Employment for Summer 2024

Become part of our Camp Family

Our summer camps run throughout the summer providing active recreational experiences to campers who are entering K-6^th grade.  We are looking for individuals who will help bring our camp alive, who enjoy working outside and are passionate about the development of children. Our camp staff is a collective group of individual people with skill sets and interests that range from sports and outdoor recreation enthusiasts to individuals with music, craft, and art talents.  It takes an eclectic group mindset to help our campers thrive all summer long, we need individuals will all sorts of interests, skills, and abilities.  Truly the only common skill set of prerequisites among all camp staff is to keep the camper’s development, joy, and safety in mind at all times.  If you are that person please apply!    

Our camps run from mid-June until mid-August. Hours can range from 7:30a-5:30p, Monday – Friday, with no weekend or evening work.  For more detailed information about our camp please visit our website: www.umt.edu/youthcamps

We have two positions to fill each summer: Counselor and Lead Counselor.  These positions are open to anyone, not just those people in our University Community.  The links below provide a detailed job description for each. 

Lead Counselor

• Assist in planning Youth Camps at The University of Montana through the Campus Recreation Department.
• Support marketing and counselor recruitment efforts.
• Lead the hiring and training of counseling staff.
• Assist in improving and expanding the existing curriculum, policies, guidelines, and procedures.
• Ensure a safe and supportive environment for all staff and participants.
• Work as a team with Camp Director, Assistant Directors, other Lead Counselors, Counselors, and other Campus Recreation Staff.
• Supervise and assist counselors throughout the camp day, assuring safety, smooth transitions, and successful activities.
• Encourage and support campers and parents in feeling welcome at our camps.

The Lead Counselors will report to the Youth Camps Director and Assistant Directors.

Counselor

• Assist in implementing youth camps at The University of Montana through the Campus Recreation Department.
• Actively participate and supervise the overall daily camp operations and campers.
• Collaborate with the Directors and Assistant Directors to administer a comprehensive camp for children grades K-6 to explore various non-motorized recreational opportunities.
• Demonstrate and teach different sports or activities each week, with the curriculum provided to you.
• Be willing to learn or research the week's activity if unfamiliar to you.
• Ensure a safe and supportive environment for all staff and participants. 

The Youth Camps Counselors will report directly to the Lead Counselors and Youth Camps Assistant Directors.

If you are interested in becoming part of our camp family please complete the application below.  If you have questions please send an email to our Camp Director: Taylor.calenberg@mso.umt.edu 

Camp Director

The Camp Director ensures a safe, fun and rewarding summer camp experience for the youth of our community and oversees all curriculum, risk management, personnel and budgeting operations.

Taylor Calenberg

Taylor Calenberg is a Graduate of the University of Montana with a degree in Health Enhancement. He has been working with Campus Recreation Youth Camps for 8 years serving as a Camp Counselor, Assistant Director, and now as the Director. He grew up playing a variety of sports including football, basketball, track and field, and also helped coach little guy wrestling. Taylor has a passion for working with the youth of our community and strives to help them grow as individuals and pique their interest in new activities! He is passionate about sports and organized extracurricular activities that help provide life skills such as teamwork, adaptability, emotional growth, and self-esteem. Taylor is married with 3 children, all of whom are passionate Montana Griz fans. As a Camp Director, Taylor works hard to provide a safe and healthy environment for all of the youth camp campers and staff.

Contact Taylor at taylor.calenberg@mso.umt.edu 

Assistant Directors

Assistant directors create the day-to-day camp curriculum, oversee counselors and ensure camp policies and risk management procedures are followed properly.

Sadie Forte

Sadie has graduated from the University of Montana twice, with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s Degree in Counselor Education. She is currently a School Counselor at Frenchtown Intermediate School. Go Broncs! Sadie grew up playing basketball, soccer, volleyball, and track in Olympia, Washington, and believes that sports can play a huge role in the cognitive and physical development of children. Sadie is passionate about working with children and operates with a growth mindset—we can work towards better versions of ourselves every single day! This is Sadie's fourth summer working with Campus Rec Youth Camps and she is very excited to be a part of this community, yet again!

Michael Van Atta

Michael will be graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology here at the University of Montana. He grew up in Billings, Montana, and has grown up playing a variety of sports, and outdoor hobbies. This will be Michael’s fourth summer at camps, as he has been a camp counselor for two and a half summers and an assistant director for half a summer. He is excited to be an assistant director this summer and is eager to see the fun energy from everyone at camps again.

