July 28th-August 15th Summer Day Camp Staff

July 28th-August 15th Week Summer Day Camp Staff

SummerKids Day Camp Counselor

Location: Bear Creek Elementary: Bend, OR

Status: Summer Seasonal, 35-40 hours/week

Schedule: 3 weeks; July 28th - August 15th, Monday - Friday, Exact hours will vary week to week but will be between the hours of 7:15 am and 5:30 pm. 

Organization Background: 

Camp Fire Central Oregon connects youth to the outdoors, to others, and to themselves. We build strong relationships and provide powerful youth experiences in out-of-school time programs where youth can learn, lead, have fun and be themselves. This is how we support young people as they navigate the challenges of growing up in the world today and learn the life skills they need to thrive.

Our Commitment:

Camp Fire believes in the dignity and the intrinsic worth of every human being. We welcome, affirm, and support young people and adults of all abilities and disabilities, experiences, races, ethnicities, socio-economic backgrounds, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, religion and non-religion, citizenship and immigration status, and any other category people use to define themselves or others. We strive to create safe and inclusive environments that celebrate diversity and foster positive relationships.

People of color, people with disabilities, veterans, and LGBTQ2S+ candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. Camp Fire is committed to a diverse workplace, and to supporting our applicants and employees with reasonable accommodations when requested. Camp Fire is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its employment decisions. 

Program Overview:  

SummerKids is a weekly theme-based day camp for youth in 1st through 6th grade.  The camp is hosted at Bear Creek Elementary School and can have up to 100 or more youth each week, separated into individual groups of 8-12 kids of a similar age.  The camp runs from 9 am-3:30 pm, with extended care options beginning as early as 7:30 am and ending by 5:30 pm.

All staff at SummerKids are invaluable members of our team who are role models, motivators, team builders, educators, and spark champions.  They facilitate a safe, fun, and confidence-building summer for all our campers.  As part of a dynamic team, they will implement planned curricula, contribute ideas, and help to ensure a memorable camp experience for the campers, their families, and the other Camp Fire staff in the SummerKids community.  We strive to create an environment where each camper and staff member has a sense of belonging, opportunities to share passions, and a place to thrive.

Position Overview:  

Each week of camp, staff are assigned a group of 8-12 campers aged 6-12 years old.  Staff will build community within their group, lead games and activities, and manage the physical and emotional safety of their group.  They may also prepare for and lead activities for combined groups or organize camp-wide activities.  Staff may periodically be scheduled to run activities in our extended care program outside regular camp hours.  

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Create a sense of belonging for all youth through daily age-appropriate icebreaker activities, team challenges and reflections


• Plan weekly schedule and activities based on provided curriculum


• Collaborate with other counselors and staff in creating and implementing games and activities


• Maintain consistent communication with SummerKids Director and Leadership Staff about camper needs


• Work with team to maintain a clean space for campers and staff


• Provide scheduling conflicts at least 2 weeks in advance


• Arrive to camp on-time and ready to positively engage campers


• Receive and incorporate feedback given by SummerKids Director and Leadership Staff


• Set and reflect on professional goals throughout the summer with SummerKids Director


• Manage a safe physical and emotional space for youth 


• Attend Tuesday afternoon Professional Development sessions each week

Required Skills & Qualifications: 

Applicants who do not meet all of the qualifications listed below but present other relevant qualifications or experience will be considered. We strongly encourage anyone who feels passionate about this work, has a strong desire to grow their skills, and believes they have what it takes to thrive in this role to apply.

• Commitment to creating and maintaining a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment


• Demonstrated ability to create developmental relationships and connect with youth and staff


• Ability to proactively manage groups of youth with positive intervention strategies


• Able to respond to situations or changes calmly and with flexibility


• Able to communicate ideas and needs with youth and coworkers effectively and empathetically 


• First Aid/CPR certified (or ability to get certified by start date or soon after)


• Applicant must have graduated high school by June 2025

Desired Skills and Qualifications:

• Experience working directly with elementary-aged youth


• Some higher education, classwork, or training in the youth development field or other related fields


• Training and experience with best practices in teaching, group management, planning and designing activities, social-emotional learning, and trauma-informed care for elementary youth


• Over 25 with valid driver's license, clean driving record and ability to drive Camp Fire's 15 passenger van

Transferable Skills: 

As a staff at Camp Fire, you will build skills and gain valuable experience in 

• Supervision


• Teaching


• Mentorship


• Leadership


• Communication


• Activity preparation


• Group management


• Planning and organizing


• And much more

Compensation:  $18.50-$20.50 per hour, depending on experience.

Benefits: Weekly paid professional development sessions, mentoring in the form of goal setting, observation and feedback from the program manager / Free programs for dependents / $50 referral bonus per additional recruit / Resume guidance and assistance.

To Apply:  Camp Fire will begin reviewing applications immediately. Please list 3 references (2 professional and 1 personal).

Learn more about Camp Fire Central Oregon at campfireco.org.