Summer Camp Counselor - Buncombe County

ABOUT US  

The nonprofit YMCA of Western North Carolina strengthens local communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. Founded in 1889, we engage more than 100,000 people – regardless of age, income, or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the region’s health and well-being, and provide opportunities to give back and support the community. We do this through seven YMCAs, dozens of program sites, and YMCA Camp Watia. As the state’s largest provider of licensed school-age childcare, we give more than 1,000 children a day the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive. We are made up of people of all ages, from all backgrounds, working side by side to ensure that everyone can reach their full potential with dignity. Our core values are caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility, and they guide everything we do. We are committed to being an organization that exposes and addresses social constraints that limit and/or negatively affect all humans from all walks of life. We recruit staff who are passionate about giving back to the community, helping people, and upholding our core values. For more information, please visit ymcawnc.org.

SPEND YOUR SUMMER MAKING A DIFFERENCE AS A SUMMER CAMP COUNSELOR!

Are you ready for an unforgettable summer? As a YMCA Summer Camp Counselor, you’ll lead, inspire, and make a lasting impact on kids in grades K-8 while creating incredible memories of your own!

You'll oversee a group of 10 to 19 campers, guiding them through exciting activities that encourage growth, teamwork, and creativity. With support from the Program Directors and Coordinators, you’ll help deliver engaging programs designed to teach new skills, foster friendships, and create a safe, fun, and enriching environment.

Multiple Seasonal Summer Camp Positions Open Across Buncombe County!

Camp Runs June 16 – August 15, 2025 (7:30am – 5:30pm; Monday – Friday)

Mandatory Camp Training: June 11 – 13, 2025 (9:00am – 5:00pm)

Competitive Pay: $15.00/Hour; Counselors can work up to 40 hours per week!

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

• Ensure Safety & Engagement: Keep all children in your group safe, engaged, and excited to participate in activities.  
• Follow Program Activity Plans: Implement fun and developmentally appropriate activities that meet the individual needs of each camper.  
• Be a Role Model: Serve as a positive example through professional behavior, demonstrating approaches that foster growth in social development.  
• Create an Inviting Space: Facilitate an environment that encourages exploration, promotes positive play, and makes every camper feel welcome.  
• Stay Connected: Maintain clear and ongoing communication with your supervisor and parents, and attend trainings and team meetings.  
• Keep Records: Ensure camp records are accurate and meet program requirements.  
• Follow Policies: Adhere to all YMCA policies, as well as state and federal regulations. 
• Have FUN!: From color tag, to field trips, and arts and crafts—you and your campers will have a blast! 

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Develop leadership and teamwork skills that look great on a resume.  
• Enjoy weekly professional development and planning sessions to sharpen your skills and connect with a passionate team.  
• Make a real difference by supporting kids in their social development. 

If you’re enthusiastic, responsible, and ready to embrace the YMCA mission of serving the community, we’d love to have you on our team! This is more than just a job—it’s an opportunity to grow, lead, and make this summer truly extraordinary. 

ABOUT YOU

Qualifications

• Must be at least 16 years of age or older; preferably over 18.  
• Experience creating interactive and educational/artistic activities, youth development, academic enrichment, and arts; Preferred, not required.  
• Some prior experience working with children under 13 years of age is preferred. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Great at managing groups, solving problems, and handling conflicts calmly and effectively.  
• Comfortable communicating with both kids and adults, whether it’s talking, listening, or writing.  
• Ready to take charge of daily tasks, from running activities to handling camp site record keeping and child supervision. 
• Flexible and enthusiastic to change (ex: we can’t always control the weather—improvising to an indoor activity when we’ve planned a field day!). 

PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB

These physical requirements show what you'll need to do to handle the key parts of the job. If you require reasonable accommodations, we’ll work with you to make sure you can do the job successfully.

• You should enjoy spending lots of time outdoors—Western NC summers can be hot and humid, so bring your energy and sunscreen!
• Be ready for moderate physical activity like climbing, bending, kneeling, twisting, reaching, sitting, walking, and standing for long periods.
• Comfortable lifting or moving up to 25 pounds when needed.
• Have good hand coordination, be able to grip things, and handle repetitive motions.
• Able to talk, listen, and see clearly to keep everything running smoothly.

BENEFITS