Work for OWjL

Be a Counselor

Camp counselors are carefully selected to represent the interests and experiences of the campers. They must have completed their college freshman year to apply. Recently, over half of the 20 counselors in the summer program each year are former OWjL campers.

Past camp counselors attend or have attended: Boston College, Denison University, Duquesne University, Harlaxton College (University of Evansville), Kent State University, Loyola University Chicago, Muskingum University, Ohio University, Ohio Wesleyan University, Spelman College, Notre Dame, The Ohio State University, University of Cincinnati, University of Dayton, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Vanderbilt University, and Villanova University... to name a few.

Interested applicants can read the Camp Counselor Job Description (PDF).

To apply: Applicants may access the Counselor Application by clicking on this link.  Applicants must make sure their complete counselor application is on file with the OWjL Office by February 15th. 

All applications received on or before the deadline will be considered for interviews. Applications received after the deadline will be placed on the counselor wait list and will only be considered if additional positions become available.

A complete application for a new camp counselor applicant include:

• A completed new counselor application
• A current resume including information about experience working with teenagers or children as well as other work, camp, and leadership experience. Specify pertinent certifications in areas of CPR, Life Saving, and WSI including expiration dates.
• Two counselor reference forms provided by individuals other than family members. Here is a PDF of the form to share. OWjL Camp Counselor Reference Form

Be an Instructor

Summer 2023 marks OWjL's 42nd year as an academic camp for gifted and talented sixth through eighth graders at Ohio Wesleyan University. Campers are challenged as they attend four courses each day from a liberal arts curriculum. Students select class preferences from the areas of Science/Math/Computers/Logic and Creative Development/Humanities. They are required to take at least one course from each of the two areas.

Instructing students who are genuinely interested in learning can be a rewarding and enjoyable experience. OWjL instructors are responsible for one 75-minute class each day, Monday through Friday, with a typical class size of 12-16 students. Courses are designed to provide intellectual challenge, active involvement, problem solving, and group activities.

Campers select their own courses from a curriculum guide listing class titles and descriptions. The appeal and accuracy of this information is important for campers to gain a sense of the content of each class. A sampling of previous class course descriptions can be found by going to Course Examples.

Each year, certified teachers, or experts in their field, are invited to submit course proposals. Selection of courses to be included in the curriculum guide depends on the number of proposals received in each area and any duplicates. Ultimately, student enrollment determines whether there is enough interest for the class to be taught.

To apply: Interested instructors should follow this link to provide your information and receive the Course Proposal Form. Please do this as soon as possible, but no later than January 15, 2023.