Current Job dates:
Currently recruiting for the season that runs from May 20th, 2025 to August 9th, 2025.
- Develop training plans and materials to train Culinary Program Assistant
- Supervise the Culinary Program Assistant; provide training, observations, coaching, feedback, and written evaluations
- Develop safety guidelines and protocols for the cooking program and train staff and campers to ensure a safe experience, aligned with the Tuolumne County Health Inspector’s requirements.
- Approach challenges with solution-oriented problem-solving
- Oversee Culinary Program department and ensure programs run smoothly, including ordering and maintaining kitchen supplies
- Serve as a part of the Management Team at Camp including shared duties such as supervising camper mealtimes, overseeing cabins at night, supervising campers on buses, and being a role model for other staff at all times
- Orient counselors and other staff to the Garden Kitchen
- Create weekly schedule for Culinary Programs; manage time off and schedules for Culinary Program Assistant and yourself
- Select, develop and test recipes (keeping in mind cultural richness and the diversity of our community) to be used in programming with children and adults
- Set up brand new Garden Kitchen and create an effective culinary education space
- Create a department manual and recipe book that can be used by future Culinary Program Supervisors
- Develop and offer a variety of cooking classes for adults and children at different Tawonga programs (weekend family camps, weekend adult-only camp, kid-only summer camp)
- Incorporate Tawonga’s mission into culinary program offerings
- During summer, lead cooking and baking classes for 12-24 children, 4-5 times daily; during spring/fall weekend programs, lead 2-3 culinary classes for adults and children daily
- Coordinate with guest culinary educators when applicable during programs
- Support weekend programs through helping with set up, clean up, and supervision of children
- Collaborate and maintain open communication with multiple departments
- Operate and care for kitchen equipment
- Facilitate smooth interdepartmental communication with the Main Kitchen and Farm and Garden:
- Collaborate with the Farm and Garden Supervisor to plan for what produce can be utilized each week from the garden
- Collaborate with Director of Kitchen & At-Camp Operations to order food and supplies as needed
- Maintain a clean, safe and hygienic environment in the Garden Kitchen, including daily cleaning and laundry and taking precautions to prevent cross-contamination of allergens
- Communicate with Buildings and Grounds Manager to arrange repairs and maintenance for equipment as needed
- Manage the budget responsibly, adhering to Camp Tawonga’s fiscal practices
- Love of and experience with cooking and baking
- Experience teaching
- Proven ability to work with youth
- Must be able to live and work at Camp Tawonga from May through October
- Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with other adults
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Required certifications or must be willing to acquire these certifications upon hire:
- ServSafe
- CPR/First Aid
- Experience developing curriculum and educational materials
- Experience teaching cooking to children
- Experience with risk management and enforcing safety protocols
- Experience managing a large budget
- Excellent supervisor/manager
- Experience teaching cooking to adults
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
- Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines
- Ability to take and implement feedback
- Ability to work independently and make appropriate decisions in routine situations
- This position reports directly to the Assistant Camp Director
- Writing, reading, hearing, seeing and speaking
- Use of hands and fingers to operate kitchen equipment
- Standing, walking, kneeling, and sitting with some lifting up to 30 pounds
- Living and working at Camp requires walking several miles per day on uneven terrain, working long hours, and being willing to live communally
- This role is a hybrid position.
- This position is expected to relocate to Camp Tawonga’s secondary location in Groveland, CA to work on-site from May 1-October 29. This position is expected to work remotely in March, April and November.
- Camp Tawonga will provide a company laptop, mouse, keyboard, and reasonable accommodations as needed to ensure the employee can work from home during the off season
- When this role requires living at Camp, Tawonga will provide housing and meals (fully prepared meals during programs, and staple ingredients in between programs)
- Noise level is moderate if working at camp property in Groveland, CA
- Camp Tawonga is rustic and remote, surrounded by the Stanislaus National Forest
- Must be able to relocate to Groveland site May 1 - October 29
- Willingness to work on evenings, weekends and holidays as needed
- When programs are not in session, hours are flexible while completing tasks associated with job description, and while meeting deadlines; normal office hours are 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
- During the program season, the camp programmatic day runs from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m., and sometimes longer.
- 50% FTE during March, April and some of May (20 hrs per week),
- 100% FTE during the Summer, late May through early August (40 hrs per week)
- 80% FTE during the Fall Program Season, August through October (32 hrs per week) and
- 50% FTE in November (20 hrs per week).
- Team Work and Leadership
- Trains and supervises Prep Cooks
- Role modeling, tone setting, time management, and working alongside other cooks to execute daily tasks and clean-up.
- Creates positive relationships with wilderness team and staff picking up pack-outs.
- Having a good attitude, it spreads to others.
- Friendly and constant communication with your team, as well as other Kitchen
- Supervisors and Cooks on shift.
- Responsible for all campers’ allergens: educating staff and assuring the safety of alternative eaters at every meal and with every pack-out.
- Plan the weekly Alternative Foods menu and review with the Kitchen Manager.
- Prepare, cook, and serve vegan and vegetarian options, and all allergen-free food options.
- Supply all the food (“packouts”) that will be served or made outside of the Dining Hall and/or main camp meals. This includes packed food to be taken out of camp (e.g. for backpacking trips), packed food to be eaten outside of the Dining Hall (e.g. unit dance), and supplies for cooking activities.
- Take regular inventory of pack-out and Alternative Foods specialty items and communicate with the Kitchen Manager.
- Being on time and prepared: being on time means ready to go with a prep list written and organized before the scheduled shift begins.
- Always doing your best, taking pride in a job well done, asking for clarification if you don’t understand what is expected or how to do it safely/correctly.
- You will be on your feet for 8 or more hours in a hot kitchen.
- You must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. at a time.
