Iowa State students who want to enjoy the outdoors and make some money have a new option this summer.

Instead of staying locked up inside air-conditioned office buildings, students can find jobs working outside with children at summer camps.

Representatives from the American Camping Association (ACA) will fill positions at the Summer Job Fair on Thursday, Feb. 19 in the Great Hall of the Memorial Union.

More than 80 organizations, including the ACA, will be present from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. to fill summer positions.

Working at camps is a great opportunity for college students, said Shannon Legge, media relations manager for the ACA.

“We want college kids to realize the great potential of what can be learned at camp,” she said.

The experience will help students develop leadership qualities, manage schedules and learn how to deal with all types of people, Legge said.

All of these qualities will make students more attractive to employers after graduation, she added.

Legge also said students can make good money working at camps because of low expenses.

According to a press release issued by the ACA, more than half a million college students will work at about 8,500 camps across the United States this summer.

“Every single state will have a few facilities,” Legge said.

Positions are available for people of all different personality types, an ACA press release stated.

Some of the positions include counselors, activity instructors, lifeguards, food service directors, office assistants and drivers.

Salaries for camp workers range from $1,000 to $3,000 for the camp season. Specialty positions, such as lifeguards, can earn up to $4,000 per season.

Students who would like more information regarding summer camp jobs can visit a Web site sponsored by the ACA, at http://ww.greatsummerjobs.com. They can also meet with ACA representatives at the Summer Job Fair.