Outdoor Education opportunity in Northern Nevada

Day Camp Counselor

Job Description

Now hiring for the 2026 Summer Season

Day Camp Counselor

$18 per hour

Full-Time, Seasonal Position, Up to 40 hours per week

Sierra Nevada Journeys, Reno, Nevada, June 1 through August 7, 2026

Sierra Nevada Journeys Day Camp Counselors are our campers’ favorite part of summer! We provide a home away from home where our counselors can stretch their comfort zone, grow in ways they never knew possible, and discover the joy of summer camp. Our counselors have the unique opportunity to learn and lead their groups through activities such as interactive games, songs, nature hikes, and other classic summer camp activities. Counselors foster community with their groups by offering support and intentional daily reflection. Every week is different at camp, and our counselors provide creativity, pizzazz, and laughter to our camp community. Sierra Nevada Journeys allows counselors to develop skills in group management, age-appropriate programming, and safety and supervision.

Counselors will undergo training June 1 - 5, 2026 for summer camp. The training encompasses protocols and procedures, games, bonding, and goofiness. The Senior Program Director, Program Coordinator, and camp leads guide and supervise the counselors and ensure all staff are part of a welcoming and close-knit team.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

•  Create a positive and safe camp community for staff and campers

• Provide daytime and aftercare supervision to Sierra Nevada Journeys’ Day campers, 6-to-12 -year-old youth

• Facilitate and participate in all summer camp programming

• Be able to work collaboratively and timely in program delivery Maintain knowledge of camp schedule, programs, protocols, and procedures

• Lead and encourage mealtime efficiency

• Learn and facilitate large group camp songs and games

• Inventory program supplies and participate in debriefs after each program

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Participate in and complete required pre-summer camp training (Monday, June 1 through Friday, June 5, 2026)

• Ability to pass a background check, including an online check and fingerprinting. We work with children, and their safety is our top priority.

• Current CPR and First Aid certification or willingness to obtain certification before the start date

•  A passion for working with children and making a difference

• Ability to work the length of the contract to meet camp needs

• Ability to take initiative, work collaboratively, and have a positive “can-do” attitude

• Willingness to get outside of your comfort zone and try new things

• Minimum of 18 years old

•  Ability to lift 25 pounds and move around camp up to 7 miles daily.

• All employees must attest in writing that they have up-to-date immunizations against the diseases required for public school attendance in the state where they work.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Fluency in Spanish or another second language

• Experience in science instruction — either in a formal outdoor setting or in a classroom setting

• Experience working with students from communities of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)

COMPENSATION

• $18 per hour

• $100 bonus available after successful completion of the season

• Sick time is accrued in Nevada based on hours worked in accordance with state law. Seasonal employees typically accrue approximately 1.5 days of sick time over the course of the summer, depending on total hours worked.

• Optional 403(b) retirement plan and up to a 4% Sierra Nevada Journeys match

• Potential for an additional 3% pay for Spanish fluency or other languages relevant to supporting our programs

EMPLOYMENT HIGHLIGHTS

• Employment with an innovative company focused on improving outdoor education delivery

• Professional development geared toward outdoor education leadership or classroom teaching goals

•  Pro deals (excellent discounts) on outdoor gear, clothing, and other exciting items

Sierra Nevada Journeys is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ individuals who represent the rich diversity of cultures, language groups, and abilities of its surrounding communities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status or genetic information.