I'm Interested in Joining the Fowler Center Team!
Job Openings
Camp Counselor
The Camp Counselor is part of The Fowler Center's classic and respite camp program and is responsible for camper care, assisting in activities with campers, maintaining and keeping up the campers living quarters and grounds around the Fowler Center. Camp Counselor's are responsible for assisting the program instructors and engaging and motivating every camper in care.
The Camp Counselor is part of The Fowler Center's classic and respite camp program and is responsible for camper care, assisting in activities with campers, maintaining and keeping up the campers living quarters and grounds around the Fowler Center. Camp Counselor's are responsible for assisting the program instructors and engaging and motivating every camper in care.
- Provide and assist campers with personal care based upon individual needs. This includes dressing, feeding, toileting, showering, teeth-brushing, etc.
- Provide direct supervision of the campers to ensure their safety and whereabouts at all times.
- Document the camper’s progress toward meeting his/her treatment goals.
- Set-up and ensure recreation equipment is secure and stored properly.
- High School Diploma or equivalent required.
- At least 18 years of age.
- Maintain a valid driver’s license and driving record.
Contingent Animal Handler
The Animal Handler position helps to maintain new programs, animal area, equipment, and resource materials set forth by the equestrian supervisor. The Animal Handler will assist the Equestrian supervisor with programs, implementing new strategies, and all activities that involve all animals in the care of the Fowler Center.
Education and Experience:
Knowledge Requirements:
The Animal Handler position helps to maintain new programs, animal area, equipment, and resource materials set forth by the equestrian supervisor. The Animal Handler will assist the Equestrian supervisor with programs, implementing new strategies, and all activities that involve all animals in the care of the Fowler Center.
- Provide medical treatment, such as administering medications and vaccinations, or arrange for veterinarians to provide more extensive treatment.
- Exercise animals to maintain their physical and mental health.
- Mix food, liquid formulas, medications, or food supplements according to instructions, prescriptions, and knowledge of animal species.
- Feed and water livestock and monitor food and water supplies.
- Clean stalls, pens, and equipment, using disinfectant solutions, brushes, shovels, water hoses, or pumps.
Education and Experience:
- High School Diploma or equivalent required.
- 1-3 years of experience with horseback riding and animal care.
- Maintain a valid driver’s license and driving record that is acceptable and meets requirements of the agency’s insurance carrier.
Knowledge Requirements:
- Knowledge of storage/handling techniques of animal feed.
- Basic animal handling skills and confidence to do so.
- Appropriate use animal tools including but not limited saddles, reins, farrier equipment.
- Safety measures including appropriate use of protective equipment, safe lifting, and animal handling.
- Safe and appropriate use of cleaning supplies
Seasonal Camp Staff
Mentor and support individuals with disabilities by helping them explore the wonders of the great outdoors! Working at our camp provides leadership experience that will elevate your game for the rest of your life - at home, in school and in your career!
We currently have opportunities available for camp counselors, nurses, food services, and program coordinators during the summer, fall, and winter seasons, along with openings for our upcoming 2023 Summer Camps!
Education and Experience:
Mentor and support individuals with disabilities by helping them explore the wonders of the great outdoors! Working at our camp provides leadership experience that will elevate your game for the rest of your life - at home, in school and in your career!
We currently have opportunities available for camp counselors, nurses, food services, and program coordinators during the summer, fall, and winter seasons, along with openings for our upcoming 2023 Summer Camps!
- Provide and assist campers with personal care based upon individual needs. This includes dressing, feeding, toileting, showering, teeth-brushing, etc.
- Provide direct supervision of the campers to ensure their safety and whereabouts at all times.
- Guide and assist campers in a range of outdoor activities.
Education and Experience:
- High School Diploma or equivalent required.
- At least 18 years of age.
- Maintain a valid driver’s license and driving record that is acceptable and meets requirements of the agency’s insurance carrier and CMH contracts.
- Past professional, educational, and/or volunteerism experience with youth or individuals with disabilities preferred.
Employment
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. Whether you are helping campers traverse the ropes course, side-walking at the equestrian center, cleaning the bathrooms, putting up platform tents, or serving a meal YOU WILL MAKE A HUGE DIFFERENCE AT CAMP!
we are hiring Respite Staff for our Fall/Winter season!
