Unit Counselor/Lifeguard - Day Camp

Girl Scouts of Western Washington•Carnation, WA

18h•Onsite

About The Position

The Unit Counselor/Lifeguard is a hybrid position responsible for daily supervision of campers within an assigned unit, while also supporting the Activity Director in boating instruction and management of the waterfront facilities and equipment. Compensation for this position is $21.55 - $22.30 per hour, with the starting rate dependent on previous employment at GSWW camps. Camp Season 2026 will run from June 8th through August 27th, with start and end dates determined by position. For the 2026 season, this position will be located at Camp River Ranch (Carnation, WA). Day Camp will run Monday through Friday 8:00 A.M. - 4:00 P.M with staff hours starting as early as 7:00 A.M. and ending no later than 6:00 P.M. Staff will be scheduled for a 40 hour work week and receive breaks throughout the day. Staff will have the opportunity to ride camp buses to and from camp and support the check-in and check-out processes at bus stops. Camp River Ranch serves campers ages 5 to 17 and offers a variety of programming including swimming, boating, target sports, climbing wall, and classic camp activities.

Requirements

At least 18 years of age
High School Diploma or equivalent
Experience working with youth 5-17 years old
Experience with rowboats, paddleboards, canoes, and kayaks
Experience leading youth in programmatic activities
Knowledge of and commitment to fostering environments that prioritize diversity, equity, inclusion, racial justice, and belonging
Comfortable working in a camp setting with a variety of activities
Excellent interpersonal skills to ensure effective interactions with individuals at all levels and backgrounds, with the ability to work under pressure
Demonstrated ability to prioritize project tasks and deadlines, work independently and collaboratively, take initiative, and maintain confidentiality
Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards
Ability to pass pre-requisite swimming skills assessment for lifeguarding including: Swim 550 yards using front crawl, breaststroke, or a combination of both without touching the wall or the bottom; Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs; Surface dive to a maximum water depth of 10 feet and retrieve a 10-pound object; Swim 5 yards submerged and retrieve 3 dive rings without resurfacing

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of the Girl Scout program
Experience boating and/or lifeguarding a lakefront or other natural body of water
Current certification in American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding or willingness to obtain
Current certification of Youth Mental Health First Aid or willingness to obtain
Satisfactory results from a criminal background check

Responsibilities

Supervise and care for campers in the assigned program session, including day camp duties and support in specialized areas
Develop and implement the weekly program schedule, meeting session themes, promoted activities, and camper goals
Supervise and guard waterfront activities per assigned schedule to prevent and manage injuries, providing rescue of participants as needed
Follow and uphold Girl Scouts of Western Washington policies and procedures to ensure a physically and mentally safe camp environment
Support facilitating boating programming tailored to participants' ages, abilities, and interests, including paddleboards, rowboats, kayaks, and canoes
Ensure the education and enforcement of safety policies and procedures at the waterfront, including understanding and implementing appropriate response to changes in water conditions or weather conditions affecting the waterfront
Support and participate in the implementation of all camp activities such as camp games, campfires, etc.
Evaluate swimming abilities of all participants prior to first activity session
Carry out established duties for general camp operations including check-in and check-out, bus supervision, camp cleaning, season opening and closing tasks, and completion of necessary paperwork
Assist with managing and maintaining physical waterfront facilities and equipment by conducting daily safety, cleanliness, and condition checks, ensuring all areas are well maintained and free of hazards or debris