- Wages/Pay
- $4,423.00 - $5,013.00 / season
- Experience Level
- Some experience required
- Job Start Date
- Job Starts: Jun 09, 2026
Join Camp Nor’wester as our Lead Woodshop Instructor
Do you love the smell of sawdust, the hum of creative energy, and the satisfaction of helping others shape something real with their hands? As the Woodshop Lead at Camp Nor’wester, you’ll turn campers’ ideas into reality in our Craftshop, where anything from hand-carved spoons to ambitious benches is possible. You’ll be part of a close-knit team of nine Craftshop staff, supporting a thriving arts program as a whole, while specializing in and being the point person for the woodworking realm. It’s a chance to teach, build, laugh, and grow as part of a supportive and creative camp community.
What You’ll Do:
You’ll serve as both instructor and mentor, teaching basic woodworking skills in a safe, encouraging environment. While collaborating with the larger Craftshop team, your main focus will be managing and leading in the woodshop: organizing tools, ensuring safety, guiding camper projects, and helping campers walk away with something they made with their own hands. You’ll also participate in the broader camp experience, supporting daily community life and helping create magical summer moments.
Who You Are:
Skilled with woodworking tools and techniques including hand tools and power tools
Passionate about teaching and working with kids
Safety-minded and comfortable managing a busy, hands-on space
Excited to collaborate and live in community with other staff
Where:
Camp Nor’wester is located on beautiful Johns Island in Washington State’s San Juan Islands. Our camp is rustic, unplugged, and spectacular. Staff live in canvas tents, eat family-style meals as a whole camp, and spend most of their time outdoors in a truly stunning setting.
When:
June 9 – August 20, 2025 (with the possibility to extend for Family Camp or arrive early for Pre-Camp)
This is a residential, full-time summer position.
Compensation:
$430/week (total summer pay: $4,423)
Room and board provided (including hot coffee, hearty meals, housing off island for time off, free laundry, and more!)
Requirements:
Minimum age of 19
CPR/First Aid certification (course offered during Staff Training)
Ability to attend Staff Training and live on site for the summer
Experience with woodworking techniques, tools, and safety.
Pass a comprehensive background check
How to Apply
Fill out our online application and someone from our hiring team will reach out!
Contact Info
- Harper McFadden
- harper@norwester.org
- (425) 670-1935
- www.norwester.org
Camp Nor'wester
Camp Nor'wester provides a unique outdoor living experience where campers from ages 9-16 are challenged to develop skills that increase self-confidence and encourage respect, responsibility, and compassion for themselves, their community, and the environment. Deep and meaningful friendships develop when you live, play and work in a Pacific Northwest Paradise!
- Location
- Washington
- Season
- Summer
- Staff size
- 115
- Housing
- Whether included in the compensation package or provided at a cost, housing is provided for staff.
- Housing details
- One of the best perks at Nor’wester is getting to live outdoors! All staff will be assigned to live with one of the camper units, and will have supervisory duties to that unit from time to time. Most staff live three or four to a canvas living space. Meals are provided during staff training and camp. Staff space "Argyle House" is also a great home base during your 24 hour time off.
- Family housing available
- No
- Single occupancy housing available
- No
- Pet friendly
- No
- Meals
- Provided
- Cell phone service
- Yes, most carriers
- Internet access
- Good
