Camp Counselor & Wilderness Trip Leader

Kieve Wavus Education, Inc.

Location

Nobleboro, Maine and Jefferson, Maine

Wages/Pay

$3,250.00 - $4,150.00 / season

Experience Level

Some experience required

Job Start Date

Job Starts: Jun 10, 2025

Summary

Our camps are exceptional because of our counselor staff. Kieve and Wavus Head Bunk Counselors, Counselors, and Junior Counselors are outstanding role models whom our campers strive in emulation of. They lead wilderness trips, in-camp activities, and are in loco parentis for two sessions of campers. They love working with kids and are eager to share what they are passionate about, whether sailing, archery, pottery, canoeing, nature, and so much more. 

Mission

Kieve Wavus Education empowers people to contribute positively to society by promoting the values of kindness, respect for others, and environmental stewardship through year-round experiential programs, camps for youth and adults, and guidance from inspirational role models.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent preferred.
• Experience working with children.
• Wilderness tripping experience is helpful but a willingness to learn and try new things is essential.
• A collaborative worker, a thoughtful listener, and an instinct to proactively solve problems.
• Empathetic to the needs of others and the ability to demonstrate patience.
• Ability to maintain mental, emotional, and social resiliency and handle stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment.
• Head Bunk Counselors have significant wilderness tripping experience and are typically 21 or over due to Maine Summer Camp driver laws.
• Counselors usually have some relevant camp experience.
• Junior Counselors are relatively inexperienced but are passionate about working with kids.
• All counselors are mandated reporters. They complete two weeks of extensive training in tripping, in-camp and healthcare prior to campers arriving. Pay is based on position hired for and qualifications.

Responsible to: Summer Camp Directors

Primary Responsibilities

Wilderness Tripping: Leading our wilderness trips is a significant counselor staff responsibility. Head Bunk Counselors are expected to organize, plan, pack, and execute their cabins wilderness trips with direct support from our Counselor and Junior Counselor staff. They must work collaboratively as a team and be willing to learn to lead trips ranging from basecamp hiking, to backpacking, to canoeing–both flat and whitewater. 

In-Camp: All counselors will have time in-camp where they are expected to lead a range of activities. From pottery to nature, ropes, archery, sailing, swimming and so many others, our staff must be willing to try new things and encouraged to teach activities that they are passionate about. They will lead their cabin through weekly inspection and are asked to perform a wide range of duties in support of camp functioning to the highest standard possible. 

Healthcare: Each counselor must be fully aware of their campers’ health care needs, helping to administer medication, perform basic first aid, and supporting campers through social situations–whether navigating homesickness or cabin conflict. They must be quality listeners and work with Directors to ensure that each camper’s unique needs are met. They will help document camper issues and support our Health Center staffing after hours. 

Support of the Organization: Kieve Wavus Education is an educational nonprofit that requires a highly dedicated team to function. Each employee should understand our mission and be ready to do work not specific to their job description in order to fulfill it.