Summer Job - Camp Counselor

Imagine a summer job at a beautiful lake site in the San Francisco East Bay, having fun in the great outdoors, making new friends, all while helping children grow and have the time of their life. You'll learn valuable leadership and teamwork skills that employers and graduate schools value. Many staff tell us years later that working at Roughing It was the most exciting and rewarding summer job they never expected. Now Hiring for Summer 2026! We are currently hiring camp counselors and activity instructors . Camp counselors spend the day with the same group of campers and are responsible for planning/leading group activities as well as supervising campers. Groups are divided by gender/age and range from 4-16 years old. The camp day is split between group time and time spent at program areas where you will assist campers, under the instruction of our program staff. Activity instructors spend the summer leading activities at one of our outdoor program areas: swimming, fishing, boating, canoeing, arts & crafts, sports, nature, and outdoor skills. Applicants should have prior experience in the area they will be teaching and be comfortable planning and leading activities. Transportation from San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Pleasant Hill, San Ramon We are a day camp and most summer staff drive to our camp sites in Lafayette or Moraga. Some staff also act as bus counselors who supervise campers and lead activities on the ride to and from camp in the morning and afternoon. Our buses pick up in San Francisco, Berkeley, Oakland, Pleasant Hill, and San Ramon. If the daily commute to Lafayette/Moraga is not feasible for you but taking the bus could work, please apply and we will consider your situation.

Requirements Group Counselors:

Completed 1st year of college (by start of camp)

Assistant Group Counselors:

Completed high school (by start of camp)

Activity Instructors:

Completed 1st year of college (by start of camp) First Aid/CPR Certification (we offer a course where you can obtain this)

Boating/Swimming Counselors:

ARC Lifeguard Certification (Roughing It will reimburse and may have course available) Job Details 2026

Camp Season:

Mon-Fri, June 15, 2025 through August 7, 2025

Camp Hours:

The camp day is 9:00am-3:00pm, and staff help with site prep or act as bus counselors before and after. Most positions are 43-47 hours/week.

Location:

Our main camp site is at the Lafayette Reservoir. Our swimming site is at the Soda Aquatic Center in Moraga. Staff commute to their work site unless they are a bus counselor who meets the bus at its first stop. About Roughing It Day Camp Established in 1972, Roughing It Day Camp is an all-outdoors summer day camp for children 4-16 years old located at the Lafayette Reservoir in the SF East Bay. We are a place where children get to do exciting outdoor activities, make real-life connections, and learn the skills to succeed in life. Learn more at roughingit.com/jobs

Job Types:

Full-time, Contract, Temporary Pay:

$715.00 - $810.00 per week

Work Location:

In person