Program
Coordinator
Minimum Age: 21 years of age, preferably college junior
Terms of Employment: Coordinators are hired for 11 weeks, unless
contracted otherwise
Salary: $1700-, plus room, board and laundry
Time Off: Approximately one night each week, plus three days between
sessions
Number Hired: 6, one for each age group
Responsibilities:
Program Coordinators can also be called "Age Group Supervisors", and are
in charge of daily operations for each age group. Their primary responsibility
is to organize and implement their camp's daily schedule with input from
both staff and campers. Coordinators supervise a staff of 5-10 counselors
and assistant counselors, up to 40 campers, and may also be assigned their
own cabin unit of campers (although this is not usually the case). Program
Coordinators will strive to utilize their staff's strengths in providing
new challenges and exciting activities for campers. They must be familiar
with all areas of CSC's in-camp and wilderness tripping programs (of course
there will be support from administrative staff), and must be physically
capable of leading backcountry wilderness trips.
Program Coordinators will communicate daily with administrative staff to coordinate their in-camp and out-of-camp activities, as well as to discuss problems, questions or other concerns that may arise. It is crucial that they be able to support and carry out camp policies and philosophies within the guidelines set during staff training. Coordinators are partially responsible for enforcing rules and camp policies concerning staff and campers.
Other responsibilities include preparing for weekly staff meetings, writing and collecting articles for camp newsletters, distributing camper and staff mail, collecting weekly letters home from staff and campers, participating in daily activities, planning evening programs, leading wilderness trips, helping plan all-camp special days, working with support staff on scheduling and activity ideas, and helping to evaluate staff and programs through both formal and informal means.
Each Program Coordinator must be a catalyst and tremendous role model for campers and staff alike, who will look to them for leadership, direction, and support throughout the summer. This is a good way to develop and use early management, organizational and administrative skills. Generally, coordinators have worked for us for at least one summer and are familiar with our goals, philosophies, and programs.
Pathfinding
Coordinator
Minimum Age: 21 years of age, preferably a college junior
Terms of Employment: Pathfinding Coordinators are hired for 11
weeks unless contracted otherwise
Salary: $1925-, plus room, board and laundry
Time Off: Three days between sessions
Number Hired: 1-2 males and 1-2 females, depending on enrollment
Responsibilities:
Pathfinding Coordinators are responsible for a group of 6-8 campers grades
9-11, on a four week wilderness expedition through desert and alpine terrain.
Responsibilities include preparing a trip itinerary/drop schedules, preparing
trip menus, physical and emotional safety and well being of campers, working
with program directors to communicate needs and discussing problems that
may arise, and facilitating leadership roles and continuously working
on group dynamics.
Pathfinding Coordinators must be physically capable of leading challenging trips in the wilderness, and must be interested in and/or knowledgeable about outdoor skills such as topographic map reading, outdoor cooking, backpacking techniques, minimum impact camping, etc. Knowledge of the environment and nature's processes is beneficial. Trip leading and personal wilderness travel experience is essential. Coordinators must hold a current driver's license and have current Wilderness First Responder and CPR certifications through a recognized first aid provider.
CSC staff are asked to consistently provide positive, creative, and meaningful direction to the young lives with which they are entrusted. It is imperative that they be able to support established camp policies and promoted programs. This job is emotionally and physically demanding, as you will work 24 hours a day seven days a week out in the field. However, the rewards of such an experience for both camper and staff are exceptional. Be prepared to have more fun than you have ever had and to give more of yourself than you could ever imagine!
Head
Counselor
Minimum Age: 21 years of age, preferably a college junior
Terms of Employment: Head Counselors are hired for 10 weeks unless
contracted otherwise
Salary: $1400-, plus room, board and laundry
Time Off: Approximately one night each week, plus three days between
sessions
Number Hired: 15-20 males and 15-20 females, depending on enrollment
Responsibilities:
The primary responsibility of Head Counselors is to ensure the physical
safety and emotional well-being of campers in their care. Specific duties
can be broken down into three categories: living in a cabin with 4-6 campers;
planning and leading traditional in-camp activities; and co-leading 3-5
day out-of-camp wilderness trips. Following is a brief description of
each.
