Thank you for your interest in applying for a position with The Painted Turtle! We are now accepting applications for our 2012 Summer Staff. You may apply at any time but please remember that we will begin reviewing new applications after January 1, 2012.Positions are limited and can fill up quickly, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.

We encourage you to sign up to volunteer at one of our Fall or Spring Family Weekends if you are considering a summer position. Volunteering is a great way to get involved in the program and learn more about The Painted Turtle.  Please visit our volunteer page to apply for these programs.

Summer staff positions are paid and require living on-site at our residential camp. Positions include housing for the duration of the summer and meals while camp in session. If you are unable to work for the duration of the summer, consider joining our volunteer team for a week-long Cabin Counselor opportunity.

Paid positions require a summer commitment from June 3 until August 22, 2012 including a week-long, mandatory staff orientation. Select positions require earlier start dates, including:
Adventure Team: May 27
Waterfront Team: May 28
Bale Leaders and PFD’s: May 28
Entertainment Team: May 29
Leadership: TBA

Please note that while application deadlines are listed below, applications are accepted on an ongoing, rolling basis.  Note:All applicants must be at least 19 years of age.

Application deadline for international applicants: March 1, 2011. 

Application deadline for U.S. applicants: April 1, 2011.

*Please note that we may accept applications after these deadlines if space allows. However, our positions tend to fill up by these deadlines. To inquire about availability after our deadlines, email staff@thepaintedturtle.org.

Paid positions include Cabin Counselors and Program Staff roles such as: Camp Musician, Waterfront Team (Certified Lifeguards for Pool/ Fishing and Boating), Adventure Team (High/Low Ropes & Teambuilding, Archery), Arts and Crafts, Woodshop, Discovery (Nature, Science, and Baking), Creative Arts (Dance, Theatre & Moviemaking) and Camp Photographer. We also offer seasonal camp leadership positions.

Click the following link to view the staff application: https://www.thepaintedturtle.org/turtle/ApplicantForm_new.asp.

If you have questions about working at The Painted Turtle, please review our Seasonal Staff Frequently Asked Questions.  Please email staff@thepaintedturtle.org or contact us at 310-451-1353 at The Painted Turtle office for additional information. 

MEDICAL SUMMER STAFF opportunities are available for licensed professionals.

SUMMER STAFF POSITIONS

CABIN LIFE POSITIONS

PROGRAM POSITIONS

LEADERSHIP TEAM

Cabin Counselor
Cabin Counselors perform a key role based on trust, empathy, and mutual respect for children and staff alike. Cabin Counselors are responsible for supporting and encouraging each child to participate fully in all aspects of camp, allowing campers to gain maximum benefit from their experience. During the 7-day session, Cabin Counselors live in cabins with 8-10 campers and 4-5 adult counselors. Cabin Counselors work together as a team to ensure the safety and welfare of the children under their care and, above all, to make the experience fun!
Requirements:

  • Minimum 19 years of age
  • Physical and mental capability of caring for campers
  • Knowledge of camp or camping experience (helpful)
  • CPR certification strongly recommended
  • Confidence in attending to the daily needs of the children
  • Ability to maintain a positive cabin environment
  • Skills in encouraging group cohesion and building self-esteem
  • Ability to work with volunteers, collaboratively and effectively
  • Enthusiasm and flexibility

PFD (Personal Floatation Device or Floating Counselor)
The PFD is a cabin counselor who has exceptional skills working with children with special physical, emotional, or behavioral needs. The PFD will be assigned to a specific group of cabins to offer additional support. The PFD will act as part of the cabin team in supplying all children within the cabin a safe and fun experience, with special focus on campers with more individual needs.  PFDs will also work closely with the Bale (Unit) Leaders to communicate about behavioral needs of their cabin groups.
Requirements:

  • Minimum 21 years of age preferred
  • Physical and mental capability of caring for campers with special challenges
  • Knowledge of camp or camping experience (helpful)
  • First Aid and CPR certification strongly recommended
  • Confidence in attending to the daily needs of the children
  • Ability to maintain a positive cabin environment
  • Skills in encouraging group cohesion and building self-esteem
  • Ability to work with volunteers, collaboratively and effectively
  • Enthusiasm and flexibility

Bale Leader (Unit Leader)
Bale Leaders serve as the "leader" for the campers, volunteers, and staff, ensuring a safe, happy, and memorable camping experience. Their primary responsibility is to oversee the operations of 4 cabins (32-40 campers and 16 staff). This includes overseeing childcare, behavior issues, volunteer and staff supervision, unit coordination, and planning of special unit events.
Requirements:

  • Minimum 21 years of age preferred
  • Previous resident camping experience (preferred)
  • First Aid and CPR certification strongly recommended
  • Physical and mental capability of overseeing the care and operations of 4 cabins
  • Ability to observe camper behavior and assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques
  • Ability to supervise and evaluate staff and volunteers
  • Strong skills in problem-solving and conflict-resolution

The Program Team
The Program Leaders and Program Counselors design, plan, and direct programs in one or more of the following activity areas: Woodshop, Arts and Crafts, Waterfront * (Boating and Fishing, Pool), Adventure * (High/Low Ropes Course, Archery, Teambuilding games, Sports and Recreation), Creative Arts (Dance, Theatre, and Moviemaking), Entertainment,Discovery (Nature, Science, Gardening, and Baking), Music  (Camp Musician), and Photography (Camp Photographer).  (*Certification required in certain areas.  High ropes training offered on-site prior to All-Staff Orientation in late May.) Additional responsibilities for Program Leaders include managing the program budget, ordering supplies, and overseeing program planning and execution.

