Counselor
Camp Phoenix is a fun-filled, justice-centered program that is intentional about empowering students from low-income backgrounds and reconnecting them to nature so they can become the leaders our community—and our planet—needs. Our overnight summer camp blends the fun of sleepaway camp with the rigor of exploratory learning to propel middle school students into the next school year and beyond. Throughout the year, we guide teens on weekend trips throughout the Bay Area to expose them even more to what Mother Nature has to offer.
Camp Phoenix is at an exciting time in its organizational history. Founded in 2012, Camp Phoenix serves about 40-50 campers each summer and strives to bring joy, love and opportunity to everyone who joins the flock. We’ve grown from serving 25 middle-schoolers during the summer of 2013, to now serving over 120 middle and high-schoolers each year through our overnight summer camp, and 50 additional hours of year-round outdoor excursions.
At Camp Phoenix, we believe all youth deserve access to nature, wonder and exploration and that youth should gain, not lose, learning in the summer. Read more about our beliefs here.
Counselors are the primary supervisors and mentors for their campers—playing a significant role in meeting important community and identity outcomes for campers. Counselors live in cabins with campers or with other counselors and support individual campers’ growth as well as the group dynamics by participating in all-camp programming together, eating meals with campers, and creating bunk programming. Counselors will also play a support role in academic instruction as teaching assistants. Counselors will report to Head Counselors and work in collaboration with many other staff members.
>> Qualifications
- Must be a hard worker – the team is a hardworking group and has a ton of fun together.
- Must be a strong, positive team player and enjoy working in a kid-centered environment.
- Interest in fostering social change through the empowerment of youth growing up in low-income communities.
- Able to make sound, camper-centered decisions on your feet
- Emotional intelligence and maturity a must
- Love for personal growth and learning (you thrive in an environment where you are taught new skills, receive ongoing feedback, and stretch your leadership)
- Experience working with middle school-aged students preferred but not required
- High School diploma required; currently enrolled in college preferred
- Sophomore in college or higher strongly preferred
- Experience working with kids preferred but not required
- Strong communicator with both campers and peers
- Patient, a problem solver who works hard to understand students' motivations and intentions
- Full of positive energy and joy!
>> Responsibilities
- Be a role model for campers at all times, demonstrating Camp Phoenix core values
- Provide camper mentorship and guidance as campers experience Camp Phoenix’s socio-emotional and leadership development programming
- Ensure (and be hyper-vigilant) of camper safety
- Support academic instruction time by serving as small group facilitators. Work in collaboration with Academic Instructors (Brain Feeders) in creating a positive, focused academic environment.
- Build positive, community-focused bunk culture
- Mediate camper differences
- Facilitate small group excursions and experiences by collaborating with the Program Team
- In partnership with Head Counselors, problem-solve camper-related challenges to ensure a safe and joyful camp culture
Employment dates
- Onboarding, Planning, Staff Training (flexible virtual hours, about 8 hours total): June18-20, 2026
- Camp Dates: June 21 - July 5, 2026
Compensation
- The Counselor pay is a $750 stipend for the entirety of the camp session. Room and board, and all meals are included.
>> To Apply
Please apply: https://campphoenix.org/about/jobs/
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.