Description

Program Summary

Hidden Villa is a non-profit organization with a 100-year history, focusing on environmental education, land stewardship and community building. We use our organic farm, surrounding wilderness and community to provide opportunities to learn about the environment and social justice. Hidden Villa stretches over 1600 acres of open space in the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains, about 40 miles south of San Francisco.

Hidden Villa is committed to creating an environment where all people are welcomed and feel a sense of belonging while here on the farm. This approach opens the door for formative experiences for our campers as they enjoy this beautiful place in nature and build connections with the people and world around them.

Each day campers embark on adventures through the farm and wilderness preserve. They are challenged to try new things and find confidence in their individuality as they strike up friendships with the other youth in their group. Our staff are trained on how to maintain an empathetic and compassionate learning approach while they facilitate thought provoking activities and discussions around social and environmental issues.

Position Description

Hidden Villa Summer Camp is seeking a Camper and Counselor Coordinator to provide support within the camp community, ensuring a positive experience for staff and campers alike. This is a supervisory position which requires high levels of empathy and organizational skills. This coordinator will need strong communication skills and a willingness to listen and respond without judgment. Additionally this role requires an understanding of the camp environment and the specific needs that arise in such a unique and often energy-tasking setting.

About the Position

Position Title: Camper and Counselor Coordinator

Reports to: Camp Director and Assistant Camp Director

Exempt/ Non-Exempt: Exempt

Benefits: $900/per week. Living space & meals provided.

Duration: May 27th - August 2nd (Paid staff training May 27th - June 13th)

Essential Job Duties

Help facilitate training and orientation of staff
Plan staff trainings if necessary
Plan & execute weekly staff appreciations within a budget allocation
Manage all dietary restrictions for campers and counselors and handle all communications with kitchen
Act as mental and emotional support for campers, counselors, and unit leaders
Handle escalated homesickness issues, behavior contracts and issues for campers, including facilitating phone/email conversations with parents/guardians
Coordinate counselor shadowing and feedback with each Unit Leader for every counselor at least once during the summer Help counselors navigate interpersonal conflict to support a healthy work environment
Come up with creative solutions and systems for problems as they arise
Continuously innovate operations & programming to create sustainable summer camp programming
Help Unit Leaders keep track of and manage budgets for their programs
Act as extra support for counselors to give them more breaks if Unit Leader is unavailable
Take photos of campers and upload them to be shared while being mindful of campers whose pictures should not be taken
Fill in for the Health Care Manager during their breaks
Director on Duty shifts
Meet regularly with Director Team and Program Coordinator
Live on site for the duration of the summer contract.

Ensure that all American Camp Association regulations concerning program area are adhered to, including supervision ratios.
Submit a written report at the conclusion of the summer evaluating the current season and making suggestions for the following season.
These are not the only duties to be performed. Some duties may be reassigned and others assigned as required.

Candidate Qualifications

Previous camp experience
Ability to work autonomously while maintaining a level of organization that allows for multitasking
Willingness to supervise near peers with maturity and respect
Ability to work well in a team environment with little supervision
Strong communication skills
Desire and ability to work with youth in an outdoor setting
Current First Aid and CPR certifications preferred
Lifeguard certification and ropes course facilitation or willingness to be trained
Valid Driver’s License and clean driving record (no major infractions) required
At least 21 years of age
Flexibility and patience
Ability to use given time off to take care of personal needs

Physical Requirements

This job operates in an outdoor setting. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is exposed to weather conditions prevalent at the time. Camp can be a high energy environment where noise and stimulus can reach overwhelming levels. While performing duties of this job, the employee is required to regularly stand; walk miles at a time on uneven terrain. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Mandated Reporting and Staff Training

Our summer camp staff members are mandated reporters and are required to complete a mandated reporter training. It is possible that a camper will share information or experiences from their homelife that requires Hidden Villa to file a report with Child Welfare Services. This can be upsetting to some individuals and is our legal and ethical duty to report cases of suspected child abuse.

Summer camp staff training is designed to equip our staff with the skills and tools they need to be effective leaders within our camp. At times staff training will focus on complicated topics such as mental health crises, child abuse, sexual harassment in the workplace, and neurodivergent behavior. While staff can take space when needed, participation in all training sessions is required.

Fill out this form to apply!

Hidden Villa is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and campers.

Camper and Counselor Coordinator