Camp Counselor
Location: Northern California (onsite housing provided)
Position Type: Full-time, seasonal
Dates: May 18 – August 14 (12.5 weeks required)*
Pay: From $4500 for the summer
Benefits: Fresh organic food, housing, utilities, training, and numerous perks!
*Optional Shoulder Season Work Available
Are you interested in spending a summer supporting children’s development in a small intentional community made up of a highly international team? Do you have a plan to work in a humanistic field and want to experience a unique orientation to outdoor facilitation and experiential learning? Do you want to learn about how to use non-violent communication in an educational setting at one of the most unique non-profit camps in California? It’s time to apply to Camp Augusta then!
Camp Augusta is not your average summer camp. This position is ideal for education majors, psychology majors, child development students, gap-year students, and aspiring teachers, therapists, and youth workers who want deep, hands-on experience in experiential education and youth development — and who may want to return for future summers.
We run nine weeks of camp serving 100 campers ages 8–16, supported by a 75-person co-ed staff community that values growth, challenge, play, and meaningful connections.
What You’ll Do as a Camp Counselor
After extensive training, you’ll live onsite and support a cabin of five campers, guiding them throughout their session.
A typical day includes:
- Leading playful, themed and wacky Special Wake-Ups
- Teaching clinics you choose from 150+ options
- Designing a daily Cabin Activity
- Participating in immersive Evening Programs
- Facilitating childlike play during “Playstation”
- Ending each day with Evening Embers — reflection and connection
- Creating heartfelt gifts for campers and letters for parents
Learn more about the counselor role and schedule here: https://campaugusta.org/counselor/
Who We’re Looking For
We are seeking passionate, resilient, and playful Summer Camp Counselors who:
- Are dedicated to empowering youth with compassion
- Enjoy mentoring, teaching, and building relationships with kids
- Are emotionally and physically resilient(Days run ~7:00 AM – 10:00 PM, 6 days/week)
- Creative and playful
- Thrive in a community-oriented, values-driven environment
- Are excited to grow personally and professionally
We are especially interested in applicants who can serve as positive role models for campers. Qualified applicants of all genders are encouraged to apply.
Minimum requirements:
- Must be at least 19 years of age by June 1st, 2027
- Must be available during our summer dates: from May 18 – August 14 2027
And MUST have one of the following:
- At least one summer of experience at a residential summer camp
- over 100 hours of direct mentorship work with youth
- A major or background directly related to working with youth, with intention to work with youth in your future career
Preferred qualifications:
- A history of ‘meaningful’ work and a variety of experiences with youth
- A plethora of interesting hobbies, passions, and life experiences that you’re excited to share with us
- A GPA of 3.0+ with a true excitement for learning and writing
By the end of August, your resume could read:
Group Facilitator and Counselor – Camp Augusta
After 300+ hours of dedicated training in skills of facilitation, debriefing, emphatic connection, conflict resolution, group dynamics and much more, I spent 9 weeks working with children from diverse backgrounds, designing and leading group activities that promote social and emotional development, team building, and leadership skills. I developed strong interpersonal and communication skills through working with children, parents, and colleagues in a team-oriented, highly international environment
We seek high quality candidates for our summer internships, and promise a high caliber experience filled with connection, meaningful impact, personal growth, and professional development. Essentially, we offer the Camp Counselor role, which we customize to the personal and professional growth that you are looking for, and make sure that you will fulfill all the internship requirements set by your university.
What You’ll Get In a Summer at Camp Augusta
- 75+ hours of training in your choice of clinics from 140+ options, including circus arts (like aerial silks and yoga), high ropes course, intensive arts (like jewelry smithing), plant and animal farm, outdoor kitchen skills, and music. Take on new skills / hobbies! Learn more here: https://campaugusta.org/summer/activities/
- $5,000 salary, with all food and living expenses covered; walk away having saved a summer’s worth of spending money. No rent. No utilities.
- Unforgettable memories with a community of 75 lifelong friends from around the world (~35% international) you can visit and stay connected with.
- Summer in California! Many staff spend time on days off and post-camp exploring the area (Reno and Lake Tahoe are 1.5 hours drive)
- 400+ hours of paid staff training – the equivalent of 2 accredited courses in education / psychology (the curriculums were run / accredited at a University). – a $10,000+ value
- 3+ Certifications in first aid, CPR, and lifeguarding (optional) – ~$400 value, included
- Numerous opportunities for leadership advancement – if desired, receive training in the summer for a program director role the following summer (various domains)
- Paid Internship Opportunities – We can connect most of our positions with internship credit at most universities and colleges, depending on your major. https://campaugusta.org/summer-internship/
- Overall, you will get a truly impactful summer of personal and professional growth. Staff routinely comment that Camp Augusta changed their life – from their relationships (outside of camp too) to their career competence to their sense of self. Staff in education and psychology offer that their training at camp augmented and exceeded their training in school.
What You’ll Learn & Practice
- Nonviolent Communication & conflict resolution
- Emotional intelligence & humanistic behavior management
- Flat hierarchy & sociocratic decision-making
- Group facilitation and experiential education
- Supporting children through meaningful emotional experiences
- 9 weeks of closely supported, real-world application
About Camp Augusta:
Camp Augusta is a nonprofit residential summer camp in northern California that offers a truly unique summer camp experience for campers and staff alike. We are focused on counseling skills, creativity, excellent programming, and camper choice – see more about the vision of our camp here.
We aim to include and celebrate many facets of human identity – gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity, race, age, neurodiversity, disability status, citizenship, and other aspects that make us unique. We are working to craft an inclusive culture founded on ideals of curiosity, honesty, empathy, and acceptance – a place where people are seen and acknowledged for their shared humanity as well as their unique individuality. Read our full Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, And Belonging (DEIB) Statement here.
Do you have any questions?
Send us a message on Handshake, and we’ll get back to you by the end of the next day! You can also send any questions you have to applications@campaugusta.org.
Feeling ready to apply?
1. If you meet the minimum requirements above, take 5 minutes to fill out our interest form.
2. Someone from our hiring team will reach out to you within 24 hours.
3. Schedule an Intro Chat with us, and complete a full application!
Some educational institutions require prior approval before the start of an internship. It is the responsibility of the student to check with their institution to be sure they meet any requirements before they accept a position.