COUNSELORS
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Join MHKC as a College-Credit, Volunteer, or Junior Counselor!
Learn more about Camp & the Counselor Experience
Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp’s (MHKC) primary program is an eight-week overnight summer camp serving more than 450 adults with developmental disabilities at its 22-acre campsite in the Mt. Hood National Forest. MHKC’s summer camp is truly one-of-a-kind, providing a one-to-one camper-to-counselor ratio- a model made possible only through the commitment, hard work, energy, and care of its Counselors.
Each year, more than 200 Counselors spend 1-2 weeks at MHKC supporting Campers with activities of daily living and helping them fully participate in a wide variety of accessible and adaptable camp activities, including horseback riding, rock climbing, ziplining, swimming, biking, hiking, singing, dancing, and more. Working under the supervision of experienced Staff, Counselors come from diverse disciplines and backgrounds, including many who have little to no prior experience working with individuals with developmental disabilities or attending camp themselves.
Being a Counselor at MHKC is an immersive, challenging, and incredibly rewarding experience. Each day is filled with hands-on action and engagement, offering countless opportunities for personal and professional growth, all while making a positive, lasting impact on the lives of Campers and fellow Counselors. Together, Counselors and Staff cultivate an environment of teamwork, inclusion, and service, delivering high-quality care and a deeply enriching camp experience for campers.
“I had the most amazing experience during my two weeks at camp. I had come with anxiety and left with confidence. I made friends with my fellow counselors that I will treasure the rest of my life. I am so thankful for the opportunity that MHKC provided me to learn and gain a greater understanding and love for people with disabilities.”
Camp Dates & Training
Counselor Positions
Partnerships
Camp Dates
Counselor Training
Session 1: June 21-July 4, 2026
Session 2: July 5-18, 2026
Session 3: July 19-August 1, 2026
Session 4: August 2-15, 2026
College-Credit Volunteers are required to attend one session (two-week period), Volunteer Counselors are highly encouraged to attend a full session but may commit to a single week; Junior Counselors attend a single week.
All training is mandatory.
- Counselor Orientation– Provides an in-depth look at Camp life, the Counselor role, and logistics; approximately 3 hours; format & Date depending on role & school program. *required for all College-Credit & Volunteer Counselors
- Online, Asynchronous Training– Emailed to counselors about two weeks prior to their session and due prior to arriving at Camp; approximately 2-4 hours. *required for all college-credit, volunteer, & junior counselors
- Onsite, In-Person Training– Occurs at the beginning of Counselors’ respective session all day Sunday & Monday morning. *required for all college-credit, volunteer, & junior counselors
- Session 1 (weeks 1 & 2): June 21-22
- Session 2 (weeks 3 & 4): July 5-6
- Session 3 (weeks 5 & 6): July 19-20
- Session 4 (weeks 7 & 8): August 2-3
If you are interested in a paid staff role, learn more here. Students seeking to earn school credit must serve in the Counselor role. Some students want to attend multiple Camp session- volunteering as a Counselor for one session and working as a staff member for additional session(s). Anyone interested in both roles can indicate that on the application.
College Credit Counselor
Volunteer Counselor (No Credit)
Jr. Counselors
College Credit Counselor: This is a two-week volunteer position for students 18+ receiving credit through their college/university program. Counselors are typically paired 1:1 with a camper, assisting with their activities of daily living and helping them have fun participating in the various camp activities. Counselors work in small teams of campers, counselors, and two supervisory staff that support them throughout their time at Camp. No experience required!
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- College Credit Counselor Job Description
- See the “Partnerships” tab for more information regarding MHKC’s academic partnerships. If you are interested in receiving college-credit through your school for this experience but are not sure if that’s an option for you, reach out to our Partnerships Coordinator, Michaela Marquand, at partnerships@mhkc.org.
Volunteer Counselor: This is a 1-2 week position (full session highly encouraged) for individuals 18+. Counselors are typically paired 1:1 with a camper, assisting with their activities of daily living and helping them have fun participating in the various camp activities. Counselors work in small teams of campers, counselors, and two supervisory staff that support them throughout their time at Camp. No experience required!
Jr. Counselor (volunteer): This is a one-week position for volunteers that are 16-17 years old. Junior Counselors are assigned a group to be a part of and support throughout their week. They assist with camper care and program engagement.
Academic, Experiential, and Interdisciplinary Learning Partnerships
Mt. Hood Kiwanis Camp has strong, ongoing partnerships with local universities, colleges, and high schools providing students with the opportunity to earn academic credit while gaining impactful, hands-on experience. MHKC continually seeks to expand academic partnerships, providing students from diverse disciplines— including special education, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, social work, psychology, medicine/nursing, family studies, and kinesiology— with invaluable opportunities for interdisciplinary practice and collaboration. MHKC collaborates closely with faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and high school students to incorporate best practices in the field of developmental disabilities. This experiential learning opportunity allows students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world contexts, while developing practical skills and deepening their awareness and understanding of disabilities. Over 7,000 students have had the opportunity to work one-on-one with individuals with disabilities, broadening their perspectives and fostering a greater appreciation for diversity and inclusion. These experiences equip students to carry their learning forward into the community as they complete their degrees and enter their professional careers.
Contact our Partnerships Coordinator, Michaela Marquand (partnerships@mhkc.org), to learn more or discuss establishing a new partnership! To learn more about our partnership with Portland State University, visit their MHKC page.
“Saying the time I spent at Kiwanis [Camp] was transformative or life-changing might sound extravagant, but far from hyperbole these terms honestly fall short of describing the feelings I have for my experiences at camp.”