Dance Special Needs Camp Counselor - Paid Summer Internship

Looking for a paid summer internship where you can inspire creativity and movement in young people?

If you have a passion for dance and want to create meaningful connections in a beautiful outdoor setting, this is the opportunity for you!

About Us:

Camp Starfish is dedicated to providing a transformative summer experience for children with emotional, learning, and behavioral challenges. As a Dance Program Specialist, you’ll use the power of dance to help campers express themselves, build confidence, and work as a team, all while fostering a supportive and inclusive community.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and facilitate daily dance activities and workshops, teaching campers basic dance techniques and encouraging them to express themselves creatively through movement.
• Live alongside youth campers in a cabin, providing 24-hour supervision and helping them adjust to camp life and group living.
• Create a physically and emotionally safe environment where campers can explore dance and movement in a supportive, non-judgmental space.
• Nurture each camper’s personal development, self-esteem, and creativity, helping them reach their goals through dance.
• Fully immerse yourself in camp life to learn valuable skills in behavior management, group facilitation, and effective communication.
• Engage in other camp activities (e.g., sports, hiking, high ropes, boating, swimming) to help campers build teamwork, resilience, and confidence.

Qualifications:

• Ideal candidates are college students majoring in dance, psychology, sociology, social work, education, or a related field.
• Passion for dance and movement, with the ability to teach and motivate children to explore dance, regardless of experience or ability.
• Experience in teaching or working with children is a plus, especially in creative or performing arts.
• Strong mental resilience and the ability to manage challenging situations with empathy, composure, and professionalism.
• Ability to work the full summer season, including staff training dates.
• Must pass all required background and reference checks to work with vulnerable youth populations.
• At least one year of college, work, or life experience beyond high school.

Skills:

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to connect with campers and staff.
• Strong leadership abilities to facilitate engaging and inclusive dance activities that encourage teamwork and self-expression.
• Physical ability to participate in dance activities and lead movement sessions, including outdoor dance activities in the summer heat.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion, ensuring all campers feel comfortable and supported.
• Ability to implement behavior management techniques and support campers in navigating emotional or crisis situations.
• Creativity and flexibility in adapting dance activities to meet the needs of diverse campers.

Development and Fellowship Opportunities:

• Course credit in dance, psychology, social work, education, or related fields.
• Over 140 hours of hands-on training for working with diverse children and leading dance-based activities.
• Paid internship with eligibility for a 15-month Fellowship to further your professional development.
• Weekly seminars covering core values, self-regulation, and restorative justice, providing a holistic view of youth development.

Internship Includes:

• A beautiful, immersive nature experience where you’ll lead and participate in activities and outdoor adventures.
• Room and board provided, including laundry services.
• Paid time off and a travel stipend for staff traveling over 250 miles.
• Opportunities to build lifelong friendships within a supportive, community-oriented environment.

How to Apply:

Ready to dance into a summer of growth, creativity, and fun? Apply now to be part of an unforgettable experience where you’ll help campers express themselves, build confidence, and create lasting memories.

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