Join Our Team

Be part of our amazing team devoted to changing the lives of children and adults with disabilities throughout Michigan and beyond. All of our staff, regardless of position, ensure our campers are having a safe, engaging, and welcoming away from home experience.

Join our team and help campers traverse the ropes course, side-walk at the equestrian center, clean the bathrooms, put up platform tents, or serve a meal. All jobs are important here!

YOU WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE AT CAMP!
Thank you for your interest in joining our team. Your contact info has been received and we will be in touch shortly.
There was an error trying to send your message. Please try again later.

Current Job Openings

We are hiring for SUMMER 2024
Summer Camp Staff
  • Work in the great outdoors while creating memorable summer experiences for children and adults with disabilities
  • Comprehensive paid training before the start of camp.
  • Fri afternoon- Sunday morning off.
  • All positions are overnight and include a weekly stipend, housing, and meals for the duration of our summer program.
  • Open positions: Lead Cabin Counselor, Cabin Counselor, Outpost Coordinator, Outpost Counselor, Challenge Facilitator, Waterfront Director. To find out more about each position scroll down to our “Want to Know More” section.
Food Service Supervisor
  • Manages all aspects of the kitchen for camp and group programming. This includes menus, food ordering, staff schedules, staff supervision, etc.
  • Assist with Food Service staff training.
  • Assist with Health Department inspections.
  • Ensure Food Service Staff are following all departmental guidelines to ensure proper and safe handling of food and kitchen equipment.
  • 40/week. Starting April 1, 2024. Ends September 20, 2024.
Camp Cooks
  • Prepare a large quantity of entrees, side dishes and desserts, according to pre-set menus for up to 140 people while ensuring safe and efficient preparation
  • Adhere to and prepare all special dietary requirement including but not limited to chop, puree, allergies, vegetarian, gluten free, diabetic and other special requirements
  • Clean, wash and sanitize work areas, equipment, utensils, dishes, pots/pans and all storage areas in timely, appropriate manner
Kitchen Aides
  • Set dining hall tables for family style meal service.
  • Put away food deliveries and rotate stock as needed.
  • Wash dishes and kitchen equipment after meal service.
  • Clean kitchen and dining hall after meal service.
  • Assist cook in meal preparations as needed.
Riding Instructor – part-time
  • Organizes, implements, facilitates, and evaluates the interaction between horses and clients of all abilities. This position assists the Barn Manager in the delivery of a safe and fun horseback riding and small animal program.
  • Equine handling knowledge and riding skills.
  • Familiarity and experience with individuals with disabilities.
  • Previous experience in the care of horses and small animals.
  • Prefer current certification through CHA (Certified Horsemanship Association) or PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship). Must be able to become certified ASAP
Community Programs Coordinator – Full Time
  • Will develop, plan and deliver community programs and events in order to further the mission of The Fowler Center and MCHS.
  • Responsible for marketing and providing various TFC programs to the community.
  • Recruit, coordinate, and oversee volunteer groups, and will assist in administrating Respite Weekends.
  • The Community Programs Coordinator will be highly skilled in organizing, building relationships and multitasking and will work occasional evenings and weekends depending on the scheduling of group and community events.

Not Your Average Summer Job!

Summer Camp ~ Weekend Respite Camp ~ Fall Camp ~ Winter Camp

The Fowler Center staff members are friends and family to our campers as well as professional caregivers and group leaders. If you are looking for a place where you can make a difference and impact people’s lives, consider joining our team!

The Fowler Center recruits summer or year-round staff from colleges and universities around the country where many staff are studying special education or education, therapeutic recreation, or related fields. The Center also utilizes international exchange programs to bring summer staff from other countries, adding a dynamic world flavor to camp. The Fowler Center is a year-round facility with full-time summer employment and volunteer opportunities, as well as part-time spring, fall, and winter employment opportunities. Many staff members have gone on from The Fowler Center to pursue professions in some of the following fields: education, social work, occupational, physical and recreational therapy, special education, nursing and medicine, psychology, and other related human service professions. For more information, email lseeloff@mchsmi.org.

