Summer Camp Counselor, Early Childhood

Department Summary

The Ricks Center for Gifted Children at the University of Denver is an exemplary program designed for gifted children. We provide nationally recognized gifted education to approximately 250 students aged three through thirteen who demonstrate exceptional abilities and learning needs. Our mission is to provide a dynamic and challenging educational environment that anticipates and responds to gifted childrens individual needs in the areas of intellectual social emotional physical aesthetic and cognitive development.

Position Summary
We seek qualified individuals to lead and assist with our summer camp program at Ricks Center for Gifted Children. The Summer Camp Counselor helps create a safe fun and inclusive environment for campers by supervising activities leading games and programs and supporting daily routines. Counselors serve as positive role models ensure camper safety and contribute to a welcoming camp community. This role requires energy teamwork and a genuine interest in working with children.

This is a non-benefited position not to exceed 1000 hours in a calendar year.

Supervision & Training

• Upon hire complete the provided First Aid and CPR certification or provide a copy of the current certification.
• Ability to become familiar with the Colorado Department of Human Services Rules and Regulations and complete required training.
• Must complete at least 15 hours of training 30 days from the start date and all additional training as assigned.

Essential Functions:

• Develop and implement a weekly project-based curriculum and schedule for your group based on the assigned theme.
• Organize and lead various small and large group learning activities that balance academics music sports art and technology centered on the theme.
• Identify and respond to camper behavior issues following the Ricks Center discipline policy.
• Communicate with parents about participants experiences and behaviors and report concerns to extended day leadership.
• Assisted in maintaining accurate program records including incident reports logbook documentation and daily attendance.
• Ensure that the site is kept clean and organized prepare all areas for learning and order supplies as needed within an allotted budget.
• Know and understand ALL emergency procedures associated with the program and uphold all policies in the teacher and parent handbooks.
• Know enforce and follow all safety guidelines associated with the program and all program areas. This includes being responsible for your campers safety and their whereabouts.
• Know enforce and follow all licensing requirements associated with the program areas.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

• Must be able to lead plan organize and implement program activities.
• Must be able to work as a member of a team and can accomplish tasks with little direct supervision.
• Must have strong organizational and communication skills.
• Must pass a CBI (Colorado) and FBI (Federal) background check.

Required Qualifications:

• To work with children ages 35 counselors must meet Colorado Child Care Licensing requirements including:
  • Being at least 18 years old.
  • Meeting stateapproved Early Childhood Teacher qualification pathways such as a relevant degree required ECE coursework or a Colorado teaching license. For more information on requirements please visit Schedule

    Monday-Friday camp schedule 8:30am-3:30pm.

    Work Environment:

    • You will work in a classroom setting with students ranging from three to 13.
    • Open-office environment.
    • Unexpected interruptions often occur and stress levels can sometimes be moderate to high.

    Physical Activities:

    Must be able to lead and participate in activities including hiking swimming team-building initiatives physical games lifting and sports/physical activities.

    Hourly Range:
    The hourly range for the position is $19.50 -$22.00

    The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate departmental budget availability internal salary equity considerations and available market information but not based on a candidates sex or any other protected status.

    Benefits:

    The University of Denver offers some benefits for non-benefited employees. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.
    
    Application Deadline
    For consideration please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) June 15 2026.

    Special Instructions
    Candidates must apply online through to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

    Please include the following documents with your application:
    1. Resume
    2. Cover Letter

    The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family or parental status pregnancy or related conditions national origin disability or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color national origin ancestry age religion creed disability sex (including sex stereotypes sex characteristics sexual orientation gender identity and gender expression) marital family and parental status pregnancy genetic information military enlistment or veteran status and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal state or local law regulation or ordinance in any of the Universitys educational programs and activities and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers Rights (POWR) Act; and any other federal state and local laws regulations or ordinances that prohibit discrimination harassment and/or retaliation. For more information please see the University of Denvers NonDiscriminationStatement.
    
    All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.