Camp Counselor - Wilderness Trips

Located in the Sierra Nevada foothills, Woolman is a 240-acre hub for retreats, educational programming and enrichment opportunities for people of all ages. Woolman is a non-religious organization that draws inspiration from its Quaker roots. We look to the Quaker values of integrity, equity, simplicity, community, stewardship of the Earth, and peace as pillars for creating a safe and open community. A key part of Woolman at Sierra Friends Center’s offerings, Camp Woolman is a place of acceptance, where staff and campers are welcome regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.

Camp Woolman is an inclusive, residential summer camp where campers can express themselves and explore interests with the support of a talented and experienced staff. Highlights of our programming include learning in our onsite organic farm, art and craft activities, wilderness backpacking trips, river rafting trips (new this year!), swimming, games, silliness and fun! We work together to accomplish tasks, care for the land, make each other laugh, and celebrate our community. Woolman campers and staff are encouraged to express themselves authentically, share their interests & to be whole-hearted team players. Camp Woolman is divided in three areas of focus: 

• Wombat Camp: campers age 9-13 can enjoy 1-week or 2-week sessions of camp, full of structured and unstructured on-site activities including learning on the farm, art & craft, swimming, games, and performance as well as river rafting trips and wilderness backpacking trips off-site.
• Teen Leadership Camp: campers age 14-17 enjoy all the activities offered to younger campers, with an extra focus on developing leadership skills. TLC campers may facilitate activities for Wombat campers, develop a stewardship project while they are at camp, or find a creative way to lead during a session. TLC campers stay for 2-weeks and can go on river trips as well as backpacking excursions. 
• Family Camp takes place during the week of July 4th and is an opportunity for families to experience the Woolman Campus, the surrounding area, and enjoy light programming. Camp Staff gets a break from regular intensive camp responsibilities, but leads select activities and provides specific supervision (e.g. lifeguarding) for Family Camp participants. Family Camp is also an opportunity for Camp Staff to incorporate extra training, check-ins and a facility reset.

Job Description

Reporting to the Camp Co-Directors, Counselors are tasked with supervising campers ages throughout their time at Camp Woolman. Counselors live in bunks with campers (unless it’s their day/night off), help develop and lead activities (arts, sports, games, nature exploration, etc) and lead or assist wilderness backpacking and rafting trips. Counselors are responsible for creating positive cabin culture, being sensitive to camper needs, sharing their interests and skills with the camp community, and being a part of the positive, supportive, inclusive and diverse team that makes camp an exciting and special place.

Job Responsibilities 

• Provide supervision throughout the day and night for campers.
• Work with the leadership team and fellow counselors to develop and lead camp activities.
• Create a supportive and positive cabin culture for campers to thrive.
• Lead or assist on wilderness backpacking and rafting trips.
• Supervise light programming during Family Camp.
• Other reasonable tasks may be assigned as necessary. An ability to be flexible and support as needed is key.

Qualifications Required

• Experience working with youth in a leadership capacity
• Experience with or enthusiasm for outdoor/wilderness education and/or experiential education
• Excellent communication skills
• Professionalism, flexibility, and humor
• Racially literate, gender inclusive and committed to equity and inclusion in all areas
• Able to pass a criminal background check
• Ability to work legally in the United States

Qualifications Preferred (please let us know in your application if this applies to you!)

• Experience in alternative discipline systems e.g nonviolent communication 
• Experience in programming related to the arts, ceramics, game development, farm & food, etc.
• Wilderness survival skills, backpacking skills, or rafting skills
• Knowledge of geographical area  
• Lifeguard certification

• CPR/First Aid/AED certification
• WFR/WFA certification

  To Apply

  Email resume and cover letter to Programs Director Morgan Street: morgans@woolman.org

  We encourage you to use your application materials to tell us about your experience and interest in working with youth, some skills and interests you would like to share with the Woolman community, and how this role fits into your goals and interests for the future.