Description

Salary: $550/week

Room and Board: Lodging and meals are provided at no additional charge. Staff must live onsite.

Employment Dates: June 3 – July 22, 2026 (includes staff training)

To Apply: Fill out the online application no later than March 31st: https://hpcrc.campintouch.com/ui/forms/application/staff/App

About Highlands: Highlands Camp and Retreat Center is located 90 miles northwest of Denver at the base of Mt. Meeker, near Rocky Mountain National Park. At 8,250 feet elevation, the 285 acres of diverse natural area includes ponderosa pine forest, wetlands, streams, and mountain vistas that moose, beavers, bees, and much more call home. Highlands was founded in 1945 as a summer youth camp and is still offering week-long summer camps for all ages today.

Purpose of Highlands Summer Camp:

The purpose of Highlands Camp is to inspire the next generation of thinkers, doers, dreamers, believers, and difference makers by fostering a sense of belonging, curiosity, connection with nature, and sense of adventure through a safe and fun camp experience.

At Highlands Camp, we plant seeds for the future by stretching kids to grow outside of their comfort zone and reach their full potential. We believe in the power of disconnecting from technology and connecting with nature. Real-life human interactions are invaluable, and we know that there are few opportunities in a modern young person’s life to leave the phones behind, gather with a large group of peers, and play outside. Highlands Camp creates space for a childlike sense of wonder to shine by providing meaningful experiences in nature and allowing time for campers to explore the natural world around them. Under the careful supervision and watchful eye of our professionally trained counselors, campers have room to roam, build, create, and imagine beyond the confines of four walls and phone screens. Through adventure activities like rock climbing and archery, campers overcome challenges and are instilled with confidence in their own abilities. Highlands campers create lasting memories and friendships built upon the core values of belonging, curiosity, play, adventure, and connection with people and place. 

Core Values: Belonging, Curiosity, Play, Adventure, and Connection with People & Place

Job Description: Highlands Camp & Retreat Center is seeking enthusiastic, compassionate, and responsible Summer Camp Counselors to provide campers with a safe and fun summer camp experience. Counselors are leaders who guide their campers to grow in character, connect with nature, build relationships, and embrace their camp experience. Counselors lead activities during the day and provide overnight supervision to campers. Camp weeks run Sunday afternoon until Friday morning. Throughout the camp week, counselors act as role models and caring leaders who campers can look up to and learn from. Every camper should leave with a renewed sense of connection: connection with self, connection with others, and connection with nature. Counselors bring the magic to summer camp, making it an unforgettable experience for campers and staff alike.

Essential Functions:

• Be responsible for the care and oversight of campers alongside your co-counselor
• Follow Highlands Camp policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention, and emergencies.
• Supervise campers, including mealtime supervision, camper safety/first aid, and leading and participating in activities such as hiking, rock climbing, pond activities, archery, games, arts and crafts, free play, campfires, evening programming, and more.
• Possess the social and emotional skills necessary to build rapport and positive relationships, creating a safe space where campers feel welcome and accepted.
• Collaborate and work with other camp staff when necessary.
• Ensure safety and wellbeing of all campers under supervision, including maintaining appropriate staff to camper ratios as required.
• Maintain inventory of programming supplies and maintain cleanliness of camp. Report repairs in a timely manner.
• Problem solve, communicate, and document camper behavioral issues as they arise, and pass them off to leadership staff as needed.
• Incorporate the Highlands mission, Summer Camp purpose, and core values in all communication with participants and staff members.
• Maintain confidentiality of Highlands Camp issues and records.
• Maintain friendly, professional relationships with staff, participants, parents, and community members.
• Practice positive guidance and preventative discipline techniques with natural consequences.
• Live with campers in bunk-style cabins when camp is in session
• Live in a communal shared housing environment with other counselors when campers are not present
• Required to attend and complete staff meetings, trainings, and all mandatory licensing required trainings.
• Complete required abuse risk management training
• Report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations
• Follow mandated abuse reporting requirements
• Other job duties as assigned.

Requirements

Qualifications:

•      At least 18 years of age
•      Have an interest in, respect for, and experience working with children
•      Have an interest in, respect for, and ability to work with people with diverse backgrounds
•      Ability to be creative, adaptable, and flexible while managing children in a variety of situations; ability to think ‘outside the box’
•      Strong work ethic and will work until the job is complete
•      Motivation to contribute positively to Highlands Camp at-large community
•      Ability to work in a busy environment with many distractions
•      Current First Aid and CPR certifications, from an approved vendor, or the ability to obtain before the first day of employment
•      Must be able to successfully pass a comprehensive background check
•      Completion of Child Abuse Prevention, Bloodborne Pathogens, and Standard Precautions training (these can be completed during staff training).