Unique Camp & Ranch Jobs

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.

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Check out the Environmental Education Jobs channel for more summer/seasonal outdoor and adventure education jobs!

BalanceME operates weight loss and fitness camps designed to help children, teens, and young adults gain skills and motivation for a lifetime of healthy living. Come spend your summer at one of three fantastic camp locations (Santa Cruz, CA, Cape Cod, MA or Dallas, TX) helping children, teens, and young adults lose weight and get in shape. Summer fitness and weight loss camp job opportunities include Camp Directors, Program Supervisors, Clinical Directors, Culinary/Nutrition Experts, Health Coaches, Fitness/Sports Trainers, Camp Counselor/Instructors, and Interns who will ensure a physically and emotionally safe environment while consistently injecting a high-level of positive energy and enthusiasm into each campers daily experience. Compensation ranges from $2,750 to $7,500 for the summer (8 1/2 weeks). Perks include free meals of delicious, healthy food, free lodging in dorms, plus a chance to get in better shape along with the campers. At minimum, you must be 21 years of age; preference given to college graduates, grad students, or those with a master's degree. All applicants must be interested in modeling good diet and exercise, have a high level of intensity and dedication, and be passionate for helping change lives. Positions begin in mid-June with one week of staff training and conclude in mid-August (each camp has varied start/finish dates). BalanceME.com

• BalanceME health camps are quickly becoming the leader in adolescent weight management programs with the goal of helping the millions of teens and families who need to learn and live healthier lifestyles. As a summer staff member you'll be helping to create a fun, supportive, and memorable experience for campers who will learn about nutrition, the basics on healthy cooking, activities designed for skill development, and how to be successful long after camp ends.

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 people's 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. Seasonal Crew Trainers 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. Ropes Course Facilitators will supervise and facilitate trainees on the high/low ropes challenge courses and promote the sensations of accomplishment and personal growth. Compensation includes a wage of $8.75-$10/hour; and those who live more than 45 miles outside of Huntsville are provided with room and meals in exchange for performing Resident Assistant 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! SpaceCamp.com

• If you would like the opportunity to work with kids in an informal educational setting while inspiring the next generation of astronauts, engineers, scientists, and teachers, apply now to become a Space Camp Crew Trainer! Along with teaching stimulating space-related programs, you'll also have the chance to train students in Space Shuttle mission simulators and jet fighter operation.

Each summer in a beautiful forested 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. Summer Staff openings include General Counselors; Counselors specializing in Equestrian, Climbing or Backpacking Trips; Village Leaders; Arts Director; Food Services & Kitchen Team; Program Director; and a Master of Fun & Games. A commitment from mid-May to mid-August is required, with the opportunity for work in late April and into the fall. Along with living healthy (lots of organic food!) and the longest paid staff training in the country, you'll make $2,750-$6,000 depending on position/experience, with the opportunity to make $1,000-$2,000 for pre and/or post season work as well. 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. Drop by for a visit, email office@campaugusta.org or call (530) 265-3702 for more information.

Video created by the Camp Augusta kitchen staff

• This summer at Camp Augusta 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? Check out the above video created by the kitchen staff.

Milk a cow. Spin wool from sheep. Harvest fresh organic produce. Live sustainably. Backpack from bay to sea. Swimming, hiking, storytelling, crafts. Summer camp at Hidden Villa will awaken each campers' sense of awe for natural and human beauty, provide tools for multicultural community building, and create a learning environment that encourages a commitment to social and environmental justice. 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 2013. Staff members receive a base pay of $275 per week plus room and board with increases depending on position and experience. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age or have a high school diploma or equivalent and have a love for working with youth, a fun-loving spirit, energetic, flexible, mature and team-oriented. A commitment from June 7th to August 17th is necessary, with some positions beginning as early as May 31st. Applications are available online or email camp@hiddenvilla.org for more information. Yearlong internships are also available.

• Live, work and play on a 1,600 acre 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.

Spend a summer with amazing people! 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, photographers) or as a program counselor (riding instructor, hiking and backpacking guide, crafts counselor), more than 200 summer staff are hired each year. Summer 2013 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 $2,000+, a travel allowance and a completion of contract return travel stipend 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. Apply online now!

