Summer Camp Counselor - Station Square

First Ascent LLC•Pittsburgh, PA

4d•$15•Onsite

About The Position

As a member of the summer camp team, you help fulfill our mission by providing fantastic instruction and making newcomers and regulars alike feel at home in the gym. We will look to you to help us deliver a fantastic experience, guide people along their climbing journey with care—and have a blast along the way. FA has a robust summer camp that operates within our Youth program. The program runs 5 days a week (Monday through Friday) for 10 weeks in the summer from June 15 to August 21, serving campers ages 5 to 14. Instructors are responsible for a group of up to 6 students throughout the camp day, ensuring that campers are safely and appropriately able to move through activities according to the camp schedule. Instructors provide support through daily activities (lunch, breaks, climb times, free times, arts & crafts, games, etc.), provide climbing feedback, and run large-group games. Instructors are responsible for ensuring that students use best practices for climbing safety and coordinates with the Program Manager to ensure that day-to-day operations of the summer camp run smoothly. Instructors will arrive at the gym by 8:45 am Monday through Friday to prepare for camp to begin at 9am. The camp day ends at 4:45pm, and instructors should plan to spend 15 to 30 minutes cleaning up each day. Instructors may work a half-day (8:45am to 1pm, or 1pm to 5:15pm), or a full-day starting at 8:45am and ending at approximately 5:15pm (full-day instructors will have breaks, including a 60 min. unpaid lunch). Instructors can work a maximum of 30 hours a week for the duration of camp. This position will report to the Program Manager. Ideal candidates will have consistent availability during all 10 weeks of camp. Priority consideration will be given to candidates who apply by April 25, 2026. If hired, we will schedule mandatory in-person training in late May/early June for all instructors.

Requirements

Applicants must be able to work a minimum of 7 weeks of camp (these do not have to be consecutive) - preference will be given to applicants who are able to work the full summer (10 weeks).
Be safety-focused and vigilant
Communicate proactively with children and adults.
Be dependable and timely
Upstanding reputation in the climbing community
Possess good communication skills with both children and adults
Ability to stand and move throughout the facility for extended periods
Ability to lift up to 50 lbs. and perform physical tasks including bending, reaching, and climbing
Ability able to concentrate through distraction and communicate effectively
Indoor, climate-controlled environment with moderate to loud noise levels

Nice To Haves

Ideal applicant will have previous experience teaching rock climbing to children
1 year or more of experience working with children, ideally in sports, is strongly preferred.
1 year or more of personal climbing experience is preferred, but not required.
High level of energy to match the energy of kids who are always “climbing the walls!”

Responsibilities

Execute daily activities according to the camp schedule
Ensure camper safety by following gym facility rules and bouldering guidelines
Implement creative and flexible changes when necessary to maintain camper engagement and adapt to the needs of the gym
Report on needs and successes to the Program Manager
Independently run daily climbing lessons and activities
Effectively communicate with co-instructors and Program Manager
Respond to physical and emotional needs of campers
Assist in setting and cleaning up camp activities