Are you ready to make a BIG positive difference in people’s lives, with God’s help? Consider your calling to serve at Camp Ewalu. We have a truly top-notch, highly gifted, world-class summer youth ministry staff with a big variety of passions and fields of study. In addition to camp counselor roles, 15+ different positions are available, as well as Internships for many college majors.

For all positions, a sincere interest in working in a Christian community is essential. You must have faith in Jesus Christ that you are willing to share with youth and adults. Together we serve to help kids, visitors, and fellow staff members enjoy a rich and wonderful Christian fellowship, in the rhythm of daily camp life.

Camping experience is helpful but not necessary. All staff are provided with an action-packed, comprehensive two-week training.

SUMMER STAFF REFERRAL BONUS

Again for 2025, we’re offering a special bonus: If returning staff members refer a friend to work at Ewalu for summer 2025, you BOTH receive a $100 bonus in your last paycheck if you both work the whole summer on staff!

  • Returning staff can get a bonus for each person they refer.
  • Person being referred can only name one person to receive the referral bonus.
  • Referred person cannot be returning staff.
  • Contact Emily Dreessen Tull for details!
APPLY NOW!

Reference Forms Email references are welcome!

2025 Summer Employment

Dates of Employment: May 26–August 9

Coordinator weekend #1: April 25-27
Coordinator weekend #2: May 23-25

Ewalu offers an incredible variety of nearly 20 exciting summer youth programs and a fantastic staff to support you through this amazing summer! Our staff “return rate,” which reflects a healthy community and morale, is top notch. This is a place God will guide your own growth as a leader and your personal sense of calling. At Ewalu, our program ensures that as a camp counselor, you will get to enjoy different adventures each summer. This means you’re not limited to one program or age group for the season.

The first two weeks of summer employment (May 26–June 6) offer a fully paid training in youth ministry, outdoor adventure skills, leadership, Bible studies, team-building, and personal growth. Some additional days (see Coordinator Weekends, above) may be required for our leadership staff. Weekends (Friday evening through noon Sunday) are usually time off, during which you are welcome to stay at camp or return home. After two weeks of paid training and then three weeks of summer camp, staff members at Ewalu are given a “Break Week” in the middle of the summer, which begins Saturday, June 28; returning for Staff Renewal training on Friday evening, July 4. The remaining five weeks make up the rest of the summer camp season.

Contact Ewalu soon about being part of God’s awesome work in the world through camp – by serving in a positive, transformational role in people’s lives!

UPDATED: View the 2025 Summer Employment Brochure (PDF)

Article: Can I Really Spend Another Summer Working at Camp? (Yes, you can!)

Frequently Asked Questions

Ewalu serves campers of all ages! Campers are in grades 1-12, and family and grandparent campers can be any age. Day campers are in grades 1-6.

You do not need to be Lutheran to work at Ewalu. We provide a Lutheran Theology session during staff training to prepare all of our staff for the summer. Many of our campers and staff do not come from a Lutheran background.

Camper registration goes from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday and ends on Friday with a program at 2 p.m. Ewalu’s youngest Mini-campers and Grandparent Camp participants come for just a half week of camp. Family Camp occurs on the weekend. Some of the adventure trips for senior high campers leave early on Sunday mornings. Counselors stay in a cabin, covered wagon, platform tent, or tents with six to eight campers. Each program has a different schedule, but most campers gather together on Sunday night for an All Camp Campfire, Wednesday for an activity and prayer, and then on Friday for the program.

Summer staff in 2025 commit to serve from May 26 through August 9. Coordinator positions start May 23 and include a spring work weekend April 25-27 as well. High ropes training for coordinators who are interested in becoming certified will be held in the spring. The summer begins with two weeks of paid training, followed by eight weeks of camp (and one break week in early July).

Ewalu Camp and Retreat Center is located in Northeastern Iowa about 3 miles west of Strawberry Point. It is situated on the Maquoketa River near Backbone State Park. Ewalu is within 1-1 ½ hours of Waverly, Cedar Falls, Decorah, Cedar Rapids and Dubuque.

The camp week runs from 12 p.m. (noon) Sunday through 6 p.m. Friday. Staff are required to work one weekend during the summer. In 2025, June 28-July 4 is a break week and staff come together on Friday evening, July 4, through July 6 for a renewal weekend. Staff are welcome to stay at camp during their weekends off, and some staff are hired to work during the break week (a great opportunity for additional pay!). Ewalu seeks to employ people who can serve the entirety of the summer, but some exceptions may be arranged ahead of time.

Salaries start at $325 per week for counselors and $335 per week for coordinators, with an additional $10 weekly for each summer you return. There is also a $10/week bonus if you are or become a lifeguard or facilitator! (Contact Emily Dreessen Tull with questions.) In addition to the salary, staff have minimal expenses as room and board are provided. We are happy to work with individuals who are looking for an internship opportunity.

What are the ages of the campers that I will work with?

Ewalu serves campers of all ages! Campers are in grades 1-12, and family and grandparent campers can be any age. Day campers are in grades 1-6.

Do I need to be Lutheran to serve?

You do not need to be Lutheran to work at Ewalu. We provide a Lutheran Theology session during staff training to prepare all of our staff for the summer. Many of our campers and staff do not come from a Lutheran background.

What does a week at camp look like?

Camper registration goes from 2 to 4 p.m. on Sunday and ends on Friday with a program at 2 p.m. Ewalu’s youngest Mini-campers and Grandparent Camp participants come for just a half week of camp. Family Camp occurs on the weekend. Some of the adventure trips for senior high campers leave early on Sunday mornings. Counselors stay in a cabin, covered wagon, platform tent, or tents with six to eight campers. Each program has a different schedule, but most campers gather together on Sunday night for an All Camp Campfire, Wednesday for an activity and prayer, and then on Friday for the program.

When does camp begin and end?

Summer staff in 2025 commit to serve from May 26 through August 9. Coordinator positions start May 23 and include a spring work weekend April 25-27 as well. High ropes training for coordinators who are interested in becoming certified will be held in the spring. The summer begins with two weeks of paid training, followed by eight weeks of camp (and one break week in early July).

Where is Ewalu located?

Ewalu Camp and Retreat Center is located in Northeastern Iowa about 3 miles west of Strawberry Point. It is situated on the Maquoketa River near Backbone State Park. Ewalu is within 1-1 ½ hours of Waverly, Cedar Falls, Decorah, Cedar Rapids and Dubuque.

What about time off and weekends?

The camp week runs from 12 p.m. (noon) Sunday through 6 p.m. Friday. Staff are required to work one weekend during the summer. In 2025, June 28-July 4 is a break week and staff come together on Friday evening, July 4, through July 6 for a renewal weekend. Staff are welcome to stay at camp during their weekends off, and some staff are hired to work during the break week (a great opportunity for additional pay!). Ewalu seeks to employ people who can serve the entirety of the summer, but some exceptions may be arranged ahead of time.

What will my salary be?

Salaries start at $325 per week for counselors and $335 per week for coordinators, with an additional $10 weekly for each summer you return. There is also a $10/week bonus if you are or become a lifeguard or facilitator! (Contact Emily Dreessen Tull with questions.) In addition to the salary, staff have minimal expenses as room and board are provided. We are happy to work with individuals who are looking for an internship opportunity.

Application for Summer Staff

Apply Online  Click to begin

Reference Forms Email references are welcome!

Application for Leadership Training – Grades 10-12

Click here for details about our 4-week LT program for high school students! Applications open until March 31.

Questions?

Call or email Emily Dreessen Tull, Program Director
Phone: 1-563-933-4700