Summer Camp Counselor

About Tahoe Summer Camps:

Tahoe Summer Camps offer an unparalleled opportunity to explore, learn, and grow in the remarkable Sierra Nevada for campers and counselors alike. Our philosophy is rooted in hands-on, experiential learning that connects campers to the natural world and their craft while fostering personal development and a sense of adventure.

Job Overview: As a Camp Counselor, you are the heartbeat of our camp experience. Your role extends beyond supervision; it's about inspiring young minds, nurturing their curiosity, and guiding them through a journey of self-discovery and adventure in the great outdoors. Whether it's leading a backcountry trip, facilitating a creative arts project, or teaching sports skills, your contribution makes each camper's experience memorable. This is a seasonal position that concludes in August of 2025.

PLEASE NOTE: Please attach letters of recommendation with your resume or cover letter attachment. In your cover letter, please indicate which camp offerings your skill sets, experience level, and certification best align.

Camp Curriculum and Instruction:

• Ensure that the summer camp environment is safe, fun, engaging and adventurous. Activities and adventures are aligned to support program goals and outcomes as marketed on our website, in staff orientation and training.
• Instruct to camp and industry standards based on the camp you teach, guide, or instruct, ensuring a safe and enriching environment. For example; if guiding a Rock Climbing Camp, teach to an AMGA, standard of practice, and adhere to our Site Guidelines for each climbing location.
• Collaborate with summer admin and staff to refine or improve camp offerings when and where appropriate. And by utilizing camp training and orientation, industry standards and experience, camp curriculum and marketing materials.
• Ensure camp planning is completed in a timely manner, which allows TSC time to coordinate reservations, adventures, equipment, safety, transportation, and coordinate with customers.
• Document daily and weekly lessons, itineraries, takeaways and outcomes. Utilize TSC’s shared data and knowledge base to work and build from - you are not starting from scratch.

Communication and Marketing:

• Forge strong connections with campers, creating an inclusive and supportive community. Your communication skills will also extend to parents, keeping them informed and engaged with their child's camp experience.
• Document daily lessons, products and adventures through written documents and photographs. Photographs will be shared with families at the end of each week.
• When needs arise (behavioral, emotional, psychological, etc.), be active in addressing the issues with the Summer Camp Director or Manager in a supportive role.
• Communicate with the Camp and School Administration in a professional, timely and collaborative manner.

Professionalism:

• When issues arise (behavioral, emotional, psychological, family crisis, community crisis, etc.) be active in addressing the issues with the Summer Camp Director in a supportive role.
• Protect camper privacy and confidentiality by not sharing photos, medical information and/or their personal information outside of work.
• Be punctual and diligent about fulfilling prep duty and other time-sensitive obligations.
• Attend Tahoe Summer Camps orientation for all summer employees and staff to understand who we are, what we do, and how we accomplish our goals and deliver great programming.
• Devote a reasonable amount of time to understanding internal camp systems, processes and procedures like: check in / check out, camp medication requirements, communication protocols and devices (radio), vehicle check out, bus loading and unloading practices, camper headcount on campus and off etc.
• Devote a reasonable amount of time to understanding the weekly, daily, and hourly schedule for each day worked and be able to highlight these plans with inquiring parents, supervisors, and clients.
• Devote a reasonable amount of time to completing additional duties like; camper welcome and check in, check out, clean up and setting up for the following day of camp.
• If unable to attend a scheduled day of work, notify the Summer Camp Director and Manager in advance so they can find a replacement.
• Exhibit positivity about Tahoe Summer Camps, its Summer Staff, Camp Programming, Parents and Campers.
• Agree to and abide by the expectations outlined in the Tahoe Expedition Academy Employee Handbook.

Minimum Qualifications Required to Perform Essential Job Functions:

• Teaching experience and/or related professional experience.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Experience working with children in a variety of settings.
• Ability to work well with a team and independently.
• Evidence of professional development in educational topics, adventure learning, or arts and sciences related to your field.

What We're Looking For:

• Passion for Education and Adventure: You have a background in teaching or a related field, with a zest for outdoor education and experiential learning.
• Dynamic Interpersonal Skills: Your ability to connect with children and adults alike, fostering an environment of respect, understanding, and enthusiasm, is paramount.
• Team Collaboration: While independent in spirit, you thrive in a collaborative setting, contributing to and drawing from the collective experience of our staff.
• Commitment to Safety: Your priority is the well-being of every camper. You're trained in safety protocols and are adept at creating a secure environment for adventure and learning.

Physical Requirements: Must be able to use a variety of equipment and classroom tools such as computers, copiers and equipment for children, etc. Must be able to exert a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Due to the amount of time spent standing and/or walking, physical requirements are consistent with those for light work.

Tahoe Expedition Academy is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the recruitment and employment process.