Day Camp Apprentice Counselor

Job Title: Day Camp Apprentice Counselor

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

Reports To: Day Camp Manager

Housing Available: Yes

Compensation: $450 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 day camp programming based out of the KSS campus for local and visiting children grades Kindergarten through 5th. Programming is age specific and full-day, offering educational and recreational activities with weekly science and adventure themes.  Each week, campers will participate in hands-on activities, local hikes, arts and crafts, games, leadership, literacy, community building and much more! 

Day Camp Apprentice Counselors are responsible for facilitating a wide variety of curricula and activities. They are the primary caregiver for each child attending programming, and are responsible for guiding campers in their personal growth and daily living skills. In this position apprentice counselors will learn from Day camp counselors and receive feedback from Day Camp Leads and Assistant Managers. 

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:

• Assist in supervision of up to 13 children each day and actively interact with and engage children during KSS programs; 

• Prepare, and teach age appropriate activities; 

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

• Oversee the successful execution of logistic and operational tasks for Day Camp programs, which includes but is not limited to: taking photos, check-in/out, etc.;

• Drive a 15-passenger van and successfully complete Van Driver Training; 

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

• Maintain storage of all KSS equipment.

• Attend all staff meetings and trainings as assigned; 

• 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.

Other duties may be assigned​​​​​​

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

• Current First Aid 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 Skills 

• Ability to communicate verbally in Spanish; 

• Proficiency with Google Drive and CampSite camp management software;

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

Work Schedule

This is a full-time, seasonal position.  The typical work schedule will require a flexible schedule, including days, nights, and weekends. Day Camp Apprentice Counselors should expect to work 60+ hours a week including some evenings and overnights to support day camp meetings and programming. Day Camp Apprentice Counselors can expect to be off on weekends other than during staff training. 

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 $450 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. Day Camp staff housing is in offsite apartment style housing, managed by Keystone Resort. 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 oftentimes 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.