Working Directly With Kids

(65 positions: entry level salary $3400, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 4 – August 12. 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 $3400, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 4 – August 12. 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 may be campers with disabilities but it is not limited to supporting only these campers, full counselor job description also applies. 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 $3950, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 4 – August 12. 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: $425/week, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 4 – July 7 ONLY.) Train and supervise approximately 30 Counselors In-Training and 6-8 Specialists In-Training. Lead workshops, coordinate schedules, liaison with department heads, and participate in all SCIT activities. Supervision/teaching experience required. Supervision, teaching (formal or informal), and Tawonga Unit Head experience helpful.

(4 positions: $425/week, more DOE. Dates for this position are trainingJune 4 – 11 and program dates July 9 – 28 ONLY.) Train and supervise approximately 24 teens in an immersive leadership training program. Serve as a facilitator of the participants’ experience. The program takes teens and staff on an extended backpacking trip into Yosemite, volunteering in Yosemite National Park and through a course of service work based at camp. Staff must be able to support teens both on and off site, teaching daily curriculum, including but not limited to skill development, 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 may be required. Excellent communication skills, teaching experience, capacity to do physical labor, and community development knowledge are essential.

(9-10 positions: $3400, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 4 – August 12. First Aid and CPR certification is required for this position.) Counselor on special assignment. Provide care for children of staff at camp. Must be responsible, warm, loving, creative, and flexible. Experience with children preferred.

(3 positions: entry level salary $3400, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 4 – August 12.) Lead creative and Jewish programming. 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 $3400, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 4 – August 12.) Plan and direct two all-camp productions, facilitate drama games to help children and teens express themselves and explore communication. Assist in general programming needs for camp with greater department of programming. Must have 3 years college level drama courses or equivalent.

(1 position: entry level salary $3400, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 4 – August 12.) 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.

(6 positions: entry level salary $3400, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 4 – August 12.) Lifeguard at beautiful Olympic-sized pool, 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. One Waterfront Director position available. LGT certification required; experience teaching lessons and WSI preferred.

(4 positions: entry level salary $3400, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 4 – August 12.) Instruct: tie-dye, candle making, copper enameling, ceramics (hand building and electric wheel), silk painting, Jewish crafts, print making, lanyards, and more. Organize and clean all supplies and equipment daily. Other duties: distribute pack-out supplies, operate kiln firings, and participate in unit activities. Teaching experience helpful.

(2 positions: $3400, more DOE. Jewish education experience preferred. Dates for this position are June 4 – August 12.) Work with Unit Heads, counselors and specialty staff to provide creative Jewish programming. Assist the Jewish Program Director with camp-wide Shabbat programs, weekly Torah services and Kabbalat Shabbat programs. Create and lead Jewish programs for campers. Creative programming, storytelling, meditation, yoga, art, and music skills are all assets.

(2 positions: entry level salary $3400, significantly more DOE. Dates for this position are June 4 – August 12.) Lead and teach American and Hebrew folk songs in camp-wide sing-a-longs (300 people) after meals. Sing campers to sleep and offer campfire 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: $4750 based on rotations and certifications. Dates for this position are May 25 – 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 with children and prior backpacking experience 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: 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 with Mother Nature.
• Teen Adventure Quest Leader: Co-lead a group of teens on a multi-week van trip through California or the Pacific Northwest. Lead backpacking trip, drive vans, 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 and climbing tower. Prior ropes course facilitation experience and rock climbing/belaying experience helpful.
• Naturalist: Engage children in creative activities to foster nature appreciation and environmental education. Lead day hikes, river rock hops, fire building, orienteering, and storytelling, as well as garden-based programming in our organic garden. Implement traditional Tawonga programs and create new activities to engage campers about natural history, ecology, Jewish connections to nature, and Native American culture.

(1 position: $3600, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 4 – August 12.) Lead cabin groups 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 $3600, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 3 – August 12.) Engage children in creative activities to foster nature appreciation and environmental education. Lead day hikes, river rock hops, fire building, orienteering, and storytelling. Implement traditional Tawonga programs and create new activities to engage campers about natural history, ecology, Jewish connections to nature, and Native American culture. Lifeguard certification required. WFA/R preferred. Dynamic stage presence and BA (or 1 year field exp.) preferred.

(1 positions: salary $3600, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 4 – August 12.) Engage children in land stewardship work, history centering Indigenous history, and environmental education. Lead Forest Tikkuns (repairing the land and returning to right relationship with the land) and land stewardship electives and 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.