Camp Jobs • Guest Ranch Jobs: Summer, Year-Round and Seasonal Work Opportunities Available

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Summer, Seasonal & Year-Round Opportunities

Are you looking for the summer of a lifetime in the Colorado Rockies? Whether working as a children's activity instructor or group counselor, wrangler, driver, in the kitchen, office or grounds, the high-spirited, multi-talented and skilled Colorado Mountain Ranch staff are instrumental in creating and implementing every aspect of ranch programs and activities, construction projects, food service, facility use and maintenance.

Are you ready to feel like a kid again, but with a lot more responsibility? Thousands of camp counselors, teachers, mentors, guest service and hospitality staff, kitchen help, maintenance workers, wranglers, ranch crew and adventure leaders travel to unique places each summer or season to share their skills, talents and zest for life with kids and families alike in the pursuit of adventure and fun.

Whether guiding outdoor adventures for kids at a summer camp, leading fun and educational activities in your area of expertise, teaching a global awareness workshop or organic gardening class, cultivating a genuine curiosity and well being of your group, or strumming the guitar at the nightly campfire of a dude ranch, you'll have plenty of exciting job opportunities to explore here.

In the Spotlight

Alabama Jobs more

By using the excitement of the U.S. space program and combining cutting-edge technology with hands-on learning, Space Camp and Aviation Challenge stimulates young peoples interest in the study of math, science, aviation and technology. These immersive programs place students in a real-world context allowing them to view math and science as tools to develop future careers as scientists, engineers, teachers and astronauts. Counselors will supervise and educate trainees in the history of the space and aviation program; assist in experiencing the sensations of space travel; and motivate, stimulate, teach and supervise trainees in a variety of aerospace related topics, including the Mission Center Complex, Aviation Challenge and Museum simulators. Compensation includes a wage of $9/hour; and those who live more than an hour outside of Huntsville are provided with room and meals in exchange for performing Resident Advisor duties. Perks include extensive paid training, paid time off, discounts throughout the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and free admission passes. This is a great stepping stone for many individuals who may have just graduated, are looking for a unique internship opportunity or who are ready for a fun and rewarding work environment! Now accepting applications for the spring session (March 10th start) and the summer season (May 25th start). www.spacecamp.com

A Space Camp counselor teaching stimulating space-related programs.

• As a Space Camp and Aviation Challenge counselor, you will lead a team of trainees through their weeklong camp experience. Along with teaching stimulating space-related programs, you'll also have the chance to train students in Space Shuttle mission simulators and jet fighter operations.

California Jobs more

Each summer in a beautiful forest area complete with lake and waterfall, a small, tight and vibrant community is formed where campers can develop self-confidence, independence, emotional intelligence, creativity, activity skills, environmental awareness and appreciation, friendships, and healthy living skills. Kids also learn what most modern children have forgotten—how to just play and be a kid without television, video games, the internet, canned games, or social pressure. This is Camp Augusta and they're searching for service-minded individuals interested in facilitating growth in children, themselves and other community members. 2010 summer staff openings include general counselors; counselors specializing in equestrian, climbing, trips or art; village leaders; food services & kitchen team; nurse; office manager; master of fun & games; equestrian director; and program director. You must make a minimum commitment from June 1st to August 21st, with the opportunity for work in May and into the fall. Along with living healthy (with lots of organic food) and the longest paid staff training in the country, you'll make $2,750-$6,000 depending on position, with the opportunity to make $1,000-$2,000 for pre & post season work. The initial application process consists of six questions (sharing your heart, mind and spirit!) so they can get to know you as real, living, breathing human being; and your application is considered right away. Drop by for a visit, call 530.265.3702 or send an email to Randy Grayson for more info.

As a staff member at Camp Augusta you'll experience unique activities, including the camp's Hammock Village!

• At Camp Augusta this summer, you might have oatmeal dumped on your head, get thrown in the lake, dress up like a pirate, comfort a homesick child, play an age-old activity like Zoogle or Balero, share in contagious laughter, sleep and wonder under the stars or experience the fine art of doing nothing at the camp's Hammock Village! Do you have the right stuff?

