Paid Summer Internship - Special Needs Camp Counselor

Looking for a paid summer internship that transforms the lives of young people?

If you have a heart for creating meaningful connections and want to work in a beautiful outdoor setting, this is the opportunity for you!

About Us:

Camp Starfish is on a mission to create a transformative summer experience for children with emotional, learning, and behavioral challenges. As a Special Needs Camp Counselor - or a Group Specialist, you'll play a vital role in our team, making lasting impressions on campers and fostering a supportive and inclusive community.

Responsibilities:

• Live alongside youth campers in a cabin, providing 24-hour supervision and helping them to adjust to camp life and group living.
• Creating a physically and emotionally safe environment.
• Nurture each camper's development, self-esteem, and personal goals.
• Fully immerse yourself in camp life to learn skills like facilitating, behavior management, and effective communication.
• Engage in outdoor activities like sports, hiking, high ropes, camp fires, boating, and swimming, rain or shine.

Qualifications:

• Ideal candidate is a college student majoring in psychology, sociology, social work, or a related field.
• Strong mental resilience and the ability to handle challenging yet rewarding scenarios with empathy and composure. Being able to compartmentalize in the moment.
• Ability to work the entirety of the season including staff training dates.
• Pass all background and reference checks as required for seasonal employees of an organization working with vulnerable youth populations.
• One year of college/work/life experiences outside of high school.

Skills:

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion, and being prepared for restorative conversations with campers and staff.
• Physical capability for outdoor activities in the heat of summer and specific environmental realities (humidity, wind, bugs, lake water) for extended hours.
• Capable of implementing behavior management techniques to assist campers in navigating escalated and crisis situations, fostering the development of their social and therapeutic coping skills.

Development and Fellowship Opportunities:

• Course credit in psychology, social work, education, and more.
• Over 140 hours of hands-on training for working with diverse children.
• Paid internship with 15-month Fellowship eligibility for further professional development.
• Weekly seminars covering Core Values, Self-Regulation, and Restorative Justice.

Internship Includes:

• Beautiful, immersive nature experience.
• Room and board included.
• Laundry service provided.
• Paid time off.
• Travel stipend for staff members traveling over 250 miles.
• Forge lifelong friendships in a supportive community.

How to Apply:

Ready to make a difference? Apply now through our easy application process to be part of a summer filled with growth, learning, and creating positive memories for campers. 

Camp Starfish is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Join us in making this summer unforgettable for campers who need it the most!