Specialty Camp Counselor

Congo Camp; Falls Church (VA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 34,000; Full time

Job summary

Congo Camp in Falls Church, VA is seeking Specialty Camp Counselors to plan and lead one-week themed camps (Arts, STEM, Cooking, Athletics, Drama). You’ll own the planning, prep, instruction, and daily breakdown to deliver a fun, high-energy experience tailored to your specialty.

You’ll ensure sessions are inclusive and safe, coordinate with junior counselors and camp leadership, and meet Virginia licensing expectations.

Qualifications

• Experience leading youth in arts, STEM, cooking, athletics or drama.
• Strong lesson-planning and group-management skills.
• Clear, patient communicator and team collaborator.
• Pediatric First Aid/CPR or ability to obtain before season and maintain throughout employment.

Responsibilities

• Plan a weeklong curriculum with daily lesson plans, objectives, and age-appropriate adaptations; prepare rain/heat alternates.
• Prepare spaces and materials; manage setup/cleanup for rapid turnarounds; keep storage organized and labeled.
• Lead engaging, hands-on activities; differentiate for varied abilities and provide scaffolds/extension options.
• Manage safety relevant to the specialty (tool rules, gym/play protocols, allergy & food-handling for Cooking, basic equipment checks).
• Track inventory; request/organize supplies within budget and approval processes.
• Monitor environment/facilities; identify and report hazards or maintenance issues; complete incident/accident reports as directed.
• Coordinate with Junior Counselors and camp leadership for smooth transitions, behavior expectations, and inclusive participation.
• Meet or exceed ACA practices and Virginia child day program licensing standards.
• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality; be punctual, prepared, and flexible; perform other duties as assigned by the Camp Director or designee.

Skills

Lesson planning

Group management

Communication

Safety-minded

Calm under pressure

Job description

About the role

Specialty Camp Counselors plan and lead one-week themed camps (e.g., Arts, STEM, Cooking, Athletics, Drama). You’ll own the planning, prep, instruction, and breakdown of daily blocks, keep sessions inclusive and safe, and deliver a fun, high-energy experience tailored to your specialty.

Responsibilities

• Plan a weeklong curriculum with daily lesson plans, clear objectives, and age-appropriate adaptations; prepare rain/heat alternates.


• Prepare spaces and materials; manage setup/cleanup for rapid turnarounds; keep storage organized and labeled.


• Lead engaging, hands-on activities; differentiate for varied abilities and provide scaffolds/extension options.


• Manage safety relevant to the specialty (tool rules, gym/play protocols, allergy & food-handling for Cooking, basic equipment checks).


• Track inventory; request/organize supplies within budget and approval processes.


• Monitor environment/facilities; identify and report hazards or maintenance issues; complete incident/accident reports as directed.


• Coordinate with Junior Counselors and camp leadership for smooth transitions, behavior expectations, and inclusive participation.


• Meet or exceed ACA practices and Virginia child day program licensing standards.


• Maintain professionalism and confidentiality; be punctual, prepared, and flexible; perform other duties as assigned by the Camp Director or designee.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading youth in one or more of: Arts, STEM, Cooking, Athletics, Drama (preferred).


• Strong lesson-planning and group-management skills; upbeat communicator who stays calm under pressure.


• Clear, patient communicator and team collaborator; calm and responsive under pressure.


• Organized and safety-minded; comfortable indoors/outdoors and moving equipment/materials


• Pediatric First Aid/CPR (or able to obtain before the season and maintain throughout employment).

Eligibility:

Must be at least 18 years old by the first day of employment and able to pass required background checks per School and Virginia regulations.