SUMMER 2023 APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED!
With the shared experience of working at camp you will form lifelong friendships with those who live in Michigan and around the world.
Working at camp will allow you to strengthen your teamwork, communication, leadership, creativity, and decision-making skills.
Genuine Connection ~ Make a Difference ~ Have Fun ~ Gain Skills ~ Learn Something New ~ Be A Role Model
WHAT TO EXPECT
- To have fun
- To make some of the best friends you have ever had.
- To be exhausted.
- 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 be frustrated.
- 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 miss home and occasionally wonder why you came.
- To work very long hours.
- To learn.
- To wonder when you will be able to do things by yourself (laundry, read, write).
- To hate the sound of your own name.
- To feel needed.
- To cry when it’s time to say goodbye.
WHAT NOT TO EXPECT
- To be on vacation
- To be asked to do things you are unable to do.
- To be allowed to have a “camp romance” at the expense of the campers you are working with.
- To be bored.
- Hotel Accommodations.
- A lot of privacy.
- Things to always go how you planned them.
- To have your own needs met first all of the time.
- To be free to do whatever you wish to do.
- A lot of contact with the outside world.
- To ever regret your camp experience.
Summer Staff sample Schedule
Sundays
10:00am - Leadership Staff/Program Staff Meeting
11:00am - All Staff Meeting (break to start prepping for campers when done)
12:00pm - Staff Lunch at Dining Hall
1:00pm - Resume prep for campers
2:00pm - CAMPER CHECK-IN STARTS (meet campers and families, help campers settle in, cabin activities)
5:00pm - CAMPER CHECK-IN ENDS (finish unpacking campers, have cabin meeting to introduce staff, get to know you games)
6:00pm - All Camp Dinner in Dining Hall (assist campers with meal and clean up, eat yourself)
7:30pm - All Camp CAMPFIRE & S'MORES
8:30pm - Evening Flagpole (help campers roast marshmallows, sing songs)
8:45pm - Head to cabins to get ready for bed (help campers with personal care)
9:30/10:00pm - Fill out Camper Care Charts and other forms then head to bed!
MONDAYS - WEDNESDAYS (daily 2 hour breaks are scheduled for each staff)
7:00am - wake and get yourself ready
7:30am - wake up campers and get ready for the day (assist campers with personal care)
8:30am - All Camp Breakfast in Dining Hall (assist campers with meal and clean up, eat yourself)
9:15am - Cabin Tidy Time (help campers make beds, tidy front room, etc)
9:45am - Morning Flagpole (raise flag, daily affirmations, and good morning songs)
10:00am - Morning activities (assist campers getting around camp and participating in activities)
12:30pm -All Camp Lunch in Dining Hall (Wednesdays a picnic lunch is held at the pavilion)
1:15pm - Rest Hour (campers can nap, play cards in front room, or spend time outside)
2:30pm - Afternoon activities
5:30pm - All Camp Dinner in Dining Hall, then free time
7:00pm - All Camp Evening Program (Hayride & Ice Cream Social, Dance Night, Fear Factor Night, Gold Rush, etc)
8:15pm- Evening Flagpole (take down flag, sing goodnight songs)
8:30pm - Head to cabins to get ready for bed (assist campers with personal care)
9:30/10:00pm - Fill out Camper Care Charts and other forms then head to bed!
THURSDAYS (daily 2 hours breaks are scheduled for each staff)
7:00am - wake and get yourself ready
7:30am - wake up campers and get ready for the day (assist campers with personal care)
8:30am - All Camp Breakfast in Dining Hall (assist campers with meal and clean up, eat yourself)
9:15am - Cabin Tidy Time (help campers make beds, tidy front room, etc)
9:45am - Morning Flagpole (raise flag, daily affirmations, and good morning songs)
10:00am - Morning activities (assist campers getting around camp and participating in activities)
12:30pm -All Camp Lunch in Dining Hall (Wednesdays a picnic lunch is held at the pavilion)
1:15pm - Rest Hour (campers can nap, play cards in front room, or spend time outside)
2:30pm - Barber & Beauty in cabins (getting ready for the dance, packing for home, cabin activities)
5:00pm - Camper Awards & Cabin Photos
6:00pm - Banquet Dinner
7:30pm - All Camp DANCE at Pavilion
8:30pm- Evening Flagpole (take down flag, sing goodnight songs)
8:45pm - Head to cabins to get ready for bed (assist campers with personal care)
9:30/10:00pm - Fill out Camper Care Charts and other forms then head to bed!