Lead Counselors

Lead Counselors assist in improving and expanding the existing curriculum, policies, guidelines, and procedures.  Help ensure a safe and supportive environment for all staff and participants. Supervise and assist counselors throughout the camp day, assuring safety, smooth transitions, and successful activities.

Carly Anderson

I am a member of the Griz women’s volleyball team. I grew up in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada where I was involved in competitive swimming and volleyball. I am an integrated physiology major with a minor in psychology, and I hope to work with athletes in the future (after playing volleyball overseas). I enjoy hiking, animals, music, and everything active! I can't wait to spend tons of time outdoors having fun with all of the kids!

Trinity Anderson

Trinity is going into her senior year of college. She is pursuing a Human Biology degree. Trinity is a returning counselor this year, and she cannot wait to be back. She grew up in Post Falls, Idaho, and was very involved with dance for her entire life. Being outdoors and spending a lot of time teaching dance, she is so excited to be able to implement both of these skills into camp.

Sarah Ashley

Joel Mendez

Joel graduated from the University of Montana in 2023 with a Bachelor’s in Sociology. He currently attends Utah Valley University pursuing his Master of Public Administration. Joel was a member of the Griz cross country and track & field team and is currently continuing the same at UVU. Joel was born in Arizona where he grew up fishing and playing a variety of sports. He enjoys spending his time in the outdoors and is a frequent hiker. This is his third year as a counselor and enjoys experiences at camp.

Savannah Morgan

Savannah is a Senior in Montana State University’s Nursing Program. She plans to become a Pediatric Registered Nurse. She is originally from Sandpoint, Idaho where she developed her love for the outdoors and being a part of a community. Her summers involve hiking, camping, swimming, and spending time with friends and family. Though she has been a camp counselor before, this will be her first year at UM’s camp and she couldn’t be more excited!

Blake Sowers

I’m Blake Sowers I am a senior at the University of Montana getting my BFA acting degree I’ve been in 7 shows at my time during the university and do not plan on stopping after college. I will be moving to Chicago to pursue my dream of becoming a performer. I love being outdoors I’ve played high-level soccer for most of my life and really enjoy climbing and basketball.

Counselors

Counselors execute the camp curriculum and mentor, coach and provide a safe environment for all campers. 

Brooke Ploot

Brook will be returning to Campus Rec Youth Camps for her third summer! Brook recently graduated from The University of Montana with a bachelor’s degree in biology. She plans to take a gap year before returning to graduate school. During her free time, Brook enjoys spending time outdoors! She likes to hike, climb, ski, build Legos, read good books, and crochet. She loves to work with kids and is excited to spend time outside all summer with the youth camps!

Alexis McWilliams

I graduated from the University of Montana this spring and received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education. I have loved living in Missoula for the past 4 years and hope to teach in the Missoula area. My hobbies include swimming, volleyball, basketball, reading, hiking, playing card and board games with friends and family, and traveling. I cannot wait to meet the campers and have a fun summer with them!

Frances Brauneis

Casey Brister is going into her junior year at the University of Montana and is studying psychology and criminal sociology. She was born and raised in Lomita, California but traded in the year round sunshine for the beautiful seasons Missoula has to offer. She enjoys hiking, swimming, doing cartwheels in fields of grass, giving high fives, as well as crocheting and knitting. Casey is so excited to spend the summer outside soaking up the sun and is looking forward to sharing her sports and arts & crafts knowledge with the kids she works with!

Ramsey McCoskery

Ramsey is going to be a senior at the University of Montana in the fall. She is majoring in elementary education, works at the ASUM Daycare, and babysits during school. She has also taught swim lessons at different beginner levels and has lots of experience with kids.

Addy Hultgren

Hi my name is Addy Hultgren. I will be a senior this coming fall in the College of Nursing program at Montana State University. In the future, I hope to become a NICU nurse and then further my education to become a nurse midwife. I was born and raised in Huntley, Montana, and I grew up playing softball and volleyball all year round. Now that sports are over, I love to spend my time lifting, running, baking, going on walks outdoors, and being around people! I’m excited to spend my summer with all these kiddos as I think it will enhance my skills for the future. A fun fact about me is that I will be running my second marathon ever this coming July!