Each counselor is assigned to a specific age group or "camp", each of which is housed in a distinct group of cabins. Head Counselors live in a cabin with 4-6 campers and are responsible for these campers at specific times such as rest hour after lunch, getting them to bed at night, getting them up and ready in the morning, bringing them to and from meals, making sure they are clean and healthy, etc. During in-camp activity periods, counselors plan and lead activities which are offered to campers in their age group. It is important to understand that the camp does not pre-schedule activities for the campers; instead, the counseling staff of each age group is responsible for creating and maintaining a diversified offering of activities. It is essential that every counselor be prepared to brainstorm, plan, schedule, and implement their age group's program, with input both from campers and other staff. Creativity and enthusiasm are a must!
About half of the time (this varies with age group) will be spent leading 3-5 day out-of-camp backcountry wilderness trips. Counselors must be physically capable of leading challenging trips in the wilderness, and must be interested in and/or knowledgeable about basic outdoor skills such as topographic map reading, outdoor cooking, backpacking techniques, minimum impact camping, etc. While counselors do not need to be knowledgeable in all areas of our wilderness program, some experience is essential. Staff training will fill in the gaps. Head Counselors must hold a current driver's license and have current certifications in recognized first aid and CPR courses.
Head Counselors are asked to consistently provide positive, creative, and meaningful direction to the young lives with which they are entrusted, within the philosophies of Colvig Silver Camps. It is imperative that they be able to support established camp policies and promoted programs. Counseling is a 24 hour per day job with rewards proportionate to what is given. Be prepared to have more fun than you have ever had and to give more of yourself than you could ever imagine!
Assistant
Counselor
Minimum Age: 18 years of age, completed freshman year of college
or equivalent experience
Terms of Employment: Assistant Counselors are hired for 10 weeks,
unless contracted otherwise
Salary: $1300-, plus room, board and laundry
Time Off: Approximately one night off per week, plus three days
between sessions
Number Hired: 4-6 males, 4-6 females, depending on enrollment
Responsibilities:
Assistant Counselors (AC's) live in a cabin with one Head Counselor and
4-6 campers. Each cabin unit (two cabins together) is generally comprised
of two Head Counselors, one Assistant Counselor and 8-12 campers. The
AC provides supplemental leadership along with and in the absence of either
Head Counselor. AC's are primarily responsible for dishwashing, lodge/kitchen
clean-up, regular garbage runs, laundry delivery, and administrative office
tasks, all on a scheduled, rotating basis. Approximately one half of their
time is spent in scheduled programming with campers, and about half is
spent doing the "grunt work". Whenever possible, AC's assist Head Counselors
and Coordinators in planning and leading in-camp activities. The Assistant
Counselor is the "backbone" of the camp, filling holes where and when
needed in almost every area of the camp operation. Flexibility is the
AC's greatest asset. AC's must be physically capable of lifting and carrying
heavy loads and assisting in the leadership of 3-5 day backcountry wilderness
trips. Again, the rewards for this position are proportionate to the effort,
energy and enthusiasm invested. This is a great way to become familiar
with camp and the responsibility of being a Head Counselor. Ac's must
have current certifications in recognized first aid and CPR courses.
Rock
Climbing/Ropes Course Coordinator
Minimum Age: 21 years of age, preferably college junior
Terms of Employment: The Climbing Coordinator is hired for 11 weeks,
unless contracted otherwise
Salary: $1500-, plus room, board and laundry
Time Off: Approximately one night each week, plus three days between
sessions
Number Hired: One
Responsibilities:
The Rock Climbing/Ropes Course Coordinator is responsible for planning
and leading all aspects of our rock climbing and ropes/challenge course
programs. This includes an in-camp climbing wall, several initiatives
activities, a variety of in-camp natural rock climbs, day trips to a local
climbing area, and overnight trips to more extensive climbing areas. All
natural rock that we currently use is sandstone.
Campers range in age from 7-17 and arrive with all levels of rock climbing experience (including none). Rock climbing instruction begins with safety and theory, and progresses from there. Counseling staff will be present at every activity and will be responsible for camper management, allowing the climbing coordinator to focus on leading and instruction. Head and assistant counselors also arrive with varying levels of experience. The Rock Climbing Coordinator is responsible for evaluating and training staff in belaying. Knowledge of equipment inspection and "retiring" is also beneficial. Our program includes only top-rope climbing - it does not include lead climbing or technical mountaineering. As with our other support staff, the Rock Climbing Coordinator will be asked to assist with various other aspects of camp, including supervising movie nights, helping with other activities, washing dishes, etc.
