Working Directly With Kids

(57 positions: entry level salary $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9. First Aid and CPR certification is required for this position.) Counselors care for and live with children, ensuring the physical and emotional well being of their campers. Counselors are role models who facilitate the camper experience by actively participating in all camp activities including: ropes course, backpacking, arts and crafts, Jewish programs, and more, as well as creating programs of their own. Required: excellent communication skills, childcare experience, and love of outdoors are essential. Must have ability to live in a cabin with others, eat meals in a lively communal dining hall, and address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily.Counselors work most sessions as a Bunk Counselor (with a co-counselor in a 12-camper cabin) but may also spend one or more sessions as a Unit Counselor supporting multiple bunks. LGT and WFA certifications are encouraged, as is experience working with diverse groups of kids with an equity and justice lens that promotes the thriving of all children.

(6 positions, entry level salary $3865, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9. First Aid and CPR certification is required for this position.) Similar job as “Counselor” but working with a focus on providing additional support to children with disabilities. Communicate with counselors, specialists, and supervisors throughout the day regarding accommodations and modifications needed for campers with disabilities. Coach other staff on how to best support campers. The primary focus is campers with disabilities but inclusion counselors are expected to act as a counselor and provide support to all campers. Excellent communication skills, childcare experience, and love of outdoors are essential. Live in a cabin with other staff. Ability to eat meals in a large, noisy dining hall and address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Expertise working with children with a variety of disabilities including ADD/ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, learning differences and others is strongly preferred.

(6 positions: $2345 , more DOE. Dates for this position are May 31 – July 4 ONLY.) Train and supervise approximately 50 Counselors In-Training and 6-8 Specialists In-Training. Lead workshops, coordinate schedules, liaison with department heads, and participate in all SCIT activities. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily.

(6 positions: $2575 more DOE. Dates for this position are training May 31 – June 8 and program dates July 7 – August 3 ONLY.) Train and supervise 44-48 teens in an immersive leadership training program. Serve as a facilitator of the participants’ experience. The program takes teens and staff up to Portland, OR, for a week of service projects, leadership workshops and exploring the arts and culture of the city. TLI then travels through Bend and Ashland exploring nature and outdoor adventures like white water rafting, mountain biking and rock climbing. The trip ends back at Camp Tawonga where staff and campers participate in new and classic Camp Tawonga programming. Staff must be able to support teens both on and off site, teaching daily curriculum, including but not limited to skill development, Social Justice trainings, Jewish text and other discussions. Must be at least 21 years old and have 1 year working with kids at Tawonga; LGT, WFR, driving certificate preferred and may be required. Excellent communication skills, teaching experience, capacity to do physical labor, and community development knowledge are essential.

(6 positions: $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9. First Aid and CPR certification is required for this position.) Provide care for small groups of children of staff at camp, ranging from infants to teenagers. Collaborate with specialists and nanny team to offer fun and creative age-appropriate programs that fulfill the Camp mission. Occasionally work some days or weeks as a unit counselor working with campers and bunks as needed. Live in a cabin with other staff. Patience, creativity, flexibility and strong communication skills are helpful. Effectively and regularly communicate with parents to problem-solve and support their children. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Experience with children required.

(1 position: entry level salary $3865, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1- August 9). Lead creative culinary programming for groups of 12-24 campers at a time in Tawonga’s brand new Garden Kitchen. Assist Culinary Program Supervisor with activity prep, facilitation, and clean up. Support with program development, inventory management, and upkeep of the space. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in cabin with other staff. Culinary expertise and/or teaching experience preferred.

(3 positions: entry level salary $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9.) Lead creative and Jewish programming coming up with new programs and/or teaching camp classics. Ability to teach dance, sports, group games and yoga preferred. Lead schvitz experiences, coordinate camper floats and assist Program Director with all camp programs and A/V, Lost & Found and other logistics. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in cabin with other staff. Current LGT certification preferred.

(1 position: entry level salary $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9). Facilitate drama games to help children and teens express themselves and explore communication. Plan and direct two all-camp productions, Assist in general programming needs for camp with greater department of programming including coordinating camper floats and assisting Program Director with all camp programs and A/V, Lost & Found and other logistics. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in cabin with other staff. Must have 3 years of college level drama courses or equivalent.

(1 position: entry level salary $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9.) Work with the Programming Department to offer dance activities to campers of all ages. Foster positive associations with artistic expression and body image through dance and movement activities. Lead higher level dance electives for interested campers. Assist in general programming needs for camp with the greater department of programming including coordinating camper floats and assisting Program Director with all camp programs and A/V, Lost & Found and other logistics. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in cabin with other staff.

