Summer Camp Counselor

This Camp Counselor position is ideal for college students who love to be outside and who enjoy working with children. We are looking for mature, self-motivated, fun students to work with campers ages 4-12. Campers are grouped by grade (PreK-K, 1st-2nd, 3rd-4th, 5th-6th, 7th-8th). Two counselors work together leading each group of 12 children with support from Senior Staff and CITs (counselors in training). . Counselors will be responsible for implementing our existing nature and environmental education curriculum, leading animal lessons, coordinating activities, guiding campers, managing group dynamics, and ensuring safety protocols. Counselors work together in facilitating activities that range from nature arts to shelter building and wetland exploration. Junior Counselors are paired with Senior Counselors each week.

 

Duties for all Camp Counselors:

• Lead all activities for a group of 12 campers. Schedule and resources are provided and staff will have time to develop these activities during staff training week.

• Supervise and interact with campers at all times.

• Provide daily care of each camper and maintain standards of health and safety.

• Assist with behavioral needs of campers.

• Motivate campers and encourage mutual support and team-building activities. 

• Administer basic First Aid (First Aid/CPR training provided during staff training week).

• Contribute to set-up, break-down, and cleaning at the start and end of each camp day.

• Senior Counselors:

  • Paired with at least one Junior Counselor each week. Guide and train Junior counselors, fostering their development. Act as mentors to campers, CITs, and Junior Counselors.

• Junior Counselors: 

  • ​Paired with at least one Senior Counselor each week. Collaborate with Senior Counselor with daily activities and camper supervision. Act as mentors to campers, CITs, and peers.

 

Requirements:

• Senior Counselors: Must be 18 years or older. (College)

• Junior Counselors: Must be 16 – 18 years old and previous Woodcock CIT. (High School)

• Position contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background check.

 

Qualifications:​

• A sincere desire to teach young students about nature and the environment.

• Experience leading or working with kids in a formal or informal setting (school, nature center, camp, scouts, babysitting, etc).

• Enthusiasm for exploring nature with children. Basic knowledge of the natural world is preferred, but not required.

• Positive attitude and excellent interpersonal skills in working with youth. 

• Enthusiasm for exploring nature with children. Basic knowledge of the natural world is preferred, but not required.

• Willingness to get dirty and work hard in all weather (including summer heat, humidity, and rain).

• Self-motivated and able to work with limited supervision.

• Ability to be creative and flexible.

• Ability to be physically active for most of an 8 hour day.

• Senior Counselors: Minimum of first year study in related field including Early Education, Special Education, Physical Education, Psychology, Environmental Science, Biology, Wildlife Conservation (preferred, but not required.)

 

2026 Summer Schedule:

Mandatory Staff Training: June 8-12, 9 AM-4:30PM
Camp Dates: Week of June 15-19 through August 10-14, Monday-Friday 8 AM-4 PM

Junior Counselors: Commitment to all dates preferred (Training week and at least 5 camp weeks required)

Senior Counselors: Commitment to all dates preferred. (Training week and 8 camp weeks required) Allowances for vacation are dependent on staffing availability.

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Compensation: 

Junior Counselor: $17 per hour and up, based on experience. 

Senior Counselor: $18 per hour and up, based on experience. College credit is available if agreed upon by your school.

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To Apply:

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New Counselors must submit New Counselor Application, including a Resume and the names of 2 references.

• Deadline: April 20, 2026

• New Counselor Application Form (2026 Application opens Jan 15, 2026)

 

Returning Counselors must submit Returning Counselor Application.

• Returner Deadline: March 30, 2026

• Returning Counselor Application Form (2026 Application opens Jan 15, 2026)

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Questions?: Email Sarah Breznen, Camp Director, at sbreznen@woodcocknaturecenter.org

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