Colvig Silver Camps
Colvig Silver Camps
Currently recruiting for the season from May 25th, 2026 to August 10th, 2026.
We strive to facilitate the development of caring, thoughtful, and responsible human beings through creative programming on our 600-acre site and 3 to 5-day wilderness backpacking trips in the San Juan Mountains of Southwest Colorado.
Colvig Silver Camps is located near the historic western town of Durango, CO which lies at the base of the San Juan Mountains and the edge of beautiful desert canyon country.
- Location
- Colorado
- Season
- Summer
- Staff size
- 80
- Housing
- Whether included in the compensation package or provided at a cost, housing is provided for staff.
- Family housing available
- No
- Pet friendly
- No
- Meals
- Provided
- Cell phone service
- Yes, most carriers
- Internet access
- Good
About Colvig Silver Camps
Colvig Silver Camps is a family-owned, coed, residential summer camp. Our philosophy is community-driven, non-competitive and choice-based, and outdoor-oriented. It is designed to develop self-esteem, leadership skills, responsibility, and teamwork. We believe that the challenges of outdoor education, fun, and adventure provide some of the best opportunities to achieve this goal.
As a small family-owned residential camp of over 50 years, Colvig Silver Camps focuses on outdoor education, appreciation, and personal growth in a non-competitive environment. We use a balance of both in-camp activities and 3 - 5 day wilderness adventure trips in order to attain this goal. Through our in-camp activities, we strive to instill positive social skills. Leadership, cooperation, trust, self-confidence, personal responsibility, individual growth, and a sense of identity are at the core of our philosophy.
Together, our in-camp and out-of-camp activities work toward achieving our primary goal of creating caring, thoughtful, and responsible human beings. We realize that every individual is unique and special in their own way and our program is designed to guide each person toward his/her own greatest potential.
The Employee Experience
The driving force behind what we do is our mission, "to facilitate the development of caring, thoughtful and responsible human beings."
After a summer working at Colvig Silver Camps, you'll feel like you have made a difference, you'll have made many new close friends, you'll have built upon your relational skills, you will have gained new wilderness skills, you'll re-discover your creativity, find new passions and you'll miss camp like you've never missed anything before!
It truly is a life-changing job, and an experience you'll continually find yourself reverting back to as you continue in your personal and professional life!
Ideal Candidate
First and foremost we look for people of good character and integrity with a general interest and enthusiasm for working with kids in an outdoor setting. In addition, experience in childcare and/or wilderness pursuits is always a huge plus.
The majority of our summer staff consists of college students between the ages 18 and 25. Typical majors include Education, Psychology, Outdoor & Experiential Education, Recreation, and Physical Education & Sports. Applicants are evaluated for formal experience with children, experience in the wilderness and other related experience.
Many of our staff have completed courses with NOLS, Outward Bound, the Peace Corps or similar college organizations. Reference checks, driving record checks and criminal record checks are conducted as a part of employment.
Room and Board
In addition to our competitive summer pay, we provide meals and lodging to all staff. Living quarters vary among staff and age groups. Counseling staff will live in a wooden cabin with 4-6 campers. Support Staff usually share a cabin with one other Support Staff member. All cabins are rustic in nature and are quite cozy once staff add their personal touches. We have excellent cooks at camp and we feed our campers and staff very well over the course of the summer. When you are not in camp, you will be living and camping in the beautiful wilderness of the San Juan Mountains.
Working at camp can offer significant financial savings! While working at camp, most of your summer daily needs and expenses are taken care of by camp (i.e. meals, lodging, and extracurriculars), which means you are likely not spending much of the money you are making during the summer. While many of our staff spend a little on their time off, many of them walk away from their summer job with most of their summer earnings in hand.
Employee Perks
- Live, play, and work in the great outdoors!
- Gain new friends from all over the country and world.
- Participate in a fun, social, and meaningful staff training period where you will learn skills related to working with youth, meet and build friendships with other staff, and trip-leading staff will go on a three-night wilderness training too! On the first staff night off during training, we host a staff social at a local eatery too!
- Competitive seasonal base salary (One of the best-paying camp jobs in Colorado!)
- End-of-summer Bonus ($500) included.
- Housing, meals, and laundry are included.
- BONUSES for relevant certifications, wilderness, or childcare experience!
- WFR = $400
- WFA = $200
- Lifeguarding = $200
- Wilderness Experience? We may be able to provide additional compensation for recent and relevant professional or personal overnight trips in the wilderness if your experience fits the criteria.
- Childcare or Camp Experience? We may be able to provide additional compensation for recent and relevant experience (i.e. education degrees, camp experience, etc.) working with kids if your experience fits the criteria.
