Supervisor positions are crucial leadership roles for people who have prior camp experience or other relevant supervision experience. All department supervisors attend required pre-Camp leadership development and supervision training May 27 – June 5, 2027 unless otherwise noted, and work through August 11. Please pay close attention to the dates for each supervisor position; while most supervisor dates are May 27– August 11, 2027, various roles require additional pre-camp training (full contract dates are listed below for each position). Almost all positions at Tawonga include long, active days where it is normal to walk 4-8 miles between staff housing, communally shared meals and various locations where work responsibilities occur. Staff live in shared, rustic staff housing.
Camper Management
Summer Assistant Director
(2 positions: Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11) Work with the directors, assistant directors, and department heads to supervise and run the day-to-day operations of camp. Supervise up to five departments and help develop programs. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. College degree (or equivalent) and 5 yrs. camp experience required, LGT and WFR encouraged. For more information please email [email protected]. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing.
Unit Head
(6.5 positions: $7,250, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11.) Responsible for managing 4-5 camper cabins and supervising an Assistant Unit Head, 10-12 Bunk Counselors, and 2-4 Unit Counselors. Meet with Assistant Unit Head daily and maintain open communication about staff and campers in the unit. Create all-unit programs, including Kabbalat Shabbat, and help develop Camp-wide events. Train counselors, observe staff on a daily basis, hold formal and informal check-ins with staff on a regular basis, and write a formal evaluation for each staff member you supervise 3 times over the summer. Serve as a member of the supervisor management team and attend daily management team meetings. Supervise night-time staff from 10pm-12am approximately 6 times a summer. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. Great communication skills, ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks, college degree (or equivalent) and 3 yrs. residential camp experience required. Graduate training in a related field or social work experience helpful.
Assistant Unit Head
(6 positions: $6,250, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11.) Support Unit Head with managing 4-5 camper cabins and supervising 10-12 Bunk Counselors, and 2-4 Unit Counselors. Responsible for: training counselors, counselor supervision, unit programming, camper management, counselors’ daily schedule, and organizing camper electives. Meet with Unit Head daily and maintain open communication about staff and campers in the unit. Observe staff on a daily basis, hold formal and informal check-ins with staff on a regular basis, and write a formal evaluation for each staff member you supervise 3 times over the summer. Serve as a member of the supervisor management team and attend meetings twice a week. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. Great communication skills, ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks, 2 yrs. college (or equivalent) and previous residential camp experience required.
Teen Leadership Program Supervisor: Specialists and Counselors-in-Training
(2 positions: $3,450 for 6 weeks, more DOE. Training dates for this position are May 27-June 5and program dates are June 13 – July 2.) All responsibilities of SCIT Staff plus responsible for managing and supervising SCIT program and SCIT leaders. Create SCIT programs, including a week of training, and help develop Camp-wide events. Determine SCIT assignments and coach SCIT staff on how to observe and give feedback to SCITs. Serve as a member of the supervisor management team. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. College degree (or equivalent) and 3 yrs. camp experience required. Graduate training or social work experience is helpful. Supervision, teaching (formal or informal), and Tawonga Unit Head experience helpful.
Teen Program Supervisor: Teen Leadership Institute
(2 positions: $4,700 for 6 weeks. Training dates for this position are May 27 – June 5, the TLI Staff Training is July 1 – 8, and the TLI Program is July 9 – August 1 Co-supervise 6 staff for the Teen Leadership Institute (TLI) program. Oversee two weeks of travel, service projects, leadership training, team-building and outdoor adventures followed by one week at Tawonga. Follow and support the physical and emotional wellbeing of all TLI campers on the trip. Facilitate experiential learning sessions about environmentalism and climate change, Jewish ethics, leadership, communal responsibility, communication, social justice and more. Responsible for risk management and all logistics on the road. Serves as contact and liaison with vendors and outfitters on the road, conducting calls in the days leading up to each program/activity. WFR and Lifeguard Certification preferred. Tawonga experience strongly preferred. Tawonga Unit Head or other supervisor experience helpful. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing.
