Summer Camp Group Counselor (Seasonal)

The Tech Interactive•San Jose, CA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

The Summer Camp Group Leader is responsible for leading and supervising a small group of campers throughout the program day during The Tech Interactive’s summer day camp program for children in grades 3–6. Group Leaders serve as the primary adult support for their assigned team of campers and support the delivery of high-energy, hands-on STEM learning experiences. Group Leaders build relationships with participants, foster a positive group culture, and ensure student safety, engagement, and inclusion during both instructional and non-instructional time. While Group Leaders support Summer Camp Instructors during classroom activities, this role is more closely aligned with a traditional camp counselor than an instructional position. Group Leaders are the first point of contact for student needs, group management, and behavior support, and play a critical role in maintaining a high-quality, engaging program experience. This is a 40 hours per week seasonal position for the Summer camp season. This is a non-exempt (hourly) role reporting to the Summer Camp Program Manager. Summer Camp at the Tech this year runs from June 15 to August 7, 2026.

Requirements

Experience working with children in a formal or informal setting (such as camps, afterschool programs, classrooms, museums, or community programs).
Enthusiasm for the unique culture of summer camp, including participating in theme days, playful traditions, costumes, and other joyful, high-energy elements that help create a fun, welcoming camp experience.
Ability to lead a group, set clear expectations, and respond calmly and effectively to behavior challenges.
Interest in STEM education, design-based learning, or interactive, hands-on teaching approaches.
Ability to communicate clearly and positively with children, families, and fellow staff.
Strong teamwork skills and willingness to learn from Lead Instructors and Camp Leadership.
Flexibility and adaptability in a fast-paced, high-energy camp environment.
Pursuing or completed coursework toward a BA/BS in education, science, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience preferred.
Fluency in one or more languages common to the San Francisco Bay Area is a plus.

Nice To Haves

Pursuing or completed coursework toward a BA/BS in education, science, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience preferred.
Fluency in one or more languages common to the San Francisco Bay Area is a plus.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary adult leader for a consistent group of approximately 10-13 youth within an assigned age group.
Actively contribute to a positive, high-energy camp culture by participating in camp traditions such as theme days, costumes, and playful activities that help create a joyful, engaging experience for campers.
Maintain engagement, supervision and appropriate behavior during downtime, lunch, transitions, breaks, and movement between activities, ensuring safety and positive behavior.
Build a positive, welcoming, inclusive, and supportive camp environment that reflects The Tech’s values around creativity, curiosity, and teamwork.
Lead team building activities, icebreakers, and group reflections.
Provide first-tier behavior support, including setting expectations, redirecting behavior, and implementing program behavior management strategies.
Escalate behavior or safety concerns to supervisory staff as needed, following established protocols.
Support Instructors in facilitating hands-on science, engineering, and design-based learning activities by assisting with materials, setup, cleanup, and student support.
Engage directly with campers during activities by asking questions, modeling curiosity, encouraging collaboration, and providing individual or small-group support.
Reinforce instructions and expectations during classroom activities as directed by instructional staff.
Help ensure smooth transitions into and out of instructional time.
Follow all The Tech policies related to youth supervision, safety, and professional conduct.
Provide informal feedback to Instructors and Camp Leadership to support continuous improvement of camp activities and camper experience.
Participate in required staff training, orientation, and meetings prior to and during the camp season.
Perform additional camp-related duties as assigned by the Camp Manager or Education leadership.