Camp Carmel Creek - Head Counselor

Welcome to your job description!

Camp Carmel Creek is a program of The San Diego Jewish Academy. We create summer adventures filled with joy, growth, curiosity and intention through a unique model combining classic day-camp, the focus of a specialty camp, and the connection of a sleepaway camp. We believe life's most valuable lessons come from independent discovery and perpetual curiosity. That is why we built a summer camp that inspired curiosity by putting kids in charge of their own adventures.

Our 4 core values are Joy, Curiosity, Adventure and Community.

What You Can Expect To Gain From This Role.

We are committed to providing you with the skills to not just be successful at this camp, this summer, but rather we are providing you with skills that you can take into any career path in the future.

Leadership: As an activity specialist you are responsible for your program area. You design it, you plan it, you enact it, you own it. You have the opportunity to be creative and build the best program possible for our campers.

Communication: Good communication between you and your campers, between you and your supervisor, between you and your co-workers, is essential to a successful day at camp.

Organization: Following the schedule, being at activities on time, being creative, having your lesson plans ready and all supplies available to run your class effectively.

Problem Solving: Good problem-solvers are adaptable, resilient, collaborative, and open-minded. A camp day presents many opportunities to flex these muscles.

Teamwork: Camp is not about the individual. Success is not defined by what you do alone, it’s about what we do as a team. Learning to work together and rely on each other to achieve our goals is what’s most important.

Responsibilities:

• Provide leadership and day-to-day guidance to a team of general counselors, most of whom may be new or developing in their roles.
• Act as a mentor and resource for counselors, helping them grow in their ability to supervise campers and create a positive cabin and activity experience.
• Support counselors in problem-solving, camper behavior guidance, transitions between activities, and implementing camp values in their day-to-day roles.
• Model active engagement and enthusiasm in all camp activities — from morning to electives, and camp-wide events.
• Communicate regularly and professionally with Camp Directors (Director and Assistant Director) to give updates, flag challenges, and celebrate counselor and camper wins.
• Help maintain a safe, organized, and emotionally supportive environment for both campers and staff.
• Maintain regular communication with senior staff (Director and Assistant Director), providing feedback and observations to support counselor development and contribute to ongoing evaluations throughout the summer.
• Be present and supportive during key transitions (arrival, lunch, dismissal, etc.) and flexible in jumping in where needed across camp.
• Foster strong connections with all staff — including specialists and support teams — to ensure a smooth, unified camp culture.
• Assist with camp setup and breakdown, and other logistics as needed.
• Help with mid camp evaluation
• Must be able to attend 30 hours of online and in person paid training prior to the start of camp in May and June
  
  
  

June 15th - August 7th, Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 3:30 pm. Full-time and part-time opportunities available.

4 staff training dates prior to June 15th. (30 hours of online and in person paid training prior to the start of camp)

Salary Range: $22-$30 per hour. Our pay scale is based on level of schooling and experience.

Employment Requirements

SDJA is unable to provide immigration sponsorships such as H1B Visas.

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States and be willing to undergo both Live Scan background check (for age 18+) and TB screening as part of the hiring process.

California Compliance Notice

In accordance with California law (Education Code

• 44939.5, as amended by SB 848), applicants for all positions with SDJA are required to disclose all current and former employment with educational institutions. Any offer of employment will be contingent upon the completion of required employment verifications.
  
  
  

Camp Carmel Creek is a community of learners who value the rich diversity of its members. We welcome campers, and staff with differences based on (but not limited to) race, color, ethnicity, age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, family structure, and economic background.

Camp Carmel Creek is committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. The Camp will make reasonable accommodations for the known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified individual with a disability who is an applicant or an employee unless undue hardship would result. You are not required to note the presence of a disability on the employment application. If, however, you require reasonable accommodation in the application and/or interview process due to disability, requests must be made in a timely manner.