(6 positions: entry level salary $3805, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9.) Lifeguard at a beautiful Olympic-sized pool, Tuolumne River, and small lake. Create and lead fun water games at the pool for campers. Hike with groups to river areas as safety monitor and lifeguard. Current lifeguard certification required. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in cabin with other staff. Must be able to see and supervise participants in water areas. Experience lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons preferred.

(4 positions: entry level salary $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9.) Instruct classic camp arts and crafts projects like tie-dye, candle making, copper enameling, ceramics (hand building and electric wheel), silk painting, Jewish crafts, print making, lanyards, and more. Bring your own skills and passions to the studio and create art based program activities for bunks of campers. Organize and clean all supplies and equipment daily. Other duties include distributing pack-out supplies, operating kiln firings, and participating in unit activities. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in cabin with other staff. Teaching experience preferred.

(2 positions: $3655, more DOE. Jewish education experience preferred. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9.) Create and lead Jewish programs for campers. Assist the Jewish Program Director with camp-wide Shabbat programs, weekly Torah services and Kabbalat Shabbat programs. Work with Unit Heads, counselors and specialty staff to provide creative Jewish programming. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in cabin with other staff. Creative programming, storytelling, meditation, yoga, art, and music skills are all assets.

(2 positions: entry level salary $3655, significantly more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9.) Lead and teach American and Hebrew folk songs in camp-wide sing-a-longs (300 people) after meals. Sing campers to sleep and offer music inspired programs for single bunks. Run or assist with all camp programs such as Havdallah, each session’s drama production, camper talent show, etc. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in cabin with other staff. Must play guitar, have prior song-leading experience, and ability to learn how to operate amplified sound systems.

(17 positions: $5100, more based on rotations and certifications. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9.) All rotations require that you be at least 21 years old with current Lifeguard and Wilderness First Responder or WEMT certification (possible reimbursement for certification courses). Experience backpacking and working with children is essential; natural history, environmental education, challenge course facilitation, and Judaic knowledge helpful. Wilderness Staff rotate through one or more of the following programs throughout the summer:

• Backpacking Trip Leader: Independently lead bunk groups of 12 campers and 2 counselors on one and two night backpacking trips in the Sierra Mountains. Drive vans, lead hikes, set up camp, cook dinner on a camping stove, supervise swimming in mountain lakes and streams, teach LNT ethics and lead nature programming. Must be able to lift and carry 40 pound packs. Keep the group safe and happy, helping them bond with each other and connect to nature.
• Teen Adventure Quest Leader: Co-lead a group of 9-12 teens on a multi-week road trip through California or the Pacific Northwest. Lead backpacking trip, drive vehicles, manage cooking and cleaning with teens, lead programming and group building, and interface with professional outfitters for rafting, kayaking, rock climbing and surfing.
• Adventure Challenge Course Facilitator: Facilitate groups through low and high elements at our challenge course. Prior ropes course facilitation experience and rock climbing/belaying experience helpful.
• Teva Specialist (Naturalist): Facilitate garden and nature based activities to foster a connection to and responsibility for nature. Activities may include day hikes, river rock hops, fire building, storytelling, and garden-based programming in our organic garden. Implement traditional Tawonga programs and create new activities to engage campers with natural history, ecology, Jewish connections to nature, and Native American culture.

(1 position: $3865, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9.) Facilitate all-day team building activities for bunks of 12 campers. Focus on community building, and allowing campers to overcome challenges in a physically and emotionally safe environment. Low and high rope elements are included in our programing. Training provided. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in cabin with other staff. Excellent leadership and facilitation skills required; prior ropes course facilitation experience preferred, and rock climbing or belaying experience useful.

(2 positions: salary $3865, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9.) Facilitate farm, garden, and nature based activities for children ages 8-16. Help campers connect with nature, Jewish values (including community and care for the world), and incorporate a connection to food, land, and farming with intentional activities. Activity blocks may include garden cooking, salve making, nature art, discussions on food justice, Indigenous culture, and sustainable farming. Facilitate classic Tawonga Teva activities and create new and engaging curriculum. Lifeguard for blocks led at the river and lake. Assist with garden projects, harvesting, and animal care. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in cabin with other staff. Prior naturalist, teaching and gardening experience, and WFA/WFR certification preferred. Lifeguard certification required.