Discovery Overnight Camp Counselor

Job Title: Discovery Overnight Camp Counselor

Dates of Employment: May 27, 2025 - August 16, 2025

Reports To: Discovery Camp Manager

Housing Available: Yes (staff are required to live on campus)

Compensation: $550 per week base rate, 10% boost for Spanish speakers, 3% boost for returning camp staff.

About Keystone Science School 

With the outdoors as a backdrop for learning, Keystone Science School inspires curiosity and critical thinking through the lens of science to change lives and strengthen communities. KSS offers a variety of adventure and traditional camp activities within a structured environment designed to allow each camper and participant to understand their potential. In all programs, campers and participants will create lifelong friendships, explore and learn about the natural world, and gain leadership and wilderness skills.  For more information go to keystonescienceschool.org 

With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with raised consciousness in order to impact how we work with clients, as well as how we work together as a team. 

Position Overview

KSS offers a range of programs that balance hands-on science activities, field-based exploration, and adventure programming. Curriculum themes include but are not limited to: environmental science (aquatic ecology, forest ecology, earth science, snow studies, winter ecology, weather and climate), leadership, community building, STEM, outdoor skills, and health. Keystone Science School’s Overnight Camp programs combine weekly curriculum themes with traditional summer activities like hiking, camping, songs, skits, archery, and more! Students stay overnight in dorms or canvas tents.

Discovery Camp Counselors work with the Overnight program. This position is responsible for teaching and facilitating a wide variety of summer program activities. This position is the primary caregiver for each child. They are also responsible for guiding children in their personal growth and daily living skills. It is the responsibility of Discovery Overnight Camp Counselors to be completely familiar with the daily schedule and their camper’s individual and group needs. Discovery Camp Counselors can expect to work long summer camp days that are 16 hours or longer. 

Main Areas of Focus:

• 90% Teaching and facilitation

• 10% Support staff duties (e.g. facilitation of meals, setup/clean up, transportation, student free time).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Plan, prepare, and teach age appropriate activities;

• Maintain quality programming;

• Oversee up to 13 children in a field group;

• Oversee up to 13 children on one overnight camping trip and challenge hike session;

• Oversee and support a wide variety of KSS programs and activities, which includes but is not limited to: camper choice activities/freeplay, evening programming, special events, the end of season celebration, etc.;

• Oversee and maintain high standards of health and safety, and follow Risk Management policies in all activities;

• Actively interact with and engage children during KSS programs;

• Participate as a mentor in the Counselor Assistant Program (CAP), by providing learning opportunities, constructive feedback and writing final letters and evaluations to each overseen CAP

• Provide an electronics-aware experience for all children and enforce an electronics-aware environment with counselors;

• Set up before children arrive and clean up after children depart from KSS campus;

• Maintain storage of all KSS equipment, including teaching materials, gear, keys, toys, etc.;

• Attend all staff meetings as assigned;

• Live with other counselors;

• Support overnight camping packing sessions;

• Support meetings and go over rules and guidelines of resident life in the cabins;

• Lead and support the "Candle Chat" program each night;

• Candidates age 20+ with a minimum of 4 years driving experience will be required to participate in and pass Van Driver Training, and they will be required to drive a 15-passenger van;

• Abide by and uphold the policies and procedures set forth by KSS;

• Other duties as assigned.

Professional Performance  

• Adhere to all Personnel Policies and Procedures for the organization.

• Maintain professional standards of performance, demeanor, and appearance at all times; act as a “role model” both at and away from the organization.

• Maintain a creative, team-building approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks.

• Perform all tasks and responsibilities with attention to detail and in a complete and timely manner, complying with organization policies and standards and conforming to the scheduling requirements of the job and program.

• Maintain an awareness of the organization’s mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies.

• Exercise discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the organization for the care and welfare of the clients; act with honesty and integrity in all aspects of organization business.

• Actively strive to upgrade professional skills through engaging in appropriate professional training and experience.

• Actively strive to create and maintain a culturally sensitive, justice-centered and appropriate environment through communication and interaction that demonstrates respect for diversity, socio-economic and cultural differences and that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities – Minimum Requirements

• Have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with children

• Have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with people with diverse backgrounds

• Ability to create an inclusive learning environment for students from a wide range of backgrounds

• Experience with risk management practices of the outdoor and environmental education industry

• Ability to be creative, adaptable, and flexible while managing children in a variety of situations

• Strong work ethic and will work until the job is complete

• Motivation to contribute positively to the KSS at-large community

• Multi-task efficiently while managing a high-volume workload in a fast-paced, changing environment

• Superior customer service skills, with the ability to be creative and think 'outside the box'

• Ability to work in a busy environment with many distractions

Required Education, Experience, and Certifications

• Candidates will be asked to provide verification of 460 hours of experience working with school-age children;

• Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certifications, from an approved vendor, or the ability to obtain before the first day of employment;

• Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background check.

Preferred Skill Sets

• Ability to communicate verbally and teach in Spanish.

• Age 20+ with an excellent driving record and a valid driver's license;

• Proficiency with Google Drive and CampSite camp management software. 

Work Schedule

This is a full-time, seasonal position.  The typical work schedule will require a flexible schedule, including days, nights, and weekends. Discovery Overnight Camp Counselors should expect to work 85+ hours a week including evenings, overnights, and weekends to support programming. 

Work Environment

This position requires the employee to work in close contact with their teammates.  The office space is small and the employee must have the ability to stay focused while others are working in close proximity.  The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but varies seasonally due to programs and staffing on campus.  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee while performing the essential functions of this job. 

This position may require traveling to off-site programming locations. In most situations, KSS will provide transportation to off-site programming locations. However, staff may be asked to use personal vehicles to travel within Summit County. Any travel mileage in personal vehicles outside Summit County may be reimbursed.

Salary

The salary for this position is $550 per week base rate, 10% differential (increase) for Spanish speakers, 3% increase for returning camp staff. 

Room and Board 

Keystone Science School provides housing for this position. When working with campers counselors will stay in the dorms or canvas tents, but separate from campers. When off or working support staff housing is in rustic cabins, some of which are over 100 years old. Some staff housing will also be in canvas tents. During the summer months KSS houses a large staff so employees can expect multiple roommates and shared living spaces (staff kitchen, bathrooms, showers, laundry, common spaces, etc.). Food is provided for this position, most meals will be eaten with campers, but the kitchen strives to have food options for all staff to meet dietary needs. Housing and food are provided at no additional cost. 

Physical Requirements 

• Able to work a majority of the time outside at high altitude in varying conditions including uneven and slick terrain and unpredictable weather and situations. 

• Physically able to assist participants with recreation equipment during activities.

• Able to lift a minimum of 75 lbs. with assistance.

• Dexterity, auditory and visual acuity to operate computers and phones or mobile devices.

• Auditory and visual acuity to interact with guests, students, clients on a daily basis.

• Able to successfully manage multiple, high priority tasks in a fast-paced and often times crowded and noisy environment

Equal Employment Opportunity

Keystone Science School is committed to building a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type, without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, religion, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.