- Other bonuses include LNT Trainer or Master Educator, AMGA SPI, etc.
- Travel Reimbursement at $0.13/mile (traveling from North America) or $400 (traveling from overseas/intercontinental/HI/AK).
- Rent Assistance Program
- For staff that qualify per our criteria, we have set up a Rent Assistance Program for staff that have to pay rent elsewhere and are unable to sublease per their lease agreement, while employed and living at CSC. Even though we provide lodging as a part of our seasonal compensation package, we understand that many staff may have financial obligations to pay rent and maintain their housing over the course of the summer at their primary location of residence (i.e. school, hometown, etc.). We have set up this program to help supplement those costs for the staff that qualify. Staff that qualify must meet the criteria and submit an application. Applications will be made available to hired staff in January.
- SAVE MONEY as a result of having very few expenses over the course of the summer.
- Scheduled time-off about once a week as well as a mid-summer break where you can explore the town of Durango or take a short trip to a nearby destination.
- Paid INTERNSHIP opportunities available, Call for more details!
- Seasonal outdoor "pro-deal" discounts.
- Experience new parts of the country and go on active adventures!
- GAIN valuable work and professional experience, and a plethora of co-workers and supervisors that can aid in your next employment endeavor by providing exceptional references!
Getting Here and Getting Around
Colvig Silver Camps is located approximately 10 miles from the city of Durango, CO. Most of our staff drive or carpool to camp, while others fly into the nearby Durango Airport (DRO). Since Durango is such a short drive from camp, many staff visit the town on their nights off by carpooling with fellow staff.
For Fun
- Climb 13,000 and 14,000 ft Peaks
- Hike the beautiful San Juan Mountains!
- Explore the stunning canyons of Southeast Utah!
- See ancient ancestral pueblo ruins!
- Visit a Ghost Town near Silverton, CO!
- Check out Mesa Verde National Park!
- Have a blast in the small and historic western town of Durango, CO!
Current Job Openings
- Staff week orientation on camp healthcare policies and procedures
- Teaching medication administration course and delegating medication administration to staff members
- Pre-camp camper and staff health screenings
- Being available and on-call 24 hours/day while on-duty for all camper and staff health care needs
- General first aid kit management
- Keeping records and logs
- Knowledge of accreditation standards, state regulations, and exclusion policies
- Ordering medical supplies for the infirmary and first aid kits
- Scheduling doctor’s visits as needed
- Occasional parent contact regarding camper health needs or concerns
- Managing beds and rooms in the infirmary (making beds and cleaning linens)
- Keeping camp healthy and happy!
Head Counselor
Minimum Age: 21 years of age, preferably a college junior
Terms of Employment: Head Counselors are hired for 10 weeks unless contracted otherwise
Compensation: $4,200-, plus lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, 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: Scheduled time-off about once per week; three days in 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!
Assistant Counselor
Minimum Age: 18 years of age, completed freshman year of college or equivalent experience
Terms of Employment: Assistant Counselors are hired for 10 weeks, unless contracted otherwise
Compensation: $4,000-, plus lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, and end-of-summer bonus ($500)
Time Off: Scheduled time-off about once per week; three days in between sessions.
Number Hired: 6-9 males, 6-9 females, depending on enrollment
Responsibilities: Assistant Counselors (ACs) live in a cabin with one Head Counselor and 4-6 campers. Each cabin unit (two cabins together) is generally comprised of two Head Counselors, one Assistant Counselor, and 8-12 campers. The AC provides supplemental leadership along with and in the absence of either Head Counselor.
ACs are primarily responsible for dishwashing, monitoring dishwasher temperatures, lodge/kitchen clean-up, regular garbage runs, laundry delivery, and administrative office tasks, all on a scheduled, rotating basis. Approximately one half of their time is spent in scheduled programming with campers, and about half is spent doing the “grunt work.” Whenever possible, ACs assist Head Counselors and Coordinators in planning and leading in-camp activities.
The Assistant Counselors are the “backbone” of the camp, filling holes when needed in almost every area of camp operation. Flexibility is an ACs greatest asset. ACs must be physically capable of lifting and carrying heavy loads and assisting in the leadership of 3-5 day backcountry wilderness trips. Again, the rewards for this position are proportionate to the effort, energy, and enthusiasm invested. Being an AC is a great way to become familiar with camp and the responsibility of being a Head Counselor.
AC’s must have current certifications in recognized first aid and CPR courses.
Activity Specialist
Minimum Age: 18 years of age, preferably college junior
Terms of Employment: Activity Specialist are hired for 11 weeks, unless contracted otherwise
Compensation: $4,200-, plus lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, and end-of-summer bonus ($500)
Time Off: Scheduled time-off about once per week; three days in between sessions.
