Seasonal - Day Summer Camp Counselor - All Levels

Day Camp Counselors are responsible for fostering a supportive, inclusive, and respectful living environment for campers, prioritizing their safety, enjoyment, and personal growth. This role requires counselors to model positive community living and guide campers in learning to live responsibly and sustainably. Through active engagement and leadership, Day Camp Counselors help campers develop a sense of connection to both the community and the natural world around them. We have three levels of Day Camp Counselors with different requirements for each level. The camp director determines your level. Your position will be based at the Learning Center in Lincolnville, Maine. Day Camp Counselors are vital to creating a positive and engaging camp experience by actively interacting with campers throughout daily activities, lessons, and meals. Day Camp Counselors recreate with campers and, alongside a co-counselor, facilitate both structured and recreational activities during the daytime. Full-Time, Temporary (June 13 to August 15). $3150-$4500 for 9 weeks, commensurate with experience.

Day Camp Counselors work a full summer schedule from June 13th, 2025 to August 15th, 2025. Day Camp Counselors have the option to reside on-site throughout the season, with structured time off each week.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with planning and delivery of hands-on natural history and outdoor skills, lessons, games, and activities. Topics such as the water cycle, insects, birds, marine, forest, and freshwater ecology are taught through exploration, games, puppetry, art, songs, and stories.
• Engage actively with campers during lessons, recreation, and meal times.
• Plan, lead, and teach four one-hour afternoon “elective” activities each week.
• Support each other in welcoming parents, providing a safe atmosphere, and doing other duties as assigned.
• You’ll participate fully in staff training and meetings, bringing ideas to help improve the camp experience for everyone.
• You’ll model healthy living, positive energy, open communication, and a commitment to environmental stewardship.
• You’ll supervise campers at all times, ensuring their safety and well-being.
• You’ll help plan and carry out a variety of camp events, including evening programs, special days, and opening and closing ceremonies.
• You’ll contribute to community living by taking part in chores, meal service, and any necessary maintenance duties.
• You’ll follow all health protocols, maintaining a safe and healthy environment for campers and staff alike.

Benefits:

• Rustic and Shared Housing
• Meals
• Internet Access

We are not able to consider applicants who require Visa sponsorship support.

Complete Job Description

About the University:

The University of Maine is a community of more than 11,900 undergraduate and graduate students, and 2,500 employees located on the Orono campus, the regional campus in Machias, and throughout the state. UMaine is a land, sea and space grant university, and maintains a leadership role as the University of Maine System's flagship institution. UMaine is the state's public research university and a Carnegie R1 top-tier research institution, dedicated to providing excellent teaching, research and service for Maine, the nation and the world. More information about UMaine is at umaine.edu. 

Who We Are: 

The 4-H Camp and Learning Centers provide environmentally focused programs for Maine youth and families in Lincolnville. Our mission is to teach youth and adults to be effective and caring citizens of the earth through affordable environmental education and fun nature-based experiences. Tucked into a parcel of Camden Hills State Park, campers and counselors join together to form a creative community fostering a supportive and fun environment for all — and drawing people back year after year! While having fun and experiencing the joys of being a part of the natural world, we emphasize community living, respect for all, and healthy relationships. Summer at Tanglewood is filled with the wonderful energy of young people living and playing together outdoors. Our camps encourage everyone to be themselves, learn from those around them, and make good decisions. Tanglewood’s summer offerings include overnight camps for 8 to 14-year-olds, day camps for 5 to 11-year-olds, hunter safety camps in conjunction with Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, discovery trips featuring canoeing and backpacking, and multi-week leadership programs for teens 14-17. Behind our programs is a dedicated team of program leaders and support staff who are trained in working with young people in the outdoors.

Qualifications:

Level One Required: 

• You need a High School diploma or equivalent (G.E.D.)
• You don’t need to have any previous experience to apply for this job. 

Level Two Required: 

• You have a minimum of two years of previous camp or related experience working with youth. 

AND/OR

• You hold an additional certification that is value-added to keep our campers safe like: 
  • Lifeguard certification
  • Wilderness First Aid certification 

Level Three Required: 

• You have a minimum of 3 years related experience working with youth and teaching in the outdoors or equivalent

AND/OR

• You need to hold an additional certification that is value-added to keep our campers safe like: 
  • Lifeguard certification
  • Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification

Preferred: 

• You have a genuine motivation to work with children in a vibrant, high-energy outdoor setting where every day is an adventure.
• You demonstrate responsible and safe decision-making skills, ensuring a secure and enjoyable experience for all campers during outdoor programming.
• You hold a First Aid and Basic Life Support certification or are eager to obtain one before the start date to ensure the safety and well-being of campers.
• You have the ability to lead groups in various outdoor environments, comfortably carrying a small backpack filled with teaching supplies and a first aid kit to support your activities.
• Specifically for Level Three: 
  • You are 21 years of age or older
  • You hold a higher additional certification that is specific to the outdoors like: 
    • Wilderness Responder Certification

Other Information: 

To be considered for this position you will need to “Apply” and upload the documentation listed below:

1.) a cover letter which describes your experience, interests, and suitability for the position
2.) a resume/curriculum vitae

Candidates selected to proceed to the final stages of the search process will be requested to provide a list of names and contact information for references.

Incomplete application materials cannot be considered. Materials received after the initial review date will be reviewed at the discretion of the University.

These materials are reviewed on a weekly basis. The final date to apply for the summer of 2025 is June 1, 2025, at 4:30 PM

For questions about the search, please contact Jessica Decke, at jessica.decke@maine.edu.

The successful applicant is subject to appropriate background screening. 

In complying with the letter and spirit of applicable laws and pursuing its own goals of diversity, the University of Maine System does not discriminate on the grounds of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, transgender status, gender, gender identity or expression, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship status, familial status, ancestry, age, disability physical or mental, genetic information, or veterans or military status in employment, education, and all other programs and activities. The University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies: Director of Equal Opportunity, 5713 Chadbourne Hall, Room 412, University of Maine, Orono, ME  04469-5713, 207.581.1226, TTY 711 (Maine Relay System).

Clery Act 
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, or Clery Act, mandates that all Title IV institutions, such as the University, prepare, publish and distribute an Annual Security Report, (ASR) and provide notice of the availability of the ASR to all prospective employees. This report consists of two basic parts: disclosure of the University’s crime statistics for the past three calendar years; and disclosures regarding the University’s current campus security policies. You may view the University’s Annual Security Report. If you wish to have a paper copy of the ASR or you need to have a copy of the ASR in an accessible format, the University will provide such a copy upon request. Please contact: UMaine Police Department, 81 Rangeley Rd., The University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469-5794, or call 207.581.4053.