Nanny Department Supervisor
(1 position: $6,250. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11.) Supervise a team of up to 7 nannies. Oversee all components of nanny department, including but not limited to:daily observations of nanny team, mid-session check-ins, two written evaluations for each nanny throughout the summer, lead trainings for nannies, provide daily communication with Camp parents, manage daily nanny coverage and activity schedule, help plan and lead activities, provide time off coverage to other nannies, help with more challenging children and more. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. Experience working with babies, toddlers, and children required. 2 years of camp experience or equivalent preferred.
Program Area Supervisors
Garden Kitchen Culinary Program Supervisor
(1 position: $6,815 for summer (weekly rate after summer). Dates for this position are: May 27 – October 31. Summer Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11, including on site pre-camp supervisor training. Live at Camp for the summer; applicants preferred to continue living on camp property through October for post-summer onsite programs.
Oversee Tawonga’s Garden Kitchen, including the following responsibilities: facilitate a farm-to-table cooking experience for participants that meets Tawonga’s mission; develop and implement the curriculum with an emphasis on culinary skills, sustainability and cultural learning.
In the summer: Plan and lead daily programs for groups of 12-24 children; supervise two Culinary Program Specialists; manage inventory; clean kitchen daily and deep clean kitchen at the end of each session.
In the fall: Plan and lead programs for groups of adults and children each weekend; manage inventory; clean kitchen daily and deep clean kitchen at the end of each weekend.
Experience working with children, teaching, and cooking required. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily, and work 8 hours/day.
Program Department Supervisor
(1 position: $5,485, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11.) Coordinate all-camp programs, campfires, lead creative bunk programming, assist Unit Heads with unit programming, and support camp A/V needs. Supervise team of 4-5 program specialists and oversee and lead training for programming team. Support and coordinate collaboration between specialist departments. Support all camp needs with bunk coverage, meal toran, and more. Responsibilities include: daily observations of the programming team, leading blocks and activities, regular check-ins with staff, and writing formal evaluations for staff twice throughout the summer. Must be able to lift up to 50lbs. and navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. Activity/event coordination experience required, Tawonga Unit Head or counselor experience a plus.
Jewish Program Department Supervisor
(1 position: $5,485, significantly more DOE. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11.) Oversee Jewish programming at camp and develop and lead creative camp-wide Shabbat programs. Train and supervise team of 2 Jewish programming specialists. Responsibilities include: daily observations of team, regular check-ins with staff, writing formal evaluations for staff twice throughout the summer, leading daily Jewish education programs for campers,leading weekly Jewish programming for all units, leading weekly Shabbat programs and assisting with Shabbat Torah services. Creative programming, storytelling, meditation, yoga, art, and music skills are all assets. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. Supervision and Jewish education experience required.
Waterfront Supervisor
(1 position: $5,485, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11.) Train and supervise a team of 7 lifeguards, lifeguard at a beautiful Olympic-sized pool, the Tuolumne River and boating activities in a small lake. Responsibilities include: daily observations of the team, regular check-ins with staff, and writing formal evaluations for staff twice throughout the summer. Create and lead fun water games at the pool for campers. Hike with groups to river areas as safety monitor and lifeguard. Uncover pool covers every morning and recover pool covers every evening. Create lifeguard schedules, conduct weekly safety drills and lifeguard training, evaluate and conduct performance reviews for the waterfront team, and maintain and upkeep water safety equipment. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. Current lifeguard certification required, Lifeguard Instructor Certification preferred.
Arts and Crafts Supervisor
(1 position: $5,485, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11.) Supervise team of 4 Arts & Crafts specialists and oversee and lead training for team. Responsibilities include: daily observations of the team, regular check-ins with staff, and writing formal evaluations for staff twice throughout the summer. Instruct: tie-dye, candle making, copper enameling, ceramics (hand building and electric wheel), silk painting, Jewish crafts, print making, lanyards, and more. Develop new Arts and Crafts programs and document them for future use. Organize and clean all supplies and equipment daily. Other duties: distribute pack-out supplies, operate kiln firings, and participate in unit activities. Schedule staff, oversee the department and order supplies. Supervisor must also support all camp efforts by participating in bunk coverage, meal toran, and other needs as they come up. Must be able to lift up to 50lbs and navigate around 2-3 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing.
