Colvig Silver Camps

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Minimum Age: 21 years of age, preferably a college junior

Terms of Employment: Head Counselors are hired for 10 weeks unless contracted otherwise

Compensation: $3,800-, plus lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, and end-of-summer bonus ($500), Head Counselors will also receive a Wilderness First Aid (WFA) certification through NOLS Wilderness Medicine or a pay bonus if they already hold a WFA or higher certification.

Time Off: Approximately one night each week, plus two days between sessions

Number Hired: 15-20 males and 15-20 females, depending on enrollment

Responsibilities: The primary responsibility of a Head Counselor is to ensure the physical safety and emotional well-being of campers in their care. Specific duties can be broken down into three categories: living in a cabin with 4-6 campers; planning and leading traditional in-camp activities; co-leading 3-5 day out-of-camp wilderness trips. The following is a brief description of each.

Responsibilities: The primary responsibility of a Head Counselor is to ensure the physical safety and emotional well-being of campers in their care. Specific duties can be broken down into three categories: living in a cabin with 4-6 campers; planning and leading traditional in-camp activities; co-leading 3-5 day out-of-camp wilderness trips. The following is a brief description of each.

Each counselor is assigned to a specific age group or “camp,” each of which is housed in a distinct group of cabins. Head Counselors live in a cabin with 4-6 campers and are responsible for these campers at specific times such as rest hour after lunch, getting them to bed at night, getting them up and ready in the morning, bringing them to and from meals, making sure they are clean and healthy, etc. During in-camp activity periods, counselors plan and lead activities that are offered to campers in their age group. It is essential to understand that the camp does not pre-schedule activities for the campers. Instead, the counseling staff of each age group is responsible for creating and maintaining a diversified offering of activities. It is essential that every counselor be prepared to brainstorm, plan, schedule, and implement their age group’s program with input both from campers and other staff. Creativity and enthusiasm are a must!

About half of the time (time varies slightly with age group) will be spent leading 3-5 day out-of-camp backcountry wilderness trips. Counselors must be physically capable of leading challenging trips in the wilderness and must be interested in or knowledgeable about basic outdoor skills such as topographic map reading, outdoor cooking, backpacking techniques, minimum impact camping, etc. While counselors do not need to be knowledgeable in all areas of our wilderness program, some experience is essential. Staff training will fill in the gaps. Head Counselors must hold a current driver’s license and have current certifications in recognized first aid and CPR courses.

Head Counselors are asked to consistently provide positive, creative, and meaningful direction to the young lives with which they are entrusted, within the philosophies of Colvig Silver Camps. It is imperative that they be able to support established camp policies and promoted programs. Counseling is a 24-hour per day job with rewards proportionate to what is given. Be prepared to have more fun than you have ever had and to provide more of yourself than you could ever imagine!

Minimum Age: 18 years of age, completed freshman year of college or equivalent experience

Terms of Employment: Assistant Counselors are hired for 10 weeks, unless contracted otherwise

Compensation: $3,500-, plus lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, and end-of-summer bonus ($500)

Time Off: Approximately one night off per week, plus two days between sessions

Number Hired: 6-9 males, 6-9 females, depending on enrollment

Responsibilities: Assistant Counselors (ACs) live in a cabin with one Head Counselor and 4-6 campers. Each cabin unit (two cabins together) is generally comprised of two Head Counselors, one Assistant Counselor, and 8-12 campers. The AC provides supplemental leadership along with and in the absence of either Head Counselor.

Responsibilities: Assistant Counselors (ACs) live in a cabin with one Head Counselor and 4-6 campers. Each cabin unit (two cabins together) is generally comprised of two Head Counselors, one Assistant Counselor, and 8-12 campers. The AC provides supplemental leadership along with and in the absence of either Head Counselor.

ACs are primarily responsible for dishwashing, monitoring dishwasher temperatures, lodge/kitchen clean-up, regular garbage runs, laundry delivery, and administrative office tasks, all on a scheduled, rotating basis. Approximately one half of their time is spent in scheduled programming with campers, and about half is spent doing the “grunt work.” Whenever possible, ACs assist Head Counselors and Coordinators in planning and leading in-camp activities.

The Assistant Counselors are the “backbone” of the camp, filling holes when needed in almost every area of camp operation. Flexibility is an ACs greatest asset. ACs must be physically capable of lifting and carrying heavy loads and assisting in the leadership of 3-5 day backcountry wilderness trips. Again, the rewards for this position are proportionate to the effort, energy, and enthusiasm invested. Being an AC is a great way to become familiar with camp and the responsibility of being a Head Counselor.

AC’s must have current certifications in recognized first aid and CPR courses.

Minimum Age: 21 years of age, preferably a college junior

Terms of Employment: Wranglers are hired for 12 weeks unless contracted otherwise

Compensation: $4,800, plus lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, and end-of-summer bonus ($500)

Time Off: Approximately one night each week, plus two days between sessions

Number Hired: One

Responsibilities: The wranglers’ primary responsibility is for the safety and welfare of campers (ages 7-17) taking part in the riding program. Riding groups will typically include 4-10 campers and at least one counselor. Counselors will be responsible for managing camper behavior, enabling the wranglers to focus on instruction.

