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Camp Cook Jobs in Minnesota (NOW HIRING)

YMCA of the USA

Cook

Ely, MN · On-site

$17/hr

Description Camp du Nord located in Ely, MN is seeking a Camp Cook to support our camp operations. This role plays a key part in delivering quality food service within a rustic, mission-driven summer ...

YMCA

Cook

Ely, MN · On-site

$17/hr

Camp du Nord located in Ely, MN is seeking a Camp Cook to support our camp operations. This role plays a key part in delivering quality food service within a rustic, mission-driven summer camp ...

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Camp Cook information

See Minnesota salary details

$6

$19

$28

How much do camp cook jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for camp cook in Minnesota is $19.01, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.53 and $23.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a camp cook do?

A camp cook efficiently budgets, plans, and prepares large quantities of food for guests of a camp. In this career, you create a unique menu that takes special diets and dietary restrictions into consideration. Your responsibilities are also to monitor food inventory and prepare dishes that are within budget. As the camp cook, you hold a leadership role in the kitchen, meaning you manage kitchen staff, cooks, food preparation workers, and dishwashers. Additional duties include ensuring the kitchen and appliances are clean and organized, maintaining meal records, and following health department food-safety regulations.

What does a camp cook do?

A camp cook is responsible for preparing and serving meals at campsites or outdoor settings, often for groups of campers, staff, or outdoor enthusiasts. Their duties include meal planning, cooking over open fires or portable stoves, managing food supplies, and maintaining kitchen cleanliness. Camp cooks must be resourceful, able to work in challenging environments, and ensure food safety. They often accommodate dietary restrictions and help create a positive dining experience for campers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a camp cook, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Camp Cook, you need strong food preparation skills, knowledge of food safety, and experience planning menus, often gained through prior culinary or camp cooking experience. Familiarity with camp kitchen equipment, outdoor cooking methods, and safe food storage systems is typically required. Adaptability, time management, and teamwork are essential soft skills for managing unpredictable conditions and serving groups efficiently. These skills ensure safe, satisfying meals and a positive experience for campers in remote or resource-limited environments.

What are some typical challenges a camp cook faces, and how can they be managed effectively?

Camp Cooks often encounter challenges such as limited kitchen facilities, unpredictable weather, and accommodating diverse dietary needs among campers. Managing these challenges requires strong organizational skills, adaptability, and creative problem-solving. Planning menus in advance, prepping ingredients ahead of time, and maintaining clear communication with camp staff can help ensure smooth meal service, even under less-than-ideal circumstances. Working closely with other team members is key to handling unexpected changes and delivering nutritious, satisfying meals for everyone.

What is the difference between Camp Cook vs Kitchen Assistant?

AspectCamp CookKitchen Assistant
CredentialsFood safety certification, cooking experienceBasic food handling, no specialized certifications often required
Work EnvironmentRemote, outdoor, seasonal settings like camps or outdoor resortsIndoor, restaurant or catering kitchens, more consistent environment
Employer & IndustryCampgrounds, outdoor adventure companies, seasonal resortsRestaurants, catering services, hospitality industry
Job DutiesPreparing meals for groups, managing outdoor kitchen setupsAssisting with food prep, cleaning, supporting chefs

While both roles involve food preparation, a Camp Cook typically works in outdoor, seasonal settings preparing meals for groups in remote locations, requiring specific food safety certifications. A Kitchen Assistant works indoors in restaurant kitchens, supporting chefs with prep and cleaning tasks. The roles differ mainly in environment and scope, but both are essential in food service operations.

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Camp Cook jobs near you
Infographic showing various Camp Cook job openings in Minnesota as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Part Time. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $39,537 per year, or $19 per hour.

Camp Knutson Cook

Crosslake, MN

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota
Non-Profits • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Lutheran Social Service of Minnesotaexternal

$19/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Operate a smooth food service operation by preparing, cooking, and serving high-quality, large-batch meals according to a pre-established menu.

  • Ensure kitchen cleanliness, sanitation, and proper food storage to comply with health codes and requirements.

  • Maintain inventory, record keeping of food supplies and kitchen equipment, and communicate effectively with other kitchen personnel.

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 21 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Camp Knutson is a supportive, medically-sound camp for individuals with disabilities, medical conditions and other identified needs. We partner with other organizations to host camps for youth and adults with identified needs such as autism, heart disease, skin conditions, Down syndrome, burn survivors and youth experiencing homelessness.

Our beautiful, updated 30-acre campus is nestled between the pristine waters of Lower Whitefish and Big Trout lakes. Open year-round, our modern facilities and beautiful north-woods setting make us the perfect location for retreats, conferences, social gatherings, meetings or training events September through May. Camp Knutson is a service of Lutheran Social Service MN (LSS). 

This position is full time during the Summer and then drops to part time hours during the Fall/Winter/Spring. Position pays $17/hr-$19/hr, depending on qualifications.  

Position Details: 

  • Summer season 5 days a week for 6–8-hour work shift; 1-2 meals daily with potential evening snack, serving on average 110-160 persons per meal.
  • Retreat Season February - May and Sept-Nov (mainly weekends) 4–8-hour shifts: 1-2 Meals with 20-70 guests served per meal. 

As a Camp Cook, you will be responsible to operate a smooth food service operation that provided high quality and adequate quantities of food to all guests at Camp Knutson. This includes:

  • Ensure food quality, kitchen cleanliness, and overall kitchen operations are running effectively with assistance and direction from the Director of Services.
  • Create, prepare and cook high quality, large-batch food that satisfies most people, based on a pre-established menu.
  • Meeting dietary needs of patrons with special diets – helping with accommodations to the menu, food prep and clean communication with guests about ingredients used.
  • Organize pantry, walk-in cooler, walk-in freezer and supply cabinets.
  • Maintain cleaning and sanitation of cooking areas, appliances, food storage, coffee bar and dishwashing areas in an orderly and sanitized condition to comply with health codes and requirements, including but not limited to: washing dishes, sanitizing surfaces, taking out trash, sweeping and mopping, etc.
  • Maintain inventory and record keeping of food supplies and kitchen equipment.
  • Provide clear communication and work direction to other kitchen personnel during scheduled shift

Minimum Requirements:

  • Serve Safe Certificate or ability to obtain after hire.
  • Previous large quantity cooking experience. 
  • Ability to relate to youth and adults in a positive manner.
  • Understand and utilize Food Safety skills.
  • Be able to mark / label foods properly.
  • Ability to follow recipes, use measurement tools when appropriate.
  • Ability to understand special diets.
  • Utilize good problem solving and customer service skills.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skill in assigned job duties under training, guidance, supervision of Food Service Managers and other Camp Leadership.

LSS is a dynamic social service organization serving children, youth and families, people with disabilities, older adults and military veterans.  Trustworthiness is a value and strength shared by our employees and recognized by the communities we serve.  We offer an ALIVE Workplace (Supportive, Positive and Fun) and careers that challenge, energize and rewards employees.  Consider joining us!

What Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota employees say

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About Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota, based in Saint Paul, MN, U.S., is one of the largest nonprofit organizations in the state, operating since 1865. The company is dedicated to serving the less privileged and marginalized sectors of society and works in the non-profit organization management industry, focusing on social services. The services they provide include counselling, financial services, housing, and disability services amongst others. They firmly uphold their mission of “Expressing the love of Christ for all people through service that inspires hope, changes lives, and builds community.” Their belief in the potential of every individual propels the organization to continue to work on improving people's lives.

Industry

Non-profits

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Saint Paul, MN, US

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