Sugar Bowl is seeking enthusiastic, reliable, and outdoor-savvy Junior (Entry Level) Camp Counselors to join our summer team on beautiful Donner Summit. As a Junior Counselor, you will play a key role in delivering Sugar Bowl’s premier youth summer camp experience, guiding kids through unforgettable adventures in the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Why Sugar Bowl?
Sugar Bowl Resort has been proudly independent for over 80 years and is one of the oldest ski resorts in California. Situated atop beautiful Donner Summit, Sugar Bowl has a storied past with ties to Austrian ski culture, Hollywood and Walt Disney. This special community helped bring skiing to “sunny California” since December 1939. Since then, it continues to attract adventurous winter sports enthusiasts a like.
Who You Are
- Enthusiastic, dependable, with a professional demeanor and genuine passion for working with children/youth and outdoor adventures.
- Possess strong interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships, encourage participation, and interact positively with campers, parents, and staff.
- Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team, adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment, and handle changing conditions with patience and flexibility.
- Committed to safety, risk management, and providing exceptional customer service to create positive experiences.
- Willingness to attend mandatory pre-camp training, successfully pass a background check, and obtain/maintain required certifications (e.g., First Aid/CPR; training provided if needed).
- Comfortable and eager to work outdoors at elevation (Donner Summit, ~7,000 ft) in varying weather conditions, including sun, rain, wind, and cooler alpine temperatures.
- Has previous experience working with youth in outdoor education, recreation, camp settings, or similar environments (preferred; training provided for strong candidates who show potential).
- Meet essential eligibility standards to perform the role effectively: Minimum 18 years of age, eligible to work in the United States.
What You Will Do
- Work full-time Monday–Friday, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, from throughout July 2026, committing to the full camp season for consistent camper relationships and program delivery.
- Support senior camp staff by assisting with foundational camp duties such as activity setup and cleanup, group transitions, basic supervision, and daily routines while actively learning camp operations, safety protocols, and leadership techniques under guidance to build skills for future growth.
- Attend mandatory pre-camp training sessions, successfully pass a background check, and meet/obtain all required certifications (e.g., first aid, CPR, or activity-specific) prior to the start of camp.
- Maintain open, professional communication with fellow staff, campers, and parents to support smooth daily operations, share updates, and address any questions or concerns promptly.
- Lead and supervise groups of youth campers, ages 4–17, in a wide variety of outdoor recreation and educational activities, including hiking and nature exploration, swimming, kayaking, white water rafting, rock climbing, team-building games, and hands-on environmental discovery while demonstrating enthusiastic, dependable, and professional demeanor at all times.
- Ensure the safety, well-being, and enjoyment of all participants by actively monitoring the group, enforcing camp rules and safety protocols, responding effectively to incidents or emergencies, and committing to exceptional customer service and risk management in a mountain/lake environment.
- Foster a safe, inclusive, positive, and memorable camp environment that promotes personal growth, confidence-building, teamwork, friendship, and a lifelong love of the outdoors while using strong interpersonal and communication skills to build relationships, encourage participation, celebrate successes, and support every child in feeling included.
- Work collaboratively as part of a dynamic team in a fast-paced, outdoor setting while adapting quickly to changing conditions, supporting fellow staff, and contributing to daily camp operations such as activity setup/teardown, maintaining cleanliness of camp areas, assisting with mealtimes, and helping create engaging, age-appropriate lesson plans or activity rotations.
- Serve as a positive role model for campers by modeling maturity, reliability, and a passion for adventure while being comfortable working outdoors at elevation in varying weather conditions (including rain, sun, wind, and cooler alpine temperatures).
Physical Requirements
- Ability to stand, walk, hike, and actively participate for extended periods (full days outdoors, often 8+ hours) on uneven, hilly, or rocky terrain.
- Capability to lift, carry, and move equipment/supplies up to 25–50 lbs (e.g., kayaks, backpacks, activity gear, or assisting campers).
- Visual and auditory acuity to observe camper behavior, identify hazards, monitor group safety across activity areas, and respond swiftly to incidents or emergencies.
- Endurance and mobility to bend, stoop, kneel, climb, swim, paddle, or perform other physical tasks associated with hiking, water activities, rock climbing, games, and team building.
- Overall good health and physical fitness to maintain constant supervision and engagement in a high-energy, outdoor setting at altitude (where oxygen levels are lower and weather can change rapidly).
Camp Dates
- July 6 – July 10, 2026
- July 13 – July 17, 2026
- July 20 – July 24, 2026
- July 27 – July 31, 2026
- Camp runs daily Monday – Friday from 8:30am – 4:30pm
Summer Benefits
- Employer sponsored 401k plan after 1000hrs (and 1-yr)
- Paid sick time
- Excellent professional and training development
- Generous Discount for camp enrollment dependents
Join us at Sugar Bowl Summer Camp, where work feels like play and you'll help create life-changing experiences for kids amid stunning alpine scenery! If you're ready to make this summer epic, we want you on our team.
Sugar Bowl Resort believes that all persons are entitled to equal employment opportunity and does not discriminate against its employees or applicants because of race, color, hair, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender orientation, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, national origin, citizenship, veteran status, ancestry, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, or any other status protected by federal, state or local law, ordinance or regulation. Equal employment opportunity will be extended to all persons in all aspects of the employer-employee relationship, including recruitment, hiring, upgrading, training, promotion, transfer, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination.