Discovery Overnight Camp Counselor

Job Title: Discovery Overnight Camp Counselor

Compensation: $550.00 per week base rate 10 boost for Spanish speakers

Housing: Yes

Exemption Status: Exempt

Employee Classification: Temporary Fulltime

Dates of Employment: May 27 2025 August 16 2025

Reporting to: Discovery Overnight Camp Manager

Direct Reports: None

Position Summary

As a Discovery Overnight Camp Counselor at Keystone Science School youll lead campers through an unforgettable summer of adventure exploration and personal growth. Our Overnight Camp blends handson science with classic summer camp traditions like hiking camping archery skits and songs creating a dynamic experience for campers in 1st8th grade. In this role youll serve as a mentor teacher and role model fostering a safe inclusive and exciting environment where campers can build confidence teamwork and outdoor skills. Youll live alongside campers in dorms or our canvas tent village fully immersing yourself in the camp community.

Whether youre guiding a challenge hike mentoring teens in our Counselor Assistant Program or leading an evening Candle Chat reflection youll help shape a summer full of learning growth and unforgettable memories!

The wage for this position is $550.00 weekly with a 10 increase for those fluent in English and Spanish.

Key Responsibilities

Program Leadership & Camper Experience

• Facilitate and teach camp programs science activities and adventure programming.
• Lead and supervise a field group of up to 13 campers during daily activities.
• Guide campers on overnight trips and challenge hikes ensuring a safe and fun experience.
• Serve as a mentor and role model fostering teamwork confidence and personal growth.
• Lead nightly Candle Chat discussions to reflect on the days experiences.

Camper Supervision & Safety

• Live with campers in dormitories or the canvas tent village providing roundtheclock support.
• Maintain a safe inclusive and positive environment for all campers.
• Follow and enforce risk management policies in all camp activities.
• Support meetings to review rules guidelines and expectations for camper living spaces.

Logistics & Operations

• Assist with opening and closing day procedures to ensure smooth transitions.
• Set up and clean up for meals activities and overnight camping trips.
• Help pack and prepare gear for overnight adventures.
• Drive a 15passenger van (for staff 20 with 4 years of driving experience).
• Take on additional duties as assigned to support the camps success.

Skills

• Have an interest in respect for and ability to work with children.
• Have an interest in respect for and ability to work with people with diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to create an inclusive learning environment for campers from a wide range of backgrounds.
• Ability to be creative adaptable and flexible while managing children in a variety of situations.
• Strong work ethic and personal motivation.
• Desire to contribute positively to the KSS atlarge community.
• Preferred Outdoor recreation experience in hiking camping backpacking or rock climbing.
• Preferred Knowledge of science based curriculum (e.g. forest ecology geology biology).

Education Experience and Certifications

• 460 hours of experience working with school age children (verification of hours required).
• Current Wilderness First Aid (WFA) and CPR certifications from an approved vendor or the ability to obtain before the first day of employment (KSS does offer an onsite WFA course before staff training in May at the expense of the individual).
• Be over the age of 18 by the start date of employment.
• Preferred Age 20 with an excellent driving record and a valid drivers license.

Physical Requirements

• Able to work a majority of the time outside at high altitude in varying conditions including uneven and slick terrain and unpredictable weather and situations.
• Physically able to assist participants with recreation equipment during activities.
• Able to lift a minimum of 75 lbs. with assistance.
• Dexterity auditory and visual acuity to operate computers and phones or mobile devices.
• Auditory and visual acuity to interact with guests students clients on a daily basis.
• Able to successfully manage multiple high priority tasks in a fastpaced and often times crowded and noisy environment.

Keystone Science School: Who We Are

Keystone Science School (KSS) ignites curiosity and critical thinking through handson naturebased learning. Nestled at 9200 feet in Colorados Rocky Mountains our 23acre campus serves as a hub for immersive inquirydriven experiences. Since 1976 we have combined outdoor adventure with STEM education empowering students teachers and communities. Our programsincluding summer camps schoolbased learning and outdoor educationpromote scientific exploration leadership and environmental stewardship. With logstyle dorms a dining hall an outdoor amphitheater and an observatory KSS provides an inspiring setting for discovery.

Benefits for Seasonal Staff

At KSS our staff are essential to our mission. We are proud to offer rewarding benefits including professional development opportunities and those listed below.

• Room and board is provided.
• Up to 32 paid sick hours.
• Paid holidays.
• Access to medical dental and vision benefits after four months of employment.
• Sick time EAP (Employee Assistance Program) and FAMLI (Family and Medical Leave Insurance) are offered.
• Discounts to outdoor retailers and discounted ski pass opportunities.

Work Schedule and Environment

This position primarily operates in a highaltitude outdoor environment. Discovery Overnight Camp runs six days a week from Monday through Saturday with Sundays off. Programming occurs both oncampus and in remote offsite locations. Employees will work closely with teammates and campers in this highly collaborative role.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Keystone Science School is committed to building a diverse equitable and inclusive community and we seek to recruit develop and retain the most talented people from a wide variety of backgrounds. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color national or ethnic origin sex gender identity or expression sexual orientation pregnancy age religion disability veteran status genetic information or any other characteristic protected by law.