• 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. Applications are available for download online.

• 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 mountain boarding 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, Arts & Crafts Coordinator, Rock Climbing/Ropes Course Coordinator, Expedition Coordinator, Pathfinding Coordinators, Wranglers, Head & Assistant Counselors, Cooks & Prep Cooks, Registered Nurse, and a Photographer. Most positions begin on May 31st for staff training and continue through August 10th, with a three-day, mid-summer break in July. Benefits include a summer salary of $1,600 to $2,300, 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 info.

• 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.

Built around Sunset Lake, Circle F Dude Ranch Camp sits in the center of a 500-acre oak forest only an hour south of the major attractions of Orlando, Florida. In addition to a summer camp with 25 activities and a major horseback riding program, Circle F offers family weekends, team building retreats and an outdoor education program (complete with zip lines and alpine tower). More than 70 select people from all over the U.S. and abroad comprise the Circle F camp team. Summer positions include Department Heads, Head Counselors and Cabin Counselors; and during the spring and fall, Outdoor Education Instructors teach exciting and experiential classes in all program areas, lead wilderness trips, and participate in work projects geared towards facility maintenance and curriculum enrichment. Circle F actively seeks people with personality, character, stability and warmth. Most importantly, they look for staff members with a sincere desire to work and live with children. Applicants must be able to be positive role models by setting good examples through their words, actions, appearance and relationships. Compensation includes a competitive wage, housing, great tasting meals and one week of intensive staff training. If you have what it takes to make an extraordinary impact on a young person’s life, apply today! CircleFDudeRanchCamp.com

• Working at summer camp is a unique opportunity to share your talents and passions with young people and fellow staff members. You will also meet extraordinary people from across the country and world. Circle F’s atmosphere of family, friendship, and fun combined with working in unison with other like-minded people creates friendships that last a lifetime.

Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert have a 100-year plus history of creating fun and adventure in Minnesota’s lake country. As brother-sister camps, they are located across the lake from each other, offering more than 30 land, water and adventure activities. Summer positions include Counselors & Head Counselors, Support Staff, and Activity Leaders (with a focus on sailing, horseback riding, archery, high ropes and the climbing wall to arts and crafts, windsurfing, podcasting, fitness, lacrosse, martial arts and more!). The wages are competitive, the facilities are legendary, the benefits are endless and the experiences are unlike any you've known before! Base pay is around $2,400 with the opportunity to make upwards of $4,000-$5,000 if the full season is worked. Staff amenities include a counselor cabin with satellite TV, WiFi and air conditioning. Staff can arrive as early as May 11 and leave as late as September 16 (a full season); however, you can work as short as June 3 to August 10. Dates are flexible; however, the pay increases immensely with the extended time period. Will you be one of the 195 staff members hired each summer? If you are committed to the challenge, individual growth and to the kids, apply online now.

• If you love being with children and serving as a mentor and role model, acting goofy most of the time but knowing when to be serious, enjoy the outdoors, are OK with little to no privacy, and making the most amazing friendships, you'll fit in well as a summer staff member at Camp Lincoln and Camp Lake Hubert!

Thunderbird for Boys and Thunderbird for Girls are located in the Minnesota Northwoods on beautiful Lake Plantagenet. Being on staff at Thunderbird is an experience of camaraderie, community and friendship where you will work hard and have the summer of your life. Summer positions include Counselors who can teach or assist in one or more activity program areas (such as waterskiing, canoeing, biking, horseback riding, climbing wall, riflery, arts & crafts, music, boat driver and gymnastics); Activity Specialists and Supervisory Staff; and a Wilderness Staff team to lead multi-week adventure programs in the Pacific Northwest, Western U.S. and/or Canada. All camp staff will work from June 9th to August 10th. Pre-season work is available beginning on June 2nd (Lifeguard and WFA/WFR are offered during this time) with post-season work available through August 16th. Salary is commensurate with skills and experience and includes room, board and a travel stipend. If you are energized, fun, nurturing, compassionate and focused on ensuring that campers will have an amazing and memorable camp season, fill out the online application! Questions? Connect with Shari Sigoloff (Girls Camp) or Roger Bristowe (Boys Camp).

