2026 Summer Staff Application Logo

  • Camp Ondessonk 2026 Summer Staff Application

    All staff applicants must be going into Senior year of High School or over 17 years old by May 24, 2026. No exceptions. Some paid positions have minimum age or certification requirements. Please review all job descriptions and the corresponding deadlines prior to applying.

  • Click Here for Job Descriptions

     

    The following position classifications are open:

    • Summer Administration - Deadline January 7, 2026
    • Summer Leadership - Deadline January 18, 2026
    • Summer General Staff - Deadline February 1, 2026

     

    Interviews for Summer 2026 will be held virtually on pre-set dates, where candidates will rotate to talk with different year-round administrators over a 30-minute period.  Emails will be sent out beginning in January, sharing interview dates and times.

     Tentative interview dates for Summer 2026 are:

    • Summer Administration
      • 1/08/2026 from 3:30pm - 6:30pm
      • 1/09/2026 from 3:30pm - 5:30pm
    • Summer Leadership & Specialty Leadership
      • 1/21/2026 from 3:30pm - 6:30pm
      • 1/22/2026 from 3:30pm - 6:30pm
      • 1/23/2026 from 3:30pm - 5:30pm
      • 1/24/2026 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
    • Summer General Staff
      • 2/3/2026 from 3:30pm - 6:30pm
      • 2/4/2026 from 3:30pm - 6:30pm
      • 2/5/2026 from 3:30pm - 6:30pm
      • 2/6/2026 from 3:30pm - 5:30pm
      • 2/7/2026 from 10:00am - 4:00pm
      • 2/10/2026 from 3:30pm - 6:30pm
      • 2/11/2026 from 3:30pm - 5:30pm
      • 2/12/2026 from 3:30pm - 6:30pm
      • 2/13/2026 from 3:30pm - 5:30pm

  • Staff Code of Ethics

  • Camp Ondessonk is committed to providing a Catholic, faith based, fun, safe, educational, and inclusive experience for all campers, CITs, staff, parents, and volunteers. With this in mind, we require staff members to behave in a mature and responsible way and respect the rights and dignity of others while they are at Camp Ondessonk, participating in camp sponsored activities, or representing Camp Ondessonk in any way.

    If you are hired and accept a position at Camp Ondessonk, you will commit to upholding Catholic values in your public work, and acting as a positive role model and mentor to our CITs and campers. It will be a lot of hard work, BUT you can expect to end the summer with a better sense of community, self-value, faith, work ethic, and commitment to others.

    All staff members are expected to read, understand, and adhere to the following Code of Ethics:

    1. I promise to strive to meet the mission and vision of Camp Ondessonk, putting the Catholic core values of the organization at the forefront of all that I do in my role as a counselor.
    2. I understand that my job is to protect children at all times. In doing so, I will:
      1. accept personal responsibility to protect children from all forms of abuse, including:
        1. Physical Abuse – Striking, Shaking
        2. Verbal Abuse – Humiliation, Degradation, Threats, Profanity
        3. Sexual Abuse – including inappropriate touch, displays, acts
        4. Mental Abuse – Hazing, Neglect, Manipulation, Teasing, Bullying
      2. never leaving a camper unsupervised and by following the “Rule of Three” at all times.
    3. I promise to be a positive role model for youth at camp and acknowledge I am a representative of camp and the Diocese of Belleville to camper families during my off time both outside of camp and online. In doing so, I will:
      1. exhibit the highest ethical standards and personal integrity.
      2. conduct myself in a manner that is consistent with the discipline and teaching of the Catholic Church.
      3. maintain an attitude of respect, loyalty, patience, courtesy, tact and maturity.
      4. be innovative, try new activities, participate with enthusiasm, and sing as loud as I can.
      5. show initiative, be responsible, and do things without being asked.
      6. continue to be positive, enthusiastic, and energetic when I am tired, sweaty and dirty.
      7. display humor and a positive attitude in response to stress and change.
      8. treat campers, CITs, and staff of all races, religions, cultures, and backgrounds with respect, dignity, and consideration.
      9. refrain from the use of profane or abusive language in the presence of campers or where campers may hear or see.
      10. refrain from inappropriate conversations with campers or in places where campers may hear that include topics such as politics, relationship status, sexual activity, drinking, smoking, and others specified in the staff manual or by administration.
    4. I promise to be a good co-worker. In doing so, I will:
      1. support and aid other staff when the time and need arises.
      2. express dissent quietly, thoughtfully, respectfully, and never with campers present.
      3. respect the possessions and belongings of staff, CITs, and campers, as well as the facilities and equipment of Camp Ondessonk.
      4. take care of myself and recognize my personal needs so I can be the best counselor I can be.
    5. I promise to make good decisions. In doing so, I will:
      1. treat with confidentiality and respect the personal information I learn from or about campers, CITs, and staff (subject to the policies on reporting abuse and neglect).
      2. adhere to the zero-tolerance policy for the use, possession, distribution or being under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or illegal drugs at camp.
      3. not smoke, vape, use, or possess any tobacco or e-cigarette product on Camp Ondessonk property.
      4. refrain from intimate displays of affection with anyone else.
      5. not bring weapons onto camp property.
    6. I will use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, and acknowledgement and anticipation of each camper’s unique needs. I will use positive reinforcement and encouragement rather than competition, comparison, or criticism. I will make expectations clear and avoid power struggles with campers.