- You are removed from the campers. Find ways of making your work fit into the mission in a supporting role.
- Have regular check-ins with the Kitchen Manager and/or Assistant Kitchen Manager to ensure the smooth running of the kitchen; give input for the weekly menu.
- Attend weekly all-staff meetings at 10:15p every Wednesday. Attend weekly kitchen supervisor meetings at 8:15p every Monday. Attend and participate in running weekly kitchen staff meetings at 1:45p every Tuesday.
- Train and support Prep Cooks scheduled to work in the Alternative Foods kitchen and write evaluations of supervisees two times over the summer.
- AM Shift: begins between 5:00a and 6:00a (depending on menu). Responsible for preparing, serving, and clearing Breakfast and Lunch. Prepare and deliver lunch for the Challenge Course. Prepare and distribute packouts.
- PM Shift: begins at 1:45p. Responsible for preparing, serving, and clearing Dinner. Prepare and distribute packouts.
- Take notes on all recipes
- Type notes and mastered recipes to be saved for future use/Kitchen Cookbook
- Safety
- Safety must come first AT ALL TIMES.
- You must always be aware of the potential dangers that are in the art studio including kilns and knives.
- You must be aware of standard operating procedures in the art studio to prevent accidents and know how to handle them if they do occur.
- Team Work
- Working in a small group with the same people all summer.
- Having a good attitude, it spreads to others.
- Sharing the desirable and less desirable work.
- Initiative and Responsibility
- Working with campers
- Kids of all ages and genders
- Frequent bunk coverage instead of or in support of counselors.
- Planning ahead the appropriate activities and adapting on the fly if it’s not working.
- Department Area Skill
- Teaching and leading art blocks and electives.
- Keeping the art studio clean and organized.
- Move around the Arts and Crafts Studio to access materials, program supplies, support camper projects etc.
- Operate Arts and Crafts equipment such as a stove, kiln, toaster, and other Arts and Crafts appliances
- Move boxes and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds across the Arts and Crafts Studio for various needs.
- Move around camp property to support Arts and Crafts Programming across camp
- Be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
- Work in outdoor weather conditions
- Covers Kitchen Manager duties on Kitchen Manager time and days off. Uses own judgment to decide which decisions should be made immediately and which should wait until the Kitchen Manager returns.
- Supports and works with other Kitchen Supervisors and Prep Cooks, collaborating, communicating, and helping with the smooth running kitchen.
- Is part of the Camp Management Team and a general liaison between the kitchen, the rest of camp, and the directors.
- Works with the Kitchen Manager to solve problems that arise regarding any aspect of food service.
- Is scheduled as the Lead Cook two to three times per week. Leading a shift with 3-5 people including tone setting, time management, assigning tasks to prep cooks, providing supervision and coaching to prep cooks, and working alongside them to execute meal preparation, service and clean-up
- Supports Kitchen Supervisors through regular observation, communication, and formal and informal check-ins.
- Having a good attitude, it spreads to others.
- Being on time and prepared: being on time means ready to go with a prep list written, if needed, and organized before the scheduled shift.
- Responsible for inventorying all kitchen items 1-2 times per week, as needed.
- Coordinates, organizes, and ensures smooth service of special meal programs (e.g. International Dinner, Deck-O Beef) with help from the Kitchen Manager.
- Gives input to the Kitchen Manager for the weekly menu.
- Collaborate with the Kitchen Manager to write a weekly kitchen schedule.
- Directly supervises other Kitchen Supervisors.
- Contribute to the creation of camp session allergy and alert list. Facilitate the distribution of this information to all Kitchen Supervisors.
- Always doing your best, taking pride in a job well done, asking for clarification if you don’t understand what is expected or how to do it safely/correctly.
- Paying careful attention to allergens and communicating this information to the dining hall lead before meals begin.
- You will be on your feet for 8 or more hours in a hot kitchen.
- You must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. at a time.
- You are removed from the campers. Find ways of making your work fit into the mission in a supporting role.
- Act as a role model for staff at all times, upholding the values of Camp and the Tawonga Kitchen.
- Have regular check-ins with the Kitchen Manager to ensure the smooth running of the kitchen; give input for weekly menu.
- Attend weekly all-staff meetings at 10:15p every Wednesday. Attend and co-run weekly Kitchen Supervisor meetings at 8:15p every Monday. Attend and co-run weekly kitchen staff meetings at 1:45p every Tuesday.
- Train and support Prep Cooks and Kitchen Supervisors.
- Write evaluations of Kitchen Supervisors two times over the summer.
- AM Shift: begins between 5:00a and 6:00a (sometimes earlier, depending on menu). Responsible for preparing, serving, and clearing Breakfast and Lunch
- PM Shift: begins at 1:45p. Responsible for preparing, serving, and clearing Dinner
- Late Shift: begins at 3:45p. Responsible for preparing, serving, and clearing Late Night Snack and Breakfast prep for the next day
- Taking inventory on days when a food order needs to be placed.
- Receiving and putting away deliveries, as they come in.
- Support and collaborate with Kitchen Supervisors leading a shift to ensure their shifts are running smoothly and that meals will be prepared and served on time, following all food quality and food service systems within the kitchen.
- Act as liaison between the kitchen, the rest of camp, and the directors.
- Regular observation and weekly check-in with supervisees
- Mid-session check-in with each person you supervise
- End of session written evaluations
- Counselor observation follow-up
- Formal evaluations for counselors 3 times throughout the summer
- Unit head camper alert form
- Accurate and thorough record of contact with parents
- Assistant Unit Heads occasionally supervise meals, including coordinating with the kitchen, leading campers in the blessing before and after the meal, and overseeing a smooth clean up after the meal. Can expect to supervise meals multiple times throughout each session.