FRIDAY
7:00am - wake and get yourself ready
7:30am - wake up campers and get ready for the day (assist campers with personal care)
8:30am - All Camp Breakfast in Dining Hall (assist campers with meal and clean up, eat yourself)
10:00am - CAMPER CHECKOUT BEGINS
11:30am - closing staff meeting then lunch available if wanted. Staff released when paperwork submitted and cabins tidy.
10:00am - Leadership Staff/Program Staff Meeting
11:00am - All Staff Meeting (break to start prepping for campers when done)
12:00pm - Staff Lunch at Dining Hall
1:00pm - Resume prep for campers
2:00pm - CAMPER CHECK-IN STARTS (meet campers and families, help campers settle in, cabin activities)
5:00pm - CAMPER CHECK-IN ENDS (finish unpacking campers, have cabin meeting to introduce staff, get to know you games)
6:00pm - All Camp Dinner in Dining Hall (assist campers with meal and clean up, eat yourself)
7:30pm - All Camp CAMPFIRE & S'MORES
8:30pm - Evening Flagpole (help campers roast marshmallows, sing songs)
8:45pm - Head to cabins to get ready for bed (help campers with personal care)
9:30/10:00pm - Fill out Camper Care Charts and other forms then head to bed!
MONDAYS - WEDNESDAYS (daily 2 hour breaks are scheduled for each staff)
7:00am - wake and get yourself ready
7:30am - wake up campers and get ready for the day (assist campers with personal care)
8:30am - All Camp Breakfast in Dining Hall (assist campers with meal and clean up, eat yourself)
9:15am - Cabin Tidy Time (help campers make beds, tidy front room, etc)
9:45am - Morning Flagpole (raise flag, daily affirmations, and good morning songs)
10:00am - Morning activities (assist campers getting around camp and participating in activities)
12:30pm -All Camp Lunch in Dining Hall (Wednesdays a picnic lunch is held at the pavilion)
1:15pm - Rest Hour (campers can nap, play cards in front room, or spend time outside)
2:30pm - Afternoon activities
5:30pm - All Camp Dinner in Dining Hall, then free time
7:00pm - All Camp Evening Program (Hayride & Ice Cream Social, Dance Night, Fear Factor Night, Gold Rush, etc)
8:15pm- Evening Flagpole (take down flag, sing goodnight songs)
8:30pm - Head to cabins to get ready for bed (assist campers with personal care)
9:30/10:00pm - Fill out Camper Care Charts and other forms then head to bed!
THURSDAYS (daily 2 hours breaks are scheduled for each staff)
7:00am - wake and get yourself ready
7:30am - wake up campers and get ready for the day (assist campers with personal care)
8:30am - All Camp Breakfast in Dining Hall (assist campers with meal and clean up, eat yourself)
9:15am - Cabin Tidy Time (help campers make beds, tidy front room, etc)
9:45am - Morning Flagpole (raise flag, daily affirmations, and good morning songs)
10:00am - Morning activities (assist campers getting around camp and participating in activities)
12:30pm -All Camp Lunch in Dining Hall (Wednesdays a picnic lunch is held at the pavilion)
1:15pm - Rest Hour (campers can nap, play cards in front room, or spend time outside)
2:30pm - Barber & Beauty in cabins (getting ready for the dance, packing for home, cabin activities)
5:00pm - Camper Awards & Cabin Photos
6:00pm - Banquet Dinner
7:30pm - All Camp DANCE at Pavilion
8:30pm- Evening Flagpole (take down flag, sing goodnight songs)
8:45pm - Head to cabins to get ready for bed (assist campers with personal care)
9:30/10:00pm - Fill out Camper Care Charts and other forms then head to bed!
FRIDAY
7:00am - wake and get yourself ready
7:30am - wake up campers and get ready for the day (assist campers with personal care)
8:30am - All Camp Breakfast in Dining Hall (assist campers with meal and clean up, eat yourself)
10:00am - CAMPER CHECKOUT BEGINS
11:30am - closing staff meeting then lunch available if wanted. Staff released when paperwork submitted and cabins tidy.
