Summer Camp Cooking Counselor

What You’ll Do

• Leading simple cooking activities for both younger and older campers, between Pk-8th grade.
• Recipes generally involve no heat cooking and can be completed in 1 or 2 40-minute sessions.
• Teaching and reinforcing kitchen safety, hygiene, and organization across all age levels.
• Encouraging creativity by allowing age-appropriate customization, experimentation, and presentation.
• Structuring projects to fit the weekly camp arc, ensuring successful completion and camper pride.
• Managing supplies, maintaining a clean workspace, and preparing materials in advance.
• Collaborating with leadership to support smooth transitions and positive camper experiences.

What Makes You a Great Fit

• An adaptable instructor — comfortable teaching campers ages 7–16, adjusting tools, language, and expectations accordingly.
• Safety-driven — confident teaching kitchen safety, food handling, and age-appropriate knife skills.
• Organized and prepared — able to plan recipes, prep materials, and manage shared kitchen spaces.
• Encouraging and patient — skilled at supporting beginners while challenging more experienced campers.
• A clear communicator — calm, positive, and effective at giving step-by-step guidance.
• A collaborative team member — works closely with co-counselors and leadership.

Schedule and Requirements

• Full on-site availability during the summer: July 13th - August 14th
• Monday–Friday
• Hours: camp operates 7am–6pm, leads typically work 40 hours per week

Perks and Benefits

• Pay range: $20-25/hr – exact rate is determined by state minimum and experience
• Paid training: remote training on: including safety, DEI, classroom management, and more + in-person staff training the weekend prior to camp; please note that training is paid at state minimum wage, or $12/hr, whichever is higher
• Summer Bonus: Earn an additional $20 per week for working six or more weeks with no absences
• Referral Bonus: Earn $50 per hired referral, with no referral limits
• Daily perks: Free snacks, coffee, and parking + Monday breakfast
• Employee discounts on camp rates for family members, outdoor gear, art supplies, electronics, and more
• Career growth: Gain resume-building experience, letters of recommendation, and networking opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employment Statement

DEAN Adventure Camps is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from diverse candidates. Hiring decisions are based on a candidate’s qualifications as they relate to the position’s requirements and are made without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, veteran status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, religion, or any other category protected by applicable law.