- Assistant Unit heads occasionally supervise bunk coverage at night from 10PM-12AM. Can expect to do this 5-6 times a summer.
- Ability to live in a cabin with others, eat meals in a large, noisy dining hall, address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required.
- Assistant Unit Heads should be comfortable navigating across a variety of terrain while employed at camp, ensuring access to different program areas around camp.
- Ability to live in a cabin with others, eat meals in a vibrant, communal dining hall, address challenging situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required.
- Assistant Unit Heads should be comfortable navigating 4-8 miles daily across a variety of terrain while employed at camp, ensuring access to different program areas around camp.
- Provide great customer service for all staff, campers, guests, and families
- Answer incoming calls on the camp phone and gate radio and forward messages as needed
- Sort all incoming and outgoing mail and packages
- Fulfill canteen orders daily
- Maintain organized camp store inventory and re-order as needed
- Complete large printing jobs for camper and staff observation forms
- Support Office Manager as needed
- Maintain camper files
- o Keep the office supplies organized and well-stocked, re-order as needed
- Help any walk-in administrative needs and assist Directors with office related needs
- Keep Office and Staff Kitchen clean and presentable
- Support the Blogger/Photographer in taking pictures and writing blog posts as needed
- Comfortable working with a small team
- Demonstrates effective communication
- Balance shared responsibilities and working autonomously
- Arrives on time and prepared for the day
- Excited to take on the next task
- Asks for support or clarity when it's needed
- Maintain well organized camper files
- Clear communication on phones and radio and accurate messages forwarded to recipients
- Maintains well organized mail sorting and delivery system
- Takes initiative to develop new systems as needed
- Lead one bunk each day through a full day of team building activities, low and high elements on the Camp Tawonga Challenge Course.
- Set up and take down the course daily and maintain equipment to ensure safety.
- Attend nightly meetings with counselors to review bunk goals, their role, and belay skills.
- Facilitate activities catered towards sharing, listening, safe risk-taking, reflection and fun.
- Check in with your co-facilitator(s) each day.
- Friendly, proactive and constant communication with your team.
- Working in a small group with the same people all summer.
- Sharing the desirable and less desirable work, while having a good attitude.
- Being on time and prepared.
- Going above and beyond. When one task is done, seeking out the next.
- Kids of all ages, all genders.
- Planning fun and age-appropriate activities and adapting on the fly, as needed.
- Occasional bunk coverage instead of or in support of counselors.
- Always being aware of the potential hazards. Safety comes first at ALL times.
- As a parent you must be aware of the physical and emotional well-being of all 12 campers’ at all times.
- Physical needs: Ensure campers have everything they need to stay healthy at camp
- Emotional needs: Make sure that the campers are feeling good about themselves, understanding that campers’ identities are multifaceted, and their relationships in the cabin.
- Being a “parent” to 12 kids, 19 hours a day means giving kids plenty of TLC (tender loving care) and forming relationships with every camper in the cabin.
- Be excited and positive about the day’s schedule regardless of what your personal feelings are. Be positive about both the bunk as a whole and individual campers.
- Bring positivity, energy, enthusiasm, and excitement! Make it fun!
- Make sure that the campers are on time and prepared for each activity.
- Use different tones and energy for different activities such as a sports block versus a meditation block.
- Manage camper behavior, enforce rules and hand out appropriate consequences as needed.
- Safety must come first ALL of the time.
- Drivers follow required systems carefully, for example doing a pre-trip vehicle inspection before every drive and making sure everyone is wearing seatbelts on every trip.
- It is imperative to be well rested, alert, and focused.
- Working cooperatively in a small group with the same people all summer.
- Having a good attitude, it spreads to others.
- Sharing the desirable and less desirable work.
- Being on time and prepared.
- Going above and beyond. When one task is done, asking for the next.
- Be able to drive large SUVs and passenger vans with up to 10 people in the car at a time on windy mountain roads for up to 2 hours without a break.
- Drive a vehicle towing a trailer, with training provided.
- Drive staff and campers to drop-off and pick-up locations up to 5 hours away from camp for out-of-camp trips, run errands, drop off recycling, escort the camper buses to and from the Bay Area, and drive campers and staff to medical care when needed.
- Attend overnight camper car camping trips - drive campers, help as requested by wilderness leader on the trip, sleep overnight at campground site.
- Trains and supervises Maintenance Crew.
- Role modeling, tone setting, time management, and working alongside Maintenance Crew to execute daily tasks and clean-up.
- Creates positive relationships with the team.
- Friendly and constant communication with your shift, as well as with other Maintenance Leads when passing off between AM/PM shifts.
- Having a good attitude, it spreads to others.
- Being on time and prepared.
- Schedule your crew members shifts and days off.
- Lead weekly meetings with the crew.
- Weekly check-ins with staff and end of summer evaluation
- Take regular inventory of supply closet(s) and communicate with the Kitchen Manager items that need to be ordered.
- Always doing your best, taking pride in a job well done, asking for clarification if you don’t understand what is expected or how to do it safely/correctly.
- You will be on your feet for 8 or more hours, mostly outside.
- You must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. at a time.
- You are removed from the campers. Find ways of making your work fit into the mission in a supporting role.
- Recycling:
- Facilitate camp’s recycling efforts.
- Teach campers and staff to recycle based on local requirements.
- Work with the Head of Transportation to make sure recycling is sorted and dropped off to Mather/Big Oak Flat/Sonora.
- Janitorial Work:
- Bathroom & Dining Hall Janitorial
- Cleaning guest cabins
- Trash collection and disposal
- “MOOP Scoops” - return items to where they belong throughout Camp
- Deep clean of all camp between sessions
- Buildings & Grounds Work
- Pine needle and brush clean-up
- Firewood cutting
- Maintenance and repair projects as needed
- Support with new construction projects
- Help in an emergency (i.e. fire suppression, shut off power)
- Program Support:
- Luggage loading/unloading
- Mail pick-up & delivery
- Food & Water Delivery (to barbecues around Camp, etc.)
