Colvig Silver Camps Hiring for Head Counselor at Durango, Colorado Full Time

Minimum Age: 21 years of age, preferably a college junior

Terms of Employment: Head Counselors are hired for 10 weeks unless contracted otherwise

Compensation: Total Potential Earnings of at least $4,100 

• $3,500-, plus lodging, meals, travel allowance ($100), and end-of-summer bonus ($500)
• Head Counselors will also receive a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification through NOLS Wilderness Medicine or a pay bonus if they already hold a WFA or higher certification. 

Time Off: Approximately one night each week, plus two days between sessions

Number Hired: 15-20 males and 15-20 females, depending on enrollment

Responsibilities: The primary responsibility of a Head Counselor is to ensure the physical safety and emotional well-being of campers in their care. Specific duties can be broken down into three categories: living in a cabin with 4-6 campers; planning and leading traditional in-camp activities; co-leading 3-5 day out-of-camp wilderness trips. The following is a brief description of each.

Each counselor is assigned to a specific age group or “camp,” each of which is housed in a distinct group of cabins. Head Counselors live in a cabin with 4-6 campers and are responsible for these campers at specific times such as rest hour after lunch, getting them to bed at night, getting them up and ready in the morning, bringing them to and from meals, making sure they are clean and healthy, etc. During in-camp activity periods, counselors plan and lead activities that are offered to campers in their age group. It is essential to understand that the camp does not pre-schedule activities for the campers. Instead, the counseling staff of each age group is responsible for creating and maintaining a diversified offering of activities. It is essential that every counselor be prepared to brainstorm, plan, schedule, and implement their age group’s program with input both from campers and other staff. Creativity and enthusiasm are a must!

About half of the time (time varies slightly with age group) will be spent leading 3-5 day out-of-camp backcountry wilderness trips. Counselors must be physically capable of leading challenging trips in the wilderness and must be interested in or knowledgeable about basic outdoor skills such as topographic map reading, outdoor cooking, backpacking techniques, minimum impact camping, etc. While counselors do not need to be knowledgeable in all areas of our wilderness program, some experience is essential. Staff training will fill in the gaps. Head Counselors must hold a current driver’s license and have current certifications in recognized first aid and CPR courses.

Head Counselors are asked to consistently provide positive, creative, and meaningful direction to the young lives with which they are entrusted, within the philosophies of Colvig Silver Camps. It is imperative that they be able to support established camp policies and promoted programs. Counseling is a 24-hour per day job with rewards proportionate to what is given. Be prepared to have more fun than you have ever had and to provide more of yourself than you could ever imagine!