Arts
and Crafts Coordinator
Minimum Age: 21 years of age, preferably college junior
Terms of Employment: The Arts and Crafts Coordinator is hired for
11 weeks, unless contracted otherwise
Salary: $1500-, plus room, board and laundry
Time Off: Approximately one night off per week, plus three days
between sessions
Number Hired: One
Responsibilities:
The "Art Barn" Coordinator develops arts & crafts programs for all
age levels (7-17) and supervises the Art Barn while campers are involved
in projects. This will include setting up work areas for specific crafts,
coordinating materials and supplies, scheduling groups and projects with
input from other staff, giving creative direction to campers and staff,
and making sure that everything is put away and organized after each project.
The Art Barn Coordinator will take on varying roles with each group as necessary. Some group will need direction through every aspect of a project, while others may simply need materials and supplies to be ready for counseling staff to lead the activity. Some groups may need initial instruction from the Coordinator for the counseling staff to lead the activity. The number of groups using the art barn during any given activity period will depend on the level of leadership needed, the types of projects, the number of participants, and limits set by the Coordinator. Ultimately, the Art Barn Coordinator has discretion regarding the scheduling and leading of any group or project. Counseling staff are responsible for working with the Coordinator to schedule activities, assisting and managing campers during projects, and for cleanup. The Crafts Coordinator sets up for activities, leads activities when necessary and oversees cleanup. The Coordinator is also responsible for keeping a running inventory of supplies, keeping craft materials and equipment operative and noting items to reorder.
The Art Barn Coordinator should be knowledgeable and skillful in a wide variety of crafts including pottery, leatherwork, beading, collages, lapidary, nature crafts, wood crafts, candle making, batiking, tie dying, silk screening, painting, photography, etc. There is a standard set of activities offered each summer, for which we pre-order equipment and supplies, and for which we have detailed plans. The coordinator is encouraged to supplement these standard activities with a wide variety of other crafts projects, so long as they fit within the Colvig Silver Camps philosophy and budget. The abilities to visually supervise campers' safety and to creatively motivate others are essential. As with our other support staff, the Art & Crafts Coordinator will be asked to assist with various other aspects of camp, including supervising movie nights, helping with other activities, washing dishes, etc.
Wrangler
& Assistant Wrangler
Minimum Age: Wrangler: 21 years of age, preferably a college junior
Assistant Wrangler: 18 years of age, college freshman or equivalent
Terms of Employment: Wranglers are hired for 11 weeks unless contracted
otherwise
Salary: Wrangler: $1700-; Assistant Wrangler: $1500-; plus room,
board and laundry
Time Off: Approximately one night each week, plus three days between
sessions
Number Hired: one of each
Responsibilities:
The wranglers' primary responsibility is for the safety and welfare of
campers (ages 7-17) taking part in the riding program. Riding groups will
typically include 6-10 campers and at least one counselor. Counselors
will be responsible for managing camper behavior, enabling the wranglers
to focus on instruction.
Wranglers are responsible for planning and teaching western-style riding and tack care based on a progression as follows: safety/equipment/basics > arena riding > trail riding. Our philosophy is that campers should not ride until they have first mastered the basics of tack care and grooming (hoof cleaning, brushing, saddling, bridling, etc.) Typically the first activity session with a group of campers will begin with an in-depth discussion of horse safety, then basic tack care/grooming, and if there is time, some arena riding to introduce basic horse control. Ideally, groups progress to half- and full-day trail rides in & around camp (over the course of several activity periods). Both wranglers should expect to be leading groups of campers nearly every morning and afternoon.
Wranglers are also responsible for the care of 12-15 horses and related tack. This includes "breaking in" horses that have not been ridden during the winter/spring months and working with a farrier and/or veterinarian. The ability to detect illness and injury in horses is essential. Wranglers must be physically capable of lifting saddles, controlling strong horses, lifting bales of hay, etc.
Wranglers will also be asked to assist in other areas of camp when not involved in horse activities. This may include supervising movie nights, washing dishes, assisting staff with other activities, or running errands.
