Head Camp Counselor - Coed Sports Summer Camp

Role: Head Counselor - Coed Sports Sleep Away Camp

Summary:

Camp Arrow Wood is looking to employ a Head Counselor with prior experience and a passion for impacting youth and young adults as part of our leadership team during the summer. This is a critical position in leading and supervising the continued development of the unique culture, environment, and community that is Arrow Wood. This individual has primary responsibility for supervising, supporting, and working directly with our counselors. Further, this role is pivotal in ensuring campers are safe, healthy, developing skills, and having an extraordinary experience at Arrow Wood.

In addition to the responsibilities outlined in the Head Counselor role, it is key the person hired will take the lead in bringing the fun to life at Camp Arrow Wood by overseeing all camp-wide activities. This includes planning, coordinating, and executing our most anticipated events—like evening programs, whole-camp off-site trips, “Super Sunday” extravaganzas, and any other special activities that happen on or off campgrounds. This role is all about creating unforgettable moments that campers will talk about for years to come.

We’re looking for someone who thrives on energy, creativity, and connection—someone who can rally a crowd, spark joy, and make every camper and counselor feel like they belong. Whether it’s organizing a camp-wide talent show, leading a themed dance night, or orchestrating a surprise color war breakout, this person will be the heartbeat of our community-wide programming. They’ll work closely with the leadership team and activity staff to ensure every event is inclusive, safe, and infused with the Arrow Wood spirit. Total camp engagement, counselor involvement, and camper enthusiasm are essential—and this role is key to making it all happen.

This is a seasonal position with a seven week commitment (June 20 - August 9, 2026).

Key Head Counselor Responsibilities:

• Work directly with and supervise all counselors that live and work with campers in cabins/bunks/lodges, including, but not limited to, conducting daily check-ins, providing constructive feedback and guidance, providing support during challenging or emergency situations, providing input and direction about strategies for working with specific campers and the group as a whole (and getting directly involved as necessary), and serving as a mentor.
• Support staff in creating and implementing creative, fun, and engaging activities, including “bunk choice” evening activities, with their assigned cabins/bunks/lodges.
• Ensure counselors are appropriately managing the physical cabin/bunk/lodge environment and keeping it clean and hygienic; provide guidance and hands-on support as necessary.
• Provide regular observation of areas where children are present to make sure counselors are providing appropriate supervision.
• Supervise campers and staff around camp and when with a group off site – to ensure their safety, general health and well-being, and enjoyment.
• Build community amongst campers and staff, ensure the welfare of campers and staff, and the positive resolution of camper and staff-related issues.
• Support and manage the behavior of campers – with careful attention to their mental health and social and emotional situation - which may include de-escalation and parent engagement.
• Serve as a member of the leadership team over the summer – providing input on camp activities, issues with campers and staff, and general camp-wide issues and solutions.
• Create and implement staffing schedules, including period, days, and nights off for staff – in conjunction with the Executive Director and Administrative Director.
• Plan, organize, lead, and participate in programming, including, but not limited to, opening and closing days, The Arrow, The Arrow Wood Games, Super Saturdays, evening and rainy-day activities, trips, and electives.
• Develop and lead orientation and training sessions for staff.
• Identify and communicate general equipment and facility needs to camp leadership to ensure appropriate ordering, as well as required repair and maintenance.
• In conjunction with the Executive Director and other camp leadership, hold routine meetings to address and resolve staff concerns.
• Be continuously available to staff and campers while on duty.
• Meet with each counselor periodically, including at least once during orientation and approximately bi-weekly during the summer, to understand and provide guidance on goals, challenges, issues, etc.
• Provide formal “end of season” feedback for each counselor – in conjunction with the appropriate sports/activity director - including completing brief written evaluations.
• As needed, serve as Head O.D., ensuring that campers are appropriately supervised, safe, and healthy from approximately 9:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. and that all staff return to camp and their cabins in a timely manner.
• Support the successful execution of all camp policies and procedures, including health and safety and emergency plans.
• Attend all meals with the camp community.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Prior experience working with children (ages 9-16) in a camp, school, or coaching environment.
• Strong leadership and supervisory experience, preferably in a residential camp setting.
• Ability to oversee, mentor, and support bunk counselors, ensuring camper well-being and a positive camp culture.
• Excellent problem-solving and conflict resolution skills to handle camper and staff issues as they arise.
• High energy, positive attitude, and team-oriented mindset.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to interact effectively with campers, staff, and parents.
• Ability to manage and enforce camp policies, schedules, and safety protocols.
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain before camp starts).
• Must be available to live on-site for the full camp season.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience as a head counselor, unit leader, or leadership staff at a summer camp.
• Background in sports, recreation, or youth development.
• Experience organizing team-building activities and camper engagement programs.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

About Camp ArrowWood :

Camp Arrow Wood is a coed sleepaway camp for those who are passionate about sports. We offer three- and six-week options emphasizing sports and athletics blended with much-loved camp traditions and activities. Current sports include baseball/softball, basketball, cross country/track, football, golf, lacrosse, soccer, and tennis. Explore activities include creative arts, fitness, outdoor adventure, waterfront (boating, sailing, swimming, and waterskiing), and more. We welcome families with children from ages 8 through 16 (entering third through eleventh grade) and offer a Leaders’ Program for 17-year-old (rising high school seniors) junior staff members.

Arrow Wood incorporates the best of the century-old U.S. camping tradition but better meets the needs of today’s children and the challenges of modern society. We empower boys and girls to experience great success in their given sports and passions, while also giving them the opportunity to explore new interests of the less familiar and help them learn to become leaders.

During our third summer (2025), we had over 150 campers ranging in age from nine to sixteen. As we are growing, we are projecting that we will increase our camper population in 2026 and approximately 200 campers. These increases are so that we can scale at an intentional and manageable pace and maintain the desired personal level of attention as we are growing.

Be a part of the pioneering group that is continuing to build our sleepaway camp situated on beautiful Richmond Pond in the bucolic Berkshires of western Massachusetts. We are looking for sports-minded individuals seeking to be part of something unique and amazing, and enthusiastic about creating traditions and a legacy at Camp Arrow Wood.

If interested, please contact us at [email protected] or [email protected] and include a resume.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary, Contract

Pay: $2,000.00 - $4,000.00 per month

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Relocation assistance

Work Location: In person