Milk a cow. Spin wool from sheep. Harvest fresh organic produce. Live sustainably. Backpack from bay to sea. Campfires, swimming, hiking, storytelling, crafts. Summer camp at Hidden Villa will awaken each campers sense of awe for natural beauty, provide tools for multicultural community building, and create a learning environment that encourages a commitment for social justice where positive change in the world can be made. Cultivating the genuine curiosity, self-esteem, and well being of campers, summer staff are integral in creating a place where everyone can develop self-confidence and experience a sense of belonging. From residential counselors and program heads to farm, healthcare and kitchen staff, over 50 summer job opportunities are available in 2010. Staff members receive a base pay of $275 per week with increases depending on experience, plus cabin or camping housing and meals. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a love for working with youth, a fun-loving spirit, energetic, flexible, mature and team-oriented. A commitment from June 11th to August 21st is necessary, with some positions beginning as early as June 4th. Applications are available online or email camp@hiddenvilla.org for more information.

A Hidden Villa summer staff member teaching campers about the organic gardens

• Live, work and play on a 1,600 wilderness preserve and organic farm in the Santa Cruz Mountains this summer! Help nurture relationships between people of different cultural, religious, economic, and racial backgrounds, and strengthen their connection to the environment as a summer staff member with Hidden Villa.

Colorado Jobs more

Since 1921, family-owned Cheley Colorado Camps has been welcoming young people for an enriching, adventurous and value-centered camp experience during the summer months. Cheley facilities include horseback riding rings, craft centers, on-site climbing inside and out, a ropes course and a fleet of mountain bikes. Beyond the facilities are miles of trails into the surrounding park and forest. Whether as a support staff member (barn crew, office team, kitchen team) or as a program counselor (riding instructor, hiking and backpacking guide, crafts counselor), over 200 seasonal workers are hired each year. The summer kicks off with 8-10 days of staff training that includes exposure to professionals in the fields of child development, forests and parks, psychology and wilderness medicine. Employment is a 9-week commitment from early June to mid-August; opportunities are also available as early as mid-May through the end of October. Benefits include room, board, a base salary of $1,850 and a travel allowance of $200. All counseling staff must have current certification in CPR and first aid; backpacking, hiking and horseback riding counselors are required to have Wilderness First Aid certification, which is offered before camp staff training.

Horseback riding at Cheley Colorado Camps

• A summer at Cheley will push you to grow. The mountains will give you perspective and help you clarify long-term goals. Most importantly, you'll have fun with great people. The combination is rare, the experience extraordinary.

Owned and operated by the Walker family since 1947, the Colorado Mountain Ranch summer camp provides a warm, friendly environment where individual growth and learning occur through confidence-building activities in an active outdoor setting. Adventurous programming abounds at the ranch, with everything from a challenge ropes course and mountain boarding to Western horseback riding, hiking, camping and two new programs Earth! (offering experiences in sustainable living) and Water! (providing excursions to pools, lakes and streams for splashing, swimming and boating). Summer staff are instrumental in creating and implementing every aspect of ranch programs and activities, facility use, food service, construction projects and maintenance. Every job—ranging from activity instructors and food service staff to counselors and wranglers—involves inspiring and guiding campers, participating enthusiastically in all daily activities and embracing the Native American philosophy of respect for self, others and nature. Depending on the position, first year staff members can earn $150-$250/week (plus a contract bonus), along with meals, housing, leadership training and, of course, living in the mountains! Seasonal job opportunities are available from mid-May through October 1st (at minimum, you must commit to a June 1st through August 7th term). Applications are available for download online.

Team spirit at the Colorado Mountain Ranch

• Ready for a busy & diverse summer? Staff members at the Colorado Mountain Ranch will also be attending to the details of special events and parties, mountain wedding receptions, group horseback rides, and facilitating challenge groups on the ropes and mountainboarding course.

