Description
As a Camp Nursing Assistant, you’ll help support the health, safety, and well-being of campers while also participating in the camp experience. You’ll provide direct care, assist with daily activities, support medication administration and health care needs, and work closely with campers, caregivers, health care professionals, and the camp team.
You do not need to be a CNA to work as a Camp Nursing Assistant. True Friends will provide training and support to help you succeed in the role, including medication administration and other camp-specific health care procedures.
Where You Could Work
- Camp Friendship - Annandale, MN
- Camp Courage - Maple Lake, MN
- Camp Eden Wood - Eden Prairie, MN
Camp staff may work at one, two, or all three of our camp locations during the summer, depending on program needs, assignment, and availability.
You don't have to live near a True Friends site to apply! Our camp positions are residential and include on-site housing and meals during employment, making this a great opportunity for individuals who live outside the immediate area, including those from other states!
You don't have to live near a True Friends site to apply! Our camp positions are residential and include on-site housing and meals during employment, making this a great opportunity for individuals who live outside the immediate area, including those from other states!
What You'll Do
- Set up and administer medications according to established procedures
- Assist with training related to treatments, care, transfers, and emergency procedures
- Provide first aid and treatment for minor wounds
- Monitor and evaluate participants' health care needs and concerns and communicate updates to leadership
- Assist with the participant intake process
- Attend and participate in meetings, communicate effectively, and help implement solutions
- Support the general health, welfare, and safety of all particpants
- Participate actively in camp activities
- Report illnesses, injuries, and incidents to leadership and complete required documentation
- Assist with maintaining participants' personal belongings
- Complete and maintain required health care and camp documentation
- Help maintain the cleanliness of areas used by participants and staff
- Prepare, restock, and monitor health care and cabin health supplies
- Maintain professional communication with caregivers and other health care professionals
- Accompany participants to a clinic or hospital as needed
- Serve as a positive role model for staff, volunteers, and participants
- Follow all HIPAA requirements
- Assist with training new staff
- Become trained as an agency driver as needed
- Perform other duties as assigned
Why You'll Love It
- Make a difference: Directly support the health, safety, independence, and well-being of campers
- Build relationships: Form meaningful connections with campers, caregivers, and fellow staff
- Be part of the camp experience: Participate in activities and help campers have a safe, meaningful, and unforgettable summer
- Work as part of a team: Collaborate with health care professionals, camp leadership, caregivers, and frontline staff
- Be part of something bigger: Your work directly supports the True Friends mission and helps make camp possible
What You'll Gain
- Build hands-on health care experience: gain practical experience supporting medication administration, first aid, health monitoring, direct care, and other health care needs
- Strengthen your clinical skills: Develop skills in observation, communication, documentation, safety, and responding to changing health care needs
- Gain experience supporting individuals with disabilities: Build your understanding of person-centered care and supporting individuals with a range of physical, developmental, and medical needs
- Learn from experienced professionals: Work alongside health care professionals, camp leadership, caregivers, and other members of the care team
- Grow your confidence: Develop the ability to respond calmly, communicate effectively, and problem-solve in a fast-paced environment
- Experience health care in a unique setting: Apply your skills outside of a traditional clinical environment while being an active part of the camp community
- Strengthen your resume: Gain career-relevant experience in health care, direct support, disability services, and emergency response
- Make a meaningful impact: Help campers participate fully in camp while supporting their health, safety, independence, and well-being
Compensation
Camp staff are paid a daily stipend rate based on their role and experience
- First year Camp Nursing Assistants: $66/day
- Returning staff: Eligible for increased daily rate based on previous True Friends experience, plus an early signing bonus when applicable
- Summer Commitment Bonus: Eligible exempt (stipend-paid) residential staff who complete their full agreement and remain in good standing may earn an additional bonus based on the number of weeks worked. Bonus eligibility begins after 6 weeks:
- 6–7 weeks worked | Additional $60 per week worked
- 8–9 weeks worked | Additional $70 per week worked
- 10–11 weeks worked | Additional $80 per week worked
- 12–14 weeks worked | Additional $90 per week worked
- Meals and lodging are provided during employment
Requirements
What You’ll Bring to the Table
- Must be able to pass the required organizational background study
- High school diploma or equivalent required; some college in a related field preferred
- Ability to safely respond to and manage physical aggression and challenging behaviors
- Flexibility and adaptability in an ever-changing environment
- Strong professional communication skills
- Strong attention to detail with an emphasis on safety
- Must have or be willing to obtain CPR/AED and First Aid certification
- Ability to work effectively as part of a team while also working independently
- Ability to successfully complete required medication administration training and demonstration
Highly valued, but not required: Lifeguard certification, previous camping experience, experience working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), and related health care or direct care experience.
Work Environment & Physical Requirements
The work environment may include both indoor and outdoor settings. Camp Nursing Assistants should be prepared to:
- Walk, sit, stand, bend, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, and move throughout the workday
- Hear and communicate verbally with participants and team members
- Feel objects and use fingers to operate tools and controls
- Lift up to 35 pounds
- Work with individuals who may display physical aggression or challenging behaviors
- Participate in camp activities and support participants throughout the camp experience
