Summer Camp Counselors

Summer Camp Counselor Positions:

(Summer Counselors are expected to arrive early June and depart late August); NOTE: We give preference to counselor applicants who are already Red Cross First Aid/CPR certified (and/or Lifeguard, WFA or WFR certified) for the 2026 camp season (through Aug/Sept 2026)!

• Air Riflery; Red Cross/CPR preferred
• Archery; Red Cross/CPR preferred
• Arts & Crafts
• Astronomy
• Boating (lake sailing+); Lifeguard Cert req
• Camp Activity Administrator/Secretary
• Red Cross Certified Lifeguard
• Children's Counselor (ages 2-6); req Red Cross/CPR
• Children's Counselor (ages 7-8); req Red Cross/CPR
• Children's Counselor (ages 9 & 10); req Red Cross/CPR
• Children's Counselor (ages 11 & 12); req Red Cross/CPR
• Children's Counselor (Teens ages 13+); req Red Cross/CPR
• WFR Climbing (Rock Climbing/Bouldering/Slacklining)
• Fencing; Red Cross/CPR preferred
• Fine Arts Counselor (Watercolor/Acrylic painting)
• Guitar/Music
• Gymnastics/Trampoline; req Red Cross/CPR
• Jiu Jitsu/Martial Arts; req Red Cross/CPR
• KILT Program (Teen Leadership Training); req Red Cross/CPR certification at minimum
• Mad Science (hand-on fun experiments w/kids)
• Massage Therapist
• Mountain Biking; req Red Cross/CPR certification at minimum, WFA or WFR preferred
• WFR & LNT certified Naturalist/Hiking Guide (WFR-preferred; WFA at a minimum)
• Paintball; Red Cross/CPR preferred
• Photography (Camp Photographer & Instruction)
• Special Events
• Tennis/Pickleball; Red Cross/CPR preferred
• Yoga

Staff Room & Board

Due to our remote location (about an 1 1/2 hr. drive time to Fresno, CA), most of our staff live on-site at Montecito. If you live onsite you will receive subsidized room and board (including satellite internet, satellite telephone access & laundry service during the summer season; it is important to note that there is no cell service in our remote location, but we offer free WiFi). The staff dines along with our guests, and shares the same buffet meals. Staff that live off-site have meal privileges during their shifts.

Staff housing varies based on job position, but most seasonal summer staff share summer cabins with other seasonal staff (average of 6 people to a cabin). Summer seasonal staff utilize one of two shared bathhouses, that are also used by some cabin guests.

Gratuities

The entire Montecito staff shares gratuities from our guests equally, which can be substantial during our summer family camp season.

Qualities We Look For In Potential Employees

Our employees become part of the Montecito Family, and often become friends with not only our staff, but with our guests. Many of our guests return year-after-year, and they and their children become very close to our staff. Therefore it is very important that staff members represent Montecito well, set a good example for our young guests, and behave professionally at all times. Many of our seasonal staff return year-after-year as well, because they enjoy the working environment and the friendships they share at Montecito.

We look for candidates who are:

• Outdoorsy, Friendly & Fun
• Enthusiastic & Flexible
• Team players
• Hard workers
• Responsible & Professional
• Honest & Authentic
• Focused on Customer Service
• Leading a healthy, drug-free lifestyle
• Clean, neat and wholesome appearance (we are a family camp).
• Preferably experienced working with families and children
• Preferred Certifications for counselor positions (depending on position): Red Cross First Aid/CPR Certified at a minimum, or Red Cross Lifeguard Certification, or WFR (Wilderness First Responder); as of 2018, a WFR certification with CPR is required by the National Park Service for any of our lead outdoor guides and "Leave No Trace" certified for all guides.