- Beds & Furniture moving
- Lead Tikkun Tawonga blocks with campers (train crew members to do this as well)
- Collaborate with Backpacking Supervisors to create a schedule. Be in constant communication to keep the schedule updated and posted.
- Do not schedule anyone who has had an evening drive (after dinner) for an early morning drive (before breakfast departure) the following day without approval.
- Coordinate regular, emergency and as needed drives including trips to pick up wilderness permits, shopping, recycling, mail, etc.
- Consolidate trips when possible, i.e. Sonora Run can drop off recycling in Big Oak Flat on the way, and when picking up a backpacking trip in Yosemite, recycling can be dropped off at Mather on the way.
- Is safe to drive
- Knows where they are going (including park entry locations and trailhead locations)
- Knows what time they are expected to depart/arrive/return
- Knows what to do with vehicle and keys when they return
- Knows what to do in case of an emergency
- Has a co-pilot if possible Completes required paperwork Daily pre-trip and post-trip inspections
- Condition of vehicles, any damage
- Oil levels, tire pressure
- Appropriate signage
- Emergency equipment is present (triangles, first aid kit, sanitation supplies)
- Required paperwork is being completed
- Document these inspections
- As a parent you must be aware of campers' physical and emotional well-being at all times. Your role is to focus on the campers who need the most support and think about accommodations and modifications that will help set them up for success while you’re present and away from the group.
- Physical needs: Ensure campers have everything they need to stay healthy at camp. Think about visuals and other supports that campers might need in order to get their physical needs met.
- Emotional needs: Make sure that the campers are feeling good about themselves and their relationships in the cabin. Help campers understand that we embrace differences and support them in developing and maintaining friendships.
- Communicate with counselors, specialists, and A/UHs throughout the day regarding accommodations and modifications needed for campers with special needs, and to provide those services whenever possible.
- Communicate observations and ideas to the A/UHs daily.
- Celebrate the campers for who they are! Your job is to help kids succeed and cheer them on along the way!
- Be positive about the bunk as a whole and the individual campers that you’re working most closely with.
- If a camper cannot participate in an entire activity, help them figure out what they can do and work with the counselors to modify activities to make them fun and engaging for all campers.
- Positivity, energy, enthusiasm, and excitement! Make it fun!
- Support campers in being on time and prepared for each activity to the extent that is possible for them - if a camper needs more transition time, brainstorm ways to make it work for them to participate as much as they can.
- Track patterns of camper behavior and work with campers and counselors to figure out the root cause of the behavior. Review camper file notes and work with counselors and therapists to appropriately respond to the behavior based on the circumstances.
- Brainstorm camper challenges at IC meetings and develop strategies to best support individual campers.
- Use different tones and energy for different activities such as a sports block versus a meditation block.
- Manage camper behavior, enforce rules and hand out appropriate consequences as needed.
- Ability to live in a cabin with others, eat meals in a vibrant, communal dining hall, and address challenging situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required.
- Inclusion Counselors should be comfortable navigating 4-8 miles daily across a variety of terrain while employed at camp, ensuring access to different program areas around camp.
- CPR and First Aid certification
- Working in a small group with the same people all summer.
- Having a good attitude about your role.
- Sharing the desirable and less desirable work.
- Being on time and prepared for activities.
- Going above and beyond. When one task is done asking for the next.
- Kids of all ages and genders.
- Frequent bunk coverage instead of or in support of counselors.
- Planning ahead the appropriate activities and adapting on the fly if it’s not working.
- Serve alongside Jewish Program Director as a Jewish resource to the entire camp community and help build and develop Camp Tawonga’s Jewish curriculum.
- Enact curriculum that is relevant, fun, engaging, age appropriate, and educational for campers age 9-16.
- Assist Jewish Program Director in leading weekly unit programs.
- Coordinate and plan Judaic content of Shabbat at camp, including Kabbalat Shabbat,
- Torah Service, Shabbat program and Havdalah.
- Creative programming, storytelling, meditation, yoga, art, and music skills are all assets.
- Serve as a Jewish resource to the entire camp community and help build and develop
- Camp Tawonga’s Jewish curriculum.
- Implement a curriculum that is relevant, fun, engaging, age appropriate, and educational for campers age 9-16.
- Lead weekly unit (48-60 camper) programs.
- Coordinate and plan Judaic content of Shabbat at camp, including Kabbalat Shabbat, Torah Service, Shabbat program and Havdalah.
- Creative programming, storytelling, meditation, yoga, art, and music skills are all assets.
- Working in a small group with the same people all summer.
- Have a good attitude! It spreads to others.
- Sharing the desirable and less desirable work.
- Being on time and prepared.
- Going above and beyond. When one task is done asking for the next.
- Kids of all ages and genders.
- Frequent bunk coverage instead of or in support of counselors.
- Planning ahead the appropriate activities and adapting on the fly if it’s not working.
- Leading a shift with 3-5 people including tone setting, time management, assigning tasks to Prep Cooks, providing supervision and coaching to Prep Cooks, and working alongside them to execute meal preparation, service and clean-up.
- Having a good attitude, it spreads to others.
- Sharing the desirable and less desirable work.
- Friendly and constant communication with your team and other Kitchen Supervisors and Prep Cooks on shift.
- Being on time and prepared: being on time means ready to go with a prep list written and organized before Prep Cooks arrive for shift.
- Always doing your best, taking pride in a job well done, asking for clarification if you don’t understand what is expected or how to do it safely/correctly.
- Paying careful attention to allergens and communicating this information to the dining hall lead before meals begin.
- You will be on your feet for 8 or more hours in a hot kitchen.
- You must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. at a time.
- You are removed from the campers. Find ways of making your work fit into the mission in a supporting role.
- Act as a role model for staff at all times, upholding the values of Camp and the Tawonga Kitchen.
- Have regular check-ins with the Kitchen Manager and/or Assistant Kitchen Manager to ensure the smooth running of the kitchen; give input for weekly menu.
- Attend weekly all-staff meetings at 10:15p every Wednesday. Attend weekly kitchen supervisor meetings at 8:15p every Monday. Attend and participate in running weekly kitchen staff meetings at 1:45p every Tuesday.
- Train and support prep cooks and write evaluations of prep cooks two times over the summer.
- AM Shift: begins between 5:00a and 6:00a (sometimes earlier, depending on menu). Responsible for preparing, serving, and clearing Breakfast and Lunch
- PM Shift: begins at 1:45p. Responsible for preparing, serving, and clearing Dinner
- Late Shift: begins at 3:45p. Responsible for preparing, serving, and clearing Late Night Snack and Breakfast prep for the next day
- Lead a shift with one to two rotating Prep Cooks in the Bantry each day, assigning tasks to Prep Cooks and providing supervision. Shifts can also be scheduled without a Prep Cook assigned.
- Role model tone setting, time management, and working alongside Prep Cooks to execute daily tasks and clean-up.
- Having a good attitude, it spreads to others.
- Friendly and constant communication with your team, as well as other Kitchen Supervisors and Prep Cooks on shift.
- Being on time and prepared: being on time means ready to go with a prep list written and organized before the scheduled shift begins.
- Always doing your best, taking pride in a job well done, asking for clarification if you don’t understand what is expected or how to do it safely/correctly.
- You will be on your feet for 8 or more hours in a hot kitchen.
- You must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. at a time.
- You are removed from the campers. Find ways of making your work fit into the mission in a supporting role.
- Have regular check-ins with the Kitchen Manager and/or Assistant Kitchen Manager to ensure the smooth running of the kitchen; give input for weekly menu.
- Attend weekly all-staff meetings at 10:15p every Wednesday. Attend weekly kitchen supervisor meetings at 8:15p every Monday. Attend and participate in running weekly kitchen staff meetings at 1:45p every Tuesday.
- Train and support Prep Cooks and give written evaluations of Prep Cooks two times over the summer.
- Baking desserts for main camp meals, including birthday bowls
- Preparing, and putting out a 3:45p snack in the Dining Hall for all of Camp
- Maintaining a stocked fruit bowl in the Dining Hall at the Coffee/Tea Bar
- Keeping Coffee/Tea Bar clean, organized, and stocked
- Breaking down boxes and taking outside to trash/recycling dock
- Rotating kitchen laundry throughout the day
- Washing camper laundry in an organized, efficient, and timely manner
- Make challah bread every week, ready for Shabbat dinner on Friday by 5p
- This can include instructing a bunk of kids to assist in the process
- Inventorying all kitchen items one to two times/week, and partial inventories two to three more times/week, as needed by Kitchen Manager and/or Assistant Kitchen Manager.
- Receive and put away all deliveries upon arrival; label and rotate stock appropriately following First In First Out protocol.
- Manage leftover labeling, rotation, use, and appropriate disposal.
Culinary Program Supervisor
The Culinary Program Supervisor will oversee Tawonga’s brand new Garden Kitchen, where they will facilitate a farm-to-table cooking experience for participants that meets Tawonga’s mission. The Culinary Program Supervisor will develop and implement the curriculum with an emphasis on culinary skills, sustainability and cultural learning for groups of 12-24 children and adults. They will also supervise one Culinary Program Assistant, providing professional mentorship and management. As previously noted, this role is hybrid, and will be partly remote, and partly based in-person at Camp Tawonga in Groveland. See below for details on the role and responsibilities.
Supervisory Responsibilities
Program Development and Teaching Responsibilities:
Logistics/Maintenance Responsibilities:
Required Training, Experience, Skills, and Qualities
Preferred
Supervision
Physical Demands
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
Worksite
Work Environment
Special Requirements
Normal Working Hours
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties and/or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Job duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice based on the needs of Camp Tawonga.
Status and Benefits
This is a temporary, exempt, non-benefited position.
Salary Range and Projected Pay
The salary range for the Culinary Program Supervisor position is $69,731.80 to $79,693.49 annually, based on full-time equivalent (FTE) employment.
This position, however, is structured to work part-time and full-time during certain times of the year:
As a result, the total projected pay for this position over the duration of the assignment is estimated to range from $28,000 to $32,000, based on a total of 1,044 scheduled hours and the final agreed-upon salary within the stated range. This figure also includes deductions for room and board while living and working at camp during the Summer and Fall Program seasons.
Job Title: Culinary Program Supervisor
Department: At-Camp Team
Reports to: Assistant Camp Director
Dates: March 1 - November 14, 2025
Salary Range: $28,000-$32,000 plus room and board from May through October. See total projected pay for this role based on part-time status in Spring and Fall.
Location: Remote in March, April and November/Groveland May through October
About Tawonga
Tawonga’s mission is to provide educational and recreational programs for children, adults and families that foster self-esteem, lifelong friendships and community, connections with nature, commitment to justice, and positive Jewish identity and spirituality. We run programs at our residential campsite next to Yosemite National Park and in the Bay Area, serving over 5,000 people a year.
