Day Camp Counselor
Help kids from Homer and beyond connect with the ecosystems of Kachemak Bay, become better stewards, and develop a love for the natural world. Day Camp Counselors will work with the Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies (CACS) Day Camp, based out of Homer. Participants in this camp are ~7-9 years old, and many are Homer locals. For 2026, Day Camp is anticipated to have 4-5 staff each week, collaboratively managing a cohort of 22 kids.
Each week of Day Camp (Monday-Thursday) features a different nature-based theme (i.e. “Wild About Wildlife,” or “All About Water.”) Camp is equally focused on place-based and inquiry-based environmental exploration, social emotional learning, and campers’ sense of fun.
Day Camp starts and ends each day at the Wynn Nature Center—15 minutes from our office in Homer. The Day Camp staff will interact directly with participants, leading fun and educational activities. Activities take place at the Wynn, or include field trips to other nature preserves, the Homer Harbor/Spit, area beaches, local trails, and other field sites. Counselors are responsible for working closely with each other and with the Day Camp Coordinator to plan the schedule and co-lead games, activities, and crafts.
Many Day Camp activities are documented from recent years, but campers can often return for several years in a row; therefore activity planning requires a level of creativity and flexibility to avoid camp feeling repetitive. Camp staff frequently attend to children’s social-emotional, behavioral, developmental needs with help from a Support Staff; some of these needs can be frequent or high. Kids’ engagement and familiarity with Camp and staff can vary widely; some campers only attend one week through the whole summer, while others attend regularly to fill a childcare need.
This position reports to the Day Camp Coordinator.
Position runs from May 26 – August 21, 2026 (end date negotiable).
Pay rate is $19.00/hour with shared housing provided ($22.00/hour without housing).
Core Duties:
Plan and lead fun, educational activities for day camp participants, with emphasis on weekly themes.
Work with other Day Camp Counselors and the Day Camp Coordinator to create a weekly schedule that includes a balanced mix of games, guided exploration, directed activities, social emotional learning, art, crafts, guest speakers, and free exploration time.
Develop and ensure a safe, fun, and positive environment for all youth participants. Work cooperatively with guardians and other CACS staff/volunteers to provide high-quality experiences for participants. Administer basic first aid. Set behavior expectations and implement positive behavior supports.
Model positive interactions with human communities and the natural world, lead planned stewardship activities, and use “teachable moments” to communicate the importance of stewardship and respect.
Additional Duties:
Assist with transportation of the group in 12-passenger and/or 15-passenger vans.
Maintain CACS program supplies and perform daily/weekly cleaning of the Day Camp supply room and Coastal Studies vans.
Assist the Coordinator with leadership tasks such as communicating with guardians, contacting guest presenters, performing basic administrative duties, and managing the schedule as mutually agreed upon.
Conduct participant evaluations of programs. Provide photos, stories, and participant testimonials for advertising and grant reporting. Opportunity to help develop social media posts and marketing materials.
We are a staff that works as a team and adapts to our communities’ needs; therefore this position may work on additional programs and duties as mutually agreed upon.
Training & Mentorship:
Required participation in paid training period in Homer and at the Peterson Bay Field Station at the start of the summer, which will include training on natural sciences, interpretation, and the cultures of Kachemak Bay. Additional opportunities may be offered throughout the summer for paid professional development in specific areas related to your work.
Qualifications:
First Aid/CPR Certification required. Youth Mental Health First Aid or comparable training (or willingness to obtain one prior to start date) required.
Demonstrated good judgment and risk management experience in dynamic outdoor and indoor settings. Willingness to learn on the job and adapt to changing circumstances (such as weather, group needs, etc.).
Experience or demonstrated desire to work with children in outdoor settings.
Commitment to facilitating experiential, place-based, fun, and inclusive learning experiences for children.
Experience identifying and meeting individual needs, and supporting children with challenging behaviors one-on-one and in large group settings. Maintain a positive and encouraging attitude towards all students' abilities and autonomy. Familiarity with Autism Spectrum Disorders, neurodiversity, social & emotional learning.
Awareness of, or training in, Trauma Informed teaching practices.
Ability to work in a highly collaborative work environment, including skills for providing and receiving feedback.
Commitment to CACS’s work towards justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our programs. Dedication to our vision of healthy ecosystems, engaged and connected communities, and inspired environmental stewards.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to provide clear and concise directions, communicate science concepts to children, and make children feel welcome.
Familiarity with—or interest in learning more about—the nature of coastal Alaska.
Valid drivers license preferred.
We’ve left our list of desired qualifications flexible in recognition of the many forms of knowledge and experience that can exist both within and outside of typical employment or academic pathways. If you are passionate about the work and think you could do it well, please apply!
Our application form will ask for a 1-page résumé, a 1-page cover letter describing your desire to work with Coastal Studies as an organization, and a short-answer question asking you to describe your interest in the specific position. If you have questions about our application process, please navigate back to our Employment page and explore the FAQ.