• A summer job at Camp Thunderbird means you will work hard. You will also be encouraged to play hard to stay fresh and engaged. This means you will have breaks to relax, check in with friends and family, go for a run or kick back and read a book. In addition, you can try out camp activities and participate in game nights, staff sporting events, and talent shows with your new friends!

Camp Seneca Lake, a Jewish overnight summer camp in the Finger Lakes region of New York, is seeking creative, energetic, down to earth staff with a passion for the outdoors to launch the adventure program, Tiyulim (journeys in Hebrew). Adventure Trip Leaders (Tiyulim staff) will most often work in teams of two leading small groups (up to 15 campers) on overnights, and lead activities that include backpacking, outdoor living skills, environmental ethics, canoeing, biking, Leave No Trace awareness, team building, rock climbing, outdoor education, and orienteering. Benefits include a competitive salary starting at $2,500, paid Wilderness First Aid/CPR with the option for lifeguard certification, and room and board. Staff will be provided with extensive leadership training in the field as well as an in-camp orientation. Applicants must have competed at least one year of college, have one season of experience working in a leadership role with youth in the outdoors, and be a team player, love working with children, and have a positive attitude. While Camp Seneca Lake is a Jewish summer camp, you need not be Jewish to apply. Positions run from mid-June to mid-August. To begin the application process, email your resume, with the names and contact information of three references to Aaron Cantor.

• The Tiyulim summer team will provide a wholesome environment that allows campers to be their goofy selves, grow personally, learn about the importance of selflessness and teamwork, while educating them on the hard and soft skills necessary to survive in the backcountry.

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 overnight 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 3,200-acre preserve filled with hiking trails, fields and lakes. Summer job opportunities include General Counselors, Lifeguards & Waterfront Staff, Ropes Course Facilitators, Farm Staff, Nutritionists, Camp Nurses, and Program Specialists who can focus on everything from photography and woodworking to drama, team building 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 years old, 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 3,200-acre preserve, the Fresh Air Fund is looking for 400+ summer camp staff who can become positive role models, teach new skills and help plan days filled with fun and discovery.

Work dates are from June 17 to August 11, 2013, which includes 2 weeks of training and 6 weeks of summer camp. Compensation is $1,800 plus room and board.

To learn more and apply, call (518) 672-4790 or email the Visiting Students Program Kitchen.

Since 1921, Rockbrook Camp for Girls has been a place where girls ages 6-16 can experience the wonder and excitement of a summer in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. From horseback riding, whitewater rafting, pottery, and swimming to campfires and exploring a chilly stream, each day at camp is filled with new experiences and great opportunities to develop lasting friendships. Summer camp jobs include 60 cabin counselors as well as other day staff, nurses, and program staff. Cabin Counselors will live with and supervise a small group of girls, participate in general camp programs, provide leadership and instruction in one or more specific camp activities (24 different options), and be a positive role model. Hiking/Backpacking, Climbing or Paddling Counselors will plan, organize and lead out-of-camp trips, implement and verify safety protocols, instruct basic outdoor adventure skills, encourage campers with a positive attitude, and also serve as cabin counselors. Compensation starts at $215/week (increases for certifications and experience), plus room, board, laundry, and free WiFi in the staff lounge. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have completed one year of college or equivalent experience. Preference is given to those who can work the entire camp season. Apply online today!

• Rockbrook Camp is its own world that has the power to do so much for everyone who is willing to commit to jumping in without holding back. Here you'll find a vintage camp experience: wooden cabins, campfires, silly songs, girls full of energy, and a variety of activities. But Rockbrook is even more than that; it's a place that you'll grow to call home. And once you've been a part of the Rockbrook community, its spirit will stick with you for many years to come.

