Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry is a multi-site organization, with two unique camps in Northern MN, a boundary waters canoe program, and off site day camps. Camp Hiawatha, situated on Deer Lake MN, has sandy shores, clear water, and is known for its wide open ballfield, beautiful waterfront, and accessible spaces, equipping it to truly be a camp for all. Camp Vermilion is located on the west side of Lake Vermilion, near Cook, MN. The rugged terrain and more rustic feel provide an adventurous twist to the daily camp activities. Its proximity to the Boundary Waters helps to shape the Camp Vermilion experience, with programming built around developing camping and canoeing skills alongside the fun games and activities of a camp day. Camp Vermilion is also home to our Voyageurs Canoe Country program, sending youth and adults into the BWCAW.

Camp is a transformative place for campers and staff who experience community in the beauty of God’s Great Northwood. As Summer Staff, you get to play a meaningful role in the faith formation and transformation that happens in individuals and families while also growing in your own faith and personal skills. 

At camp, you will be immersed in nature spending days outside by the lake, playing games, hammocking, and hiking. You, along with campers, will get the change to unplug and take in hours of fresh air and the beauty of creation. 

Camp provides opportunities to grow as a leader and develop skills such as communication, collaboration, and critical thinking that will follow you into today’s world. 

You will be sounded by a community of people who will care about you as a whole person and support and affirm you as you learn and grow. You will build relationships that will last a lifetime. 

Being a part of Voyageurs Lutheran Ministry provides staff the opportunity to share their faith in meaningful ways, while engaging in intentional community, learning many life-long skills, and experiencing a summer unplugged.

We are so excited you are taking the next step toward working at camp this summer. We will contact you within 3-5 days of receiving your application to set up an interview. You can come to camp in person, we can meet you in your town if it fits with our staff schedule, or we will conduct interviews over Zoom. Be prepared to set aside 45 min for an interview with our staff. We are excited to talk with you and get to know you while discerning how your gifts could be a valuable part of our team this summer.

Summer staff are contracted from June 1, 2025 - August 3, 2025. Summer Staff work weekly from Sunday at 12pm - Friday at 2pm, and receive an hour and a half sabbath Monday - Thursday. Staff are required to work two weekends: June 6th - 8th for staff training and July 11th-13th for staff rejuvenation. Staff may contract to work additional hours on weekends for additional pay to host retreats. This is to be arranged at the beginning of the summer with the Retreat Coordinator.

The summer begins with two weeks of staff training, June 1, 2025 - June 13, 2025. During staff training, summer staff will get acquainted with both sites, learn essential skills for summer camp, train in first aid/cpr, prepare in risk management, and begin to build intentional community. 

Summer Camp will run for 7 weeks and staff will be assigned weekly to either site or community day camp based on programming and support needs. Staff are expected to work the entire summer unless arrangements are made prior to the beginning of the summer with the Program Director of Summer Camps.  An extended contract through the end of August is possible for applicants who might be interested and have availability. 

The camp week runs from 12:00 p.m. Sundays through 2:00 p.m. Fridays. Friday evenings-Sunday morning are standard time off for staff. Staff will have a summer break from the evening of July 3, 2025 through the morning of July 6, 2025 for the holiday. Staff members are also given 1.5 hour sabbath breaks each day during the week. Summer Staff can arrange for additional time off with the Program Director of Summer Camp should they need.

Staff training will run from Sunday, June 1, 2025 - Friday, June 13, 2025 and is required for all summer staff. It is a time to become familiar with the camp program and to learn the skills that you will need to work with campers. It is an intense learning experience with time for fun and team building with the staff.

Salaries for 2025 range from $375-$460 per week depending on position and experience.In addition to your salary, you will also receive room and board. Any work related injury is covered by workers compensation. Beyond this, we will keep you so busy there will be very little time to spend your money, and therefore you will end up saving most of your earnings!

There are a variety of positions at VLM that require different age minimums and experience to succeed in the position. For detailed requirements please see the job descriptions outlined here.

Lifeguards must be 15 years of age. Counselors must be 18 years of age and Activity Leaders must be 17 years of age. Assistant Program Director, Day Camp Coordinator, Healthcare Coordinator, and Canoe Guide are preferred to be 21+. Program Support Staff must have completed at least their junior year of high school, though a year of college is preferred.

St. Augustine said, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary, use words.” The love of God is taught through loving others, as well as reading about it. It is through relationships that the Gospel of Christ is spread. The curriculum is important, but we are more concerned about how you show the love you talk about, than how you talk about it. We also want staff that are open and willing to learn new things, as well as committed to sharing their lives with and caring for every camper that comes to our camps. Having the ability to play the guitar, having an endless supply of energy, and being able to start a fire with one match in the rain are simply a bonus!