Youth Development Specialist; Camp Counselor

Youth Development Specialist (Camp Counselor)

Job Type: Temporary

Camp Mendocino is a residential summer camp located in Northern California, four hours north of San Francisco and spread over 2,000 acres. We provide transportation between San Francisco and the camp at the start and end of the summer. All camp employees are expected to live, sleep, and work at the camp. As a program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF), we are dedicated to providing children and teens with safe, fun places to learn and grow, with professional staff to offer support and guidance, serving as caring mentors and role models.

Who are we: We’re not just a summer camp—we’re a community. We provide a safe, transformative outdoor experience for youth from diverse backgrounds, including youth from some of San Francisco’s least resourced neighborhoods. Grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and joy, our staff culture values growth, teamwork, professionalism, and fun.

Who are you: You are a youth‑centered role model with strong emotional intelligence, integrity, and a love for the outdoors. You collaborate well, bring creativity and patience, and are eager to learn, grow, and support a diverse community of campers and staff.

Position

Purpose:

A Youth Development Specialist (Camp Counselor) works closely with a small team to supervise a group of up to 40 youth. They ensure a fun, safe, and positive camp experience for campers, manage behavior issues, and participate in all camp activities while promoting positive character development.

• Responsible for participation of small groups of youth in assigned activities
• Ensure youth engage appropriately in all camp activities
• Provide emotional support and guidance to campers
• Ensure campers’ medical needs are met through monitoring and utilizing onsite infirmary staff
• Foster growth in the areas of life skills, self‑care, and interpersonal skills
• Ensure safety of all campers in their group, including setting clear safety expectations, observing and engaging campers while in their care, and assessing the appropriateness of camper behaviors
• Supervise youth at all times, including overnight in a cabin with approximately 5 campers
• Engage campers with positivity, including participating in all activities, overnight hikes, and other activities such as swimming, arts & crafts, archery, biking, hiking, gardening, environmental education, and challenge course elements
• Lead and plan traditional camp activities, including but not limited to arts & crafts, archery, hiking, environmental education, and sports
• Foster character development consistent with BGCSF philosophy
• Other duties as specified by direct supervisor

Required Skills
:

• Previous experience in supervising and developing youth
• Experience working with youth
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with coworkers and campers
• Ability to handle difficult or stressful situations in a professional manner
• Excellent communication skills
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

Preferred Skills
:

• Minimum of 2 years experience working with youth
• Experience working with youth in an overnight camp setting
• Experience working with youth from disadvantaged circumstances

• Help build a safe & positive environment
• Create opportunities for fun & belonging for all campers
• Establish supportive relationships with campers and adult staff
• Encourage a sense of belonging, usefulness, influence, confidence in campers

• Must be able to lift 50 lbs.
• Must be able to walk on uneven terrain for at least 3 miles
• Must be able to stand for 8 hours (with breaks)
• Must be able to work in temperatures ranging from 30° to 100°

• Temporary/Seasonal Summer position
• Applicants should be available June 12 – August 6, 2026 to work & live on‑site at our Camp location in Northern California (Mendocino County)
• Staff members work 40‑56 hours/week depending on position with two days off per week. Days off vary per session

Lodging is provided for all staff on site. Camp counselors will sleep on bunk beds in open‑air cabins while supervising youth overnight.