Summer Camp Counselor
Camp Waldo is a three-week overnight summer camp located on the banks of the Greenbrier River in the mountains of West Virginia. Our program focuses on ecology, environmental stewardship, and the arts. If you love nature as well as teaching and working with children, Camp Waldo is the place for you.
Our counselors are the heart of our camp. They are generally college students who come from all over the country. We are seeking people who love the outdoors and children and who want to make the world a better place. We are trying to help repair the world and enjoy ourselves at the same time.
All counselors will live with the campers in newly restored cabins at a ratio of 1:4. Our camp runs from June 13th – July 3rd for boys and girls ages 8-13. Counselors help teach specific activities like ecology, environmental responsibility, outdoor skills, art, music, creative writing, chess, yoga, archery, soccer, basketball, and the ropes course. Counselors also have the opportunity to participate in other areas of camp. In addition to the structured activities, counselors will also lead children in camp-wide games (e.g. overnight camping trips, paddling on the river, stargazing, frisbee golf, capture the flag).
Your job at Camp Waldo starts with eight days of staff training. During this week, our counselors will get the opportunity to train in first aid, learn our programs, and get to know each other and Camp Waldo. We will also train each counselor in strategies to help your campers feel safe and happy. At the end of the week, you will be prepared for your campers and the weeks ahead.
Qualifications:
- Each Camp Waldo counselor is expected to be present and available for staff orientation (June 4th – 12th) and camp (June 13th – July 3rd).
- Counselors must be 18 years old or older. College students are preferred.
- Candidates must be able to pass a background check. All candidates go through a thorough screening process including an interview and criminal background check as required bystandards
- Candidates must provide three references. Our administrative staff check multiple references for every candidate.
Compensation:
- All counselors are paid $1,500 for camp and orientation.
- Counselors can also earn a finder’s fee if they recommend a friend who becomes a counselor at Camp Waldo as well this year.
- Camp Waldo provides housing and three hot meals a day for the entirety of staff training and camp.
- Camp Waldo is a program of Appalachian Headwaters, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring forests, water and communities in central Appalachia. Appalachian Headwaters offers several paid internships in the month of July to a select camp staff who express interest during the counselor application process. Internship placements include beekeeping, native plant horticulture, organic farming, environmental education and economic development, often through local partner organizations. Learn more about our programs at
Interested? Please apply at www.campwaldo.org/jobs/ to become a staff member of Camp Waldo.
Each Camp Waldo counselor is expected to be present and available for the entirety of staff orientation (June 4th - 12th) and camp (June 13th - July 3rd). All counselors will live with the campers at a ratio of 1:4. During the camp day, counselors will have the opportunity to work as activity specialists or as general counselors who guide campers through all aspects of camp. All counselors are paid $1500 for the entirety of camp and orientation, with the potential of a $200 bonus per successful counselor referral to Camp Waldo. Tell your friends!
We are looking for counselors who are able to run areas such as Archery, Soccer, Basketball, Yoga, Lifeguards, Outdoor Ed, Art, Photography, Music, Programming, Heath Care Administration, Theatre, and many more positions.
Camp Waldo is a program of Appalachian Headwaters, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring forests, water and communities in central Appalachia. We are fortunate to offer paid internships in the month of July to select camp staff who express interest during the counselor application process. Internship placements can include beekeeping, native plant horticulture, environmental education and economic development through Appalachian Headwaters and local partner organizations. Learn more about our programs at www.appheadwaters.org.
We hope to see you all this summer!