Farm Camp Counselor

Position Description

Hidden Villa Summer Camp is seeking  Camp Counselors to work collaboratively under the guidance of their Unit Leader to create positive learning opportunities that support Hidden Villa’s Mission through engaging and play based activities. 

Ideal candidates are committed to youth development, social justice, environmental stewardship are excited to work at camp, and want to do the best job they can. They are flexible, like the outdoors and being silly in front of children, having fun, role modeling healthy communication and focusing on our core themes of Environmental Stewardship, Race and Class Equity, Farm and Food, LGBTQ+ and the Duveneck Family Legacy of Social Justice and Community Building. Ideal candidates also share a genuine interest and desire to contribute to the world in a positive.

Counselors guide our campers on adventures through the farm and wilderness preserve, challenging them to try new things and find confidence in their individuality as they strike up friendships with the other youth in their group. Our counselors are trained on how to maintain an empathetic and compassionate learning approach while they facilitate thought provoking discussions around social and environmental issues.  

 This is a residential position where counselors spend their summers camping with our kids under the stars. 

About the Position 

Position Title: Summer Camp Counselor

Reports to: Unit Leader

Exempt/ Non-Exempt: Exempt 

Benefits: $600/per week. ($20/week increase of pay for counselors who are lifeguard or ropes course certified) Outdoor living space & meals provided.

Duration: June 1st – August 1st, 2026 (Paid staff training June 1st – June 12th)

Essential Job Duties

• Ability to communicate and work with campers and provide necessary instruction to keep them safe and engaged in activities.
• Ability to clearly communicate with peers and supervisor to maintain a positive, collaborative and high functioning team environment.
• Abilities to observe camper behavior, assess appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior management techniques.
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to camp activities.
• Physical ability to safely supervise farm chores and wilderness hikes.
• Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of all campers in your group.
• Be a role model for each camper in your group.
• Design and teach/co-teach age-appropriate activities to groups of campers.
• Collaborate on leading and co-leading morning reflections and evening activities.
• Work with your Unit Leader when there are camper adjustment or discipline challenges.
• Recognize and respond to opportunities for discussion of individual or group problems or concerns.
• Bring a positive attitude and desire to grow and learn as a person
• Provide opportunities for the group so that each individual experiences success during camp.
• Sleep on-site in your assigned program area when camp is in session.
• Participate in scheduling for your program prior to the start of each new session.
• Follow the schedule for your program as written by Directors and Unit Leaders.
• Monitor and interact with campers during meals and all unstructured time.
• Be available in the sleeping area at night to support campers.
• These are not the only duties to be performed. Some duties may be reassigned and others assigned as required

Candidate Qualifications

• At least 18 years of age
• High level of patience and empathy
• Desire and ability to work with children between the ages of 8-13 in a residential outdoor setting
• Ability to accept supervision and guidance and implement changes
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to teach and/or lead activities related to our camp mission
• Flexibility and patience
• Current CPR, First Aid or willing to obtain during our staff training
• Optional CA Food Handler certifications or willing to obtain during our staff training
• Ability to responsibly use time-off to recharge and take appropriate self-care

Physical Requirements

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This job operates in an outdoor setting. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. Camp can be a high energy environment where noise and stimulus can reach overwhelming levels. While performing duties of this job, the employee is required to regularly stand; walk miles at a time on uneven terrain. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Mandated Reporting and Staff Training

Our summer camp staff members are mandated reporters and are required to complete a mandated reporter training.  It is possible that a camper will share information or experiences from their homelife that requires Hidden Villa to file a report with Child Welfare Services. This can be upsetting to some individuals and is our legal and ethical duty to report cases of suspected child abuse.

Summer camp staff training is designed to equip our staff with the skills and tools they need to be effective leaders within our camp. At times staff training will focus on complicated topics such as mental health crises, child abuse, sexual harassment in the workplace, and neurodivergent behavior. While staff can take space when needed, participation in all training sessions is required.

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