Are you looking for a job for this upcoming summer? If connecting with people from all walks of life at a faith-based camp sounds enticing, being a camp counsellor at Trout Lake Camps may be the perfect summer job for you. You’re probably wondering: how am I supposed to get to Minnesota all the way from the United Kingdom let alone secure a job there?

The answer? AmeriCamp UK! Our summer exchange programme partners with camps across the United States to place students and young adults in the United Kingdom in counsellor positions at all types of unique camps.

Trout Lake Camps in MN is one of those many camp communities that offers a unique camp experience rooted in sharing the message of Jesus Christ. In addition to experiencing what life is like at a traditional American summer camp, you can explore your faith and bask in the spiritual and personal value a Christian summer camp has to offer.

In this article, we’ll dive into what a summer at Trout Lake Camps looks like as well as how you can get there. You can expect to learn:

1. About Trout Lake Camps MN
2. What to expect as a counsellor in a US Christian summer camp
3. Benefits of working at a Christian summer camp
4. What to bring to Trout Lake Camps
5. How to work at Trout Lake Camps with AmeriCamp
6. Your role at Trout Lake Camps
7. Trout camp options

About Trout Lake Camps

Trout Lake Camp is a God-centered camp that focuses on sharing the love of God between campers, counsellors, and other staff members. The camp serves as a meeting place with God by forging friendships and taking care of one another. Since they opened their doors in 1947, they’ve hosted more than 350,000 campers, and they’re just getting started!

The History of Trout Lake Camp

Back in 1944, Ed Nelson, a representative for a group of pastors in the Twin Cities area, called for a conference to establish a camp in the area to do ministry. Once the idea was accepted, a couple of other pastors—Vincent Tellgren and J.G. Johnson—found a location and all the founders began to focus on fundraising to officially launch the camp.

The camp officially opened on July 4, 1947, when approximately 350 people attended the very first Bible Conference at Big Trout Lake Bible Camp. Through the ‘50s and onward, camp staff and people in the community worked to improve the campgrounds and grow the camp population year over year.

The early founders of Trout Lake Camps operated under an unofficial motto: Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God. Fast forward to today, and the camp is thriving thanks to their ongoing faith and the hard work of campers, staff, volunteers, and supporters.

Trout Lake Camp Core Values

Trout has continued to grow and accomplish their mission by staying true to the core values they established for everyone that stays on the grounds. These values are:

• Based on the Bible: At Trout, all aspects of their work revolves around biblical principles, putting scripture at the center of every activity and every relationship formed.
• Foundation of Faith: The camp provides a place for capers to build the foundation of their faith in Jesus Christ as well as grow spiritually over time.
• Fun is Mandatory: While attending a Christian camp involves spiritual work and challenges, having fun is a must at Trout. It’s the hallmark of the entire experience!
• Safety First: The environment at camp is designed to ensure campers and staff are safe and healthy through every activity and adventure they experience.
• Making the Most of What We Have: To reach the most people in an effective manner, Trout practices a careful stewardship of resources in every decision they make.
• High Standards: Trout strives to provide the best service in every aspect of the camp experience, from the activities offered to the staff they employ.
• It’s About People: Fostering and strengthening relationships is at the core of all the work done at Trout. They focus on cooperation, sensitivity, and genuine love for one another.
• Serving the Christian Community: The camp focuses on the core elements of Christian faith and serves a broad faith community, bringing people from all over the world together.

What to Expect as a Counsellor in an American Christian Summer Camp

As a counsellor at a Christian camp, part of your duty is to watch over your campers and ensure they are having fun in a safe and productive way. You will also play a big role in helping campers strengthen their relationships with each other and with God. It’s not enough just to know how to be a good camp counsellor; you also must be a role model by fostering an environment that helps campers:

1. Develop an identity in their faith
2. Grow Christian culture
3. Learn new skills
4. Socialize & build a new community

The counsellors at Trout Lake Camps play a huge role in the overall experience by bonding with campers and creating a safe and inclusive environment each and every day all while coming up with camp counsellor activity ideas, supporting campers’ needs, participating in faith-based activities, and more.

Benefits of Working at a Christian Summer Camp

Christian camp summer jobs offer unique benefits for counsellors who are rooted in their faith and want to share that faith with others. You get to engage in activities rooted in spreading the love of God and growing Christian culture and enjoy all the fun and excitement that comes with working at a summer camp.

