Work hard, play hard.

Want to teach people to waterski? Take guests on hikes through Desolation Wilderness? Spend the afternoon on the lake with your kids group? The short list includes counselors for kids from ages 3 to 18, individual instructors, and specialty positions like kitchen staff, ski dock instructors, photographers, and more. See below for a complete list of work opportunities! When you fill out your application, you'll name your top picks. We're also open to creating a position based on any particular skill or idea you may have, so go for it!

Thirty-one Kids' Counselors provide organized children's activities every day at Camp. It is each Kids' Group Leader's responsibility to help design a weekly program that's exciting and entertaining for the counselors and the children alike. Activities are aimed at educating children about the environment in creative ways and may include hikes, games, arts and crafts, boating, story telling, campfires, and anything else you can dream up. Prior experience working with kids is helpful; creativity, flexibility, enthusiasm, and the ability to work well in a group are essential. For more information about these roles, please contact our Kids Group Coordinator Sage McGinley-Smith at sagems@stanford.edu or Staff Director Brennecke Gale at bgale@stanford.edu.

GUPPIES, Ages 3-4 These tiny tykes are adorable and unpredictable. They are playful and imaginative, but also require cuddling and flexibility when left without their primary caretakers. Guppies counselors are storytellers, crayon artists, and imagineers who are patient and love little ones.

CRAWDADS, Ages 5-6 Crawdads are known for being active and wonderfully imaginative. These kids live for stories, wacky games, and entertaining counselors who want to be wild and spontaneous in their programming. While these kids are of school age, they still require close supervision.

MERGANSERS, Ages 7-8 These kids are energetic and curious about their surroundings. They have an easier time being separated from their parents than they do from their counselors. If you prefer a healthy dose of organized chaos in your daily life, the Mergansers could be for you.

CHICKAREES, Ages 9-10 These youngsters have a seemingly endless supply of energy and are quick to make their presence known around Camp with loud and goofy chants. Chickarees love hearing stories, figuring stuff out, and learning cool things, but most of all, they enjoy having counselors who are willing to listen and converse with them.

MARMOTS, Ages 11-12 Marmots are an awesome balance of energetic kid and budding adult. They still enjoy the silly side of things but are old enough to begin doing more challenging activities. They sometimes pretend to know it all, but don’t be deceived – they are impressionable and truly value learning from and with their counselors. And you can bet they’ll make it their mission to find out what counselor you’re “dating.”

OSPREYS, Ages 13-14 Ospreys are super cool and social (or at least, they try to be). They love getting to know each other and their counselors, but the challenge is to get them to develop deeper friendships and encourage them to try new things. Read a teen mag or two to brush up on your pop culture and get ready to be a role model. Each week counselors will organize and facilitate a fun, educational, and activity-filled overnight backpacking trip for the Ospreys. Wilderness First Aid Certification is preferred, but not necessary to apply.

TEENS, Ages 15-18 Teens love having down-to-earth counselors that can entertain and really get to know them as young adults. These older kids go sailing and waterskiing and engage in creative, team-building challenge that vary from year to year. Each week counselors will organize and facilitate a fun, educational, and activity-filled overnight backpacking trip for the Teens. Get ready to be a friend and mentor to these forward-thinking teenagers. Wilderness First Aid Certification is preferred, but not necessary to apply.

In general, these positions require instructors to develop and implement their own programs. While all staff members interact with children daily, leaders of these programs tailor their activities towards adults. Some of these jobs involve fewer program hours and can be combined to fit your interests. All staffers spend their program hours in their primary job, and then all non-program hours doing a variety of jobs and special shifts around Camp. For more information about these roles, please contact our Individual Instructor Coordinator Nick Hafer at nhafer@stanford.edu or Staff Director Brennecke Gale at bgale@stanford.edu.