Wranglers are responsible for planning and teaching western-style riding and tack care based on a progression as follows: safety/equipment/basics > arena riding > trail riding. Our philosophy is that campers should not ride until they have first mastered the basics of tack care and grooming (hoof cleaning, brushing, saddling, bridling, etc.) Typically the first activity session with a group of campers will begin with an in-depth discussion of horse safety, then basic tack care/grooming, and if there is time, some arena riding to introduce basic horse control. Ideally, groups progress to half- and full-day trail rides in & around camp (throughout several activity periods). Both wranglers should expect to be leading groups of campers nearly every morning and afternoon.

Wranglers are also responsible for the care of 10-12 horses and related tack. Horse care includes conditioning horses that have not been ridden during the winter/spring months and working with a farrier and a veterinarian. The ability to detect illness and injury in horses is essential. Wranglers must be physically capable of lifting saddles, controlling strong horses, lifting bales of hay, etc. Wranglers will be required to have current First Aid and CPR Certifications.

Minimum Age:  18 years of age, preferably college junior

Terms of Employment: Activity Specialist are hired for 11 weeks, unless contracted otherwise

Compensation: $3,700-, plus lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, and end-of-summer bonus ($500)

Time Off: Approximately one night off per week, plus two days between sessions

Number Hired: Two to Six

Responsibilities: The main role and responsibility of an Activity Specialist at camp will be to serve as additional members of the support staff team, assist with random projects and tasks around camp, provide backup to counseling staff and other support staff, and per their individual interest, experience, and skill sets, Activity Specialist can be trained in leading specialized camp activities such as target sports, mountain biking, climbing, and natural history to name a few.

Activity Specialists must be available to lead specialized programming they have been trained and verified to lead and follow the written protocols and procedures for those specialized activities. Outside of specialized programming, they must be available to assist counseling staff in other programming areas or help fellow support staff (i.e. Arts and Crafts Coordinator) in their programming areas.  Activity Specialists will also be required to have or obtain a Lifeguarding certification to help with lake activities. Activity Specialists may also be trained in trip procedures and receive a Wilderness First Aid certification in order to serve as an additional/substitute trip leader if necessary.

Activity Specialists must also be available to assist with random tasks and projects around camp as needed. Activity Specialists must always be prepared to help out the camp community, which will also include assisting with camper supervision and setting up for movie nights, doing trip drop-offs and pick-ups, providing additional camper supervision, and helping out at the lodge.

Minimum Age: 18 years of age

Terms of Employment: The Videographer is hired for 11 weeks, unless contracted otherwise

Compensation: $3,800-, plus lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, and end-of-summer bonus ($500); $200 equipment bonus (if personal equipment is used)

Time Off: Approximately one night off per week, plus two days between sessions

Number Hired: One (as needed)

Responsibilities: The Videographer’s primary responsibility is to capture video of both campers and staff throughout the day participating in activities; manage, edit, and create short videos and/or webisodes to be uploaded to various internet platforms (i.e. YouTube, Vimeo, etc.) regularly throughout the summer. In addition, each season the videographer may have more specific objectives and goals to create specified videos for marketing purposes or to be embedded on the website.

The Videographer should have experience using various types of cameras, video editing software, basic computer software, as well as some formal training in videography and/or photography arts. It is important that the videographer has a keen sense for detail and managing video content and expectations. The videographer will be required to have current First Aid and CPR Certifications.

As with all support staff members, the videographer will be asked to assist with various other aspects of camp, including supervising movie nights, helping with other activities, washing dishes, etc.

Videographer is a position we seek on an as needed basis which means we may not hire a videographer every season.

Minimum Age: 21 years of age

Terms of Employment: Cooks are hired for 11 weeks, unless contracted otherwise

Compensation: $7,000-, plus lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, and end-of-summer bonus ($500)

Time Off: One full day per week, plus two days between sessions

Number Hired: 1 or 2

Qualifications: Professional kitchen experience or relative experience

Responsibilities: Each summer, we hire one to two cooks to assist in our camp kitchen for the summer. The cooks will work with another professional chef or cook as well as two prep cooks. We serve three meals daily in our main lodge, and our kitchen staff is responsible for all three meals for up to 250 total (staff and campers) at times. There are other exceptional cases and responsibilities outside of the meals at the lodge, as well. We take great pride in the quality of our camp food. Due to our small community, we have a lot more freedom in what we can offer. Our menus offer a lot of classics, but give our kitchen staff room to explore as well.