Expedition
Coordinator
Minimum Age:
21 years of age, preferably college junior
Terms of Employment: The "Expo" Coordinator is hired for 11 weeks,
unless contracted otherwise
Salary: $1500-, plus room, board and laundry
Time Off: Approximately one night each week, plus three days between
sessions
Number Hired: One
Responsibilities:
The Expedition Coordinator is responsible for planning menus and packing
food and equipment for all expedition trips leaving camp. Food is packed
following prescribed menu guidelines, and equipment includes standard
camping gear (packs, stoves, fuel, cooking utensils, tents, etc.) as well
as special equipment (bicycles, canoes, life jackets, paddles, etc.) We
offer a wide variety of trips for all age levels (7-17).
The Expo Coordinator also keeps a running inventory of food and supplies, coordinates food needs with the central kitchen and prepares orders. He/she must be able to lift heavy boxes overhead, read inventory sheets, make mathematical conversions and work independently.
This is a very time-consuming job and does not include going on trips or working directly with campers. It involves working alone much of the time, although Assistant Counselors and "gophers" are available to help when necessary. CSC is a wilderness-oriented camp, so most days will involve trips departing or returning. On a typical departure day, three to four groups of 8-12 each will be leaving camp.
Registered
Nurse
Minimum Age: 21 or older
Terms of Employment: 10 ½ -11 weeks, unless contracted otherwise
Salary: $3000-$4000 for the season, commensurate with experience
Time Off: One full day each week, 2-3 day mid-summer break
Number Hired: One
Summary:
Each summer we hire one full time, residential nurse and one substitute
nurse to cover days off, busy days, etc. Our nurse position is tailored
to provide the camp community with optimum health care in a unique environment.
Health care support includes a staff certified in, at minimum, CPR and
Wilderness First Aid, ambulance and helicopter access to a nearby hospital,
and a 24-hour on call camp physician.
This position provides an opportunity to spend a summer in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, developing nursing experience in pediatric care and wilderness/outdoor medicine. While our nurse is always on-call, we are flexible regarding program participation. In fact, we encourage our nurse to take an active part in the program portion of camp. Health care demands always take precedence over such program participation, but we are committed to making this a fulfilling and enjoyable experience for our nurse as well as our campers and program staff.
General Qualifications:
- Registered nurse (current) eligible to practice in Colorado
- At least 21 years of age with a valid driver's license
- General nursing experience in pediatrics, pharmaceutical distribution, medical record organization and maintenance
- Experience in emergency injury and illness assessment, sports injuries, outdoor medicine and some counseling
- Ability to perform duties in a physically challenging environment (7200 feet above sea level, non-paved, hilly)
- Available to work 24-hour on call shifts
Primary Duties:
- Overall responsibility for staff and camper health
- Create and maintain first aid kits
- Staff training of first aid kit contents and medication administration
- Compilation and maintenance of staff and camper health records
- Health screening of campers and staff during first 24 hours of each session and after wilderness trips
- Briefing staff on general and specific health needs of campers
- Regular pharmaceutical distribution to campers and staff
- Regular briefing of director/supervisor on health status of camp and particular current cases
- Regular conference with camp pediatrician
- Transportation of patients for pediatric visits
- Conferencing with parent on applicable health situations
- PREVENTION, PREVENTION, PREVENTION!
- HAVE FUN!
**ALL SALARIES LISTED ARE FOR THE ENTIRE SUMMER**
Key
Attributes of CSC Program Staff:
Creativity: we rely on our program staff to not only lead traditional
summer camp activities, but also to arrive at camp with a wealth of activity
ideas. Be prepared to brainstorm and plan!
Tirelessness: this is a 24 hour per day job and you will constantly
be on the move
Patience: working with children on this type of schedule requires
more patience than you can imagine
Flexibility: at camp, things very often don't go as planned - are
you able to keep smiling and adjust?
Positive Attitude: rain or shine, tired or energetic, as planned
or winging it, keeping a positive attitude is essential
Fun-Loving Spirit: above all, summer camp is about fun - if you're
having fun, your campers will be too
Responsibility: you are responsible for the health and well-being
of your campers at all timesSense of
Humor: in order to deal with the hectic pace of camp, the ability to laugh
at yourself and the world around you is essential.
