Working Directly With Kids

(65 positions: entry level salary $3550, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 2 – August 10. First Aid and CPR certification is required for this position.) Counselors care for and live with children as role models ensuring the physical and emotional well being of their campers. As facilitators of the camper experience, counselors strive to raise self-esteem and foster the bunk group dynamic by actively participating in all camp activities offered by specialists, including: ropes course, backpacking, arts and crafts, Jewish programs, and more, as well as creating programs of their own. Excellent communication skills, childcare experience, and love of outdoors are essential. Ability to live in a cabin with others, eat meals in a large, noisy dining hall, address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required. 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 well as experience working with diverse groups of kids with an equity and justice lens that promotes the thriving of all children.

(5 positions, entry level salary $3750, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 2 – August 10. First Aid and CPR certification is required for this position.) Similar job as “Counselor” but working with a focus on children with disabilities to provide additional support. Communicate with counselors, specialists, and supervisors throughout the day regarding accommodations and modifications needed for campers with disabilities, provide those services whenever possible. 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. Ability to eat meals in a large, noisy dining hall and address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required. Expertise working with children with a variety of disabilities including ADD/ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, learning differences and others is strongly preferred.

(1 position, experience working with children with disabilities such as ADD/ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, learning differences and others is a necessity. Salary $4100, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 2 – August 10. First Aid and CPR certification is required for this position.) The Senior Inclusion Counselor is an Inclusion Counselor with additional responsibilities of coordinating between the other inclusion counselors and therapists, leading trainings and coordinating and visioning for Tawonga’s inclusion efforts throughout the summer. This person organizes weekly meetings with the other inclusion counselors and Camp Therapists to troubleshoot challenges and support campers. They help organize and lead trainings for the inclusion counselors as well as the bunk counselors to better support Tawonga campers with disabilities.

(5 positions: $2275 , more DOE. Dates for this position are June 2 – July 5 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.

(4 positions: $2500 more DOE. Dates for this position are training June 2 – 9 and program dates July 8 – August 4 ONLY.) Train and supervise 36-48 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.

(9-10 positions: $3550, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 2 – August 10. First Aid and CPR certification is required for this position.) Provide care for children of staff at camp, ranging from infants to teenagers. Work one on one or with small groups of children. Provide loving care and create an engaging camp program for the children in your care, collaborate with specialists, the rest of the nanny team, and other camp staff 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 support their children and problem-solve. Must be able to navigate over uneven terrain to different program areas around camp. Experience with children strongly preferred.

(3 positions: entry level salary $3550, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 2 – August 10.) 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. Current LGT certification preferred.

(1 position: entry level salary $3550, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 2 – August 10). 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. Must have 3 years college level drama courses or equivalent.

(1 position: entry level salary $3550, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 2 – August 10.) 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 greater department of programming including coordinating camper floats and assisting Program Director with all camp programs and A/V, Lost & Found and other logistics.

(6 positions: entry level salary $3550, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 2 – August 10.) 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. Must be able to see and supervise participants in water areas. LGT certification required; experience lifeguarding and teaching swim lessons preferred.

(4 positions: entry level salary $3550, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 2 – August 10.) 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. Teaching experience helpful.

(2 positions: $3550, more DOE. Jewish education experience preferred. Dates for this position are June 2 – August 10.) 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. Creative programming, storytelling, meditation, yoga, art, and music skills are all assets.

(2 positions: entry level salary $3550, significantly more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 10.) 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. Must play guitar, have prior song-leading experience, and ability to learn how to operate amplified sound systems.

(15+ positions: $4940, more based on rotations and certifications. Dates for this position are May 23 – August 12.) 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 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: $3750, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 2 – August 10.) Lead cabin groups of 12 campers through low and high elements on our Adventure Challenge Course to build self-esteem and teamwork. Training provided. Teach belaying and maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment. Excellent leadership and facilitation skills required; prior ropes course facilitation experience preferred, and rock climbing or belaying experience useful.

(2 positions: salary $3750, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 10.) Facilitate engaging farm, garden and nature based activities for children ages 8-16. Lead activity blocks focused on fostering a connection to nature, Jewish values of community and caring for the world, and a connection to food, land and farming. Activity blocks range from garden cooking, salve making, and nature art, to discussions on food justice, Indigenous culture and sustainable farming. Facilitate classic Tawonga Teva activities as well as creating new engaging curriculum. Lifeguard for blocks led at the river and lake. Assist with garden projects, harvesting, and animal care. Prior naturalist, teaching and gardening experience, and WFA/WFR certification preferred. Lifeguard certification required.

(1 positions: salary $3750, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 2 – August 10.) Engage children in land stewardship work, education centering Indigenous history and culture, and environmental education. Lead Forest Tikkuns (repairing and returning to right relationship with the land) and forest stewardship programming. Perform independent forest stewardship work with a focus on reducing the likelihood of high intensity fire through fuel load reduction. Review, follow and add to Tawonga’s land stewardship plan. WFA/R preferred. Education and land stewardship experience plus BA or 1 year field exp. preferred.