2025 Day Camp Staff Program Leader - Denver Metro Area - Girl Scouts of Colorado - Girl Scouts of Colorado

Summer Day Camp Program Staff

Make a difference in the life of a camper and spend an unforgettable summer working for Girl Scouts of Colorado! Guide, supervise and counsel elementary and middle school aged campers in outdoor program activities at various day camp locations across the Denver Metro area. Days at camp are filled with hiking, boating, outdoor skills, archery, Girl Scout outdoor badges, team building, camp games, singing and other activities.

Summer day camp is a great way to add work experience and desirable skills to your resume - especially for those pursuing a degree in education or recreation!

As part of our ongoing commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we're invested in building teams with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. If you have some of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed and you share Girl Scouts of Colorado's values and support our mission, we encourage you to apply.

Day Camp Staff Program Leader General Duties:

The Day Camp Program Leader plays, guides, and counsels in an outdoor setting with elementary age Girl Scouts at local nature parks in the Denver Metro area throughout the summer to help them gain invaluable experience in outdoor recreation, leadership, confidence and so much more! Activities include hiking, fishing, outdoor skills, archery, canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding, teambuilding, camp games and other activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES ***(Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job)

• Facilitate outdoor and camp programs:
• Facilitate high-quality outdoor and camp programming for Girl Scouts that meet the needs of Girl Scouts and foster the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
• Create exciting, progressive, skill-based programming and inclusive of girl scouts of all ages, ability levels and from various backgrounds.
• Adapt activities and methods to individual and group needs and abilities, provide opportunities for Girl Scouts to experience variety, challenge, and progression.
• Use experiential, Girl Scout- led methods of instruction, and positive group management in accordance with the outdoor program department procedures and the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.
• Mentor Day Camp Program Assistants throughout the summer.
• Manage groups of Girl Scouts, facilitate program, and complete daily tasks.
• Be prepared with activities for all types of weather and other changes in the planned program.

Act as the supervising staff person for a group of campers:

• Demonstrate a caring attitude and manner with campers. Act as a role model of Girl Scout values for campers and staff.
• Guide Girl Scouts in becoming a group that includes and appreciates all members and honors individuality.
• Build appropriate and positive relationships with campers and communicate participant or group issues to Day Camp Site Director.
• Carry out activities to encourage personal growth, learn skills, and provide challenges appropriate to age, ability and readiness.
• Keep a high level of patience and understanding with campers and other staff during high stress times.

Prevent accidents and injuries through maintaining safety and risk management standards:

• Implement Girl Scout, State of Colorado, and American Camp Association safety standards.
• Conduct ongoing site inspection for hazards and verify that equipment is in safe condition before each use and is used properly for participants.
• Give first-aid care and complete required documentation of care.
• Respond to emergencies as appropriate in dynamic outdoor situations.

Participate as a professional member of the GSCO staff in providing effective staff service to the Council:

• Be an active member of the Girl Scouts of the U.S.A., demonstrating the principles of the Girl Scout Promise and Law in all activities.
• Present a positive image to campers, parents, and volunteers through all interactions.
• Participate in staff training, attend staff meetings, participate in the evaluation process, and contribute to the planning of the staff team's work.
• Respect the confidential nature of all information pertaining to staff, volunteers, or campers.
• Support the efforts and commitments of Girl Scouts of Colorado around pluralism.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to racial, ethnic, and social diversity of individuals and groups.
• Demonstrate a recognition and understanding of good customer service and maintain constructive relationships with co-workers, members, parents, volunteers, and the community.
• Demonstrate responsibility, accountability, and overall maturity of judgment.

PRIMARY CROSS-FUNCTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• In accordance with the philosophy of Girl Scouts of Colorado, the person filling this position may occasionally be required to carry out or assist with other tasks in addition to the duties listed on this job description.

• Support the efforts and commitments of Girl Scouts of Colorado in pluralism and diversity throughout the organization and within each community served.

• Embrace diversity and inclusiveness by contributing to positive relationships between diverse racial, ethnic, and social groups in the Council and between employees and volunteers.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

 

Education and/or Formal Training 

• High school diploma or GED.
• Must have current OR willingness to obtain the following certifications: First Aid/CPR, Archery USA Level 1 instructor, Paddle Sports Facilitator.  

Experience

• Must have experience working with at minimum 5 or more children; preferably in an outdoor setting for more than 3 months.
• Experience working in high stress situations in a calm manner.
• Documented training, experience, or certification in applicable outdoor program areas.
• Experience in developing and facilitating outdoor, environmental, or camp programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Familiarity with concepts in recreation, environmental education, or experiential education. 
• Familiarity with risk management in an outdoor setting, ability to respond appropriately and direct others in outdoor emergency situations.  
• Ability to be flexible, adaptable, think quickly under pressure and modify programming design in outdoor situations.  
• Knowledgeable of the development needs of children and appropriate program engagement and behavior management techniques.  
• Ability to motivate, develop, inspire, engage, and relate to elementary aged Girl Scouts and staff Program Aides.  
• Strong communication and leadership skills, including knowledge of mentoring, evaluating, and inspiring youth.  
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse population of children. 
• Ability to work outside all day in varying temperatures, including high heat.
• Ability to commute to varied work locations in the Denver area.

Additional Requirements

• Must be able to pass a criminal background check acceptable to GSCO standards.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT DIRECTLY USED 

• This position works with program related equipment in areas such as hand-held radios, hot elements, and other outdoor skills activities.

• Subject to injuries from falls, accidental strikes, cuts from equipment, etc.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES 

• Physical ability to:
• Move equipment up to 50 lbs., including lifting overhead
• Walk up to five miles a day on uneven terrain and dirt roads.
• Bending and picking up cumbersome equipment.
• Pulling around 100lbs on wheels.
• Paddling for extended periods of time.
• Sitting for longer periods of time while driving.
• Must be comfortable participating in high adventure activities like river rafting, high ropes, mountain biking and working on water.

This position is expected to work outside all day with varying elements including but not limited to:

• High temperatures
• Low temperatures
• Wind
• Rain/Hail
• Sun
• Air Pollution

***Employee signature below indicates the employee's understanding of the requirements, essential duties & responsibilities of the position. This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Please contact your supervisor/manager or HR with any questions.

GSCO will make reasonable accommodation for qualified individuals with known disabilities and employees whose work requirements interfere with a religious belief, unless doing so would result in an undue hardship or a direct threat to the Girl Scouts of Colorado. If you need such accommodation, contact your supervisor or Human Resources immediately to begin the interactive accommodation process.