ARTS

ART INSTRUCTOR (1) The Art instructor mainly teaches art to adults and blends instructive points with engaging conversation. The Art Instructor should be competent in a variety of traditional media, but equally important qualities are a desire to take creative ownership of the program and an excitement for teaching. Programs in the past have included Paint and Sip, Charcoal Sketching, Plein Air Hike, Exploring Color Theory, and more! In addition to the instructor’s ideas, programming will include Linoleum Block Printmaking and Bisqueware Glazing. Pottery experience is preferred, but not required. This is typically a full position.

CRAFTS INSTRUCTOR (1) Love designing, creating, and teaching crafts? As the Crafts Instructor, you’ll get to share your love for creating while spending time with guests who have a passion for new projects. Crafts in the past have included Stained Glass, Batik, Basket Weaving, Marbled Gratitude Cards, and Earring Making. We encourage innovation -- make it your own! This is typically a full position, but can be a half position.

THEATER DIRECTOR (1) The Theater Director facilitates the writing, creation, and direction of a play that is performed weekly in Camp’s outdoor theater space. Each year, guests look forward to seeing what new, wacky performance will be dreamed up. In addition to the show, the Theater Director can plan educational, theatrical programing for kids groups, and get creative to incorporate their flair for the stage in other areas of Camp. This is typically a quarter or half position.

IMPROV INSTRUCTOR (1) Three things! 1. The Improv Instructor leads improv workshops throughout the week for guests of all ages. 2. The Improv Instructor plays a major role in leading the weekly improv show. 3. Patience, an ability to work with both kids and adults, and a knack for thinking on your feet are a must! Three things! This is typically a half or quarter position.

SPORTS

ROCK CLIMBING INSTRUCTOR (1) This instructor is a climbing enthusiast who teaches guests of all ages safe climbing techniques on our rock wall at Camp, as well as on a nearby natural rock wall in Desolation Wilderness. Some past climbing experience is required and site belay certification is preferred, but this can be provided by Camp if necessary. This is typically a full position, but can be a half position.

SAILING INSTRUCTOR (1) This instructor teaches a variety of sailing clinics to adults and older children using Camp’s Lasers, Lidos, Bic Opens, Hobie Waves, and Hobie Cats. Knowledge of sailboat maintenance is preferred; a positive attitude, patience, and assertiveness in teaching guests in shifty winds are required. This is typically a full position.

TENNIS INSTRUCTOR (1) To teach tennis at Camp, having won Wimbledon is not as important as having high energy and a love of teaching. The tennis instructor runs clinics and tournaments for adults and kids throughout the week. This staffer is charismatic, enthusiastic, positive, a skilled ball-feeder, and can pull out a drill at any moment. A good sense of humor helps, too! This is typically a full position.

VOLLEYBALL INSTRUCTOR (1) On Camp’s beach volleyball court out in the sunshine, this instructor leads clinics open to all skill levels, focusing on putting the fun in fundamentals. The highlights of each week are the guest volleyball tournament and the staff vs. guest match; both are long-standing Camp traditions. The volleyball instructor must be able to generate hype for these competitive events and go the extra mile to increase participation. This is typically a half position.

MOUNTAIN/ROAD BIKE INSTRUCTOR (1) What’s more fun than whipping down a trail feeling the wind against your face while surrounded by classic Sierra mountain scenery? To pursue this amazing feeling, our guests have the option to rent a mountain bike for the week, and some even bring their own bikes to Camp. You’ll get to lead bike rides of various levels of difficulty. Mountain biking experience is preferred. The desire to make this program creative, fun, and unique is required. This is typically paired with a full position. 

YOGA INSTRUCTOR (1) From a serene deck overlooking Fallen Leaf Lake, this instructor guides guests of all levels and all ages in discovering yoga. Technical certification is not necessary, but the instructor should enjoy early mornings, have knowledge of several disciplines, and be able to instruct up to ten weekly hour-long sessions. This is typically a full position, but can be a half position.

OUTDOORS

NATURALIST (1) Weekly duties include leading an educational nature hike and other creative, nature-related activities for adults. Past Naturalists have focused their programming on wildflowers, local geology, bugs and insects, fire ecology, lake health, and eutrophication. Add your expertise to the list! This is typically a full position, but can be a half position.