Head Songleader and Music Department Supervisor
(1 position: $5,485, significantly more DOE. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11.) The Head Songleader is the leader of the Music Department at Camp. Songleaders bring music to camp in many different ways including but not limited to leading all camp song sessions each morning and evening and leading activity blocks with bunks of campers, ages 8-17 years old. Songleaders can expect to lead multiple activity blocks a day as well as supporting Jewish Programming with their activity blocks. As well as musical programming Songleaders will be called upon to support with bunk coverage, meal toran, and other all camp activities. The head songleader will manage other songleaders, supporting in their development as musicians and activity leaders. Must be able to lift up to 50lbs. and navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing.
Wilderness Program Supervisors
Backpacking and Quest Supervisor
(2 positions, $7,750, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 23-August 11. Availability to begin remotely in early May preferred to prepare for Wilderness Leader Training May 26– 31.) Train, supervise, and support a team of 18-20 Wilderness Leaders in the following program areas: 1-2 night backpacking trips, multi-week teen adventure Quests, risk management, group facilitation, and Leave No Trace. Coordinate and schedule backpacking trips and troubleshoot Quest logistics as needed. Facilitate interdepartmental collaboration with the Kitchen, Health Center, Unit Heads and others depending on need. Liaise with local parks departments and rangers. Respond to emergencies in the field. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. Must be 21+ with current Wilderness First Responder or WEMT and Lifeguard certifications. Must have a valid driver’s licence and clean driving record. Prior Tawonga Wilderness Leader experience preferred.
Teva Supervisor/Lead Naturalist
(1 position, $6,050, more based on certifications. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11. Availability to begin remotely in early May to prepare for Wilderness Leader Training May 26 – 31.) Train, supervise, and support Naturalists (Teva Specialists) and Wilderness Leaders in facilitating engaging nature and land-based programming for children ages 8-16. Design 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 may include garden cooking, salve making, nature art, animal feeding, discussions on food justice, Indigenous culture, and sustainable farming. Coordinate the logistics and scheduling of our Schvitz, a ritual sauna program for our oldest campers. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. Depending on prior experience, respond to emergencies in the field. Must be 21+ with current Lifeguard certifications. Prior supervisor, naturalist, teaching, and gardening experience, and WFA/WFR preferred.
Challenge Course Supervisor
(1 position: $6,815 for summer (with weekly rates for fall programs), more DOE. Dates for this position are May 23 – August 11, and availability to work weekend programs through October 15 preferred ). Supervise the challenge course and Challenge Course Facilitators. Lead week-long training for facilitators covering standard and local operating procedures, sequencing, debriefing, facilitating games and initiatives. Facilitate groups through low and high elements of our adventure challenge course. Teach belaying and maintain a physically and emotionally safe environment. Inspect and maintain equipment and elements throughout summer. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. Excellent leadership and facilitation skills, experience with children, and prior challenge course facilitation experience required. ACCT Level II certification or equivalent leading-edge climbing/rescue training required (Tawonga will reimburse for training if you do not already possess it). Prior supervision experience preferred. Must be 21+ with current First Aid and CPR.
Farm and Garden Supervisor
(1 position: $6,815 for summer (weekly rates before and after summer). Summer dates for this position are May 23 – August 11, including on site pre-camp supervisor training and Wilderness Leader training week. Full season: May 1 – October 15). Cultivate Tawonga’s vegetable and ornamental garden using organic farming practices. Care for goats and chickens, including feeding, watering, mucking, coordinating veterinary care, and facilitating humane educational programs with animals and campers. Supervise a Farm and Garden Specialist and other farmhands, and support Lead Naturalist/Teva Supervisor. Collaborate with Naturalists/Teva Specialists and Wilderness Leaders to facilitate engaging farm and garden programming for children ages 8-16, fostering with campers a connection to nature, Jewish values of sustainability and caring for the world, and a connection to food, land and farming. Collaborate with Tawonga’s year round Buildings and Grounds team. Live and work at camp for six months from garden prep to shutdown, with up to three weeks of remote work before camp to allow for planning and program development. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily, and work 8 hours/day outside. Live in shared housing.
