Summer Camp Counselors
The Heart of BYM Camps

Counselors and Trip Leaders are dynamic and creative, empathetic and sensitive, adventurous and courageous. They have one of the most eclectic job descriptions imaginable, centered around caring for their campers and guiding them through the day-to-day of summer camp. They set the tone for camp and facilitate growth and connection in a variety of settings. At any given moment, they could be a song leader, a bedtime storyteller, a shoulder to cry on, a conflict mediator, or a raucous game player.

Residential Camp Counselors live and sleep in rustic cabins alongside campers and fellow counselors. Wilderness Trip Leaders live and sleep in the great outdoors, in shelters and under tarps, alongside their campers and a fellow trip leader on a great adventure.

Counselors and Trip Leaders provide high-quality outdoor educational and recreational experiences, grounded in the core Quaker values of Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, and Stewardship. They are expected to meet the needs of a vibrant and diverse community, and to cultivate radical inclusion as they foster the growth and development of their campers, other staff, and even themselves. BYM Camps believes that a truly diverse community makes us stronger, wiser, and more resilient. As such we actively seek and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and identities in areas including, but not limited to: race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, class, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ability. We welcome questions and open discussion about this commitment throughout the application process.

Staff Application

Counselor-in-Training Application

Job Responsibilities Include

Leading Others

Lead activities:

Work collaboratively to organize and lead a variety of small and large group activities each session.
Activities may include crafts, art, nature, singing, games, swimming, rock climbing, hiking, canoeing, etc.
Plan and carry out safe, challenging and invigorating multi-day wilderness backpacking or canoeing trips.
Demonstrate creativity and innovation in designing and developing camp activities.
Be on time for meals, meetings, returning from days off, etc.
Lead chores with enthusiasm and fun.

Modeling behavior:

Cultivate a camper’s spirit and a love of play—within yourself and others.
Provide space and encouragement to let campers be leaders.
Model flexibility and resilience when plans shift due to unforeseen circumstances.

Communication and Teamwork:

Communicate regularly and clearly with campers, co-counselors, director, and other camp staff.
Work with Quaker process and business practice to make collective decisions in regular staff meetings for planning, logistics, and community support.
Solve problems proactively and collaboratively.
Give and take constructive criticism.

Safety and Wellness

Physical Safety of Campers:

Knowing and understanding all emergency procedures associated with the camp program; knowing, enforcing, and following all safety guidelines associated with the camp and all program areas.
Being responsible for campers’ safety and their whereabouts at all times and providing a safe place and source of protection for children.

Health and Hygiene:

Be attentive to the health and hygiene of the campers.
Ensure that the site is kept clean and organized.

Emotional Wellness:

Identify and respond to camper emotional and behavioral issues.
Be aware of and take care of your own needs.

Creating Community

Respect and Sensitivity to Others:

Demonstrate inclusiveness and respect for diversity.
Empower each other (staff) and campers to express their individuality within the structure of the community.
Be flexible in leadership style, tailoring to fit individual camper needs.

Actively Engage:

Assume responsibility for the community by actively engaging in solving problems.
Demonstrate enthusiasm for camp activities by playing, working, and creating with campers (rather than only supervising) and encourage others to join activities.
Engaging with other adults in the community such as camper’s family members, as well as kitchen, medical, and maintenance staff.

Promote an Eco-Centric Environment:

Demonstrate and encourage interest in nature, sustainability, and care for the environment.
Embrace and celebrate an “unplugged” culture that centers around human interactions and the wonder of nature rather than focusing on technology.

Provide Opportunities for Growth:

Maintain a youth-centric attitude that allows each camper to feel loved, supported, encouraged, and celebrated.
Help challenge each member of the community physically, mentally and emotionally. Push or respect boundaries, as appropriate.
Be open to personal growth.

Demonstrate Emotional and Self-Awareness:

Set and maintain clear, appropriate boundaries with campers.
Seek emotional and physical support from other staff members, not campers.
Be open to learning about yourself, cultivating your own spiritual growth, as well as teaching and guiding others.
Ask for and accept help.

Required Qualifications

Enthusiasm to lead, plan, organize, and implement engaging program activities
Ability to work as a member of a team and the ability to accomplish tasks with little direct supervision
Respect for and appreciation of young people
Commitment to abide by and enforce camp regulations including policies on youth safety, drug, alcohol and tobacco use
Upon hire, completion of First Aid and CPR certification (training provided by program)
Good judgment
Willingness to take direction from Directors and Administrative Staff as necessary in fulfillment of job duties
Sense of adventure and ability to live rustically

Desired Skills and Experiences

Education classes or experience in camp, youth programs, recreation, working with children, or in a related field
Strong organizational and communication skills
Interest and experience with wilderness skills, games, music, and arts activities (visual, theater, etc.
Experience engaging in community with people from a wide variety of backgrounds

Physical Demands

Counselors lead and participate in camp activities which include, but are not limited to, hiking, canoeing, swimming, team building initiatives, physical games, and activities.

Reports to:

The Camp Director(s)

Applications

Are you interested in applying? Are you still not sure which camp or position is the right fit? Do you want more information? We’d love to hear from you!

Prospective staff – Use our Staff Portal to fill in your application.

Apply Now

Returning staff – log in to your existing account to apply for the next season!

Re-Apply Now

Counselors in Training – submit the CIT application!

Apply Now

What’s next?

We will reach out to you with the next steps in the hiring process. If you have any other question in the meantime, please contact Brian Massey, Program Manager: brianmassey@bym-rsf.org, or 301-774-7663.