About Camp Tawonga’s Culture
At Camp Tawonga, we are a caring, collaborative, joyous group of professionals who take great pride in fulfilling our mission and having fun while doing it. We have deep respect for our community, the children and the families who participate in our programs; for nature and the physical world; and for Jewish value of “tikkun olam” – repairing the world. Our team has taken many different paths to arrive at Tawonga, from growing up as campers at Camp to others who have never before been involved with a summer camp. We are a Jewish organization, and we welcome and are inclusive of all staff and community members, Jewish and non-Jewish alike. We are committed to JEDI (justice, equity, diversity and inclusion) and the ongoing reflection, learning and action required to be aligned with these values and create and sustain an equity culture.
To Apply
To ensure consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter explaining your qualifications for and interest in the position. Send applications to aviva@tawonga.org with Culinary Program Supervisor in the subject line. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis, and Tawonga is seeking to hire for this position as soon as possible.
Alternative Foods Cook
Dates & Salary: $6750, more DOE.
Dates for this position are May 20 – August 9, 2025.
Job Responsibilities
Initiative and Responsibility
Physical Work
Member of Kitchen Supervisor Team
Day in the Life
Each Alternative Foods Cook is scheduled daily on one of two shifts
Experiment with new recipes for main Dining Hall meals throughout the summer.
The Alternative Foods Lead Cook is listed 6 days/week on the kitchen schedule. You must be ready to work at the listed start time of each shift. It is your responsibility to know your schedule and show up for work on time, well rested, fed, and ready to work.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Arts & Crafts Specialist
The Arts and Crafts Specialists lead activity blocks with camper bunks. Each bunk will be of a shared age which can range from around 8-17 years old. Arts and Crafts Specialists can expect to lead up to six activity blocks a day and also will be supporting all camp functions and needs such as all camp programming and bunk coverage. Most blocks will take place at the Arts and Crafts Building which Arts and Crafts Specialists are responsible for keeping clean and welcoming. Arts and Crafts Specialists will be taught and asked to lead many “camp classic” art projects and will also be encouraged to come up with new and exciting projects for the campers. Arts and Crafts Specialists live in shared staff housing.
Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9
Job Responsibilities:
o Being on time and prepared.
o Going above and beyond. When one task is done asking for the next.
Day in the Life
8:00 AM – Breakfast Meeting – be on time and ready to start the day
9:00 AM – Set-up department areas for morning blocks
9:30 AM – Morning Blocks (9:30-10:45 and 11:00-12:15)
12:30 PM – Lunch - (occasional bunk coverage)
1:30 PM – Sometimes there is a break, sometimes there is a block, sometimes this is bunk coverage
2:30 PM – 3rd Block
4:00 PM – Camper free choice time (lead drop in activities)
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Evening Blocks (7:30-8:15 and 8:30-9:15)
9:30 PM – Off (occasional bunk coverage and/or other duties)
Additional Requirements
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Dates & Salary: $7800, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 20 – August 9, 2025.
Job Responsibilities
Teamwork & Leadership
Initiative & Responsibility
Physical Work
Member of Kitchen Supervisor Team
Day in the Life
The Assistant Kitchen Manager will be scheduled 1-2 times per week on one of
three shifts Lead Cook shifts:
Facilitate all meal preparation, cooking, serving, clearing, and cleaning by
executing some tasks and delegating others to Prep Cooks throughout the entire shift. Additionally, if there is extra time, prepare items for the following meal.
For AM Shift: Oversee that all surfaces are cleared and bleached, floors swept,
trash emptied, trash cans relined, entire Dish Room cleaned, Dining Hall service counter wiped down, and Coffee Bar cleared, organized, and restocked.
For PM Shift: Same as AM plus floors mopped and plates, bowls, cups, and dish racks put back in their place in the kitchen.
For Late Shift: Oversee that all surfaces are cleared and bleached, floors spot
swept, entire Dish Room cleaned, Dining Hall service counter wiped down, and
Coffee Bar cleared, organized, restocked, and shut down for the night.
On days when not leading a shift, the Assistant Kitchen Manager will share the
responsibilities of kitchen supervision with the Kitchen Manager.
The Assistant Kitchen Manager is listed on the Manager Schedule 6 days/week, including 1 to 2 days/week covering other Kitchen Supervisors on their days off. You must be ready to work at the listed start time of each shift. It is your responsibility to know your schedule and show up for work on time, well rested, fed, and ready to work.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Assistant Unit Head
Assistant Unit Head is a leadership position with supervisor responsibilities. Support Unit Head with managing 4-5 camper cabins and supervising 10-12 Bunk Counselors, and 2-4 Unit Counselors. Responsible for: training counselors, counselor supervision, unit programming, camper management, counselors’ daily schedule, and organizing camper electives. Great communication skills, ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks, 2 yrs. college (or equivalent) and previous residential camp experience required.
Dates & Salary: $5355, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9.
Job Responsibilities
Unit Heads and Assistant Unit Heads have responsibilities in the following four areas:
I. Staff Supervision
❖ Share in direct supervision of bunk counselors, unit counselors and inclusion counselors. This includes:
❖ Organize unit coverage, time off, and administrative time off (including for postcard and camper observations) each morning at breakfast with bunk & unit counselors.
❖ Supervise meals as scheduled & share coverage of your unit w/ UH during all meals.
❖ Complete paperwork including:
❖ Emergency coverage.
❖ Create daily schedule for unit staff; meet with staff each morning to go over schedule
II. Direct Observations & Interventions with children
❖ Knowledge of all campers in your unit and of their emotional and physical well-being at all times. Proactively work with campers who need more attention than counselors can give, and manage case-specific camper issues as they arise.
❖ Review “alert” list and files.
❖ Complete paperwork including the following:
III. Unit Program Planning and Implementation
❖ Lead unit meetings and training during staff-training week.
❖ Assist UH in planning and implementing unit activities.
❖ Arrange unit R&R.
❖ Plan and implement Unit Kabbalat Shabbat.
IV. Participation in All-Camp Management Team
❖ Attend Management Team meetings at 5:00 on Mondays, Thursdays and UH day off.