Kitchen Supervisors
Assistant Kitchen Manager
(2 positions: $9,000, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 25 – August 11) Assist and support the Director of Kitchen & At-Camp Operations in the daily management of the Tawonga Kitchen. Supervise 3-4 Kitchen Supervisors – providing regular feedback, support and evaluations. Work closely with Kitchen Supervisors and Prep Cooks, collaborating, communicating and helping with the smooth running of kitchen shifts. Be a part of the Camp Management Team and be a general liaison between the Kitchen, the rest of Camp and the Director Team. The Assistant Kitchen Manager will be assigned 2-3 shifts as a Lead Cook and/or leading shifts in Alternative Foods Kitchen and Bantry (Bakery + Pantry), each week, orchestrating 3-5 people including tone setting, time management, assigning tasks to Prep Cooks and working alongside them to execute meal preparation, service and clean-up. Must have professional cooking experience and enjoy working closely with others. Experience in the Tawonga kitchen is a plus. Housing is shared, rustic staff housing.
Lead Cook
(3 positions: $8,100, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 25 – August 11) Lead Cooks are assigned to one of three shifts, six days of the week – AM, PM or Snack Shift. Shifts contain 3-5 people and the Lead’s role includes tone setting, time management, assigning tasks to Prep Cooks, providing supervision and coaching to Prep Cooks and working alongside them to execute meal preparation, service and clean-up. In addition to leading shifts, each Lead Cook is part of our Kitchen Supervisor Team, which meets weekly to discuss how the kitchen is running, support one another and share in supporting our Prep Cooks. Must have professional cooking experience and enjoy working closely with others. Experience in the Tawonga kitchen is a plus. Housing is shared, rustic staff housing.
Alternative Foods and Packout Lead
(3 positions: $7,700, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 25 – August 11) Alternative Foods & Packout Leads are assigned to one of two shifts, six days of the week – AM or PM. Responsible for preparing all vegetarian, vegan and other restricted dietary alternatives for each meal (50-150 servings). Shifts can contain 1-2 people and the Alternative Foods & Packout Lead’s role includes tone setting, time management, assigning tasks to Prep Cooks, providing supervision and coaching to Prep Cooks and working alongside them to execute meal preparation, service and clean-up. The Alternative Foods Kitchen is also responsible for packing all food for meals eaten outside of the dining hall (called “packouts”). For example, food for food related activity blocks and food for bunk backpacking trips. Must be extremely well organized and have excellent communication skills. In addition to leading shifts, each Alternative Foods & Pakcout Lead is part of our Kitchen Supervisor Team, which meets weekly to discuss how the kitchen is running, support one another and share in supporting our Prep Cooks. Must have professional cooking experience and enjoy working closely with others. Experience in the Tawonga kitchen is a plus. Housing is shared, rustic staff housing.
Bakery & Pantry Lead
(2 positions: $7,100, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 25 – August 11) The Bakery & Pantry Lead is responsible for all baked goods coming out of the Tawonga Kitchen, which includes (but is not limited to): breakfast breads such as coffee cake and banana bread, preparing bowls of fruit for lunch dessert, preparing and baking dinner dessert for all of camp, challah for weekly shabbat dinner and specialty items at various points of the summer. The Bakery & Pantry Lead will be scheduled six days of the week, with mostly AM shift start times. Shifts can contain assigned Prep Cooks (1-2 people) and the Bakery & Pantry Lead’s role includes tone setting, time management, assigning tasks to Prep Cooks, providing supervision and coaching to Prep Cooks and working alongside them to execute baking production and clean-up. The Pantry responsibilities can include, but are not limited to, receiving and storing away large delivery orders, keeping all back of house storage areas clean and organized at all times, preparing daily snacks between meal times for campers, as well as both kitchen and camper laundry. The Bakery & Pantry Lead is part of our Kitchen Supervisor Team, which meets weekly to discuss how the kitchen is running, support one another and share in supporting our Prep Cooks. Must have professional baking experience and enjoy working closely with others. Experience in the Tawonga kitchen is a plus. Housing is shared, rustic staff housing.