Don't take our word for it.....find out what past staff say
Name: Anne Graham
Summer: 2011 - Lifeguard, 2012
Current School/Career: UofM Health System preschool teacher
Favorite Camp Memory: All the evening programs and chatting & joking with campers.
How has working at camp impacted your career/life: Camp has helped me grow my patience so that now I can work well with the kids in my class. My colleagues have often commented on how well I approach situations when kids were experiencing some big feelings. Camp has also helped me embrace the silly and fun in my classroom - those silly camp songs do come in handy some days!
Summer: 2011 - Lifeguard, 2012
Current School/Career: UofM Health System preschool teacher
Favorite Camp Memory: All the evening programs and chatting & joking with campers.
How has working at camp impacted your career/life: Camp has helped me grow my patience so that now I can work well with the kids in my class. My colleagues have often commented on how well I approach situations when kids were experiencing some big feelings. Camp has also helped me embrace the silly and fun in my classroom - those silly camp songs do come in handy some days!
Name: Nicole Lingnau
Summer: 2015 - Lead Cabin Counselor, 2016 - 1:1/Float Counselor, 2017 to present - Summer Administrator
Current School/Career: Special Education Paraprofessional
Favorite Camp Memory: I have many amazing memories from camp but they all include the growth of our campers.
How has working at camp impacted your career/life: Working at camp gave me the patience I was lacking, experience taking care of others, and the ability to adapt anything to meet the needs of most people.
Summer: 2015 - Lead Cabin Counselor, 2016 - 1:1/Float Counselor, 2017 to present - Summer Administrator
Current School/Career: Special Education Paraprofessional
Favorite Camp Memory: I have many amazing memories from camp but they all include the growth of our campers.
How has working at camp impacted your career/life: Working at camp gave me the patience I was lacking, experience taking care of others, and the ability to adapt anything to meet the needs of most people.
Name: James "Jimmy" Nuse
Summer: 2012 - Lead Cabin Counselor
Current School/Career: Special Education Director for Ionia Schools
Favorite Camp Memory: All of the campouts (and meeting my amazing wife, Danielle!)
How has working at camp impacted your career/life: Camp gave me first-hand experience working with children and adults with unique needs; it solidified my passion for special education and reaffirmed my decision to work with kids.
Summer: 2012 - Lead Cabin Counselor
Current School/Career: Special Education Director for Ionia Schools
Favorite Camp Memory: All of the campouts (and meeting my amazing wife, Danielle!)
How has working at camp impacted your career/life: Camp gave me first-hand experience working with children and adults with unique needs; it solidified my passion for special education and reaffirmed my decision to work with kids.
Cabin Couseling & Program Staff
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. For more information on weekend respite camps and future respite dates, click here
Summer Camp 2023 Positions - Read here to find out more about each position!
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. For more information on weekend respite camps and future respite dates, click here
Summer Camp 2023 Positions - Read here to find out more about each position!
- Head Counselor
- Lead Counselors
- Cabin Counselors
- Float Counselors
- Program Instructors
- Arts & Crafts
- Challenge Facilitators
- Lifeguards
- Sports & Recreation
- Nature & Garden Activities
- Music & Dance
Group Event Program Staff
The Fowler Center offers group events and facility rentals on a year round basis. Group Events Program Staff are responsible for preparing and implementing activities chosen by the groups we serve and adapting these activities to the needs of the specific group. Activities include: Challenge Education, Creative Arts, Equestrian, Waterfront, Sports and Recreation, Barnyard and Garden, and Outdoor Education. The Group Events Program Staff is also a very important customer service position, as they also assist in preparing the cabins for groups, transporting luggage and orienting groups to the cabin and grounds, and answering any questions group members may have. Staff are scheduled to work by group, which may include only day visits or overnight/weekend visits. Staff meals are provided by the Fowler Center, and overnight accommodations are available but staying on-site overnight is not mandatory. Individuals interested in these positions should email our Program Director, Lillia Sheline, lsheline@mchsmi.org.
Open Positions:
Open Positions:
- (Contingent) Group Event Program Staff- Lifeguards, Challenge Facilitators, Activity Staff