Located in the Pocono Mountains of Northeastern Pennsylvania, Pine Forest Camp is proud to be one of the oldest camps in the U.S. that is still owned and operated by its founding family. Pine Forest offers a well-rounded, coed residential camp experience with an action-packed schedule. A sports camp, a tennis camp, a cooking camp, an arts camp, a theater camp, a riding camp, and an adventure camp all rolled into one! Summer staff will fulfill two roles while at camp. As a counselor you will live in a bunk with 8-10 campers and attend to each child's general welfare. This could include handling disputes, comforting campers with homesickness or helping campers to clean their cabins. The other part of your job involves teaching an activity that you have interest or experience in. Positions are available in arts & crafts (ceramics, cartooning, fashion design, jewelry, painting and general crafts), athletics & fitness (team/individual sports, dance, yoga, aerobics, martial arts and cheerleading), horseback riding, riflery, waterfront, lifeguarding, drama, music, ropes and adventure challenge course, and small group activities (cooking, rocketry, pod casting, photography, video and computers). Compensation includes a salary plus room and board. The summer season begins mid-June and ends mid-August. Apply online today!

• Pine Forest Camp is the place for non-stop excitement, awesome counselors, cool cabins, great food, new friends, and lots of laughs. Pine Forest offers an incredibly broad range of programming, from climbing to basketball, water skiing to fine arts, exciting overnight trips as well as traditional camp activities.

Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Global Youth Village is situated on a beautiful 86-acre wooded site with a stream, playing field, basketball court, classroom buildings, pool, a natural rock climbing site, outdoor stage, gardens, art studios and a dining facility. Whether working as a Workshop Instructor, in Administration, as a Counselor, in Food Services or on the Health Care team, summer staff live and work with people from all over the world, in a dynamic learning environment that emphasizes experiential learning and challenges young people to turn cross-cultural theory into practical action. Workshops address issues concerning young people today, such as war and peace, distribution of world resources, and prejudice. Cultural programming and cooperative living help participants learn to respect differences and discover similarities that transcend cultural, religious, and political barriers. Benefits include a stipend between $225-$400 per week, housing, wholesome meals and laundry service. The 2013 summer season kicks off on June 16th with a 10-day training period and concludes on July 31st (positions open for 5 or 7-week periods). Applicants must have previous youth work experience and be at least 21 (non-smokers only, please!). If you're looking for a unique and meaningful international camp to work and learn at this summer, the Global Youth Village is one you don't want to overlook.

• Are you looking for a place to invest your talents, while still having a opportunity to learn and grow in a community working to address local and global issues by energizing and inspiring the next generation? This summer contribute your own thread of education, thought, personality and dreams! Very different from an academic environment, the Global Youth Village staff experience is an intensive and fulfilling learning opportunity that requires active, responsible participation.

If you are a fun, patient, caring and responsible person who wants to spend time in the outdoors with kids, join Birch Trail Camp for Girls this summer! Campers (ages 7-15) have the opportunity to do a wide variety of activities, including canoeing, sailing, swimming, water skiing, climbing, land sports, horseback riding, arts & crafts, dance, yoga and drama. One of the hallmarks of a Birch Trail experience is their 3-8 day wilderness trip to the upper-Midwest and Canada, including the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and Isle Royale National Park. Wilderness Trip Leaders will serve as guides and educators for campers and counselors while leading basic camping, backpacking, flat-water and white-water canoeing, sea kayaking, horseback riding, and rock climbing trips depending on their own experiences and backgrounds. Compensation includes a competitive salary (plus a bonus based on certifications and pre/post camp work), room & board, and a tax-free travel stipend. You must be available from early June through mid-August (an optional and subsidized WFR certification course begins in mid-May). Both men and women who are at least 21 and hold current certifications in CPR/first aid and Lifeguard Training (they can help you get certified!) are encouraged to apply.

• Birch Trail may look and feel different from most places you have been. Camp is located on 320 wooded acres, with nearly 3,000 feet of shoreline. Life in cabins share a few things in common: all have bunk beds, a place to sit and read, a beautiful view and a whole lot of character!

How the camp experience has changed lives is one of the most powerful benefits of camp. Camp, and the experiences of camp, defines us even as adults. Camp has touched many lives, introduced people to new passions, and broadened horizons.

Learn more about ACA and land the perfect summer camp job.

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