❖ Respond quickly to staff in the CT office about camper inquiries.
❖ Fire drill route.
❖ BBQ on Shabbat.
A Day in the Life of an Assistant Unit Head
7:00AM – Wake up: get ready for the day
8:00AM – Breakfast (followed by song session): Create daily schedule, meet with unit staff to go over
coverage schedule, check in with Unit Head
9:30AM – Activities Begin: observe staff and campers, provide support
12:30PM – Lunch: supervise unit, make sure the campers are eating and drinking, provide support when
needed
1:30PM – Rest Hour: this is the time when campers are resting at their bunk. It is a good time for Unit
Heads to make phone calls home, complete paperwork, plan activities, check in with staff, or rest.
2:30PM – Activities: observe staff and campers, provide support, complete paperwork or phone calls,
plan activities, rest
3:45PM – Snack
4:00PM – Free Swim or Floats (Floats is a time when campers choose individual activities) This is a good
time to complete paperwork or phone calls, plan activities, rest
6:00PM – Dinner (followed by song session): supervise unit, provide support when needed
7:30PM – Evening Activities: good time to lead unit activities such as s’mores or stargazing
9:15PM – Bedtime: check in on bunks and support with bedtime rituals
10:00PM – Unit Heads are off when bedtime rituals are done. Unit Heads occasionally supervise bunk
coverage from 10pm-12am
Additional Responsibilities:
Additional Requirements:
Blogger & Photographer
The Blogger & Photographer tells the story of the beautiful Camp Tawonga summer experiences through photos and writing. Tawonga’s blog and Campanion app become a direct link for parents and families tuning in back home. A great opportunity for anyone interested in photography, media, journalism or communications.
Salary & Dates: $3865, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9.
Job Responsibilities
❖ Photography
o Capturing Daily Life at Camp
○ Document daily experiences at Tawonga through photos, traveling throughout Camp to document the camper experience during activity blocks, unit activities and Camp-wide programming
o Bunk Coverage Photography
○ Manage and carefully follow a daily bunk coverage photography plan in coordination with Office Manager to ensure equitable representation of all campers
o Film brief video clips of camper experiences
❖ Photo Management and Editing
o Use Lightroom to batch upload and edit photos daily
o Curate photo selection for Campanion app and blog
❖ Campanion Management
o Upload photo galleries to Campanion daily with captions
o Post daily “Tidbit” in app with fun daily Camp facts
o Write and post mini-updates in app about Camp happenings
❖ Blog Management
o Upload photo galleries to Wordpress approximately twice a week
o Format, style and publish blog posts
❖ Writing and Creative
o Craft photo captions for photo galleries
o Write summary blog entries 2x/wk describing the day’s activities
o Write thematic entries for blog (e.g. mission moments, spotlight backpacking trips, Jewish theme, etc.)
❖ Office Tasks As Needed
o Support with office phone and radio coverage
o Provide general office support as needed
Preferred Qualifications and Characteristics
❖ Experienced digital photographer and digital photo editor
❖ Highly organized, detail oriented and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment
❖ Familiarity with Adobe Lightroom (batch editing), Wordpress and Mac systems (not required)
❖ Strong writer and editor with ability to write quickly
❖ Outgoing, energetic individual who is good with kids and comfortable organizing groups of campers to compose photos
❖ Knowledge of Tawonga, Jewish Camp, and/or Judaism preferred
Day in the Life
8:00 AM – Breakfast, be on time and ready to start the day
9:00 AM – Walk around camp and take photos and document camper experiences
12:30PM – Lunch (or bunk coverage)
1:30PM – Work on Blog Posts
4:00PM – Batch Edit Photos in Lightroom and post to Campanion
6:00 PM – Dinner + Finish outstanding daily tasks as needed
Additional Requirements
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
❖ Typing, writing, reading, hearing, and speaking
❖ Use of hands and fingers to operate office equipment, especially a computer
❖ This person frequently moves across our entire camp location to photograph and document camper activities and experiences
❖ This person frequently works in outdoor weather conditions
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Camp Office Manager
In addition to many of the responsibilities of Office Staff the Office Manager also manages the responsibilities included below. This position reports to the Staffing Coordinator
Salary & Dates: $4,700. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Maintain camper Database and manage camp_office@tawonga.org email account
❖ Maintain accurate financial records and responsibilities such as staff salary advances, petty cash, trip petty cash reconciliations, and supply run purchasing
❖ Manage and coordinate daily phone/radio coverage, mail/package distribution (incoming and outgoing), checking/recording/distribution staff phone messages, Green Office ordering and other office responsibilities
❖ Oversee Camp Store, its inventory, filing and recording orders, general upkeep and maintenance
❖ Support management and technical support of camp internet system
❖ Oversee distribution of camp keys and other office equipment
❖ Oversee maintenance of camper files (session by session)
❖ Oversee printing and collection of Camper Observation Forms
❖ Oversee clipboard organization
❖ Oversee organization and execution of camp scheduling event
❖ Oversee organization and execution of camp postcard writing event
❖ Member of Camp Supervisor Team
o Schedule office staff and daily office coverage, lead daily office meetings, and create office staff day off schedules
o Attend daily 5 o’clock Supervisor Team meeting, as needed
❖ Maintain office and kitchen cleanliness
❖ Respond to fire drills appropriately and update camper and staff clipboard lists each session
❖ Drive as necessary – Drop off and pick up locations (backpacking trips and day trips), errands, bus duty and emergencies (keep safety of children as highest priority both in the vans and on the road)
❖ Cover office over session breaks as needed
❖ Respond to any emergency situations appropriately and support Incident Commander during incidents and drills
Day in the Life
10:00am - Report to Camp Office and check in with AM Shift Office Staff
11:00am - Help support office staff as needed and ensure supplies are well stocked, order more supplies if needed, fulfill canteen orders and support the camp community throughout the day
12:30 - Lunch
1:30 pm - While all office staff are on shift, conduct a daily office team check in
2:00pm - Oversee and check in with PM Shift Office Staff and continue to support camp office operations as needed
3:00pm - Prepare for any upcoming events such as postcard events and camp scheduling events, and create office staff schedules, while continuing to supervise office team
6:00pm - Final check in with office staff before signing off for the day
Additional Requirements
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
❖ The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, mail boxes, etc.
