Mountain Meadow Ranch Summer Camp Hiring for Camp Counselors at Susanville , California Full Time

Here at MMR we strive to create a very unique environment. An environment that is contrary to contemporary culture. Where technology is traded for all-present conversations and authentic friendships. Where true fun is had without the help of any substance. Where there is no pressure or expectancy for romantic relationships and everyone is viewed as family.  Our mission and our commitment are at the heart of what we do at Mountain Meadow and should be taken into special consideration when seeking employment with our family. We want to move away from the norm and fight for greatness.

Camp is an intensive short-lived time, filled with kids that need us to be present in every moment. We want staff that is willing to give up themselves for the kids and experience living  a unique lifestyle.

If you seek a summer of fun alone, we encourage you to look elsewhere. To say camp is fun is an understatement, fun is a given. But MMR isn’t just a summer camp. It’s a place where fears are conquered and identities are found. It’s a place where genuine relationships are born and flourish. We are growth, unplugged, wholesome adventure. We practice stewardship, inclusiveness, empathy, encouragement, and integrity. As we celebrate authenticity, we help each other as a family, find joy in our uniqueness and encourage all to dance outside their comfort zones. We believe all this starts with our counselors.

SEEKING CAMP COUNSELORS FOR THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS:

Mountain Meadow Ranch counselors act as both cabin counselors and activity instructors. We are currently actively interviewing for the following positions! 

Lake Staff

All Lake related activities at MMR take place on Lake Almanor, a big surface area lake of almost 13,000-acre located about 42 miles from camp. Every day after breakfast the lake crew (which consists of four counselors) takes a van-load of campers (10, who were picked the night before) to the lake, where they spend the day skiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, tubing, etc. on two boats. The boats are kept in slips in the water at the Knotty Pine Resort marina, where we start and finish each day.

Fishing

Fishing takes place at the lagoon, with occasional out-trips planned by fishing counselors. Fishing is always catch-and-release. One counselor is needed to supervise fishing.Fishing counselors will spend most of their time untangling lines, fixing reels, tying knots, etc. Any camper can fish but must be properly instructed on casting, handling hooks, etc. 

Mountain Biking 

The Mountain Biking Program consists of 10 mountain bikes of various sizes and endless forested trails. The bikes are kept in the Bike Shed a quick walk from the campfire. During activity periods rides of anywhere between 3 and 8 miles are led by the Mountain Biking Counselor and attended by up to 10 campers, a second supportive staff will be sent to assist with a large group. Longer, day-long rides are also possible, but requires more planning and accounting for at least one meal. Activities other than simple trail rides are common also, including counselor-designed challenge courses and follow-the-leader.

Archery Instructor

The Archery Range at Mountain Meadow is set up with three targets mounted on standard straw/hay bales, two of which are set approx. 25 feet in distance from the firing line. The third target is set up slightly closer to the firing line for younger or beginner archers. Archers at the range shoot 5 sets of 6 arrows each at targets for a score, with a maximum achievable score of 300.

Riflery Instructor 

​Riflery is understandably an area of high risk. The activity takes place only at the riflery range, which is down the hill below the barn, facing a dirt hillside away from camp. The rifles are kept in a locked cabinet in a secure location away from the range, and the key to the cabinet is kept by the directors, along with ammunition. The range consists of a covered platform to shoot from, and boards to mount targets on 50 feet away. Campers shoot bolt-action 22 caliber rifles, which only hold one bullet at a time and are recognized as one of the safest firearms to operate.

Tennis Instructor 

The MMR Tennis Program, is the opportunity to create, build, improve, play and to continually be challenged, stimulated and have fun in the activity of Tennis. To seek and create opportunities to encourage, inspire, acknowledge and teach all camper participants in this activity. Although experience is not necessarily required, basic knowledge and love of the sport is needed. 

Head Lifeguard-Lifeguard certification required prior to employment

There are two bodies of water on camp site. Our The Jr. Olympic size pool has a diving board on one end, where the depth is 9 feet, and a shallow end where the depth is 3-5 feet. The lagoon is a man-made body of water on the camp property in which campers swim, fish, ride kayaks and paddleboat, sail, and jump from a high leap platform (roughly 13 feet off the water). It is a center of activity and often sees several campers participating in multiple activities simultaneously. Our Head L.G. oversees all aquatics on camp and would be LifeGuarding when these activity areas are open. Because the aquatic areas are not always open, this staff member will potentially supporting in other activity areas. 

Out-Trip Specialist

 The privilege of leading an out trip is an amazing opportunity!. It gives you a beautiful way to inspire young people toward greater love and respect for all they will see and together see some of the most amazing places in Northern California. Our out-trips consist of 13 campers, two counselors (one of which is a trained van driver), and one van. Typically departing after breakfast and returning before dinner, however, depending on the destination, they may require more time. Some out-trips will get an early start and depart an hour before the rest of us eat breakfast. Our two primary and most popular destinations are the Lassen Day Trip which includes ​Lassen National Park ​(either to summit Mt. Lassen or visit geothermal sites and incredible vistas within the park), ​Burney Falls​, and ​Subway Cave​. The other is The Desert Trip out to the ​Skedaddle mountains​, lizard hunting, water caves, petroglyphs, and fossil beds. 

Backpacking-WFR/WFA Required

Backpacking is an optional activity for campers 13 years old and above. Trips are 3 days and two nights long, leaving before dawn on day one, and returning to camp before dinner on day 3. The Diamond Mountains Area located adjacent to the ranch is our backpacking location. This area has few roads and contains a wide variety of geographical features and springs, streams, lakes, old-growth forests, varieties of plants, and animals, and offers incredible views from its summits. To lead a backpacking trip, you must have experience in this area, and be current and confident in your first aid skills. In addition, a wilderness first aid certification is a requirement. This is obviously a physically strenuous activity requiring a higher level of physical fitness. You must be able to walk up to ten miles a day with a full backpack of up to 45 lbs. Trips may cover several miles and hundreds of feet of elevation gain of difficult terrain daily.

Media Specialist

Mountain Meadow Ranch is unplugged and tech-free. Many campers bring along simple point-and-shoot cameras, purchase disposable film cameras, or choose to simply enjoy their time and give up the distraction of capturing altogether. In any case, it is your job to capture the fun experienced and memories made throughout each session and the entire summer. It has been said that a picture is worth a thousand words and video is worth a million, both mediums will be a part of your day to day life at camp. As head of Media at MMR, the camera is an extension of yourself, and our hope is that you can find joy in knowing you are capturing the moments that our camp family and parents of our campers will cherish for years to come.

More activity areas may be available please fill out an application to see what else is offered. If you are looking to serve in a specific activity area please contact Director [email protected] to see what is currently available! 

**We have been monitoring the spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19) closely and recognize the WHO’s change in declaring COVID-19 a pandemic and international recommendations for social distancing. We continue to closely monitor the situation and public health recommendations and will plan and communicate any actions accordingly. 

The safety of campers and staff at MMR is paramount. As of right now, we are going to continue to operate for Summer 2020. You can follow our updates on the impact of COVID-19 and camp on our COVID-19 Page via our website. 

Parting words of wisdom:

“Wash your hands like you just chopped jalapenos and need to take out your contacts”