Year-Round Lead Camp Counselor

A Year-Round Lead Camp Counselor is an important member of our field team, helping lead magical and impactful day camps for children ages 5–12 and teens ages 13–17. This position requires previous experience working with children, preferably in a similar program. Year-Round Lead Counselors work during our summer camp season from May through August and our school break season from September through April.

“Not only did I discover a lot about nature, but I discovered a lot about myself and my passion for engaging with children and helping them through their camp week and being that trusted adult for them.” – Maya Lalik, Lead Counselor

As a Lead Counselor, you’ll be spending your time:

• Leading a group of 2-3 staff members and a small group of children and teens in games, hikes, skill-based activities, river and creek explorations, storytelling, songs, building forts, whittling, and crafts;
• Mentoring and coaching Counselors and Junior Counselors;
• Communicating with Schoolhouse staff and camp families;
• Managing your group, your timing, and camper behavior;
• Modeling Schoolhouse values;
• Ensuring the physical and emotional safety of participants;
• Working with your supervisor to deliver camp activities and maintain and prepare supplies.

This position requires online training to be completed before in-person training.

A Lead Counselor is a mentor worth remembering & emulating

Lead Counselors are expected to:

• Be a leader. Run the games, tell the stories, and manage the group. Use and model behavior management techniques. Stay on schedule and manage your time. Create a culture of physical and emotional safety.
• Safeguard the physical, emotional, and intellectual safety of participants. Model Schoolhouse values like kindness, curiosity, and empathy. Patiently process conflict and disagreements.
• Participate in all aspects of programs using Schoolhouse methodologies. Actively engage participants and deliver consistent and exceptional supervision. Be a good example and role model at all times. Play the games, sing the songs, wade in the river, hide in the leaves, build forts, and enthusiastically join in on all aspects of our programs.
• Communicate with participants, their families, and other Schoolhouse staff. Create established lines of communication built on trust and empathy.
• Provide exemplary adherence to Schoolhouse’s values, policies, and procedures, including creating a physically and emotionally safe environment.
• Create and deliver activities. Partner with your staff to create and run high-quality, exciting, nature-based activities and schedules.
• Prepare for programs. Take part in training and staff meetings, set up and break down programs, and clean and maintain program spaces.
• Set an excellent example in teaching and behavior management methods, work ethic, and attitude.
• Serve as a resource to other Schoolhouse staff in areas of special knowledge or interest.
• Mentor staff through giving and receiving feedback, modeling behavior, and creating a culture of growth.
• Participate in marketing and promotional strategies and Schoolhouse events as requested.
• Professional Development. Work with your supervisor to create a professional development plan. This includes continuing education and familiarity with best practices.
• Elsewhere as needed. This list highlights major parts of a Lead Counselor’s responsibilities, but there are plenty of other parts to the job!

You can find a description of the physical activities common in our field staff positions here.

Please Apply If You…

• Are a high school graduate or equivalent, and are at least 18 years of age by your first day of work
• Are kind, curious, and confident with a “can-do” attitude
• Have exceptional mentoring skills, including effective communication, enthusiasm, resourcefulness, sense of humor, self-control, and patience
• Have experience working with children or teens and want to mentor them to find and be their best selves
• Have experience leading or managing a group of children, ideally in a nature-based setting
• Have great verbal, interpersonal, and listening communication skills
• Desire a cooperative, team-oriented work atmosphere
• Are able and willing to accept and effectively act on feedback and guidance
• Have a passion for the outdoors and are comfortable working in the outdoors in all kinds of weather
• Are committed to Schoolhouse’s mission and values
• Take your work seriously but yourself, not so much

We require current pediatric and adult CPR and First Aid certification by the first day of work. We accept certifications from the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or American Safety and Health Institute (ASHI). If you don’t have an in-person training previously on record with us, we require in-person training. If we have record of your previous in-person training, you may complete an online only course.

• Bonus points (or at least a high-five) if you have… A college degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant field (e.g. biology, ecology, environmental science, natural resource management, botany) Teaching experience Camp experience Knowledge and interest in paddlesports, environmental education, bushcraft, survival skills, or cultural history Experience with experiential and inquiry-based learning techniques Skill-based training or certifications (Lifeguarding, EMT, etc.) English/Spanish bilingual fluency
• A college degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience in a relevant field (e.g. biology, ecology, environmental science, natural resource management, botany)
• Knowledge and interest in paddlesports, environmental education, bushcraft, survival skills, or cultural history
• Experience with experiential and inquiry-based learning techniques
• Skill-based training or certifications (Lifeguarding, EMT, etc.)
• English/Spanish bilingual fluency
• Evaluation Year-Round Lead Counselors report to the applicable Site Manager. A formal review will be conducted by the supervisor to establish and assess progress against employee goals. Ongoing feedback provided through regular supervision and work plan development/review sessions.
• Location, Hours, and Travel The work of the Year-Round Lead Counselor is typically performed at Durham, Orange, Wake County locations, and remotely. Travel to off-site locations is occasionally required. Hours are dependent on organizational needs. During the summer, hours typically total between 40 hours and 55 hours per week and range from 7:15a – 6p Monday through Friday. During the rest of the year, hours typically total between 40 and 45 hours per week. Any hours worked beyond 45 in a single week will be classified as overtime. Occasional weekends and/or evenings may be required.
• Compensation The wages for this position are $17.00 to $19.00 per hour. Benefits include professional development opportunities, unlimited vitamin D, and a steady stream of (mostly funny) stories.
• About Schoolhouse of Wonder Founded in 1989, Schoolhouse of Wonder’s mission is to create kind, curious, and confident kids through nature-based outdoor adventures. We seek to achieve this mission through year-round, outdoor day camps, curriculum-aligned field trips, and leadership training for teenagers. These core values guide our behavior and help us make decisions.We model and teach self-awareness and empathyWe celebrate individuality; Different is just differentEveryone deserves to be witnessed, heard and respectedIn nature, we’re all studentsLife should be filled with adventures and a sense of wonderWe send every kid home dirty, tired, and happy
• We model and teach self-awareness and empathy
• We celebrate individuality; Different is just different
• Everyone deserves to be witnessed, heard and respected
• In nature, we’re all students
• Life should be filled with adventures and a sense of wonder
• We send every kid home dirty, tired, and happy

Application Instructions

• First, make sure you have the following: A cover letter that explains your interest in working as a Lead Counselor at Schoolhouse of Wonder (maximum one page). Please include your email and phone number. Your resume (maximum one page). Do not include photos of yourself on your resume. Three references (excluding friends and relatives). Please note: you don’t need your references to write you a recommendation letter — we’ll reach out to them with a form to fill out if we make you an offer. We only need their name and contact information!
• A cover letter that explains your interest in working as a Lead Counselor at Schoolhouse of Wonder (maximum one page). Please include your email and phone number.
• Your resume (maximum one page). Do not include photos of yourself on your resume.
• Three references (excluding friends and relatives). Please note: you don’t need your references to write you a recommendation letter — we’ll reach out to them with a form to fill out if we make you an offer. We only need their name and contact information!
• Second, complete your application here.

Current certification in CPR and First Aid and a successful background check are required before work can begin. Schoolhouse will pursue both indicated and non-indicated references. Applicants must also be up to date on their measles vaccination or have an official exemption.

This is an at-will, full-time, non-exempt, hourly position that reports directly to the applicable Site Manager.

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