Summer Camp Counselor

ENDLESS HORIZONS • Harrisonburg, VA

3d • $3,000 - $3,100 • Onsite

About The Position

Summer Camp Counselors, also called Cabin Leaders, live with a cabin group, teach activities in a department, and help lead camp-wide programs. They serve in place of parents while campers are at camp, supporting campers’ personal care, hygiene, organization, cleanliness, and relationships with cabin mates. During activities, counselors teach new skills, help campers improve existing skills and teamwork, and maintain their safety. They also ensure campers eat, drink, and sleep enough to stay healthy.

Counselors are hired based on their experience, enjoyment of, and ability to teach activities in areas such as aquatics, creative arts, performing arts, equestrian, outdoors, the natural world, and sports. Training is provided. Staff work June 2 through August 14, 2027, six days per week, with two hours off each day and 24 hours off each week. Compensation is a flat summer contract rate based on the agreed number of weeks and relevant active certifications, paid through biweekly stipends with the remaining balance paid at the end of the summer or an agreed end date. First-year general counselors have a base summer contract rate of $3,000 for 10 weeks; first-year equestrian counselors have a base rate of $3,100 for 10 weeks. International staff compensation is determined by the visa-coordinating agency. Additional weekly pay is available for village or leadership camp lead roles and certain certifications.

Requirements

• All staff must be at least 18 years old and at least one year out of high school.
• Submit an application and successfully complete the screening and interview process.
• Successfully pass a criminal background check and sex-offender registry check.
• Work the required dates, including pre-camp staff training.
• Counselors should have experience or a desire to work with children and demonstrate expertise in the specific activities offered.
• Aquatics staff must be certified lifeguards and are responsible for overseeing aquatics programs and activities.
• Horseback staff must have current First Aid/CPR certification; training is available.
• Obtain any training or certifications required for the desired position before arriving at camp.

Nice To Haves

• Current Lifeguard certification, including First Aid and CPR, before camp starts for aquatics staff is preferred.
• Water Safety Instructor (WSI) certification is preferred for aquatics staff.
• First Aid/CPR certification is preferred for outdoors staff; training is available.
• Experience in the counselor’s activity area.

Responsibilities

• Live with and supervise a cabin group, serving in place of parents while campers are at camp.
• Support campers’ hygiene, organization, cleanliness, and relationships with cabin mates.
• Teach activities in an assigned department, including new skills and improvement of existing skills and teamwork.
• Ensure campers stay safe during activities.
• Ensure campers eat enough, drink enough water, and get enough sleep to stay healthy.
• Help lead camp-wide programs.
• Aquatics staff oversee aquatics programs and activities at the camp pool and lake.
• Depending on the activity area, teach or lead activities such as swim lessons, arts and crafts, riding lessons, outdoor skills, nature exploration, and sports.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED