Hat Creek Summer Camp Lead Counselor

FIVE18 Family Services; Brookneal (VA); On-site; USD 14,000 - 18,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Scholarship opportunity

Meals provided

Lodging

Post-summer work opportunities

Paid training certifications

Central Virginia home-base

Mission-driven employer

Job summary

FIVE18 Family Services in Virginia is seeking a Summer Camp Lead Counselor for Hat Creek Camp. This on-site, seasonal role supports youth programming, leads activities like archery, swimming, and games, and collaborates with the Camp Program Manager to ensure a safe, engaging camp experience for children.

Staff live on site for the 10-week program, with meals and lodging provided. The position requires leadership with kids, CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain), and a focus on

Qualifications

• Leadership experience and/or experience working with kids.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification during staff training.
• Minimum 18 years old.

Responsibilities

• Create a positive, safe community for staff and campers.
• Provide support to Hat Creek summer counselors.
• Work with Camp Program Manager to plan and orchestrate scheduling.
• Facilitate and participate in all summer camp programming.
• Collaborate during program delivery and execution.
• Maintain knowledge of camp schedule, protocols, and procedures.
• Lead mealtime efficiency.
• Learn and facilitate large group songs, games, and skits.
• Clean cabins, inventory program supplies, and participate in debriefs after each program.

Skills

Leadership

Experience with kids

CPR/First Aid cert

Job description

Job Type

Temporary

Job Title: Summer Camp Lead Counselor

Department: Youth Services

Job Status: Active

FLSA Status: Non - Exempt

Reports To: Camp Program Manager

Amount of Travel Required: Live on Site for 10 weeks (7145 Hat Creek Rd., Brookeneal, VA 24528)

Job Type: Seasonal

Positions Supervised: Assist Camp Program Manager with Camp Counselor Supervision

Work Schedule: 5/17/27- 8/3/27, Sunday-Friday

Pay Range: $300 - $400 per week based on experience

Benefits

• (College Students Only) Opportunity to apply for Educational Scholarship through FIVE18 Family Services
• Meals will be provided while summer programming is taking place at camp
• Lodging throughout employment
• Opportunities for post summer work during retreat season
• Optional Paid Training Certifications: First Aid, Lifeguard, High Ropes Specialist, Archery Instructor
• Home-base for living, working, and exploring in beautiful central Virginia
• Employment with an innovative company focused on improving the lives of others

Position Summary

Hat Creek Camp’s Lead Counselors are an instrumental part of making our campers’ experiences fun! We provide a home away from home where our staff are free to stretch their comfort zone, grow in ways they never knew possible, and discover the joy of summer camp. The Lead Counselors have the unique opportunity to help plan and delegate the activities and staff in implementing a variety of fun-filled activities such as archery, swimming, kayaking, campfires, large group games, mealtime songs, and skits for the campers. Every week is different at camp and our Lead Counselors provide the creativity and initiative to help make the week a fun time for campers! Hat Creek Camp provides staff the opportunity to grow their skills in group management, age-appropriate programming, and safety and supervision.

Staff will undergo a two-week training in preparation for summer camp. The training encompasses protocols and procedures as well as games, bonding, and goofiness. Staff are guided and supervised by the Camp Program Manager. Our staff build close, lifelong friendships that last long after summer camp is over.

Essential Functions

Reasonable Accommodations Statement To accomplish this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation, each essential function satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to help enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Create a positive, safe community for staff and campers.
• Provide support to Hat Creek summer counselors.
• Works with Camp ProgramManager to plan and orchestrate scheduling.
• Facilitate and participate in all summer camp programming.
• Be able to work collaboratively and in a timely manner during program delivery.
• Maintain knowledge of camp schedule, programs, protocols, and procedures.
• Lead and encourage mealtime efficiency.
• Learn and facilitate large group camp songs, games, and skits.
• Clean cabins, inventory program supplies, and participate in debriefs(processing) after each program.

Competency Statements

• Leadership – Ability to influence others to perform their jobs effectively and to be responsible for making decisions.
• Coaching and Development – Ability to provide guidance and feedback to help others strengthen specific knowledge/skill areas.
• Safety Awareness – Ability to identify and correct conditions that affect employee safety.
• Problem Solving – Ability to find a solution for or to deal proactively with work‑related problems.
• Communication, Oral – Ability to communicate effectively with others using the spoken word.
• Adaptability – Ability to adapt to change in the workplace.
• Conflict Resolution – Ability to deal with others in an antagonistic situation.
• Empathetic – Ability to appreciate and be sensitive to the feelings of others.
• Initiative – Ability to make decisions or take actions to solve a problem or reach a goal.
• Working Under Pressure – Ability to complete assigned tasks under stressful situations.

Requirements

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

Skills & Abilities

Experience: Leadership experience and/or experience working with kids

Certification & Licenses: Current CPR and First Aid certification, or willingness to obtain certification during staff training

Other Requirements

• Passion for working with children and making a difference.
• Ability to work Sunday-Friday during summer programming weeks.
• Willingness to get outside of your comfort zone.
• Ability to pass a background and reference check.
• Minimum 18 years old.

Physical Demands

N (Not Applicable) Activity is not applicable to this position.

O (Occasionally) Position requires this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.5+ hrs/day)

F (Frequently) - Position requires this activity from 33% - 66% of the time (2.5 - 5.5+ hrs/day)

C (Constantly) - Position requires this activity more than 66% of the time (5.5+ hrs/day)

Stand: C Walk: C Sit: F

Manually Manipulate F Reach Outward C Reach Above Shoulder F

Climb C Crawl O Squat or Kneel F

Bend C Grasp F Speak F

Other Physical Requirements

Vision (Near, Distance, Color, Peripheral, Depth) - Active supervision of campers and counselors

Sense of Sound - - Active supervision of campers and counselors

Sense of Balance

Work Environment

Active movement about 10 hours per day

The Lead Counselor works in an active, fast-paced summer camp environment serving children and youth. Work is primarily performed outdoors and throughout camp facilities, including cabins, activity areas, dining spaces, trails, and waterfront areas.

This position requires working in varying weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, and other changing outdoor conditions. Lead Counselors should be comfortable with extended periods of walking, standing, and participating in camp activities.

During camp sessions, Lead Counselors live on‑site in staff housing and work a varied schedule that may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, and overnight responsibilities. The position requires flexibility as schedules, camper needs, weather, and programming may change throughout the day.

The environment can be physically and emotionally demanding. Lead Counselors regularly interact with campers, counselors, volunteers, camp leadership, and other FIVE18 staff and are expected to contribute to a positive, safe, Christ-centered, and team-oriented camp environment.