Health & Wellbeing Supervisors
Head Nurse
(1 position: $16,500, more Depending on Experience. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11 with some pre-work, paid hourly, preferred before summer.) Supervise all aspects of Health Center operations including providing excellent patient care to staff (mostly college-age) and campers (7-17), maintaining health records, working with volunteer MDs and other Camp professions, supervising the Health Center team (four Health Techs and a nurse), calling parents and other responsibilities associated with the Health Center. Pediatric, ER, and/or camp experience helpful. Previous supervision experience is preferred. RN required, WFR or other wilderness medicine degree or certificate is recommended.
Nurse
(2 positions: $ TBD. Dates for this position are May 27– August 11.) Work with the Head Nurse to run smooth operations in the Health Center. This includes providing excellent patient care to staff (mostly college-age) and campers (7-17), maintaining health records, working with volunteer MDs and other Camp professions, supervising two-three Health Technicians, calling parents and other responsibilities associated with the Health Center. Pediatric, ER, and/or camp experience helpful but not required. RN is required, WFR recommended.
Camp Therapist or Intern Camp Therapist
(2 – 3 positions: $627/week for interns, $817/week for licensed therapists, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11 (or some portion of that time).) Must have an MA in Counseling or Social Work and half of supervised hours. Consult with Directors, Supervisors, and counselors regarding challenging camper situations. See individual campers for assessment and short-term individual support. Assist staff with situations that affect work performance or morale. Call parents as needed. Possibility to earn supervised hours.
Operations Supervisors
Transportation Supervisor
(1 position $5,485 more DOE. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11.) Manage a team of drivers and all scheduling and logistics of the transportation department. Must have demonstrated skill and strength in logistical challenges and be detail-oriented. Ensure safety, conduct regular vehicle maintenance, and report any vehicle damages. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. Must be at least 21 years old and have an excellent driving record. Experience and comfort driving on mountain roads and driving with trailers preferred.
Maintenance Supervisor
(3 positions: $5,485. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11.) Responsibilities include supervising the Maintenance Crew and assisting the Buildings & Grounds Crew as needed with grounds-keeping, janitorial and housekeeping needs. Lead shifts teaching and role modeling safety, professionalism and strong work ethic while doing physical work. Assist with camp-wide recycling efforts. Coordinate the unloading and loading of camper luggage on arrival and departure. Housing is shared, rustic staff housing.Option available to continue through October on hourly wage on the Postseason Crew, helping with Family Camps and offseason projects.
Office Supervisor
(1 position: $5,485. Dates for this position are May 27 – August 11.) Directly supervise Camp Office Team of 2, indirectly support 1 Camp Blogger/Photographer, and manage Camp Office operations. Work a daily shift from 10:30am to 6:30pm and cover other shifts as needed. Train, coordinate and support Office Staff by leading daily meetings and delegating effectively. Responsibilities include: daily observations of the team, regular check-ins with staff, and writing formal evaluations for staff twice throughout the summer. Answer phones and gate radio calls, fill and distribute camp store orders, sort mail, assist Director team with special projects, take photos for camp blog, support with petty cash and receipts, as well as other various administrative duties. Maintain cleanliness and positive vibe of the office and staff kitchen. Provide excellent customer service. Must be able to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Live in shared housing. Must be self-motivated, enthusiastic, and enjoy being part of the hub of camp. Previous experience in customer service, administration, and office management strongly preferred.
