Specialist Activity Counselor

Very competitive salary within the camping industry, full room and board, extensive training, opportunity to do Wilderness First Aid and Lifeguard Certification courses for free, days off to explore Maine, laundry services provided. You can earn academic internship credit for this position! Our camp fosters an excellent work experience and fulfills most school's internship requirements. We will build out a set of individualized learning objectives and specific goals for you to achieve throughout the summer. Our Camp Directors will be happy to tailor these objectives individually to your course or Major of study! MOST IMPORTANTLY- You'll have the opportunity to truly change children's lives, develop essential interpersonal, leadership, team building (and more) skills for your future, forge real connection and community with your co-workers, explore and enjoy the incredible natural environment, and learn more about yourself than you thought possible. It will be the summer of a lifetime.

Job Overview

Who we are:

Camp Chewonki is one of Maine’s most prestigious nature-based overnight camp and expedition-based youth leadership program for boys, girls, and non-binary children based on a 400-acre peninsula in mid-coast Maine. Since 1915, Chewonki has been changing the lives of children and staff- including yours! Overnight campers are aged 8-15 and spend 10 days or 3 weeks at camp. The overnight camp program focuses on building cabin community, building social emotional skills and knowledge in a core curriculum (including natural history, farm sciences, watercraft, the arts, and more!) and learning about backcountry travel on multi-day remote cabin trips.

Who you are:

Camp Chewonki Counselors are kind, empathetic, thoughtful, and fun adults who are responsible for caring for the health and well-being of all campers for the summer. They help campers adjust to camp life, build community, and develop the skills to be successful anywhere. Ideal candidates will have a passion for working with children, spending time in the outdoors, and a dedication to lifelong learning.

Activity Counselors have experience in teaching one of the following activity areas: 

1. Archery
2. Community Building/ Low Ropes
3. Outdoor Living Skills
4. Sports 
5. Watercraft
6. Woodshop 

What you’ll do 

The Activity Counselors are responsible for preparing and facilitating lessons and keeping activity equipment and areas safe and well-maintained. Each activity has discipline-specific skills and related requirements for the activity. While Activity Counselor’s primary responsibility is instruction in their area of expertise, camp provides a dynamic workplace environment that requires creativity, flexibility and a team player approach. When not teaching or preparing their activity area, Activity Counselors are expected to support cabin coverage and work with other staff in the planning and execution of camp-wide initiatives such as evening programs, special events, and off-campus day trips. Activity counselors will be assigned age groups to directly support outside of activity work.

Special Benefits

• Wilderness First Aid Certification (Chewonki will offer course prior to camp season)
• Lifeguard Certification (offered by Chewonki) or $500 for current certification
• Room & Board
• Travel stipend
• $200 refer-a-friend bonus
• Academic internship credit possible

Minimum Requirements

• QUALIFICATIONS
  • Must complete fingerprinting requirements/pass criminal background check.
  • Hold a valid driver’s license approved by Chewonki’s insurance carrier, preferred.
  • Experience working in specialized activity area; relevant certification, as required
  • Preferred Certifications depending on activity area could include: American Canoe Association, American Red Cross Lifeguarding, U.S. Archery Instructor, Association for Challenge Course Technology, etc.
  • Experience working in educational spaces, preferred.
  • Current Wilderness First Aid Certification required (Chewonki will offer course prior to camp season).
  • Current Lifeguard Certification, preferred (offered by Chewonki).
  • Attend required onboarding and training sessions.

  PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Must be able to lift up to 50 lb at a time.
  • Must be able to work in an active, outdoor environment in a variety of weather conditions.
  • Able to participate in games, sports, and physical activities including water-based games and activities.
  • Able to maintain attention and a high level of energy or excitement for extended periods of time.