Keystone Camp
Keystone Camp
Currently recruiting for the season from May 29th, 2027 to August 6th, 2027.
Established in 1916, Keystone Camp is an overnight all-girls summer camp that provides campers with the opportunity to build lifelong friendships and gain new skills. We offer a wide range of activities including kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, outdoor adventure, arts & crafts, horseback riding and many others. We empower our campers to be their best selves in a safe and supportive environment.
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Keystone Camp is the perfect home base for adventures in Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
- Location
- North Carolina
- Season
- Summer
- Staff size
- 100
- Housing
- Whether included in the compensation package or provided at a cost, housing is provided for staff.
- Housing details
- We provide all summer staff with room and board. Our cabin counselors live in cabins with a co-counselor and typically 8 campers. Our non-cabin staff (specialists in activities such as rock climbing & backpacking) live in a staff-only cabin. Staff receive three meals a day, which always includes a hot option and a well-stocked salad bar. We are able to accommodate dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free.
- Family housing available
- No
- Single occupancy housing available
- No
- Pet friendly
- No
- Meals
- Provided
- Cell phone service
- Yes, most carriers
- Internet access
- Good
About Keystone Camp
Keystone Camp is a residential all girls summer camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. At Keystone, our mission drives us to empower girls to grow with confidence and purpose. We are looking for staff members that love working with kids, the outdoors and creating magical moments that last a lifetime!
We offer over 30 activities including rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, outdoor adventure, high ropes, horseback riding, arts & crafts, ceramics, tennis, and many more. Our summers are 10 weeks long (May 29th-August 6th) including a one week staff training with housing and meals provided for all staff. At Keystone you will have the opportunity to work alongside talented staff from all over the US and the world.
The Employee Experience
Being a counselor at Keystone Camp is no ordinary summer job...
Why should you work here? Let us count the ways,
- To make a difference in the lives of children
- To make a difference in your own life
- You will live and work in one of the most beautiful outdoor locations
- You will become a valued part of a close, supportive and uplifting community
- You will develop your leadership skills
- An opportunity to meet new people and make lifelong friends
- To gain new skills and experiences
- Play, learn and grow!
Working at Keystone provides staff with an extraordinary summer experience where they get to play, learn and grow in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The skills and knowledge our staff gain working at Keystone continue on with them well past the summer. Our staff expand their leadership, communication, self-awareness, teamwork, supervision and problem solving skills.
Our camper cohort consists of approximately 150 campers each session and 100+ staff in total. Our staff create a diverse group of college students, outdoor enthusiasts, team leaders, nurses, artists, musicians, performers, teachers & former campers from all over the US and the world.
From a former camper & staff member:
"I can say with confidence that I found myself at Keystone, that I went to camp every year and little by little pieced together that foundation of myself that will certainly continue to grow as I gain more life experience. I met incredible people, strong women with whom I could relate and from whom I could learn. I made memories that will last me a lifetime. I found passions in leadership and in helping and understanding people. I found enjoyment in skills like rock climbing and canoeing that I’ll be able to use even after the summer ends. I developed a can-do attitude, and I discovered the power of positivity. I was encouraged to choose to safely step outside of my comfort zone. I learned to embrace new adventures, cherish the journey, and soak in everything that goes right and everything that goes wrong…because there is something to gain from all of it. "
Ideal Candidate
At Keystone, we aim to hire as wide a variety of personalities & skill sets as possible. We value staff who are enthusiastic, responsible and motivated. We believe that each person at Keystone, staff and camper alike, contributes something unique to our community to make it the most memorable and rewarding experience imaginable.
Above all else, Keystone seeks individuals to be role models, mentors and a shoulder to lean on for our campers. We want our staff to encourage and inspire young girls to be excited to try new things, step out of their comfort zone and live well in the community. If this sounds like you, then take a look at our website and submit a staff application today.
Room and Board
We provide all summer staff with room and board. Our cabin counselors live in cabins with a co-counselor and typically 8-12 campers. Our non-cabin staff (specialists in activities or our photographer/videographer) live in a staff-only cabin. Staff receive three meals a day, which always includes a hot option and a well-stocked salad bar. We are able to accommodate dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
Employee Perks
As a Keystone staff member, you will have the opportunity to expand your horizons beyond an ordinary summer job. Working at camp is challenging (and sometimes a little chaotic) but it is also the most rewarding experience you could possibly imagine. Taking on the responsibility of teaching and supporting our campers will help you develop life-long skills that you will apply for the rest of your life.
