Area college students and alumni from Western Illinois University, Knox College and Monmouth College have a chance to think about summer when the WIU Department of Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration (RPTA) hosts its annual Summer Camp Job Fair (SCJF) virtually from noon-4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 10.

Summer camps across the country are planning to open for Summer 2021, and they are participating in one of the largest camp job fairs in the country through Western Illinois University.

According to WIU RPTA Assistant Professor Megan Owens, this year’s SCJF will feature 45 camps from across the country.

“This is the most geographically diverse participation of camps that this fair has ever experienced,” said Owens. “We are thrilled to connect these recruiters with our students.”

The camps represent multiple organizational formats, including overnight camp, day camp, specialty/adventure/sports, organizational (ex: YMCA, Boys and Girls Clubs, Scouts) and religiously-affiliated. The camps come to WIU specifically to recruit and interview students from all majors and disciplines for a variety of summer camp positions.

“Attending the fair provides students of various majors with employment possibilities and networking opportunities with camp directors. Real world skills can be developed by working in a summer camp job, such as communication and leadership skills, creativity, collaboration, problem solving and critical thinking. These are important skills that employers across all career fields seek in today’s college graduates,” said Owens. “Additionally, WIU students would likely work with individuals from across the country and globe, as camps also engage international staff and campers.”

The fair will be held through Handshake. Students and alumni should create their profile in Handshake, review the participating camps’ information, then register for sessions with camps they find interesting. Students and alumni can access all the information through wiu.joinhandshake.com.

For more information about the SCJF, contact Owens at (309) 298-1967, or by email at mh-owens@wiu.edu.

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Sean Leary Director of Digital Media

Sean Leary is an author, director, artist, musician, producer and entrepreneur who has been writing professionally since debuting at age 11 in the pages of the Comics Buyers Guide. An honors graduate of the University of Southern California masters program, he has written over 50 books including the best-sellers The Arimathean, Every Number is Lucky to Someone and We Are All Characters.