Leadership staff are responsible for the day-to-day operations of their respective unit and must be 21 years old. May be 20 years old with experience. Each of our eight units has approximately 60 to 70 campers and 15 or so staff managed by leadership staff:

• Director
• Assistant Director

Unit directors and assistant directors (DADs) build a close-knit community through thoughtful and deliberate leadership, planning, and preparation. They provide a safe, fun, and cohesive environment for campers and staff and know each staff member and camper by name. The overall unity of campers and staff is dependent upon the DADs in each unit.

DADs develop the staff by creating opportunities for leadership and to grow and learn together. They are directly responsible for each camper’s Cheley Experience. They help each camper feel safe, learn about themself and others, and have a fun and memorable summer. Leadership staff have clear expectations for counseling staff concerning behavior, leadership, and how to do their jobs.

Every week, leadership staff lead staff meetings covering camper concerns, upcoming events, reminders, etc. They create a weekly schedule for campers and staff, keep records of the patches that campers have earned, and review, proofread, and correct camper reports that are sent home. They are also responsible for maintaining a clean lodge and high expectations for unit cleanliness. DADs must complete all paperwork in a timely manner and make appropriate contact home to parents. They communicate regularly with the nurses regarding camper incidents, illness, medications, etc., and coordinate laundry days for campers’ clothing and commercial laundry. Flexibility is imperative for leadership staff as they work together with the other seven units, various programming schedules, and more. At the end of the summer, they will write an article about their unit for our newsletter, the Pack Rat.

Throughout the summer, DADs provide exceptional experience in management and leadership by giving immediate feedback to staff (when appropriate) and completing two evaluations on each counselor. The assistant director(s) oversee the CILTs (Campers in Leadership Training) in each unit (Haiyaha, Senior Chipeta, Boys’ Trail’s End, and Girls’ Trail’s End,) or on exchange. Leadership staff also continuously communicate concerns with the Boys’/Girls’ Camp Director and keep them up to date on the needs and current functioning of the unit.

In order to ensure a high level of camp functioning while providing feedback and growth opportunities, DADs work together to establish what needs to be accomplished in the unit and what areas each will be responsible for overseeing. As a member of the leadership staff, the expectations for conduct and behavior are very high.

Counselors live with and are responsible for a group of campers – at Land O’Peaks, counselors live in cabins with the campers and one or more other counselors, while at the Trail’s End Ranches, counselors live in cabins near camper wagons. Counselors care for and provide a physically and emotionally safe environment for each camper. They write five to six weekly reports to parents, supervise meals, maintain discipline, and set a good example. Counselors also help campers with laundry sorting, making beds, homesickness, and personal hygiene. They plan and lead fun and engaging activities while assisting campers with earning their patches and keeping accurate records of campers who have earned patches in their area.

Being a counselor is a very important position, and the choices they make affect the campers’ entire camp experience. The goal of the counselor is to give each camper a safe, fun, and memorable summer where they learn about themselves and learn to “act spontaneously in the right.” They must enjoy young people and have a sense of fair and effective discipline.

Counselors need to have the ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, communicate effectively with campers, peers, directors, and camper parents, and provide necessary instruction to campers. All counselors must have the visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards, the cognitive ability to plan and conduct the activity safely, the physical ability to respond appropriately to situations (especially those requiring first aid), and the physical ability and strength necessary to lead the activity five days a week. Counselors must be prepared for long hours, minimal personal time, and many rewards.

Qualifications Summary

Preferred Skills: Must have experience teaching, parenting, or managing. Experience with children is a must, as well as leadership, management, and large group presentations. Must be organized, empathetic, a strong leader and passionate about youth development.

Physical Requirements: Must have visual and auditory ability to assess any unsafe environment or hazard. Must have physical ability and strength to lead activities five days a week, and to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid.

Salary: The base salary for the Assistant Director position is $490/week. The base salary for the Unit Director position is $565/week.