Requirements:

  • Minimum 20 years of age preferred for Program Leader; minimum 19 years of age for Program Counselors.
  • Experience in teaching or coaching children in program specialty area (preferred)
  • First Aid and CPR certification strongly recommended

Camp Photographer
The Camp Photographer captures the magic and spirit of each camp session. Photographs will be used in a variety of ways, which may include a slide show, camper newsletter, website scrap book, and promotional materials for the Camp. The Camp Photographer may also lead photography workshops for campers. The Camp Photographer is considered a member of the program team and will live on camp in staff housing. The Camp Photographer will be assigned to a cabin to assist when not taking pictures.
Requirements:

  • Minimum 19 years of age preferred
  • Experience in photography (photographing children a plus)
  • Creativity and ability to assemble photographs for a slideshow, newsletter, etc.
  • Ability to create and lead workshops with campers
  • Audio/visual experience a plus
  • First Aid and CPR certification strongly recommended

Camp Musician
The Camp Musician plays a vital role in filling the musical needs of the Camp. Responsibilities include playing guitar or keyboards, singing at campfires, acting as DJ at camp dances, providing musical assistance for talent show performances, playing music and camp songs at meal times, and leading music workshops for campers. The Camp Musician is considered a program leader and will live on camp in staff housing. The Camp Musician will also be assigned to a cabin to assist when not playing music.
Requirements:

  • Minimum 19 years of age preferred
  • Ability to play guitar and/or keyboards in a wide variety of musical styles (singing a plus)
  • Experience performing and leading songs in large groups
  • Ability to create and lead music workshops with campers
  • First Aid and CPR certification strongly recommended

Recreation Coordinator
The Recreation Coordinator works in tandem with the Program Coordinator to oversee all camp program areas, supervise summer program staff, participate as a part of an administrative and crisis-intervention team, and collaborate within a team environment to ensure the highest quality programs.  The Recreation Coordinator will directly supervise members of the program area staff, with a specific focus in overseeing the Adventure Team (Archery, Ropes, and Fun and Games) and the Waterfront Team (Pool, Fishing and Boating).  Additionally, the Recreation Coordinator will serve as a member of the camp Support Team, help to facilitate All-Staff Orientation, participate in daily meetings, coordinate staff appreciation events, and serve as a liaison for the members of the Program Team.  The Recreation Coordinator will also help with administrative tasks including purchasing supplies for program areas, creating the camp schedule, and assigning campers to free choice activity areas.
Requirements:

  • Minimum of 22 years of age preferred
  • Experience in teaching and coaching children
  • Knowledge of camp or camping experience
  • Knowledge of program areas including Adventure (Archery, High/Low Ropes, and Teambuilding activities) and Waterfront (Pool, Fishing and Boating)
  • Lifeguard, CPR, and First Aid certification strongly preferred; High/low ropes certification or experience strongly preferred
  • Strong administrative and organizational skills
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Relevant experience in supervision and management
  • Ability to work well as a part of a team

Entertainment Coordinator
The Entertainment Coordinator oversees creating, setting up, and leading all-camp activities. Major responsibilities include events such as campfires, dances, carnivals, banquets, camp games, and leading dining hall entertainment (announcements and songs). The Entertainment Coordinator will serve as part of the camp support/leadership team and will supervise 3-4 entertainment team members.
Requirements:

  • Minimum 20 years of age preferred
  • Experience in planning group special events or activities
  • Relevant experience in roles of supervision and management
  • Ability to sing or play music (helpful)
  • Lots of creativity!

Leadership Coordinator
The Leadership Coordinator oversees the Leader-in-Training (LIT) and Junior Counselor (JC) programs for young adults who aspire to develop their leadership skills, gain insight camp leadership, and help campers have the best week of their lives. To read more specific details about the LIT and JC programs, click here:
The Leadership coordinator will be responsible for interviewing and selecting LITs and JCs, designing LIT and JC leadership activities, and assigning LITs and JCs to appropriate cabin and program experiences.
Requirements:

  1. Minimum 22 years of age
  2. BA or equivalent degree
  3. Knowledge of camp or camping experience, in particular working with teenagers and leadership
  4. Experience in personal management (preferred)
  5. Skills in conflict resolution
  6. Strong administrative and organizational skills
  7. Excellent communication skills
  8. Ability to create and work as part of a team

Have further questions about working at The Painted Turtle? Please see our Seasonal Staff Frequently Asked Questions or email staff@thepaintedturtle.org.