Christ, not for ourselves. As a community, we rely on God to supply our strength to do His work as we pour ourselves into the lives of campers every day.
Looking to volunteer? Fill out the Volunteer Application.
Staff Positions
A Northern Frontier staff member can make an incredible impact on a young boy’s life. Below is a list of the various types of staff positions at camp. Some require specialized training and certifications, but all are vital to the community. Preference is given to those who can work an entire summer season.
Service Crew
The Service Crew is an exchange program designed for 15-year-olds as a bridge between the camper and staff experiences, though no Northern Frontier experience is required. Crew members receive job training and experience, servant leadership training, and outdoor adventure opportunities such as rock climbing, sailing, hiking, and more in exchange for service in the dining hall, kitchen, and office. Crew members must commit to working the entirety of two full camp weeks.
- Minimum age: 15
Junior Counselor
Junior Counselors serve as mentors to a group of campers. Applicants must be able to work with children. Daily responsibilities include building positive relationships, leading and assisting activities, playing games, helping with cabin devotions, promoting maturity among campers, safeguarding campers physically and emotionally, and more.
- Minimum age: 16
- Preferred Certifications: American Red Cross Lifeguarding, Wilderness First Aid
Collegian Counselor
Collegian Counselors serve as mentors to a group of campers. Applicants must sincerely desire to work with children and are on call 24 hours per day and six days per week. Daily responsibilities include building positive relationships, leading activities, playing hard, guiding cabin devotions, promoting maturity among campers, safeguarding campers physically and emotionally, and more. Each counselor will also teach or assist with one or more Northern Frontier skills based on his skill set, interests, and the needs of the camp.
- Minimum age: 18
- Preferred Certifications: American Red Cross Lifeguarding, AED, NRA
- Required Certifications: Wilderness First Aid, CPR
Photographer
The Photographer is privileged to document summer memories for campers, their families, and staff. To effectively capture important moments, this staff member must be fun-loving, affable, and able to reveal their subjects in ways that tell the story of Northern Frontier. Using creative genius, he takes, uploads, and organizes digital photos and produces several videos throughout the camp season. This staff member must be organized, self-motivated, and technologically savvy.
- Minimum age: 16
- Experience with Lightroom and Photoshop is preferred
Kitchen Crew
The Kitchen Crew fuels the fun at Northern Frontier. Literally! This behind-the-scenes crew helps with food preparation and food service for each meal. Additionally, they perform various clean-up duties, including sanitization of the counters and kitchen appliances. The Kitchen Crew rises early in the morning to prepare breakfast and finishes their work in the kitchen following dinner. These individuals must be team players, safety conscious, and take pride in their service.
- Resident Minimum age: 16
- Experience in food preparation is preferred.
Training
At Northern Frontier, our staff members are the most valuable asset. They are selected through an in-depth hiring process that involves many hours of application review, interviewing, background checks, and following up with references. Working at camp requires training and commitment to personal discipline. Training begins with the first interview as we challenge our oncoming staff to prepare their hearts, minds, bodies, and souls.
Most of our staff reports to camp for over a week of intensive Staff Training. This time provides opportunities for each staff person to experience focused training. Our staff receives instruction on various topics such as age group characteristics, Wilderness First AId, safety protocols, how to address homesickness, camper, and staff spiritual formation, leading games, group activities, and much more. Our Staff Training is also fun as we fellowship in the community. The last night concludes with a Vespers service to help center our hearts on the mission and ministry God has called us.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some answers to a few frequently asked questions until we can talk further:
Northern Frontier on Your Resume
Northern Frontier is a place that provides many benefits both now and in the future. It’s where you learn and practice professional competencies that will serve you well in future employment. Therefore, you should speak of this work on your resume and in future interviews for what it truly is: Professional Youth Development!
Consider what the job might look like on your resume.
While working daily with a team of childcare professionals, I accomplished the following:
Are You Ready To Answer God's Call?
Looking to volunteer? Fill out the Volunteer Application.
How to Apply
We pray that God would put a calling on your heart to serve at Northern Frontier. Hopefully, you have understood what being on our staff looks like. Are you interested in making an impact for Christ in the lives of young men? Can you make our mission your own and meet the expectations listed? If yes, we encourage you to prayerfully apply using the Online Staff Application at the bottom of this page.
First, you will need to create an account through our online application. After receiving your completed application, we will contact your references, conduct a background check, and schedule an interview.
This application is your first impression. Help us understand the kind person you are by fully and professionally filling out the application.
- Use complete sentences and correct grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
- Give intentional thought and prayer to your answers.
- Provide references from different areas of your life.
- Be on time for your phone interview.
- Speak clearly, and don’t mumble.
- Breathe deeply and relax!