Working at camp gives you the opportunity to
Have FUN while you work
Feel uplifted and supported by an all-female staff
Unplug from technology
Try & learn new activities
Make a positive impact on campers
Create lifelong friendships
Receive three meals a day plus have housing taken care of for you
Explore the outdoors
Get certified in areas such as whitewater kayaking, lifeguarding, rock climbing, archery or Wilderness First Aid
Receive local discounts
Have access to pro deals for outdoor gear companies
Get the best chaco tan of your life!
Receive bonuses for certifications, leadership roles & a full summer commitment!
Getting Here and Getting Around
Most staff drive to camp and keep their vehicle with them at Keystone to use during their time off. If you don't have your own vehicle, don't worry, you'll make plenty of friends who do! If you are flying in, we can pick you up from Asheville Regional Airport, NC.
For Fun
Western North Carolina is overflowing with opportunities for fun and exploration! Keystone is within driving distance of some of the state's best hiking, backpacking, and mountain biking trails, alongside beautiful kayaking, canoeing, camping, waterfall, lake, and rock climbing locations.
We are located 1.5 miles from downtown Brevard, which boasts a number of local stores, coffee shops, and restaurants. Asheville is 35 minutes away and is home to an amazing art, music, shopping, and restaurant scene.
Current Job Openings
- At least 2 years of horse experience
- AGE 18 or older
- Works well with children
- Positive attitude
- Responsible for the campers in your cabin and in your activities.
- Participate in and facilitate programs and activities with campers providing the necessary guidance and leadership.
- Serve as a role model and guide campers in appropriate behaviors, language, attitudes, and activities.
- Help campers live and work together as an inclusive cabin unit.
- Facilitate communication, conflict resolution and problem solving between campers.
- Be aware of the ongoing medical needs of campers.
- Kayaking
- Canoeing
- Archery
- Dance
- Ceramics
- Tennis
- Swimming
- Outdoor Education
- Yoga
- Drama/Musical Theater
- Horseback Riding
- Rock Climbing
- Team Sports
- Jewelry Making
- Textiles
- High Ropes/Zip Line
- A passion for one or more of the following activities- rock climbing, whitewater kayaking, hiking, backpacking, high ropes, zip-lining.
- Enthusiasm and experience working with youth.
- Strong group facilitation, risk management, and decision making skills are necessary.
- Ability to work competently and confidently, both independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to manage a dynamic environment while executing all safety and operational processes involved in planning and leading an adventure based trip.
- WFA/WFR (we are able to subsidise relevant training for the right candidate)
- 21 or over with the ability to drive a 15 passenger van
- Swift Water Rescue certification (we are able to subsidise relevant training for the right candidate)
- A passion for climbing and a desire to share it with others.
- Enthusiasm and experience working with youth.
- Strong group facilitation, risk management, and decision making skills are necessary.
- Ability to work competently and confidently, both independently and as part of a team.
- Ability to manage a dynamic environment while maximizing the safety of participants.
- Capable of rigging top rope systems.
- Lead climbing experience.
- 21+ ideal (not required) with the ability to drive 15 passenger vans.
- Single Pitch Instructor certification or equivalent training preferred. Will subsidize this course with a signed contract.
- CPR and First Aid certification (or willingness to acquire). WFA/WFR preferred. We will also subsidize a WFA or WFR course with a signed contract.
- Experience leading climbing trips and teaching climbing skills preferred.
Barn Staff
Keystone Camp is looking for a person with equestrian skills and a love for all things horses! Help teach our campers the aspects of riding and horse care.
Job requirements:
Working at Keystone will be the most fun and fulfilling summer job you will ever have! Come join us and make lifelong friends and have the best summer ever. Must be available for Staff Development from May 30-June 6 with a commitment to work two sessions minimum.
Cabin/Activity Counselor
Our staff will provide a strong foundation in our campers lives by living in a tight-knit community, and through teaching them a variety of skills. Activity instructors teach children valuable lessons by showing campers a new skill, helping them gain more confidence in a familiar activity, and from leading by example. Our instructors also serve as cabin counselors. Living in a cabin with eight girls and another co-counselor is also an opportunity for you to be a role model, friend, and leader. Our campers are with us for two, three, or four weeks at a time, so you will get to know them quite well. Working at Keystone will be the most fun and fulfilling summer job you will ever have! Come join us and make lifelong friends and have the best summer ever. Must be available for Staff Development from May 30-June 6 with a commitment to work two sessions minimum.