Located in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado, family-owned Colvig Silver Camps is a residential, wilderness-oriented camp that blends traditional summer activities with overnight backcountry adventures. An environmentally-oriented and non-competitive philosophy coupled with a choice-based format is designed to develop self-esteem, leadership skills, responsibility and teamwork. Camp activities include (but are never limited to) day hikes, field games, arts & crafts, western horseback riding, target sports, swimming, rock climbing, ropes/challenge course, environmental activities, campfires, songs, skits, cookouts and more! Wilderness trips include desert and alpine backpacking, mountain climbing, mountain biking, Anasazi ruin exploration, canoeing and rafting. Summer job opportunities include Program Coordinators, Art Barn Coordinator, Rock Climbing/Ropes Course Coordinator, Expedition Coordinator, Pathfinding Coordinators, Wranglers, Head Counselors, Assistant Counselors, Cooks & Prep Cooks and a Photographer. Most positions begin on May 31st for staff training and continue through August 9th, with a three-day, mid-summer break in July. Benefits include a salary of $1,300 to $2,025, room and board, laundry, pro-deal purchases for outdoor gear, comprehensive staff training, and Wilderness First Aid certification. If you have a passion for working with children in an outdoor setting and a commitment to the development of positive, meaningful relationships, fill out the online application or call 800.858.2850 for more information.

Colvig Silver Camps Summer Mountain Job Adventures

• Creative. Tireless, Patient. Flexible. Positive Attitude. Fun-Loving Spirit. Sense of Humor. Responsible. Sound like you? Colvig Silver Camps seeks these key attributes in its summer staff.

Located in the middle of Pike National Forest at 9,200 feet (and just over an hour from southwest Denver), Tumbling River Ranch is a second generation, family-run ranch serving 55 guests per week for a vacation of a lifetime. Summer staff have a tremendous opportunity to contribute to the guest experience through superb customer service and respect. Whether working as a cook, baker, housekeeper/wait staff member, hiking guide, life guard/nanny, youth or teen counselor, maintenance worker, wrangler, in the office or on the grounds, all staff members should be prepared to work hard and enjoy what they are doing. Benefits include an hourly wage plus gratuities along with room and board. Preference is given to those who can begin work in early May and finish their assignment in late August/September. Call 800.654.8770 or send off an email to Megan Dugan for detailed job descriptions and an application.

Tumbling River Ranch Summer Staff

• With superb horseback riding, fly fishing, rodeos, live entertainment and an outstanding kids' program, the summer staff at Tumbling River Ranch help create a one-of-a-kind Western dude ranch experience for families.

Maine Jobs more

Teach a camper how to create a ceramic mug or kaleidoscope. Engage campers in group problem solving skills on the ropes course and climbing wall. Coordinate a small, earth-oriented tipi village focusing on traditional Native American life. Lead a llama trek. Interested? Hidden Valley Camp is an international summer camp for children ages 8-14, located on 350 acres in mid-coast Maine. Outdoor programs focus on adventures, community living, and leadership development while enjoying the beauty that comes from the state of Maine (and Canada). Summer staff members are needed to lead small groups in outdoor living & learning programs, arts and crafts, horseback riding, swimming and more! Adventure program staff will participate in different wilderness excursions that may include whitewater rafting, sea kayaking, rock climbing, hiking and camping. General staff all teach classes in a variety of areas and live in cabins with groups of children. In addition to a supportive and creative learning environment, a salary, housing, healthy meals (rumor has it there is a lobster banquet), and generous off time is provided. Applications are available online.

• Hidden Valley Camp is an art camp, a horse camp, an adventure camp, a performing arts camp, a farm camp, a dance camp, a water camp, a sports camp and much more. Make an impact on children's lives, enjoy the woods of Maine and meet the many challenges of working successfully in a community of talented children and adults.

