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Seasonal Summer Staff

Requirements for all seasonal staff positions 

  • 18 years old by May 1, 2026*
  • Physically and mentally able to facilitate care of Campers
  • Be familiar with and enforce all safety, emergency and Camp policies
  • Serve as a role model and provide support to Camp volunteers
  • Commitment to fostering a community that celebrates inclusivity and our Camp values, which include friendship, inclusion, gratitude, possibility and safety
  • Be flexible with the changing needs of the program
  • Ability to work with a diverse community in a multicultural environment
  • Perform other duties as deemed necessary by Camp leadership
  • Positions are residential and hired for the duration of our summer program. The time commitment is early June to late August and begins with a residential orientation at Camp in Ashford, Conn.

*Select Seasonal Facilities/Kitchen positions available for 16 years old

Available Positions

Cabin Counselors and Unit Leaders

Cabin Counselors

The Cabin Counselor position is responsible for leading and facilitating the camp experience for a group of 7-9 campers each session, ranging weekly in age groups from 7-15. The role requires around-the-clock commitment to the campers’ well-being and safety during each week at Camp. Cabin Counselors live and work in a shared cabin alongside other program staff and volunteers. Cabin Counselors can expect to facilitate daily small group activities, support various camper needs and to lead their group in following Camp values to create a memorable experience for all.

Read the Cabin Counselor job description

Lead Counselors

The Lead Counselor position requires around-the-clock commitment to the campers and their well-being. Lead Counselors are responsible for all roles and responsibilities of a Cabin Counselor, including the responsibility for the daily care and safety of 7-9 campers, while living and working in a shared cabin alongside other staff and volunteers. In addition, Lead Counselors are expected to assist other staff in their unit with efficiently communicating logistics, problem-solving daily challenges, and planning and facilitating large group events for staff and participants. The Lead Counselor role will work together closely with their Unit Leader and Residential Life Team to support unit staff, campers and the operations of the unit.

Read the Lead Counselor job description

Unit Leaders

Unit Leaders are responsible for overseeing and managing the logistics and daily operations of one full unit that consists of three individual cabins. The Unit Leader role is a floating position that supports each cabin in their unit and is expected to function as a leader and role model for all staff, volunteers and campers. This position works together closely with a Lead Counselor and the Residential Life Team to plan and facilitate unit-wide events, build community within their team, and support the staff, volunteers and campers in their unit. Unit Leaders are expected to assist other staff and volunteers with efficiently communicating logistics, problem-solving daily challenges, and planning and facilitating large group events for staff and participants. Unit Leaders are also designated as the point person within the unit to support camper behavior and are expected to take a proactive role in helping staff appropriately care for their camper’s social, emotional and medical needs.

Read the Unit Leader job description

Program Counselors

Program Counselors are responsible for planning, implementing and facilitating outcome-based activities for their respective program areas. In addition to working alongside seasonal staff and volunteers in the cabins, Program Counselors will collaborate with full-time and seasonal staff to ensure engaging and impactful programming for Campers.

Read the Program Counselor job description

Read the Program Floater job description

Read the Program Specialist job description

Read the Media Specialist job description

Program Areas

  • Adventure**
  • Arts & Crafts
  • Boating & Fishing*
  • Cooking Zone
  • Ex-Pro**
  • Horse Barn**
  • Music
  • Photo/Video
  • Pool*
  • Sports & Rec/Archery**
  • Theater
  • Woodworking**

* Requires applicable aquatics certification obtained before Camp session
**In-house certification required

Adolescent and Young Adult Program

There are three programs offered for participants ages 16 - 18 to experience self-discovery, camaraderie, gratitude and personal growth through intentionally crafted experiences. The Journey Program is a 6-day experiential program comprised of two distinct tracks: Hero’s Journey® and Champion’s Journey. All Journey Program staff work with both Hero’s Journey® and Champions Journey participants. Junior Staff is a program offered to participants after successful completion of their Journey Year.

Hero's Journey® Program

Hero’s Journey® is comprised of living outdoors, completing low/high ropes challenges, practicing mindfulness, participating in ceremonies and mastering wilderness first aid skills. Basecamp is located next to Bigelow Brook on camp property and is a 10-minute walk from the zipline. Seasonal staff, volunteers and participants sleep on cots in yurts, camp in tents, hike with backpacks and gear, cook over the fire and bathe in the river or with a heated shower unit in the outdoors. Seasonal staff live in shared housing at the Young Adult Lodge when not at basecamp. Staff do not need professional outdoor experience to be successful in the program but should have personal outdoor experience and feel comfortable living outdoors for most of the summer.

Champion's Journey Program

Champion’s Journey invites participants to become the “champions” of Camp. By creating and completing a “mastery project” in one of Camp’s various program areas (e.g., Arts & Crafts, Music, Woodshop, Cooking Zone, Adventure, etc.) and engaging in leadership and teambuilding initiatives, Champion’s Journey gives participants opportunities to practice leadership skills while enjoying the fun of Camp. Outside of mastery project and group challenge time, participants enjoy the amenities of the traditional summer program, like eating meals in the dining hall, visiting various program areas for non-mastery project time, and engaging in a mix of traditional evening programs and Champions-only evening programming. Participants share rooms with their peers while staff sleep in separate rooms in the same lodge. Staff should feel comfortable connecting with participants in their late teens who are beginning the transition into adulthood.

Junior Staff Program

Junior Staff combines personal and professional development experiences for participants aged 17–18 who have successfully completed their Journey Year. At the start of the 6-day session, each Junior Staff participant is matched with both a Cabin Counselor and Program Counselor mentor. Through this mentorship, daily workshops and on-the-job experiences, participants develop skills in communication, teamwork, role modeling, empathy, possibility, perseverance, authenticity and advocacy that will prepare them for whatever their future holds. The Junior Staff Counselor assists in supervising and supporting Junior Staff by adapting Junior Staff responsibilities to the participants’ ability level.

Click a title to read the full job description.

Seasonal Leadership

Seasonal Leadership serves as leaders/role models for our Camp community. As role models, they must have strong organizational and communication skills and be adept at working independently and as part of/lead a team. Seasonal Leadership will work closely with the year-round leadership team. Flexibility is paramount in these positions as tasks may be assigned that fall outside of specific job responsibilities. 

Click a title to read the full job description

Support Roles

Support roles work closely with departments across Camp and must have strong organizational and communication skills, able to work independently and as part of/lead a team. Flexibility is paramount in these positions as tasks may be assigned that fall outside of specific job responsibilities.

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Infirmary Team

Each member of the summer infirmary staff works together as part of a multi-disciplinary team of nurses, doctors, dietary staff and medical volunteers, as well as program and residential life staff, to provide excellent care to our campers. The infirmary team provides a safe and fun Camp experience for all campers, providing holistic and camper-centered care, tailored to each camper's needs.

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Seasonal Kitchen and Facilities

Seasonal facilities and kitchen staff are key to ensuring a positive Camp experience for all Campers, staff and volunteers.

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Apply Online

To apply, please click "not a member" on the application page to create an account, then follow the prompts as to new or returning staff.