Internships & Fieldwork:
It is possible to gain college credit or fieldwork hours from work experience at camp. Internships at The Fowler Center can also be set up in several different fields including therapeutic recreation, outdoor education, and parks and recreation management. Contact the camp office or your academic advisor for details. For more information, email lseeloff@mchsmi.org

Respite Cabin Counselor
Respite weekends are an opportunity for campers to make friends, participate in new and different outdoor activities all while learning and expanding on their own creativity, problem solving, and life skills. It gives families and caregivers a break as well.

As a cabin counselor, you will work with 2-4 other counselors to ensure all needs of campers in the cabin are met. You will spend the day with your cabin group caring for campers needs and and helping campers engage in activities throughout the day. You will also be living in the cabin with the campers.

What Can You Expect?

  • To have fun
  • To make some of the best friends you have ever had.
  • To feel good about the work you have done.
  • To learn a lot about yourself and others.
  • To find out how strong your sense of humor is.
  • To work very hard.
  • To laugh.
  • To do some of the most embarrassing things you’ve ever done and have a great time doing them.
  • To be outdoors – A LOT
  • To gain more from the experience than you bargained for.
  • To never have thought a camp session could go so slowly and so quickly at the same time.
  • To work very long hours.
  • To learn.
  • To feel needed.
  • To cry when it’s time to say goodbye.

Don’t take our word for it…See what past staff members have said

Liliana Tlamani
Lead Cabin Counselor
From Mexico

In each session there were special memories that I will treasure forever. The smiles and appreciation of the campers, laughing with my friends, and having new experiences are some of my favorites. This experience has had a great impact on me. It has taught me to be more humble and to put myself in the place of those who cannot do everything that I can. I have had the opportunity to lead a team and look after them. I’ve learned how to be better for others. I have made many friends from different countries, and I have met wonderful people who have taught me a lot.

Angel Silva
Cabin and Outpost Counselor
From Mexico

My favorite memories of this summer are the Outpost trips to the sand dunes and watching the sunset over Lake Michigan with my team and campers. Also, the campfires in the Outpost every night made my summer most beautiful! I can say that I’m a different person now. Being exposed to cultural diversity at camp and helping campers with different abilities has given me the ability to easily adapt to any situation.

Alyssa Hill
Cabin and Outpost Counselor
From Detroit, Michigan

One of my favorite camp memories was when two of the campers in my group were singing Elvis Presley’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” My camp experience has changed me in many ways. I feel more humbled and show gratitude to those who do this for a living every day. I enhanced some of my skills and made lots of new friends that I will cherish for the rest of my life. My camp experience impacted my resilience. I learned to be more in the present, love nature more and be appreciative for so many things.

Edward Hall
Cabin Counselor
From Vassar, Michigan

My experience as a camp counselor has changed me. Before this job I didn’t have much motivation. This summer I learned how to interact with many strong personalities, and I hope I have impacted my team the same way they have impacted me. I did make more friends than I thought I would, especially my cabin team.

Terry Allen
Cabin Counselor
From Gillingham, United Kingdom

My favorite camp memory was learning to use the paddle boats and in turn teaching campers how to use them. I also enjoyed helping the campers to have a great experience. I have made new friends!  I feel that working here at The Fowler Center has impacted my confidence and improved my leadership skills.

Want to know more?

Camp & Program Positions

Download the info sheet below to see full job descriptions for all our open positions.

Benefits

Though our camp salaries are competitive, you can expect so much more! You will form lifelong friendships, strengthen your teamwork, communication, leadership, creativity and decision-making skills, be a role model, have fun and most of all MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Impact You’ll Make

We have over a 90% camper return rate! Our campers return year after year due in large part to their cabin & program staff who help make their experience an unforgettable one.

Daily Staff Schedule

Our staff do so much during a typical day at camp. It’s a lot of hard work, but it’s a lot more fun. Click the icon to learn more about what a typical day at camp can be like.

Join Our Amazing Team

If you’re interested in making a difference in the lives of others and finding a summer full of fulfillment, submit your info at the top of this page and we will be in touch.

Contact Us

Still have questions? We’d love to give you an answer. Call our office at 989-673-2050 or email our Camp Director, Lynn Seeloff.