Day Camp Counselor

The Mountaineers was formed in 1906 to explore the wild areas and peaks in the Pacific Northwest and beyond. With 15,000 members and branches from Olympia to Bellingham, The Mountaineers enjoys an outstanding reputation in its field and in the community. Our dedicated staff, members, and volunteers are deeply committed to successfully accomplishing our mission. Each year 1,600 volunteers deliver outdoor skill courses to 2,500 students and lead  2,000+ recreational trips and courses. In addition, we advocate for access and protection of recreational lands. Last year we helped protect 30,000 acres of public land in Washington State. The organization has also published 500 outdoor recreation and conservation advocacy books. Our mission is to enrich the lives of people by helping them explore, conserve, learn about, and enjoy the wild lands and waters of the Pacific Northwest and beyond. The Mountaineers program centers have staff of 40 employees and an annual operating budget of seven million dollars, including Mountaineers Books. Please visit the other pages on our website for in-depth information about our organization, activities, programs, and mission.

Job Overview

Position Overview

Camp Counselors play the most important role in supplying a positive, valuable, safe experience for Mountaineers summer campers. They are directly responsible for the daily supervision of a group of 8-12 campers ranging in age from 6-12. They design and teach varying outdoor curriculum, including first aid, navigation, and safe methods of recreating outdoors. They will work collaboratively with other camp staff and CITs to create an inclusive and engaging camp environment. Camp Counselors create an enthusiastic and welcoming environment for their group of campers and have seemingly limitless amounts of energy.

Key Responsibilities 

• Provide a meaningful camp experience, keeping campers happy, healthy, safe, and having fun.
• Foster a positive sense of community within the group and seek ways to include all campers.
• Plan creative outdoor activities for group of campers using Mountaineers curriculum.
• Enthusiastically teach games and activities to group of campers.
• Fearlessly participate as a leader during large group and all camp activities.
•  Assist in the set up and break down of camp.
• Participate in weekly field trips off campus with campers (includes activities such as hiking and rafting)
• Participate in extended care with a coordinator either before camp (7:45-9:00am) or afterwards (4-5:30pm) at least once over the summer.
• Participate in Thursday overnight program with other staff at least two weeks of the summer.
• Attend weekly staff meetings.
• Ensure The Mountaineers youth policies and procedures are followed and adhered to at all times.
• Share the magic of camp with families.
• Sing your heart out during camp assemblies.
• Be a mentor and role model for Counselors In Training.

Requirements

• Minimum age 18.
• Have a high school diploma.
• A positive, enthusiastic team player.
• Experience working with youth.
• Current CPR & First Aid Certification or ability to obtain certification before start date

Desired Qualifications

• Climbing and belaying experience.
• Knowledge of quick games and time fillers to keep campers engaged during transitions.
• Past summer camp experience preferred.
• Experience teaching outdoor recreation skills such as first aid, navigation, naturalist skills, kayaking, climbing, etc.

Cultivating an inclusive staff is central to The Mountaineers focus on advancing equity. Our core values are Adventure, Advocacy, Community, Education, and Volunteerism, and we believe a diverse and inclusive environment inspires unity, respect, and passion for our work and one another. We’re interested in hearing from people who can work with colleagues of varied experience and background. The Mountaineers is an equal-opportunity employer, and candidates from all backgrounds are considered, and as an organization that values equity and inclusion, we highly encourage people of color, women, LGBTQ individuals, and veterans to apply.

Work Environment 

This role is based in Seattle, WA at The Mountaineers Program Center in Magnuson Park. Summer Camp 2022 will run in person with COVID-19 protocols in place to ensure the safety of campers and staff. As Washington State’s reopening guidelines continue to evolve and shift, so too do camp protocols. Staff will be updated as these adaptations are made and are encouraged to communicate their questions, concerns, and needs to the Camp Director throughout the planning process.

Physical Demands

• Ability to lift/move 20 pounds regularly and up to 40 pounds occasionally on program days.
• Ability to walk for 4 or more hours continuously
• Ability to care for self and others in a snowy environment.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Disclaimer: The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or to be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job. 

Special Benefits

Benefits include membership in The Mountaineers.

Minimum Requirements

Applications through this website will not be viewed or considered. Apply here to be considered.