Summer Camp Food Operations Manager - Lake Forest

Job Details

Location : 145 S Green Bay Rd, Lake Forest, IL 60045

Camp Dates : 6/8/2026 (Mon) - 8/7/2026 (Fri) -- (additionally, one weekend to set up, one weekend to breakdown, and an orientation date)

Camp Hours : 8:00 am - 6:00 pm (actual shifts will vary)

Hourly Wage : The hourly rate for this position is $17.25 - $19.75 per hour. The pay range listed here is what Steve & Kate's Camp in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on experience and other relevant business or organizational factors.

At Steve & Kate's Camp, we’re pioneers in self-directed learning, and we're looking for meticulous multitaskers with strong time-management skills to run our on-site food program. As a Food Ops staff member, you’ll sharpen your inherent organizational skills, submit food orders, and maintain our kitchen and food service items using hygienic practices, all while doing meaningful work keeping hundreds of bellies full. Given the simplicity of the Food Program, there will also be opportunities to interact with campers, collaborate with interesting coworkers, and help with fun around camp. You won’t be making meals (just preparing and serving), so there’s no culinary experience required – it’s totally fine if you don’t own one of those silly chef’s hats.

Job Responsibilities
You’ll spend most of your day preparing and serving and cleaning up snacks and lunch, ordering and managing food-service items and supplies, and maintaining all food-related equipment and spaces in sanitary conditions. Actual cooking will be very minimal since all of our entrees are ordered as fully prepared, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know with our paid training and development program.

• Do you have a love of food, even if you don’t have professional experience preparing it?
• Are you a fan of systems, organization, to-do lists, punctuality, and cleanliness?
• Can you multitask like you’re a Hollywood power agent all while keeping calm, level-headed, and nice? Especially the last one?
• Would sparking up conversations with staff, campers, and parents fit in your comfort zone? If it is out of your comfort zone are you willing to grow in this area?
• Do you have the stamina to keep up (literally) with 4-12 yr. olds bursting with energy and creative potential? And, if needed, can you bench press the equivalent of a kindergartner (at least lift up to 30 pounds)?

Additional Responsibilities

• Actively supervising campers
• Maintaining an organized and approachable activity space
• Ensure compliance with Camp Policies
• Reporting & Recording details of notable concerns or incidents, and of injuries to campers, other staff members, or self
• Keeping track and being aware of camper allergies and dietary restrictions
• adding daily updates and photos to campers’ profiles

How do you know if you’re the right candidate?

• Does the idea of guiding kids while they make decisions for themselves excite you?
• Are you calm under pressure and able to calm those around you?
• Are you comfortable leading groups of kids on your own while still collaborating with a team?
• Do you have the stamina to keep up (literally) with 4-12 year old’s bursting with energy and creative potential? And, can you bench press a kindergartener (just kidding -- can you lift up to 40 pounds)?
• Are you passionate about sharing your knowledge & learning something new (even if a third grade is doing the teaching)?

Job Requirements

• At least 18 years of age
• Minimum of 2 months experience working with camp-age children, with 1 year preferred, in either a professional, personal or volunteer setting
• First Aid & CPR Certified prior to Day 1 of Camp (some locations may require additional certifications)
• ServeSafe Food Handler Certification (provided if needed)
• By applying and accepting an offer, you are giving Steve & Kate's permission to email or text you

Physical Requirements

This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local, Steve & Kate's Camp, Bright Horizons’, and client site requirements concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and health and safety training. If hired, you will work in person in a schooled-aged camp setting to provide supervision, care, program delivery, and services per Steve & Kate's Camp and Bright Horizons’ policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure the safety of children in Steve & Kate's Camp's care and the employee.

Steve & Kate's Camp and Bright Horizons comply with all laws that require reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities and/or pregnancy-related limitations. The full set of physical requirements for this role are as follows:

• Maintain and follow all safety and health rules of the location.
• Organize and maintain clean and accessible activity spaces.
• Assist in camp set-up and breakdown during move-in and out weekends.
• Stand for long periods while supervising children and facilitating activities.
• Participate in athletic games.

Benefits:

• Where local regulations mandate, this position is eligible for sick time.

Deadline to Apply: This posting is anticipated to remain open until April 15, 2026.