Overnight Camp Counselor

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is seeking an Overnight Camp Counselor to join our team.

Would you like to change lives by providing an amazing experience for every camper?

At Camp Seymour, you get to teach kids self-reliance, a love for nature and the outdoors, and the development of attitudes and practices that build character and leadership - all amidst the fun of campfires, canoeing, archery, talent shows, and meaningful relationships.

If hired as an Overnight Camp Counselor, you will live and work at Camp in a cabin/yurt. Along with a co-leader, you will provide constructive, responsible leadership and guidance for a cabin group of 10-12 children ages 7-13. You will develop camper character and values; foster cabin community, encourage group leadership, and develop stewardship. You will also instruct 1-2 skills classes ("Camptivities").

Key Responsibilities:

• Promote a positive, inclusive environment that fosters fun, safety and meaningful experiences for all campers.
• Organize and lead a variety of small and large group activities inside and outside of the cabin, participating 100% with activities
• Know, enforce, and follow all safety guidelines associated with the camp and all program areas. This includes but is not limited to being responsible for your campers' safety and their whereabouts at all times.
• Recognize individual and group situations and effectively resolve conflicts based on camp values and procedures.
• Maintain open communication and proactively work to build strong relationships with Co-leaders & Leadership staff.
• Facilitate cabin overnights - ensure campers' supervision and comfort, sanitation, programming, report any safety concerns immediately (intruders, bees)

Qualifications:

• A commitment to valuing and promoting diversity, equity, and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment where everyone feels they can belong.
• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Six months or more of related experience preferred.
• Preferred: Experience in child Leadership and/or related activities experience.
• Positive attitude and previous experience with children and diverse populations.
• Frequently involved in loud activity spaces, must be able to regulate and problem-solve in high activity environments.
• Knowledge and skills in program activities and related equipment set-up, and the ability to instruct participants in age-appropriate techniques.
• Preferred: Knowledge and skills in camper and peer leadership, group and interpersonal dynamics, child behavior and typical camp activities.
• Able and willing to complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on first day, and other online and in-person training as required.
• Must be able to pass Background and Reference checks (in accordance with the WA State Fair Chance Act).

*This is a Residential position that includes room and board. *

Wage: $390 to $420 per week, depending on qualifications

Dates of Employment: June 15th, 2026 - August 21st, 2026

Location: YMCA Camp Seymour, Gig Harbor, WA

Benefits:

• Free Saturdays
• Ability to apply as an internal candidate to a year-round, Full or Part-Time position
• Build lasting connections and employment experience
• Accrue Paid Sick Leave at 1.23 hours for every 40 hours worked

Ignite your Passion, Live the Y Cause, and Join our Team! To apply visit our website at www.ymcapkc.org.

The YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties is committed to diversity and inclusion throughout our organization and is an Equal Opportunity Employer - Women/Minority/Veteran/Disabled

Camp Cabin Leader Job Description

Key Responsibilities
• Promote a positive environment that fosters fun, safety and meaningful experiences for campers.
• Organize and lead a variety of small and large group activities inside and outside of the cabin, participating 100% with activities; enjoy playing, and not "sit on the sidelines."
• Know, enforce, and follow all safety guidelines associated with the camp and all program areas. This includes but is not limited to being responsible for your campers' safety and their whereabouts at all times.
• Recognize individual and group situations and effectively resolve conflicts based on camp values and procedures.
• Maintain open communication and proactively work to build strong relationships with Co-leaders & Leadership staff.
• Facilitate cabin overnights -- ensure campers' supervision and comfort, sanitation, programming, report any safety concerns immediately (intruders, bees), meal preparation, empower campers with Outdoor Living Skills (tarps, cooking).
• Consult Staff Manual for additional "All Staff" responsibilities, qualifications, and personnel policies.
• Meet performance measurement by telling the Y story and raising charitable dollars to fulfill our mission.
• Assist staff leadership team in reaching campaign goals through recruiting campaigners, making personal asks and supporting branch events.
• Staff will be responsible for frequent touchpoint cleaning and sanitizing in specific areas.
• Embraces and actively promotes an inclusive and equitable work environment.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills and Abilities
• A commitment to valuing and promoting diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
• Minimum 17 years of age or older.
• Six months or more of related experience preferred.
• Preferred: Experience in child Leadership and/or related activities experience.
• Positive attitude and previous experience with children and diverse populations.
• Knowledge and skills in program activities and related equipment set-up, and the ability to instruct participants in age appropriate techniques.
• Preferred: Knowledge and skills in camper and peer leadership, group and interpersonal dynamics, child behavior and typical camp activities.
• Complete online Child Abuse Prevention training on first day. Complete other online and in-person training as required.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands
• Regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasionally required to sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
• Must frequently lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift or move a higher amount.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Must participate in programming outdoors.

Employee Acknowledgement

This job description indicates the general nature and levels of work, knowledge, skills, abilities and other essential functions expected of this position. This document is not an exhaustive list and other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or assigned at any time with or without advanced notice.

This job description does not constitute a contract of employment and the YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties may exercise employment-at-will rights at any time.

By signing below, you are acknowledging that you have read the document in its entirety and that you understand the requirements, essential functions, and job duties of this position. Further, you acknowledge that you are able to perform the duties of the position with or without reasonable accommodation(s), and that should you need assistance, that you are responsible for notifying your Director, Executive Director, and/or Human Resources.