Number Hired: Two to Four
Responsibilities: The main role and responsibility of an Activity Specialist at camp will be to serve as additional members of the support staff team, assist with random projects and tasks around camp, provide backup to counseling staff and other support staff, and per their individual interest, experience, and skill sets, Activity Specialist can be trained in leading specialized camp activities such as target sports, mountain biking, climbing, and natural history to name a few.
Activity Specialists must be available to lead specialized programming they have been trained and verified to lead and follow the written protocols and procedures for those specialized activities. Outside of specialized programming, they must be available to assist counseling staff in other programming areas or help fellow support staff (i.e. Arts and Crafts Coordinator) in their programming areas. Activity Specialists will also be required to have or obtain a Lifeguarding certification to help with lake activities. Activity Specialists may also be trained in trip procedures and receive a Wilderness First Aid certification in order to serve as an additional/substitute trip leader if necessary.
Activity Specialists must also be available to assist with random tasks and projects around camp as needed. Activity Specialists must always be prepared to help out the camp community, which will also include assisting with camper supervision and setting up for movie nights, doing trip drop-offs and pick-ups, providing additional camper supervision, and helping out at the lodge.
Nurse
Minimum Age: 21 years of age
Terms of Employment: Nurses are hired for 12 weeks, unless contracted otherwise
Compensation: $13,000-, plus lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, and end-of-summer bonus ($500)
Time Off: One 24-hour period per week, plus two days between sessions
Number Hired: 1
Qualifications: Registered Nurse (RN) and eligible to practice in the state of Colorado
Responsibilities: Each summer, we hire one full time, residential nurse, and one substitute nurse (if applicable) to cover days off, busy days, etc. Our nurse position is tailored to provide the camp community with optimum health care in a unique environment. Health care support includes a staff certified in, at minimum, CPR and Wilderness First Aid, ambulance and helicopter access to a nearby hospital, and a 24-hour on-call camp physician.
The primary responsibilities of the nurse position include:
This position provides an opportunity to spend a summer in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, developing nursing experience in pediatric care and wilderness/outdoor medicine. While our nurse is always on-call, we are flexible regarding program participation. We encourage our camp nurse to take an active part in the program portion of camp. Health care demands always take precedence over such program participation, but we are committed to making this a fulfilling and enjoyable experience for our nurse as well as our campers and program staff.
Nanny
Minimum Age: 18 years of age
Terms of Employment: Nannies are hired for 11 weeks, unless contracted otherwise
Compensation: $4,400-, plus lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, and end-of-summer bonus ($500)
Time Off: Approximately one night off per week, plus two days between sessions
Number Hired: 1-2
Responsibilities: The Nanny’s primary responsibility is the supervision and caretaking of year-round and seasonal staff’s children not yet of age to attend camp. This likely includes children ages 1 to 7, and maybe older children in individual cases. The Nanny will be responsible for the supervision and caretaking of these children from the time they wake up to bedtime while their parent(s) are on-duty at camp. The Nanny will have downtime during the children’s naptime in the afternoon. This schedule will vary per child and their specific needs and parental expectations (these expectations and variances will be shared during staff training/orientation). The Nanny will be off-duty once the children are put to bed for the evening and have adequate supervision nearby.
The Nanny will be responsible for feeding the children, keeping them safe, entertained, and occupied throughout the day. The Nanny will be permitted to travel with the kids around camp and participate in activities alongside camp programming as long as they are not interfering with or distracting from camp programming and outcome goals. There are many places around camp that the children will find entertaining (i.e., animals, horses, art barn, lodge basement, playfields, etc.). In rare and special instances, the Nanny may be permitted to drive the children to the city of Durango to participate in activities there (i.e., rec center, children’s museum, playgrounds, etc.).
Nanny candidates must be comfortable with the caretaking of very young children and toddlers. They must be able to calm and care for a crying child, change a diaper, engage with and interact with young children in fun and positive ways, engage in the proper and appropriate discipline, and ensure the child’s daily needs are taken care of (i.e., eating, sleeping, and playing).
The Nanny will also be a member of Support staff, and outside of their Nanny responsibilities and hours will be able to participate in camp activities and programming. They will also have secondary responsibilities like helping supervise movie nights, supervising campers during staff meetings, and maybe dropping trips and picking up trips.
How to Apply
Please click APPLY HERE and fill out our online application and visit our website for more information.
Contact Info
- Tyler Dixon
- tyler@colvigsilvercamps.com
- (970) 247-2564
- www.colvigsilvercamps.com