Principal Duties:
Cabin counselors are also eligible to apply as Heads of Activities. This means you would be responsible for overseeing activity planning and staff performance. Previous experience teaching/coaching an activity is necessary to apply as the head of an activity. Some activities offered at Keystone-
Outdoor Adventure Staff
We are looking for outdoor adventure specialists, who will serve as staff on our off-camp trips and in our outdoor activities on site. The ideal candidates are experienced and proficient in rock climbing, canoeing, whitewater kayaking, backpacking, or hiking and are enthusiastic about sharing the love of the outdoors with campers. The ideal candidates should be confident in planning and leading trips in wilderness areas. Must be available for Staff Development from May 30-June 6 with a commitment to work two sessions minimum.
Desirable Skills & Abilities:
Lead Climber
We are hiring a Lead Climber for this upcoming summer. The ideal candidate is an experienced climber who is enthusiastic about sharing their love of climbing with campers and staff. The idea candidate should have lead climbing skills, be able to safely manage our 30 foot rock wall, and lead climbing trips into Pisgah National Forest and surrounding areas each week during the 9 week camp operating season. Must be available for Staff Development from May 30-June 6 with a commitment to work our full summer season through August 9.
Required Skills & Abilities:
Qualifications:
Photographer
The primary responsibility of the camp photographer is to take pictures of campers and staff through out each day as well as organising, editing and uploading photos. The photographer will be responsible for uploading photos at least twice a day to our camp management application for parents to access. The photographer will be responsible for capturing photos of a wide range of activities which requires them to be physically active throughout camp. These photos are also used for marketing and social media which the photographer may also be responsible for during the summer.
Knowledge in and experience with photographic skills, editing software and different cameras is desirable for this position. Essential skills include time management, organisation and an interest in working with children.
Must be available for Staff Development from June 1-June 7 with a commitment to work the full summer (June 1- August 9).
This is a non-cabin staff position meaning you would not be required to live in a cabin with campers but you may be asked to assist in teaching activities during the day and to participate in camp-wide events. The salary for this position is dependent on qualifications and previous experience.
Videographer
The videographer will be responsible for capturing footage of both campers and staff during daily activities and camp-wide events. They will be responsible for using the footage to edit and create short videos for each session (3 per summer minimum) to be shown to campers and staff and then uploaded for public viewing on social media. The videographer will also create a video showcasing our staff at the end of the summer. This role may also involve creating short videos to use on our social media including staff interviews, clips of trips or special events and marketing footage.
Ideally, applicants for this role would have experience in and a passion for videography. Desirable skills include knowledge of different cameras, video editing software and a level of formal training in videography and or/photography. Applicants for this role must have interests in working with children, working outside and video content creation. Must be available for Staff Development from May 30-June 6 with a commitment to work the full summer (May 30- August 9).
This is a non-cabin staff position meaning you would not be required to live in a cabin with campers but you may be asked to assist in teaching activities during the day and to participate in camp-wide events. The salary for this position is dependent on qualifications and previous experience.
Trips Coordinator
We are hiring a Trips Coordinator for the summer! The Trips Coordinator is responsible for planning trips off-camp during the summer including hiking, kayaking/canoeing, backpacking and swimming trips. Our trips program typically has 1-4 trips going out each day to local areas such as DuPont State Forest, Pisgah National Forest, the Green River, Linville Gorge Wilderness etc. The Trips Coordinator works with our administrative team to determine when and where trips will be sent, how many campers/staff per trip and what level of skill is required. The Trips Coordinator will also work alongside trip staff to plan routes, driving logistics and necessary meal preparation. The Trips Coordinator will also be responsible for keeping a log of where trips go, how many campers/staff participate and how long each trip lasts in order to comply with local forest/park permit requirements.
The ideal candidate for this role has a background in logistics planning, outdoor recreation and risk management. Knowledge of the area around Western North Carolina is desirable, however it is not required. The Trips Coordinator may also be assigned to specific trips based on their level of expertise and qualifications. This role requires a high level of time management and organization. Must be available for Staff Development from May 30-June 6 with a commitment to work the full summer (May 30-August 9).
This is a non-cabin staff position meaning you would not be required to live in a cabin with campers but you may be asked to assist in teaching activities during the day and to participate in camp-wide events. The salary for this position is dependent on qualifications and previous experience.
**Preference for applicants to be 21+ (ability to drive trips) and to possess WFA, WFR or similar certification.
How to Apply
Did we catch your eye? Please take the time to fill out our Staff Application! If you'd like more information, feel free to email kendall@keystonecamp.com
You can also check out our website and our social media (@keystonecamp) to see more of what we're all about!
Contact Info
- Kendall Thomas
- kendall@keystonecamp.com
- (828) 884-9125
- keystonecamp.com