The primary responsibilities of the chef include:

• Assist in planning and preparing three meals per day
• Assist in planning and preparing special meals and treats for special occasions and events
• Assist in menu planning
• Food ordering and receiving
• Food storage organization and cleanliness
• Monitoring kitchen sanitation practices
• Knowledge of state regulations and accreditation standards
• Knowledge of meal schedule and camp schedule
• Adhering to camper and staff food allergy and dietary needs requirements
• Occasionally leading cooking programming and activities with campers

This position provides an opportunity to spend a summer in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado cooking for a fun, family-like community. Working in a camp kitchen is different than typical cook positions. It is not a shift-based position; it is instead a daily commitment for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Think of it as a home where your family is enormous. You will be cooking for the camp community (campers and staff) but will have freedom as well during the day. This position is a job for someone who can manage themselves professionally and commit to a rigorous seasonal schedule in a fun environment. As with all camp positions, you are welcome to get involved in the camp community outside of your time in the kitchen.

Minimum Age: 18 years of age

Terms of Employment: Nannies are hired for 11 weeks, unless contracted otherwise

Compensation: $4,000-, plus lodging, meals, travel reimbursement, and end-of-summer bonus ($500)

Time Off: Approximately one night off per week, plus two days between sessions

Number Hired: 1-2

Responsibilities: The Nanny’s primary responsibility is the supervision and caretaking of year-round and seasonal staff’s children not yet of age to attend camp. This likely includes children ages 1 to 7, and maybe older children in individual cases. The Nanny will be responsible for the supervision and caretaking of these children from the time they wake up to bedtime while their parent(s) are on-duty at camp. The Nanny will have downtime during the children’s naptime in the afternoon. This schedule will vary per child and their specific needs and parental expectations (these expectations and variances will be shared during staff training/orientation). The Nanny will be off-duty once the children are put to bed for the evening and have adequate supervision nearby.

The Nanny will be responsible for feeding the children, keeping them safe, entertained, and occupied throughout the day. The Nanny will be permitted to travel with the kids around camp and participate in activities alongside camp programming as long as they are not interfering with or distracting from camp programming and outcome goals. There are many places around camp that the children will find entertaining (i.e., animals, horses, art barn, lodge basement, playfields, etc.). In rare and special instances, the Nanny may be permitted to drive the children to the city of Durango to participate in activities there (i.e., rec center, children’s museum, playgrounds, etc.).

Nanny candidates must be comfortable with the caretaking of very young children and toddlers. They must be able to calm and care for a crying child, change a diaper, engage with and interact with young children in fun and positive ways, engage in the proper and appropriate discipline, and ensure the child’s daily needs are taken care of (i.e., eating, sleeping, and playing).

The Nanny will also be a member of Support staff, and outside of their Nanny responsibilities and hours will be able to participate in camp activities and programming. They will also have secondary responsibilities like helping supervise movie nights, supervising campers during staff meetings, and maybe dropping trips and picking up trips.

Minimum Age: 18 years of age, preferably some college

Terms of Employment: Maintenance Assistants are hired for 18 weeks (May thru August) unless contracted otherwise

Compensation: $6,000-, plus meals, lodging, travel reimbursement, and end-of-summer bonus ($500)

Time Off: Approximately one day off per week while camp is in session; Weekends off when camp is not in session.

Number Hired: 1 - 2

Responsibilities: The primary responsibility of the Maintenance Assistant will be to assist the Maintenance Director in their duties during the busy summer season. There are typically many planned projects during the summer months as well as unplanned maintenance tasks (i.e. broken infrastructure, etc.). The Maintenance Assistant may also assist in projects specific to summer programming or the site/facility.

The Maintenance Assistant should have, at the very least, a basic knowledge of carpentry, plumbing, and other construction-related skills. The Maintenance Assistant should also have significant experience working with a wide range of maintenance tools (i.e. power tools) as well as best safety practices when working with tools. Any additional skill sets related to construction, mechanics, or heavy machinery operation will be valuable to the position.

The Maintenance Assistant will work under the Maintenance Director and help repair/maintain common infrastructure-based maintenance issues on a daily basis, assist with planned site/facility projects, assist with the summer hay harvest, assist with some ranch/animal duties as needed, run errands for project/maintenance needs, assist with opening camp for summer and shutting it down post-summer, and, as needed, assisting the Maintenance Director in any other site/facility projects or maintenance and repair throughout the summer. The Maintenance Assistant should be prepared to be available for after-hours emergent maintenance issues and repair as well.

In addition to assisting the Maintenance Director, the Maintenance Assistant will serve as a member of our Support Staff and should have a general knowledge of our program and goals and the ability and willingness to step in wherever else needed to achieve these goals from doing office work, helping with lodge chores, assisting with summer programming and special days, support staff responsibilities, assisting expeditions, dropping or picking up trips, and assisting with or leading specialized activities which may include, based on interest/skillsets,  but is not limited to the following: target sports, horseback riding, rock climbing, challenge course, etc. The Maintenance Assistant will also be encouraged to participate as much as possible in camp activities and programming they are interested in (i.e. crafts or campfires) and generally be a part of and support our summer camp community.