KIDS' NATURALIST (1) Love learning about the environment and working with kids? The Kids' Naturalist will work with kids' group leaders to develop educational environmental programming that utilizes Camp's beautiful location. They will spend 2-3 hours per week with various kids' groups. This can be a half position.

HIKING LEADERS (2) The Hiking Leaders organize and lead three adult hikes of various lengths each week, and help guests plan and organize their own excursions in nearby Desolation Wilderness. These leaders will go the extra mile to make guests’ outdoor adventures unique, like bringing materials to enjoy chocolate fondue at the top of Mount Tallac. Wilderness First Aid certification is preferred, but not necessary to apply. This is typically a full position.

These positions are unique in that they are associated with a specific place at Camp (the Ski Dock, the Kitchen, the Fountain, the Boat Dock, the Office). They make up the crucial foundation in Camp’s wonderful guest experience and strong staff community. If you have any questions regarding the Ski Dock position, feel free to contact our Ski Dock Head Julia Wang at jwang00@stanford.edu. If you have questions regarding the Office Assistant and Photographer positions, reach out to Individual Instructor Coordinator Stella Delp at sdelp3@stanford.edu. For more information about the other roles, please contact Staff Director Katherine Gjertsen at kgjert@stanford.edu.

SKI DOCK INSTRUCTORS (5) Do you love waterskiing and wakeboarding? Do you have the patience and excitement it takes to teach others how to learn? Instructors help guests of all ages and skill levels enjoy these sports and perfect their technique. How well you slalom is less important than your communication skills and attention to safety – you’ll interact directly with many families each day. Boat driving experience and boating license are preferred, but these can be provided by Camp if necessary. This is typically a full position.

KITCHEN CREW (5) Ah, the kitchen, or as most of Camp knows it, the Chicken...one of the most high-energy spaces at Camp. Walking into the kitchen, you can feel the love, the passion, and the energy it takes to create 1,000 meals a day. More important than culinary expertise is a positive attitude, a willingness to bring the heat, and a great playlist. The work is intense at times, but this intensity creates a tight-knit Chicken community. This is typically a full position.

FOUNTAIN SPECIALISTS (4) The Fountain Specialists work front and center in our Camp store where guests of all ages come to purchase apparel, SSC goodies, or grab a milkshake. While many staff will have Fountain shifts, the Fountain Specialists are looked upon for guidance in perfecting milkshake technique, facilitating purchases, and maintaining overall customer satisfaction. The Fountain is the perfect place to constantly interact with guests and staff! This is typically a half or quarter position.

BOAT DOCK COORDINATOR (1-2) The Boat Dock Coordinator spends their time right on the lake, responsible for general maintenance of the Boat Dock and its vessels. Initiative, ability to take ownership, an eye for safety, and excitement about learning/refining skills like sewing, fiber-glassing, and fixing are more important than extensive experience. This is typically a half position.

OFFICE ASSISTANTS (2) The office is the control center of Camp. The Office Assistants help write the daily information letter on what’s happening at Camp, answer phones, oversee guest check-in and check-out, create a friendly office environment, and answer any questions that guests or staff might have. Working in a central location means interacting with a lot of staffers, helping a lot of guests, and getting close to the office staff. This is typically a full position.

PHOTOGRAPHERS (2) Camp’s two Photographers capture the best moments of Camp each week using digital SLRs. They also take family portraits, communicate with guests continuously in person and via email, organize sales, and create an original slide show to be shown at the end of each week. An outgoing and positive attitude is essential, as well as detail-orientedness, diligence, and commitment to follow through on long-term projects. Some photography experience is preferred. This is typically a full position.

Or Be Something New!

SSC is an outdoor classroom where alumni and their families engage in the interests of our staffers. As the teacher, what new programs would you host? Past programs have included fly fishing, astronomy/star gazing, book discussions, music reviews, design thinking brainstorms, and creative writing workshops. Create your own position, and come tell us about it; we're always looking for innovation. Again, you can contact Staff Director Brennecke Gale at bgale@stanford.edu with any questions!