Junior Counselor program (JC)

Are you a high school junior this year? Then you might want to think about being a Junior Counselor (JC) at Owatonna this summer.


The JC program prepares you to serve as a counselor by helping you develop self-confidence, reliability, and leadership, parenting, and teaching skills. As staff members, Junior Counselors not only have the opportunity to live in cabins with campers and assist counselors, but also plan and lead activities, meetings, trips and more. An extended wilderness trip with experienced staff members, will provide additional detailed training on how to be a great Owatonna counselor!


Leadership at Newfound & Owatonna
Camps Newfound & Owatonna offer a two-year leadership development program: The Counselor-in-Training (CIT) summer, followed by the Junior Counselor (JC) program. These aspiring leaders develop the skills needed to become a qualified staff member and a significant contributor to his community. Campers use this program as a stepping stone to a full staff position. Staff members who have completed both programs have proven to be some of the most dedicated, selfless, and effective leaders camp has ever seen.


JC Program Overview:
With an emphasis on putting others’ needs before their own, Junior Counselors will grow spiritually, serve others readily, and refine leadership, counseling and wilderness skills. A JC Head oversees the program, providing supervision, structure, training and feedback. Over the course of 8 weeks, JCs will attend Pre-Camp (staff training week), plan, prep and carry-out a 6+ day wilderness expedition, and finish the second half of the summer as a cabin counselor with full responsibilities.


JCs will leave the summer with tangible tools for being active leaders, teachers, and active community members. JCs will also find they have discerned the difference between being a camper and counselor and now understand why counselors return year after year for the joy of serving and giving. Most importantly, JCs will gain a greater understanding of their relationship to God.


JC Program Mission:
The JC program is dedicated to developing skilled and competent counselors, helping JCs focus on spiritual growth and the demonstration of Christian Science through experiences on trips and as counselors.


For who?
This program is designed for individuals who:

  • Have experience in camp activities
  • Enjoy working with children
  • Want to become excellent camp counselors

Dates: June 14th - August 12th



Intended outcomes:

  • Developed love for Christian Science
  • Become more service oriented
  • Refined leadership skills
  • Refined counseling/parenting skills
  • Refined teaching and coaching skills
  • Refined trip planning and execution


Program Details:

  • Attend staff training
  • Work with JC head to plan a 6+ day wilderness trip
  • Assist counselors in cabins
  • Instruct in activity areas
  • Meet with JC head regularly
  • Live in cabins with campers during second session


Application Process:

Complete the online application here: Owatonna Staff Application


Programs