Counselor
Interested? Apply Here!Full Summer, Resident Position, Internships Available
As a Counselor at GRP, you will live and work outside for the summer, sharing the magic of the natural world with children ages 6-15. Serve as a guide and trusted adult for up to seven campers by living with them, creating a safe and fun cabin environment, and assisting Mentors as they lead daily hikes on the Preserve.
Counselors also dive into an immersive teaching experience, ideal for aspiring educators, by learning and leading classic camp activities each afternoon. Based on your interests and experience, we place you in a handful of activity areas as a leader or class assistant. Through our afternoon activities, Counselors make lasting impressions on the camp community. Campers come to know and admire you for helping them grow, challenge themselves, and succeed.
Develop Skills
Counselors help our campers meet life’s early challenges with courage. Along the way, counselors develop professional skills like teaching, community-building, effective communication, and problem-solving that will strengthen any career.
All staff participate in our 2-week training prior to camp. Training is designed to give you the skills that will help you succeed throughout the summer and is in alignment with the American Camp Association’s standards and expectations.
Environmental education experience.
Counselors live and work outside for the summer, sharing the magic of the natural world with children and fellow staff members. Counselors will serve as a guide and friend to campers by living with them, creating a safe and fun cabin environment, and assisting our professional naturalists as they lead daily hikes on the Preserve. Counselors also teach or assist with classic outdoor activities such as climbing, canoeing, and archery, along with creative arts and primitive skills.
Adventure leadership training.
The cornerstone of a Counselor’s summer experience at GRP is a two-night beginner backpacking trip on our land. We call this program CampOut, and it takes place several times over the summer (plus once during staff training). Counselors work with a small team of peers to plan a special experience in the woods, which includes hiking and basic orienteering, setting up camp, cooking meals, and building fires. No prior backpacking experience is required, however, a foundation of some experience in the outdoors and a strong desire to learn are essential!
Internships
Looking for an internship? We know that internships can be an important step in a career, or even just a hoop students need to jump through for school. Luckily, this job provides many opportunities to learn and to apply your academic knowledge. If you need course credit, we are happy to help you turn your experience at GRP into an internship. When you apply, select “Counselor Internship.”
Looking for a specific internship?
InternshipsRequirements
Experience
Counselors must be 19 years of age or older, have completed one or more years of college or equivalent life experience, and have a sincere desire to work with children. The exception to this is 18-year-olds who have completed our LIT program. First-year Counselors must commit to our full season of staff training and all Base Camp sessions. Take a peek at our Dates & Rates page and please only apply if you can make that commitment.
Behavior
As a community, we hold ourselves to high standards of behavior while employed at Green River Preserve. We commit not to do illegal drugs, drink alcohol underage, or drink on GRP property. These actions are grounds for immediate dismissal from your job. If you cannot honestly make this commitment, please do not apply.
Certifications
All staff must be CPR/First Aid/AED certified. If it’s not possible for you to acquire this certification before camp, we offer this training during staff training.
Employment Eligibility
Counselors must be U.S. Citizens or authorized to work in the United States. International applicants are encouraged to apply through a counselor placement agency. If you have questions please reach out to
Pay
Counselor pay is $350 per week and we provide housing, meals, and laundry services. Extra weekly pay is provided for relevant certifications such as Lifeguard, Wilderness First Aid, or Wilderness First Responder Certifications.