Hannah Gregory

Hannah is in her senior year at the University of Montana and will be heading into student teaching to finish her English Education degree this fall. Born and raised in Missoula, Hannah loves all things outdoors and can usually be found hiking with her dogs or reading in the grass. This will be her first summer as a camp counselor and she can’t wait to work with campers and fellow staff!

Oshi Hammond-Wegman

Oshi is in her third year at the University of Montana. She is majoring in English with a concentration in Education and is planning on teaching at a high school in the future. She enjoys creating art, gardening, being on the river, and hiking. Oshi has experience working with kids of all ages and her hope for the future is to inspire her students to expand their imaginations through writing and art. She was the assistant cheerleading coach at Hellgate High School for 3 years and plans on going back to coaching after graduating. Oshi was born in raised in beautiful Missoula and knows the best spots for enjoying the outdoors.

Kayla Ingraham

I will be a junior at the university in the fall. I am a double major in sociology (criminology) and psychology with a minor in journalism. I am a 3-season athlete at the university, participating in track and cross country. I enjoy spending time with my friends, hiking, and floating the river. I am originally from Portland, Oregon, and grew up running track, going for 100-mile bike rides with my dad, backpacking, and playing soccer and basketball.

Morgan Abate

Morgan just moved to Missoula from Michigan, and is super excited to be a part of this year's camp! This spring, she graduated with her Master's degree in Secondary Education from Oakland University. Morgan enjoys camping, hiking, and golfing in her free time. She looks forward to a fun summer spending time outside and playing sports with the campers!

Elise Clayton

Elise Clayton will be a senior at the University of Montana in the Fall. She is pursuing a BFA in Theatre and Performance with an emphasis on acting and hopes to teach and act professionally in the future. Elise grew up in Colorado and spent her time playing softball and enjoying nature. This will be her first year as a counselor at UM but she is very excited to spend the summer sharing the joy of the arts, sports, and the outdoors.

Millie Belcourt

My name is Millie Belcourt. I was born in Missoula, but moved to Las Vegas and grew up there. I’ve come back to Montana though, and I’m now studying early education at the University of Montana. I’ve always loved being active, I played volleyball, basketball, track, and swam in high school. I still enjoy being active, but I also love reading books, laying out in the sun, and being by the river in my free time.

Jaren Smerker

Jaren is going to be a senior at the University of Montana in the Fall and is majoring in Business Management. After graduating he wants to get his master’s degree in Sports Management and eventually become an athletic director at a university. He was born in Great Falls, Montana, and loves to do things like spend time with his friends and family, play games, and work out.

Caden Knight

I am a 20-year-old born and raised in Missoula, MT, and currently pursuing an academic career to get an Associate of Applied Science degree in Information Technology. I love fitness, exploring, and encouraging others to participate in fun activities.

Connor Dow

Connor will be a senior next year at the University of Montana studying geography and mountain studies. He grew up in Ashland Oregon and likes to fill his free time hiking, skiing, gardening, rock climbing, and floating the Clark Fork. He absolutely loves Missoula in the summertime and he is excited to meet the campers and his fellow camp counselors.

Anika Wypyszyk

Anika grew up just outside of Seattle Washington and now attends U of M. She is studying environmental science and will be finishing her junior year in the fall. When she is not with her friends or at school Anika loves spending time outside or crafting. She is looking forward to spending her summer working for Youth Camps and sharing her love of the outdoors and all things crafty!

Maddie McCoy

Hey there! I'm Maddie and will be a junior at UM this fall. I'm from Washington originally but came to Missoula for college and have fallen in love with this state. I'm getting my degree in business/entertainment management in hopes to do something with music and entertainment when I graduate. This is my first year at camp but I have been working with kids for several years as well as other summer camps. On campus, I’m involved in Grizzly Christian Fellowship, American Marketing Association, and the Entertainment Management student group. I love the outdoors, music, dogs, and many other things! I’m super excited for camp to get started and meet everyone!

Jane Rooney

Jane is a senior at the University of Montana. She studies Political Science, Journalism, and Pre-Law with a Spanish minor. Jane is from Lewistown, Montana, and enjoys spending summers outside rafting, climbing, fishing, and hiking. She's looking forward to spending the summer outside, sharing her passion for the outdoors, and creating fun experiences for the kids!