BECOME A KIZUNA COUNSELOR
Kizuna offers counselor positions for young adults and college students. By becoming a counselor, you can become a leader and make a direct impact on the next generation!
ABOUT
Kizuna offers a wide array of counselor positions that work with a variety of ages and in many different geographic locations. You can make a difference in the life of the next generation. Sign up today! Check out our 2026 Summer Camp dates below:
Union Church of Los Angeles: June 22nd - 26th, 2026
First Presbyterian Church Altadena: July 6th - 10th, 2026
Gardena Buddhist Church: July 13th - 17th, 2026
Gardena Buddhist Church: July 20th - 24th, 2026
West Los Angeles United Methodist Church: July 27th - 31st, 2026
Orange County Buddhist Church: August 3rd - 7th, 2026
New Hours of Operation!
Counselors: 8AM - 4:30PM
Junior Counselors: 8:30AM - 5PM
POSITIONS
JUNIOR COUNSELOR
High school students looking to make a difference, become a Junior Counselor with one of Kizuna's summer programs. Junior Counselors have the opportunity to earn community service hours and function as counselors-in-training, allowing you to interact with our students while learning from our more seasoned counselors.
WAITLISTS WILL BE IMPLEMENTED FOR JUNIOR COUNSELORS due to the growth of this beloved program and wanting to ensure the most optimal camper to counselor ration at every location.
Spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so act fast to secure your place!
*UPDATE (2/23): All locations have been filled. Please still complete the whole application if you’d like to be added to the waitlist. We will gradually pull from the waitlist as we evaluate the incoming camper registrations for each location.
2026 Application Deadline: April 4, 2026
Jr. Counselors must meet requirements:
1) Entering 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade
If you worked as a Yellow Shirt last year, please apply through the Counselor application instead.
COUNSELOR
Our Counselor program places young adults and college students in various positions with Kizuna’s summer programs. Counselors work directly to shape the lives of campers and teens. Get paid while making a difference in your community!
Counselors gain hands-on opportunities teaching lessons and facilitating discussions with elementary and middle school students. In addition to their roles as teachers, counselors also lead games and icebreakers and monitor a small group of students and junior counselors over the duration of the week.
We will be scheduling job interviews for 2026 Summer Camp Counselor applicants!
Your application alone does NOT mean you have been automatically accepted into this program.
2026 Application Deadline: April 4, 2026
Counselors must meet these requirements:
1) Must have graduated from high school or the equivalent by the time camp begins
2) Must have at least 1 year experience working with youth
3) Requires California Department of Justice level background check and fingerprinting service
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
If you've ever been to a summer camp as a kid, you know the impact that counselors can make on a camp experience. Counselors truly make a difference in the lives of the next generation. One week of work as a counselor can change a student forever.
COUNSELOR TRAINING
Kizuna's counselor training modules are conducted to build a safe, exciting, and learning environment for our program participants, as well as prepare you for your position! Our counselor training is an annually held certification program curated and facilitated by Kizuna staff.
Here is what we will require and cover to prepare you for the best summer experience ever!
*Trainings will occur in person on 2 different Saturday’s during the month of May in Little Tokyo. You must attend ONE.
TRAINING TOPICS
Conflict Resolution
Public Speaking
Communication Skills
Emotional Intelligence
Facilitation Skills
Leadership Skills
Professional Behavior
BACKGROUND CHECKS
All counselors over the age of 18 are required to go through a California Department of Justice level background check and fingerprinting service.
NO MORE BORING SUMMERS
Ask any of our people, being a counselor in Kizuna's programs is GREAT FUN. We have a great group of kids and fellow counselors, so you won't be bored!
