Seasonal Prep Cook - Cold River Camp

SEASON DATES: June 11, 2025 - August 24, 2025 

The Appalachian Mountain Club (www.outdoors.org) is the oldest conservation and recreation organization in the United States at almost 150 years old. The AMC mission is to foster the protection, enjoyment and understanding of the outdoors, with a focus on the mountains, forests, rivers, and trails from Maine to Virginia. The AMC encourages the involvement of all people in its mission and activities, through its membership, programs, lodges, huts, and volunteer camps & cabins as well as its policies, and procedures.  

Cold River Camp (CRC) is a volunteer camp and cabin that has been operating for just over 105 years and is on the Maine/ New Hampshire border tucked away in peaceful Evans Notch. Cold River Camp is a full-service AMC facility offering individual cabin accommodation. White Mountain National Forrest (WMNF) rivers, ponds, back roads, and hiking trails surround Cold River Camp where guests launch daily adventures and outdoor exploration. Family-style meals are served in the lodge dining room for breakfast and dinner and a trail lunch is put out fresh each morning for guests to assemble their own lunches to their preference. Guests, who consist of individuals, couples, small friend groups, large and small families, stay for week-long sessions from late June through Labor Day.  

More information about Cold River camp can be found by visiting www.outdoors.org or www.amccoldrivercamp.org. 

The Prep Cook’s main responsibility is to assist the Head Cook (HC) and Assistant Cook (AC) in all aspects of the food service at Cold River Camp. The Prep Cook’s position reports directly to the HC, AC, and Manager(s). The Prep cook helps with food deliveries, organization, and maintaining cleanliness of all the kitchen spaces. The Prep cook also helps prepare the lunch table, breakfast and dinner and assists during meal service to ensure timely and accurate meal delivery.  The Prep Cook should be able to effectively assume most responsibilities of the AC in their absence to assist in food service and delivery. The work week is composed of split shifts that run between 5:30am and 8pm with 2 days off per week coordinated with the other staff. 

More information about Cold River camp can be found by visiting www.outdoors.org or www.amccoldrivercamp.org.  

What You'll Be Doing At AMC

• Assist in food preparation, baking, and cooking as directed specifically by HC, AC, or management  

• Heavy focus in kitchen cleanliness, maintaining local, state, and federal guidelines 

• Heavy focus on kitchen safety as directed and promoting this throughout the croo  

• Assisting in all aspects of food delivery, unloading, and organization of the kitchen.  

• Be knowledgeable about responsibilities of the AC and effectively assume most of those responsibilities when the AC is absent or acting as HC 

• Bring any issues or concerns to the attention of the HC, AC, or Manager(s) in a timely manner as to minimize any effects to food service/quality. 

• Other duties as assigned by HC, AC or management which will contribute to the overall success of camp operations 

What AMC Is Looking For

• Must be 18 years of age or older 

• Prior food service or kitchen experience 

• Physical ability to carry up to 50 pounds and walk. Ability to lift 25 pounds from floor to waist high 

• Meet New Hampshire Health Codes and Standards by always maintaining a clean and organized kitchen, dry-storage, refrigerator, and freezers. Meet updated cleaning and PPE requirements related to COVID-19 and other communicable diseases 

• Ability to be a team player working amongst a small crew within a fast-paced environment. 

• Ability to work self-directed at times with an eye to detail 

• Excellent communication skills  

• Ability to work with people of varying backgrounds and experiences

• First Aid certification not required but helpful. 

What AMC Can Offer You

Salary range: $12.00 - $12.50 / hour  

We are committed to fair compensation practices, and we encourage qualified candidates to apply. The initial salary represents our starting point, and our compensation philosophy is designed to reward and recognize the contributions of our employees as they grow within the organization. External candidates typically begin their journey with us at the starting point of the salary range. The final compensation offer will be based on factors such as experience, education, skills and geographic differential relevant to the position, and will be discussed during the interview process. 

Benefits 

• Room & Board:  Private Cabin Dorm-style room – meals included 

• Insurance: Available with positions that are 6 months or longer & when working more than 30 hours per week   

• Retirement: Voluntary 403(b) Contribution 

• Paid Time Off: earn up to 10 days of paid earned time depending on length of service  

• Other Team Member Perks:   

• 30% discount on AMC Merchandise   

• Free Annual AMC Membership  

• 4 Free nights at AMC locations  

• Pro deals discounts on equipment & gear and more!  

To Apply:  

Please include a resume and cover letter. No phone calls or agencies please.  

AMC encourages all interested candidates to apply, even if they do not meet every listed qualification. If you have a passion for the outdoors and believe your skills and experiences align with this role, we welcome your application.         

The Appalachian Mountain Club has zero tolerance for child abuse or placing children in danger. The AMC requires all employees who work in a program or facility which serves children, disabled persons, or the elderly to have a criminal background record check performed on their name annually with employment contingent upon satisfactory results.