Experience the Magic of Camp Bob Waldorf: A Thriving Community of Adventure, Growth, and Connection
Camp Bob Waldorf has been a hidden gem in the Los Angeles area, dedicated to enriching the lives of underserved communities across the Greater L.A. region. As a non-profit residential summer camp, we empower children and youth with the resources and support they need to succeed, from elementary school through college and beyond. Join our team and be part of making a lasting impact.
Located in the Verdugo Mountains, just 20 mins from Downtown Los Angeles, Camp Bob Waldorf is located in a unique and prime location for anyone interested in a mixture of camp and city life.
About Camp Bob Waldorf
At our core, Camp Bob Waldorf (CBW) promotes and executes the belief that a summer camp experience is a transformative experience that needs to be easily accessible to all children and youth regardless of their background or income level. For 86 years, our camp has welcomed disproportionately underserved communities in the greater Los Angeles area to grow and learn about themselves in a safe and welcoming space. This year we will host more than 800 campers in the span of 7 summer sessions (6 days per session) where we aim to promote equity and create magical memories.
CBW offers two camp sessions: a non-denominational 6-day session and a 6-day Jewish Cultural Session (JCS). During the JCS, we explore Jewish values, celebrate Shabbat, and experience Jewish culture through food, music, and dance. Both sessions emphasize the Jewish value of "Tikkun Olam" (Healing the World). You don’t need to be Jewish to apply for a position at CBW.
We offer tradition and fun activities like archery, slingshot paintball, rock climbing, high ropes, swimming, cooking, dancing, arts & crafts, music, horseback riding, animal care, and exciting evening programs—and that's just the beginning! There’s always something new and thrilling to try at camp.
Applications are now open for our 2025 Summer season at Camp Bob Waldorf! Reserve your spot today!
The Employee Experience
Anyone that has the ability to be a summer camp counselor, even for one summer, is going to experience a life changing journey full of learning and growing. Add on working at Camp Bob Waldorf (CBW), and that experience grows into a unique, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Camp Bob Waldorf offers many opportunities for prospective counselors, but what truly sets us apart is the community we build each summer—la comunidad. From our campers to our staff to the families we serve, our camp fosters a sense of belonging that is truly unique. At camp, the community is defined by two main groups: the campers who attend our summer program and the counselors who create lasting memories through meaningful interactions with them. Our staff is a vibrant mix of people from all corners of the globe, including Brazil, the UK, Australia, Israel, Mexico, and various regions across the United States.
Meanwhile, our campers come from diverse cultural backgrounds. It’s this rich diversity—among both staff and campers—that nurtures an inclusive environment, built on curiosity, acceptance, and a shared commitment to growing together.
While at CBW, our counselors uphold our four core pillars of Respect, Inclusion, Identity, and Community in everything that we do. These four pillars, and our intentionality behind every camper's experience, is one of many reasons why so many counselors choose to return year after year.
Many counselors consider their time at CBW to be "the best summer of their life," and much of that comes from the unique way they live, work, eat, learn, and play alongside both fellow counselors and campers. One returning counselor shared the following about their experience at camp:
"I had the best time of my life. Coming to work at camp has been the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve met so many amazing people and made even more beautiful memories. Most importantly I’ve grown so much as a person. CBW feels like home to me."
-Jake (first year counselor)
However, being a camp counselor requires the ability to step outside your comfort zone and flexibility. Camp counselors need to be prepared for anything. Your first priority should always be the safety and well-being of your campers. Our campers will look to you as an example/mentor for how to traverse the world they live in. This also means that we want you to care and take care of your mental health. We must allow ourselves to feel and not be okay. Setting that example for fellow staff members and campers. We want our counselors to be "role models."
Ideal Candidate
You'll have a wonderful summer at Camp Bob Waldorf if you have an outgoing personality, a good sense of humor, strong teaching skills, good leadership ability, and experience in supervising and instructing children. It is also essential that counselors be strong role models for our campers and know their own limits. And because we're working with kids, we have strict policies in many areas including alcohol, smoking, curfew, etc.
Although we highly encourage counselors to have some experience working with children, the capacity to provide warm, and mature guidance is most important. This is your chance to let your caring, and creative energy flow!
Inclusion at Camp Bob Waldorf
We live by our four core pillars of respect, identity, inclusion, and community. We’re passionate about creating an inclusive camp community that celebrates, supports, and thrives on diversity: in race, color, sex, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, age, disability and mental health, ethnicity, religion, cultural observance, national origin, family status, veteran and military status, and any other category people use to define themselves or others. All are welcome and encouraged to apply!
Room and Board
As a cabin counselor or program counselor, you will live in the cabins, eat meals, and go to activities with your cabin group. We typically have a 3-1 or 4-1 (age dependent) camper to counselor ratio within cabins with up to 12 campers each. All bunks have bathrooms and showers that are within walking distance.
At Camp Bob Waldorf, your summer salary starts at around $3800 and can go up based on your experience and other qualifications. If any certifications are required we will pay for those, as well as for your time. Staff shirts are given, both room & board is provided, laundry is provided.
Employee Perks
Our staff are essential in promoting a safe, energetic, and nurturing camp environment. These are a few of the ways we try to ensure that we are taking care of our awesome staff members.
- Opportunity to make life-long friendships and instant development of life skills in a safe, nurturing environment
- Access to staff lounge with comfy couches, shared TV and limited workout equipment
- We offer a flexible schedule, with the only key dates to remember being staff training from June 14-17, 2025. Please note that if you're in a program or leadership role, staff training may begin earlier, either June 2nd or June 9th, depending on the position.
- Our pay is in line with industry standards, and in addition, meals, room, and board are fully covered and staff can stay on site on days off
- Specialty trainings paid for and we will pay you for your time during the trainings too
- Reliable high-speed internet access available throughout most of the camp
- One day off between sessions, with an extended break on the July 4th weekend
- Spend the entire summer engaging in camp activities. Trying new activities that you may have never experienced before. Spend the summer feeding your inner child.
Getting Here and Getting Around
You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own car to camp! Most of our staff are local to the L.A. area and either drive or carpool to camp, while others fly into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or take a road trip from their home states. For those flying in, we offer transportation from LAX. Parking is also available at camp for anyone who chooses to drive.
Being 20 mins away from Downtown L.A. means that you can get around easily with a car. However, if you chose not to bring a vehicle or don't have access to one, not to worry, public transportation, Ubers/Lyfts, and carpools are easily accessible from camp. We also plan staff outings and trips on days off.
Camp is just a 30-minute walk from Trader Joe's and Montrose Village, where you'll find a variety of shops, farmers markets, food, and snacks. We're fortunate to be surrounded by so many interesting and vibrant places.
For Fun
Here are some highlights of things to do around the L.A. area:
Hiking Trials in our own backyard (Santa Monica Mtns., Verdugo Mtns., Angeles Forest, Malibu Mtns.)
Dodger Stadium, & L.A. Zoo (20 mins away)
Universal Studios (25 mins away)
Griffith Observatory, Crypto.com Center, Hollywood Sign, & Sofi Stadium (30 mins away)
SoCal Beaches (Santa Monica, Malibu, Venice, Manhattan) (40-50 mins away)
Disneyland (45 mins away)
Joshua Tree National Park (2.5 hours away)
Shopping at Glendale Galleria (short bus trip) and Montrose Village (walking distance)
How to Apply
Apply directly in our camp website found here or contact us jobs@campbobwaldorf.org or call 323-456-1162 if you have any questions. We look forward to being in touch.
Contact Info
- Sofia Varona
- Jobs@campbobwaldorf.org
- (323) 456-1162
- campbobwaldorf.org