Waterskiing and windsurfing on Panther Lake. Conquering the climbing tower or low ropes course. Mountain biking wooded trails. Creating pottery in the ceramics studio. With activities galore complemented by laughter, friendship and community, Maine's Kingsley Pines Camp fosters a stimulating and rewarding experience for resident campers aged 8 to 15. As the core of the camp staff, counselors supervise, lead, guide and live with campers. Counselors also teach in one of these areas: arts, waterfront, sports, or outdoor adventure activities. The camp season kicks off in early June with one week of training followed by ten weeks of children's camp and two weeks of family camp. The employment period varies between eleven and thirteen weeks, ending either mid or late August. Benefits include room and board (including delicious lakeside meals with a vegetarian option), a competitive salary, staff lounge with Internet access, transportation on days off and a summer loaded with fun! Candidates should be caring, creative, enthusiastic and have a genuine concern for children. The counselor application is available online.

Kingsley Pines Camp Waterfront Activities

• With summer lake temps reaching 80 degrees, Kingsley Pines Camp counselors and campers get a chance to enjoy days filled with sailing, waterskiing and windsurfing.

Montana Jobs more

Through guided horseback rides, family-owned Swan Mountain Outfitters connects their guests to the hidden treasures of Glacier National Park. Now hiring summer employees at three unique locations: Apgar, Lake McDonald and Many Glacier.

• Barn Managers are responsible for the upkeep, oversight and decision-making at the corral, including 5-10 employees and 30-45 horses. The position requires a solid foundation of basic horse care (grooming, feeding, health, etc.) and the ability to handle any escalated issues from wranglers or customers.

• Cook/Housekeepers provide family-style meals three times per day for 10-15 staff members and keep bunkhouse facilities spotless. Must be clean and organized, able to stay within a budget, minimize waste, get along with others and be creative with ingredients.

• Trail Ride Wranglers are responsible for leading 1-hour to full day park-approved trail rides in the back country while captivating guests with the extensive history of the Park. Ensuring guest safety, maintaining the trails and facilities and daily care of the horses are also critical components for this position.

Opportunities are available from mid-May through mid-September (all positions require a six-day work week). Compensation consists of a monthly salary, possible tips, room and board. For more information, connect with Aubrie Loroña through email or by calling 406.387.4405.

• Would you like to meet new people, work with horses and wake up everyday in one of the most awe-inspiring National Parks in the U.S.? Now hiring honest, hardworking, people-friendly individuals who would like to enjoy a memorable, exciting, educational and fun summer with Swan Mountain Outfitters.

New York Jobs more

Every summer over 3,000 New York City children from disadvantaged communities will pack their bags for a free trip to one of five Fresh Air Fund summer camps just north of the city. For many, it'll be their first time away from the busy streets. The Fund operates the camps on a 3,000-acre preserve filled with forests, fields and lakes. Summer job opportunities include general counselors, waterfront staff, ropes course facilitators, farm staff, nutritionists, nurses and program staff who focus on everything from photography and woodworking to drama and outdoor living skills. Staff members are important in the eyes of boys and girls who have just been introduced to a new and exciting world. You'll act as a role model, teach new skills and help plan days filled with fun and discovery. Along with a wage ranging from $2,200 to $3,000 for the season, meals and housing are provided. A travel allowance is also provided for those traveling over 300 miles to the camp. Applicants must be at least 18, have completed their freshman year of college, and have a sincere motivation to work with inner-city children. If you're ready to have an unforgettable summer, your new adventure starts here.

• Providing disadvantaged children from New York City the opportunity to pack their bags for a free journey to a 3,000-acre preserve, the Fresh Air Fund is looking for summer camp staff who can become role models, teach new skills and help plan days filled with fun and discovery.

