2025 Summer Camp Counselor - Sky High Ranch - Girl Scouts of Colorado - Girl Scouts of Colorado

Summer Camp Unit Counselor at Sky High Ranch

Make a difference in the lives of children and spend an unforgettable summer in the Rocky Mountains! Sky High Ranch is located forty-five minutes west of Colorado Springs, Colorado. Activities include arts and crafts, backpacking, boating, horseback riding, zip lining, farm with ranch animals, dance & drama, archery and sports, low-ropes, international cultures, nature and science, astronomy, homesteading, gardening, and outdoor skills. Sky High Ranch is licensed by the State of Colorado and accredited by the American Camp Association.

Summer 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!

DATES OF EMPLOYMENT: Late May to Mid-August 2025 (approximate dates TBD)

Camp Counselor General Duties:

Counselors are responsible for living with, guiding, and counseling a group of campers at a Girl Scouts of Colorado (GSCO) camp property. This position is responsible for working on a team of fellow counselors, under the direction of a lead camp counselor to implement all camp activities and daily living of campers. Additionally, this role supports the property, hospitality, operational, program, health, & cabin leadership team as needed as part of the camp team.

 

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

• General Responsibilities
• Provide and/or support emergency procedures during on-site and off-site trip incidents.
• Provide and/or support health and wellness practices.
• Provide support as necessary to all operational, program, cabin leadership, and health staff.
• Support the work of the site, kitchen, and housekeeping staff as needed.
• Assist in the care & management of program equipment, including storage, maintenance, and usage in coordination with fellow team members.

Program Responsibilities

• Assist in the planning, direction, and implementation of camp program for a group of campers during overnight, troop day, and family camp sessions.
• Responsible for the care, cleanliness, maintenance, and/or inventory of assigned areas.

Camper Leadership and Supervision

• Act 'in loco parentis', living with, and guiding a group of campers during overnight camp sessions, in accordance with the Colorado childcare licensing ruling 8CCR 1402-1, 2.422I.
• Support & counsel campers in daily living, camp activities, and developing peer relationships.
• Support and facilitate a meaningful experience for the Counselors-in-Training in your unit by encouraging leadership opportunities throughout the entirety of the session.

Administration

• Manage administrative responsibilities in a timely, independent, and detail-oriented manner.
• Work on the development, review, and assist in the creation of daily, weekly, and activity schedules, as assigned and in cooperation with other staff, based on camp program, camper planning, and camp goals.
• Provide & participate in camper and staff feedback forms as necessary for the overall camp's strategic planning.
• Participate in regular staff meetings and training for planning purposes, communication resolutions, and carrying out assignments.
• Coordinate and communicate schedules to campers & staff as necessary.
• Carry out ongoing observations to assure that goals and expectations of leadership & program delivery are positive and appropriate.
• Interact with digital systems including WorkBright, Slack, Instagram, & Facebook.
• Respect the confidential nature of all information pertaining to staff, volunteers, and campers.
• Follow policies, procedures, and standards set by the American Camping Association, Girl Scouts Safety Activity Checkpoints, Colorado Department of Health and Human Services, and other certifying industry organizations.

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 as a whole 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, Child Abuse Mandated Reporter, and Universal Standard Precautions.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Experience

• Preferred experience or desire for working with children.
• Preferred experience working in an outdoor program and/or camp setting.
• Working with individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Preferred experience in leadership of children, peers, or staff.
• Willing to provide innovative and engaging program development and facilitation in an informal, outdoor setting.

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 hiking, hot elements, archery, and other outdoor skills activities.
• This position occasionally works with farm equipment and in an outdoor setting that includes domestic farm animals such as horses, pigs, rabbits, chickens, goats, etc.
• Subject to injuries from falls, accidental strikes, cuts from equipment, etc.
• Computer and related software, telephone, copiers and equipment commonly found in an office environment. 
• Handheld radios.

WORKING ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL ACTIVITIES 

• Camps are at altitudes of 8,000-9,500 feet.
• Ability to work non-traditional hours including evenings, weekends, extended overnight periods and extended work hours, up to 22 hours per day.
• Required daily, frequent exposure to highly stimulating and loud environments.
• Except for daily time off, counselors are always with campers.
• Program activities are carried out in the out-of-doors often in inclement weather.
• Willing to be on-call at all times, for health, emergency purposes, camper supervision, and program implementation.
• Required to live on-site in shared housing with fellow staff and campers.
• Requires extensive walking/hiking >2miles/day over uneven and unpaved terrain.
• Able to carry, lift and/or transfer at least 50 pounds.
• Ability to hear, listen, see, sit, stoop, kneel, crouch, crawl, bend, use hands & fingers to handle or feel, reach with hands & arms, and balance.
• Must have interpersonal skills/behaviors (i.e. working with individuals with a range of moods & behaviors in a tactful, congenial personal manner, so as not to alienate, or antagonize them).

 ***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.

For more information about Sky High Ranch please visit our website!

https://www.camp.girlscoutsofcolorado.org/sky-high-ranch-1

We encourage applications from individuals with diverse backgrounds, including people with disabilities. Our workplace is inclusive, and we strive to create an accessible and accommodating environment for all employees. We comply with all applicable laws and regulations regarding accommodations for disabilities, including the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you are invited to interview and require accommodations, please inform us in advance so that we can make the necessary arrangements to ensure a smooth and accessible interview experience. If you have questions about accessibility or need assistance with the application process, please contact Human Resources at careers@gscolorado.org or 877-404-5708. We are here to help.

Girl Scouts of Colorado celebrates diversity and values the strengths that come with having a diverse community. People from historically marginalized groups are strongly encouraged to apply.

Girl Scouts of Colorado (GSCO) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Prohibits Discrimination and Harassment of Any Kind: GSCO is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to providing employees with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions at GSCO are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, family medical history or genetic information, family or parental status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations where we operate. GSCO will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.