Counsellors are encouraged to participate in activities, which means you get endless opportunities to learn and grow as you lead your campers on their own journeys. You also get to connect with other amazing counsellors, enjoy your stunning surroundings in the wilderness, and build a strong community with likeminded people.

What to Bring to Trout Lake Camps

As you’re packing and getting ready to go, you’ll probably be wondering what things to bring to camp as a counsellor. On top of ensuring you have everything you need for day-to-day life at camp, you’ll want to be sure you’re comfortable in the Minnesota summer and prepared for any sudden changes in the weather. The Midwestern United States can have quite unpredictable weather!

Every camp is different, but it’s a safe bet that you’ll need:

• Comfortable clothes and shoes
• First aid kit
• Hat and sunglasses
• Hoodies/sweatshirts
• Insect repellent and sunscreen
• Laundry bag
• Mobile phone and chargers
• Rain gear
• Reusable water bottle
• Sturdy shoes and hiking boots
• Swimwear
• Toiletries & shower essentials
• And the list goes on!

You can reference our official AmeriCamp packing list, so you don't have to worry about missing any camp counsellor essentials!

And What to Leave at Home

Being at a USA summer camp gives you a chance to unplug from your day-to-day life. Campers are encouraged to leave their phones and any other electronics at home. Traveling abroad, it’s not feasible to expect you to part with your phone. That said, you ideally shouldn’t need to be on it much. As for the rest of your electronics, leave them behind and focus on forging new connections with your campers, with your fellow counsellors, and with God.

How to Work at Trout Lake Camps with AmeriCamp

If you want to work at Trout this summer, the requirements are pretty straightforward. For starters, you have to be 18 years or older by June 1st. You also must be available from at least June 18th to August 15th to complete your camp placement. Previous experience working with kids is a bonus when it comes time to make your camp counsellor resume, but it’s not a requirement.

Our mission is to make it easy for you to secure your spot at the best summer camp jobs abroad, and we’re excited to help you find the right fit based on your values, skills, and goals. Once you’re ready to become a counsellor with AmeriCamp, you can follow these seven simple steps:

1. Send in interest form and application
2. Go live to camps
3. Complete background check
4. Fill out health history forms
5. Navigate the visa process
6. Attend AmeriCamp orientation
7. Book your flights and get ready to go

Initial Interest Form & Official Application

The first step in becoming a counsellor is to send in a free interest form letting us know you want to learn more about the program. One of our team members will reach out with more information, and then you can start the official AmeriCamp application.

On this application, you’ll be able to tell us about:

• Your motivation for becoming a counsellor
• Your past experiences
• Your skills

Moreover, you can indicate a preference for different types of camps or for specific camps with which we partner. It’s here that you can share your desire to be at a Christian camp or specifically at Trout Lake Camps!

While we do our best to take your preferences into consideration, you’re not guaranteed to be placed in your first choice of camps. That said, you’re more likely to be placed in the camp you want if you tell us. There are plenty of Christian summer camp volunteer opportunities available to counsellors, and we’re dedicated to connect you with the right one.

Once you’re done with the application, our brand ambassadors will conduct a virtual interview with you to learn more about you and to answer any questions you may have already. If you’re still not sure if being an AmeriCamp counsellor is right for you, come see us at one of our 2025 summer camp job fairs to learn more about the experience before you jump into the application process!

Go Live to Camps Through the AmeriCamp Portal

Once we accept your application, your profile will go live on our website. During this stage, you can begin learning more about your options and matching with potential camps. Even if you don’t get your first choice, don’t stress! We partner with 900 different summer camps across the United States, so we guarantee we can find the right fit for you.

Complete A Background Check

Before you can officially be placed at a camp, you’ll have to complete a background check that our team then countersigns through our DBS website. Typically, you can expect to receive an official certificate indicating you’ve passed the background check within two to four weeks, but it’s wise to leave yourself extra time for potential delays.

Fill Out Related Health History Forms

Once you’ve completed the  background check, your registered GP for Health & Safety must complete a health history form. It’s possible you’ll have to pay a small fee to get this done, but it entirely depends on the facility’s policies. Once completed, you will submit it to our team for review.