North Carolina Jobs more

Promoting the natural world and human character through experiential programming, Eagle's Nest is seeking camp staff, wilderness and adventure staff and interns for the summer of 2010. Camp staff teach activities in the arts, music, and drama (batik, guitar, pottery, musical instrument making, raku, improvisational theater, and productions of musicals and plays), wilderness (whitewater canoeing on a handful of southeastern rivers, rock climbing in the Appalachian mountains, and backpacking on the region's trails), and athletics (emphasizing skill and teamwork, not competition, as well as exploration of games from around the globe). Staff members may also double as wilderness trip leaders (with programs including trekking, hiking, sailing in the U.S. and cultural trips to Belize, Mexico and New Zealand). Staff will live on the campus in beautiful Pisgah Forest, leading, living, and forming community bonds in cabin groups with campers and other staff. Summer orientation begins at the end of May with work continuing through mid-August. Benefits include a competitive salary, room, whole-food meals, laundry and professional discounts on gear. Self-motivated, energetic and creative applicants who have experience and a strong desire to teach and play in the outdoors will thrive in this fun work environment. Applications are available for download online. Contact Paige Lester-Niles or call 336.761.1040 for more information.

Eagle's Nest Outdoor Adventures

• Attracting individuals who yearn to be of service and make a positive impact on the world, Eagle's Nest is an extremely popular camp for counselors because of its creative and communal processes.

Wisconsin Jobs more

As the premier tripping-based summer camp in the North Woods of Wisconsin, Camp Manito-wish YMCA creates life-changing experiences for youth and teens through in-camp activities combined with extended wilderness adventures and leadership development. Summer job openings include Counselors (lead 2-10 day wilderness trips and mentor campers in small cabin groups), Program Staff & Supervisors (lead fun and educational activities in your area of expertise: music, tennis, sailing, canoeing & kayaking, waterfront, crafts, woodworking, horseback riding, naturalist, riflery, archery, trail biking or the challenge courses), Outpost Trip Leaders (develop strong leaders and promote character development through 8-45 day wilderness trips by backpack, canoe or sea kayak in the Midwest, the Rockies, Canada and Alaska) and Leadership Facilitators (assist in facilitating leadership initiatives, problem solving activities and high & low ropes courses). Positions are available from June through September with various start and end dates. Benefits include a weekly salary, room and board, complimentary WFA certification for those leading trips, and discounts for WFR and other certifications. Applicants must be at least 18 years old and have previous experience working with kids and being in a leadership role (additional requirements are needed for specific positions). Confident, highly motivated, responsible, caring, adaptable, hard working, energetic individuals will thrive at Camp Manito-wish YMCA. Although applications are accepted on a rolling basis, positions fill fast.

Manito-wish wilderness travel programs will challenge you to learn about your own abilities and leadership qualities.

• Looking to enhance your ability to lead in an outdoor setting? Manito-wish offers an Outdoor Leaders School beginning in May with training classes in WFR, WFA, Wilderness Water Safety, WMA Open/Recertification and trail leader courses in canoeing and backpacking. All summer staff members receive substantial discounts.

Explore the Manito-wish Staff Blog

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City Kids Wilderness Project offers extraordinary outdoor adventure experiences for no cost to at-risk children and teens who reside in the greater Washington D.C. area. Participants leave their familiar urban environment and discover the great outdoors, often for the first time. Working from the rustic 62-acre Broken Arrow Ranch base camp just south of Jackson Hole, WY, Outdoor Adventure Program Staff will lead a summer program filled with experiential learning, outdoor activities (horseback riding, jumping in hot springs, white water rafting, kayaking, backpacking, rock climbing and more!), backcountry trips and personal growth. With both on-site and off-site activities, you'll help students develop goals, craft a journal, problem solve, build a team, gain confidence and share responsibility for the day-to-day tasks of living in a small, close-knit community. Benefits include $350/week plus bonus potential, paid staff training, laundry facility, room and meals. A personable head chef ($600/week) and assistant cook ($3,300/summer) are also needed to create a user-friendly kitchen environment and manage all aspects of food service for base camp and backcountry outings. This is a full-time residential position from June 12th through August 29th, 2010. Email your cover letter and resume to Colleen McHugh by May 10th. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until all positions have been filled.

City Kids Wilderness Project: Outdoor Adventure Jobs

• Become a positive role model. Develop proactive relationships. Teach life skills. Promote successful outcomes. Facilitate personal and team growth. Lead outdoor activities and trips. Work with City Kids Wilderness Project this summer and provide life-enriching experiences for underserved and at-risk youth.

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