Counseling staff members are assigned to a specific job in a camp unit and are typically at least 19 years old. Every counselor is first a counselor involved in the person-to-person relationships of guiding campers, helping them to make the most of their camp opportunity.

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.

• Backpacking Counselor
• Hiking Counselor
• HBO (Hiking, Backpacking, and Out of Camp Activities)
• Horseback Riding Counselor
• Outcamping Counselor
• Mountain Biking Counselor
• Sports Counselors
• Crafts Counselors
• Riflery Counselor
• Campfire Counselors

Each counselor position has varying requirements. Common to most camp counselor positions are:

Preferred Skills: Must have experience with children, must be organized, outgoing, creative, a strong leader and a team player. Must have practical experience in the preferred activity.

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.