Camp Counselor

Camp Arcadia is a summer camp that strengthens young girls and women ages 7-17 years old. Our mission is to make the world better and more beautiful because you have been in it. Each year, we bring together a staff from around the world to create a memorable summer for our community.

WHAT YOU BRING:

Age Requirement: 18+

Certifications: None required, but CPR/First Aid is a plus

Ability to commit to Staff Orientation and the Camp Season from mid-June - mid-August. Depending on your role, you may also be requested to attend Leadership Training, or to work Opening Camp in early June or Family Camp for the remainder of August

Experience with and a passion for working with children

A creative, hardworking, flexible, and collaborative spirit

A sense of maturity and self-awareness, with the ability to manage your emotions and ask for support in high-pressure situations

Your Impact at the Stables

Equine Care: Lead daily stable management tasks, including feeding, grooming, and ensuring the health and happiness of our herd.

Leading & Safety: Confidently lead horses during lessons and transitions, maintaining a calm and professional demeanor at all times.

Instruction (If Able): Assist with or lead riding lessons for campers (ages 7-17), helping them develop basic horsemanship and riding skills.

Unplugged Leadership: Join a "tech-free" community where you’ll build real-world connections and serve as a positive role model without the distraction of screens.

What We’re Looking For

Horse Experience: Significant experience handling, leading, and caring for horses. You should be comfortable around various temperaments.

Teaching Mindset: Previous experience in riding instruction is a major plus, but a willingness to learn and assist our head instructors is essential.

Physical Stamina: Ability to handle the physical demands of stable work in an outdoor summer environment.

The Arcadia Spirit: We value staff who are kind, observant, and ready to dive into our historic camp traditions.

Lodge Counselor Essential Job Functions

Attends & participates in pre-camp communications & training programs

Provides excellent care and supervision for all campers, exhibiting patience and understanding throughout the day

Lives and eats with campers (ages 7-17). Counselors have 1-2 co-counselors in their assigned cabin, and collectively they are responsible for the daily care of their campers

Curates a warm living environment and atmosphere where campers and other staff feel safe, supported, and happy

Teaches one or more Camp activities daily (Lodge and Non-Lodge)

Participates in meetings, activities, and events by unit (assigned age group

STAFF TRAINING:

Staff training is ongoing throughout the summer at Arcadia. All counselors will:

Attend Staff Orientation to become familiar with the Camp culture, develop teaching strategies, and set up your activity.

Acquire any role-specific certifications prior to campers arriving

Attend weekly Department meetings to enhance information sharing and collaboration

Meet on a regular basis with your Activity Coordinator to review teaching techniques, assess successes and failures, and evaluate all aspects of your department

COMPENSATION PACKAGE:

Our compensation package is based on education, experience, and contract length. It includes a competitive salary, a travel allowance provided at the end of your contract, and room and board.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Communication! Your ability to verbally communicate with people of all ages and skill levels is key to the instruction and support of our camp community

Awareness and Conflict Management! Staff must observe camper behavior, assess if it's appropriate, and have the judgment to deploy behavior management techniques.

Participate in Safety! Camp has limited technology and an unpredictable environment. There are various hazards staff will encounter related to activities or the natural environment, and all staff must be able to understand and enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures. We utilize visual and auditory cues within our safety plans, and staff should have the ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards in the moment.

Endurance! Our camp is on a large hill, and staff can expect to stand, stoop, stretch, and walk the camp property multiple times throughout the day. Programming continues rain or shine, and staff should be able to lead activities and manage their physical needs in various conditions.

Readiness to Assist! Many campers need assistance, and this role requires eye-hand coordination, manual dexterity, and normal range of hearing and eyesight in order to fully support the campers and our activity program.

Lives in a rustic outdoor youth camp setting; works long and busy days