Join Our Team

Start your summer off right by joining the Camp Waldo team! Camp Waldo is a three-week overnight summer camp located on the banks of the Greenbrier River in Summers County, West Virginia, serving kids in grades 3^rd through 9^th.

Our staff help make camp a summer home to everyone in our community. The feeling of warmth, spirit and tradition are evident in everything we do. Our staff is made up of dedicated individuals who love the outdoors, who want to positively impact children, all with the common goal of making this summer the best for our campers. We are hiring for counselors, leadership staff and kitchen staff for Summer 2023.

Counselors

Each Camp Waldo counselor is expected to be present and available for the entirety of staff orientation and camp. All counselors will live with the campers at a ratio of 1:4. During the camp day, counselors will have the opportunity to work as activity specialists or as general counselors who guide campers through all aspects of camp. Our program focuses on ecology, environmental stewardship, athletics, and the arts.

All counselors will live with the campers in newly restored cabins at a ratio of 1:4. Counselors help teach specific activities like ecology, environmental responsibility, outdoor skills, art, music, creative writing, chess, yoga, archery, soccer, basketball, and the ropes course. Counselors also have the opportunity to participate in other areas of camp. In addition to the structured activities, counselors will also lead children in camp-wide games (e.g. overnight camping trips, paddling on the river, stargazing, frisbee golf, capture the flag).

Camp Waldo is a program of Appalachian Headwaters, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring forests, water and communities in central Appalachia. We are fortunate to offer paid internships to select camp staff who express interest during the counselor application process. Internship placements can include beekeeping, native plant horticulture, environmental education and economic development through Appalachian Headwaters and local partner organizations. Learn more about our programs at www.appheadwaters.org.

Qualifications: 

• Each Camp Waldo counselor is expected to be present and available for staff orientation. 
• Counselors must be 18 years old or older. College students are preferred.
• Candidates must be able to pass a background check. All candidates go through a thorough screening process including an interview and criminal background check as required by ACA standards.
• Candidates must provide two – three references. Our administrative staff check multiple references for every candidate.

Key Dates:

• Staff Arrival: June 1^st 
• Staff Orientation: June 2^nd – June 9^th
• Camp Session: June 10^th – July 1^st
• Staff Departure: July 2^nd

Head Counselor

Head Counselors play an integral role in creating a great summer camp experience for Camp Waldo campers and counselors. Each Head Counselor is responsible for:

• Managing and supporting several camper cabins at camp.
• In addition to supporting the campers in their assigned cabins, they support and supervise the counselors working in those cabins.
• They play an integral role in daily programing for campers and counselors.
• Act as a liaison to the Camp Director & Environmental Education Director.
• Heavily assist with Staff Orientation in planning and execution.

Qualifications:

• Passion for working with children, young leaders and a diverse staff
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to relate to people of diverse backgrounds.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to handle multiple and diverse tasks.
• Able to pass a background check

Leadership Team Arrival: June 28^th

Leadership Team Orientation: June 29^th – June 1^st

Staff Arrival: June 2^nd – June 9^th

Camp Session: June 10^th – July 1^st

Leadership Departure: July 2^nd

To Apply: Please submit a resume to our Camp Director Jonathan Walker-VanKuren at  jwvankuren@appheadwaters.org. 

Outdoor Skills & Adventure Director

We are hiring an Outdoor Skills & Adventure Director to plan and execute Outdoor Adventure programs for our campers in southern West Virginia. We are looking for a candidate that is motivated to extend our camp experience and build a rich outdoor program rooted in environmental ethics and the resources of Appalachia. One of our defining traits as a camp is our strong environmental ethic and we hope that the person filling this position will be an extension of that.

The Outdoor Skills & Adventure Director will lead trips that will include hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, and paddling. This position will also teach campers camp craft, wilderness survival, navigation, and other technical skills. The OA Director must be capable of working with diverse counselors (young adults) and campers.

This job will require onsite work during the period of May 29^th to July 2^nd.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Develop and deliver a fun and safe outdoor skills program that is appropriate for the ages and abilities of our campers – deepening their environmental ethic and challenging them to try new things.
   1. Plan and facilitate activities that encompass skills in nature exploration and identification, outdoor cooking, camping, hiking etc.
   1. Plan and facilitate activities such as kayaking, rock climbing, backpacking, orienteering, etc.
   1. Evaluate the success of the program and development of campers’ abilities and skills.
2. Work with our Camp Chef to develop and prepare outdoor meals, working with campers and other staff on food preparation and cooking.
3. Ensure that camp staff and campers know and follow all relevant procedures.
   1. Assist in the implementation of staff training for outdoor skills.
   1. Ensure campers and staff follow safety procedures.
4. Oversee the management and care of physical facilities and equipment as it pertains to the Outdoor Adventure Program.
   1. Maintain the outdoor equipment including cooking equipment, tarps, camp stoves, sleeping mats, backpacks, headlamps, etc.
   1. Prepare and implement regular safety checks of equipment
   1. Ensure the security of outdoor equipment and supplies, including clear inventory and planning for replacement of supplies in a timely manner.
   1. Conduct regular checks of program areas for safety and cleanliness, and to reflect good outdoor stewardship (Leave No Trace).

Qualifications: 

• Must have a passion for the wilderness and working with youth, and in teams.
• Skilled in planning and leading wilderness trips.
• Solid working knowledge of Leave No Trace principles and procedures.
• Current First Aid/CPR certification required.
• Wilderness First Aid and Wilderness First Responder certification preferred but not required.
• Candidates must be able to pass a background check. All candidates go through a thorough screening process including an interview and criminal background check as required by ACA standards.
• Candidates must provide two – three references. Our administrative staff check multiple references for every candidate.
• Able to drive a large passenger van.
• Valid driver’s license and clean driving record required.

Key Dates:

• Leadership Team Arrival: June 28^th
• Leadership Team Orientation: June 29^th – June 1^st
• Staff Arrival: June 2^nd – June 9^th
• Camp Session: June 10^th – July 1^st

Leadership Departure: July 2^nd

To Apply: Please submit a resume to our Camp Director Jonathan Walker-VanKuren at  jwvankuren@appheadwaters.org. 

Assistant Chef and Kitchen Staff

Kitchen staff will report directly to the Head Chef, Al Pettijohn. The Head Chef and Assistant Chef are supported by 2-3 additional kitchen staff. Working as a team, the kitchen staff are responsible for preparing three vegetarian meals each day for approximately 150 people at Camp Waldo. The team works out of the large airy Dining Hall kitchen, which was fully renovated in 2017-2018. 

The Assistant Chef may be asked to perform all elements of kitchen work from prep to clean up. He or she must work well with other people and be committed to maintaining a safe, sanitary work environment meeting all health code standards. The Assistant Chef should enjoy living and working in the outdoors and with children. 

This job would be an excellent opportunity to learn vegetarian cooking from a CIA-trained chef with many years of experience in restaurants around the country.

Asst. Chef Qualifications:   Experience with commercial kitchen work. Minimum age of 20. Minimum of two (2) years of experience in working in food service preparation and delivery.

Kitchen Staff Qualifications: Some experience in working in food service preparation and delivery preferred.

Compensation: Competitive pay for all positions. On campus housing, meals, and access to laundry facilities provided.

To Apply: Please submit a resume to our Camp Director Jonathan Walker-VanKuren at  jwvankuren@appheadwaters.org.