Apply Today

October 1

New staff hiring begins and is rolling until positions are filled.

May 26

WFR participants arrive by 6:00 pm for dinner. Transportation available from Minneapolis around 1:00 pm.

May 27

International staff arrive in Minneapolis for work week (optional) and stay in a designated hotel.

May 28

“Work Week” pick up in Minneapolis is at 1:00 pm. If you are driving to camp, please plan to arrive for dinner at 6:00 pm. “Work Week” begins the next morning. Work Week is a fun week of facility set-up, community building, and Wilderness First Responder and Lifeguard training courses.
Work Week is optional for many staff. However, it is the perfect transition into our community.

June 3

International staff arrive in Minneapolis and stay in a designated hotel.

June 4

Staff Training begins and is required for all staff. We pick up in Minneapolis at 1:00 pm. If you are driving to camp, please plan to arrive for dinner at 6:00 pm. Learning, camp set up, community building, camaraderie and a bit of down time all take place during this time.

June 15

Campers arrive and the summer of a lifetime begins!

July 11-12

Session 1 campers depart and Session 2 campers arrive.

August 6

Campers head home.

August 7

At 6:00 pm, staff are free to head off from Bemidji for their new adventures or get ready before our next fun week…. We provide transportation back to Minneapolis. Booking of flights out of Minneapolis for August 8th is advised as our arrival time in the city is unpredictable.

August 8-August 13 is Family Camp

Thunderbird turns into a resort-like experience.  Alumni, current, and prospective families gather together to share five days of camp fun. Daily activities, evening programs, relaxing moments, and memorable times to be shared.

August 14

Family Camp staff depart around 4:00 pm. We provide transportation back to Minneapolis. Booking of flights out of Minneapolis for August 15th is advised as our arrival time in the city is unpredictable.

Please note that staff must be available to attend staff training and be able to work through the majority of the camp season.  Please call if have questions about scheduling.  

• Apply online. Submit your application through our online portal.
• Interview. Selected applicants will be contacted for a short interview.
• Send references. Provide 2-3 three references who can speak to your experience and character.
• Get your offer. If selected, you’ll hear from us with next steps and everything you need to get started.

When completing your application, you will need to enter the names and email addresses of three references: one reference from a family member and two from supervisors in a school, work or volunteer setting. Upon completion of the application, we will automatically send the reference form to your references’ email addresses.

Canadian citizens may apply directly to us. If you are not a US or Canadian citizen, we cannot hire you directly. You must apply through an agency that places international staff in American camps. You can request that your agency direct your application to Camp Thunderbird in Bemidji, Minnesota. International staffing agencies that we work with include Camp Leaders, CCUSA, and Camp America.