Get a J-1 Visa to Travel Abroad

One of the most important parts of the process is securing your J-1 visa to travel abroad. AmeriCamp will act as your sponsor for this process once you’ve paid your final programme fee and have confirmed your placement at a camp.

We’ll issue you a DS-2019 form to make you eligible to apply for a visa, which you will then take to your local U.S. embassy. There, you’lll book an appointment for a quick in-person interview to confirm your visa, and they will hold on to your passport to update your travel privileges.

The embassy should get your updated passport back to you within five to 10 days of your appointment, and then you’re officially ready to be a J-1 camp counsellor!

Attend AmeriCamp Orientation

As you get closer to getting ready to leave, you’ll be asked to attend one of our camp orientations. This is a great chance to ask any last-minute questions and learn about essential details for your upcoming trip. This includes:

• Emergency contacts
• Insurance information
• VIsa information
• What to expect from camp life

Book Your Flights & Get Ready to Go

FInally, it’s time to book your flights and get ready to go. We have applicants take care of their own flight information, so they can choose the best prices, right time frames, and preferred airlines. Your camp will provide all the necessary travel information, so you know where to go and when to get there.

Pro tip: Wait until you have your official visa before booking your flights. You never know if a situation could arise, and you wouldn’t want to miss your flight due to an admin issue.

Trout Lake Camps Camp Options

When you attend Trout Lake Camps, no two experiences are alike. In fact, the camp breaks up its camp programmes into age-specific categories, so campers can keep coming back summer after summer and enjoy new experiences. As a counsellor, this means you have the opportunity to work with campers of all ages doing a wide range of unique activities, so you can really let your skills shine.

Trout Lake Camps offers three main camps for different age groups as well as a Senior High Camp for highschoolers and a Family Camp for the whole family. The three main camps available at Trout are:

• Wild Woods
• The Point
• Timber Ridge

Wild Woods

The Wild Woods camp experience is available as a full week-long stay or a shortened four-day week depending on the comfort levels of the campers. These camps are for campers in grades 1-3. Wild Woods is an immersive experience where campers step into a story and can free-form play to their imagination’s content.

Activities at Wild Woods camp include:

• Canoeing
• Crafts
• Indoor basketball
• Mini golf
• Nature center
• Slip-n-slide
• Stone throw

The Point

The Point is for campers in grades 4-6 and offers a bit more freedom and adventure for campers. Complete with skills classes and new adventures, campers get a taste of independence and a chance to find their own fun. Campers can enjoy group experiences and individual activities to learn more about themselves and others.

Some of the activities at The Point include:

• Arts & crafts
• Banana boating
• Beach
• Horseback
• Nature Hikes
• Obstacle course
• Outdoor cooking
• Petting zoo
• Pontoon rides
• Riflery
• Sports

Timber Ridge

Timber Ridge is an adrenaline-fueled week filled with friends and fun for campers in grades 6-8. Campers get the chance to explore fun, exciting activities in medium-sized groups of their peers, so they can forge new friendships and experience everything camp has to offer.

Activities campers can enjoy at Timber Ridge include:

• Archery tag
• Banana boating
• Beach
• Balcklight dodgeball
• High & low ropes course
• Indoor climbing & boulder climbing
• Laser tag
• Mountain biking
• Obstacle course
• 800-ft zip line

Other Camp Options

Campers in the Senior High Camp get to enjoy all the classic camp activities for an adrenaline-fueled week as well as amazing worship opportunities, talented speakers, and thought-provoking seminars.

Family Camp provides much of the same, but for the whole family! Trout offers both family activities and age-specific ones, so campers have opportunities to bond together and have fun doing their own thing throughout the week.

Although our exchange program runs through the summer, we figured you should know that Trout Lake Camps operates year-round. They host a wide variety of retreats, including prayer weekends, family getaways, and more! If you loved your summer abroad at camp, you can explore these options for yourself.

Connect with the AmeriCamp Team to Learn More About Trout Lake Camps

Being a counsellor at Trout Lake Camps presents an opportunity to do something meaningful with your summer. Moreover, you’ll get the chance to meet new people, enjoy unique experiences, and learn more about yourself through your role.

If you’re ready to start the process, you can count on AmeriCamp to be by your side every step of the way. Our purpose is to match UK students with the perfect camps, so they can get the most out of their experience. Apply today for free to learn more about the process, and give yourself the opportunity to have a summer you’ll never forget!