  • If you would like to share a resume with the hiring team, please upload it below before continuing. We encourage applicants to submit an up-to-date professional resume that includes your work, scholastic, extracurricular activity, and volunteer experience. However, it is not required so should not stop you from applying. 

    If you need help building a resume visit, resume tips. Please do not let this resume requirement intimidate you. Building a resume is a great exercise in self-reflection. Your resume will develop as you continue to gain life and job experience. If you are not confident with your resume, working at camp will help you build it.

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  • Applicant age information allows Camp Ondessonk to remain in compliance with American Camp Association Standards regarding minimum age requirements. Applicant age is not a determining factor in making individual hiring decisions.

  • Camp Ondessonk hires appropriate numbers to fulfill gender staff ratios recommended by the American Camp Association. Applicant gender is not a factor in making individual hiring decisions.

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  • Availability

    Summer staff training will take place Sunday May 24th through Saturday May 30th. Attendance at Orientation is mandatory as a condition to employment with school being the only exception. Orientation takes precedence over trips and vacations no matter which half of the summer you've applied for. Still being in school is the only allowed exception.

  • Camp Counselor Positions

    Please select all positions you might be interested in working at Camp Ondessonk for the Summer of 2026. You are required to select at least 3

  • Click Here for Job Descriptions

  • References

    Below please submit three character references. The reference needs to be someone who can speak to your character, personality, abilities and qualities. While family members can provide character references, they will likely be more meaningful coming from someone unrelated to you. Consider asking a family friend, neighbor, mentor, coach, priest/minister, teacher or professor. Full-time year-round staff at Camp Ondessonk cannot be references, as they are main contributors to the hiring process and will speak to your character in our hiring meetings.
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  • The Diocese of Belleville and Camp Ondessonk strives for justice in employment practices and promotes equal employment opportunity for all persons in recruitment, hiring, training, transfer, promotion and separation from employment. Employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications that meet the needs of Camp Ondessonk, and not to discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, or any other categories protected by Federal, State, or local law.

    Further, the Diocese of Belleville and Camp Ondessonk reserve the right to make employment decisions based on principles of Catholic moral teaching, religious preference, and other religious needs, criteria, and policies.  As such, employees, regardless of their religious affiliation, are expected to conduct themselves in their personal lives in a manner consistent with the policies of Camp Ondessonk, the Diocese, and the moral and religious teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.  Camp Ondessonk also reserves the right to disqualify a prospective employee who does not conduct themselves in a manner consistent with the moral and religious teachings of the Roman Catholic Church. 

  • The information provided in this application is true, correct and complete. If employed, any misstatement or omission of fact on this application may result in my dismissal. I grant permission to check my background and references and release Camp Ondessonk & the Diocese of Belleville from any and all resultant liability. Further, I grant permission to Camp Ondessonk to release this application and attendant documents to the appropriate search committees. I understand that by inserting a date in the below acknowledgement that it absolves and releases Camp Ondessonk & the Diocese of Belleville from any and all liability for any and all legal action involving relinquishment of the information to others. If employed, I will abide by the policies and procedures of Camp Ondessonk & the Diocese of Belleville Child Protection Policy. I understand that acceptance of an offer of employment does not create a contractual obligation upon the employer to continue to employ me in the future. I understand that after a conditional employment offer is made, I will be required to undergo background checks before employment begins. I will be required to furnish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the U.S. once a conditional job offer has been made. I understand that, if hired, I will be subject to employment at-will.

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