❖ Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a paper cutter, copy machine, and computer printer
❖ This person frequently moves boxes weighing up to 20 pounds across the office for various needs.
❖ This person needs to move between camp office location and camp store location during shift (Aprox. 50 yards)
❖ The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
❖ Occasionally works in outdoor weather conditions
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Camp Office Staff
The camp office is the central hub for all camp staff. The office receives and sorts camp mail, answers incoming phone calls, provides staff with access to materials, manages the Camp store, and much more. Office Staff report to the Office Manager and as a team manage many administrative tasks that help make the magic of camp possible.
Dates & Salary: $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9, 2025.
Job Responsibilities
❖ Office Tasks
Preferred Qualifications
❖ Team Work
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
❖ Detail Oriented
Day in the Life
AM Shift
8:00am - Report to Camp Office and keep phones and radios on and nearby for incoming calls
8:30am - Print out Parent Emails and organize mail
9:00am - Ensure supplies are well stocked, order more supplies if needed, fulfill canteen orders and support the camp community throughout the day
12:30 - Lunch (While still being available for phones and radio coverage)
1:30pm - Finish any outstanding office related tasks
2:00pm - Pass off responsibilities to PM Shift
PM Shift
2:00 pm - Report to Camp Office and keep phones and radios on
2:30 pm - Ensure supplies are well stocked, order more supplies if needed, fulfill any new canteen orders and support the camp community throughout the day
6:00 pm - Dinner (While still being available for phones and radio coverage)
7:00pm - Finalize any canteen orders, sort any newly arrived mail or packages, and finalize any outstanding office related tasks
10:00 pm - Sign off for the night, turn off all computers and radios, Leave a pass off note to morning shift if necessary.
Additional Requirements
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
❖ The person in this position needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, mail boxes, etc.
❖ Constantly operates a computer and other office productivity machinery, such as a paper cutter, copy machine, and computer printer
❖ This person frequently moves boxes weighing up to 20 pounds across the office for various needs.
❖ This person needs to move between camp office location and camp store location during shift
❖ The ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
❖ Occasionally works in outdoor weather conditions
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Challenge Course Facilitator
Salary & Dates: $3865, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 31 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Department Area Skill
❖ Teamwork
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
❖ Working with youth
❖ Safety
Qualifications
❖ Must have experience with climbing and/or challenge courses and associated equipment.
❖ Experience with group games, team building and environmental education are preferred.
❖ Be able to lift up to 50 lbs.
Day in the Life
8:00AM – Breakfast, be on time and ready to start the day
8:45AM – Set-up challenge course
9:30AM – Team initiatives and low elements
12:30PM – Lunch
1:30PM – High Elements
4:00PM – Clean up/Break down course
6:00PM – Dinner
7:30PM – Meet with Counselors/Prepare for the next day
9:30PM – Off (sometimes you will have Shmira - supporting camper bunks as needed while
campers sleep - and/or other duties)
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Counselor
Tawonga counselors live in camper cabins and work with bunks of 12 campers. Counselors strive to raise self-esteem and foster the bunk group dynamic by actively participating in all camp activities offered by specialists, including: ropes course, backpacking, arts & crafts, Jewish programs, and more, as well as creating programs of their own. Counselors work most sessions as a Bunk Counselor (with a co counselor in a 12 camper cabin), but may also spend one or more sessions as a Unit Counselor supporting multiple bunks.
Salary & Dates: $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June
1 – August 9, 2025
Job Responsibilities
❖ Parent
❖ Cheerleader
❖ Limit Setter
A Day in the Life of a Counselor
7:00AM – Wake up: get entire bunk of kids up and ready for the day
8:00AM – Breakfast (followed by song session): ensure all campers are eating and engaged
9:30AM – Activities Begin: your role is to support the facilitator or facilitate and encourage all campers to
participate
12:30PM – Lunch: make sure the campers are eating and drinking, serve food and talk to kids
1:30PM – Rest Hour: this is time for campers to clean the bunk, read mail, relax or write home
2:30PM – Activities
3:45PM – Snack
4:00PM – Free Swim or Floats (Floats is a time when campers choose individual activities)
6:00PM – Dinner (followed by song session): serve food, ensure all kids are eating, talk to kids
7:30PM – Evening Activities: good time to do stories, yoga, campfires, and mellow activities
9:15PM – Bedtime: set the right tone, do a closing ritual, put kids to bed
10:00PM – Counselors are off when bedtime rituals are done. Counselors occasionally have bunk
coverage from 10pm-12am
12:00AM – Counselors check in to their cabins and go to sleep with the campers
Additional Responsibilities:
● Paperwork – writing camper observation forms and postcards home.
● Shmira – bunk supervision between 10pm-12am. Counselors have 5-6 shmira shifts a summer.
● Communication with Co-Counselor – working to have a healthy professional relationship with your co.
● Communication with supervisor – Bring concerns or questions to your supervisor, there for support and advice.
● Unit Counselor – Counselors are assigned to be a bunk counselor or unit counselor. A unit counselor lives in a bunk with campers, but rotates between all four bunks in a unit, keeps track of camper medications, and maintains constant communication w/ bunk counselors.
Additional Requirements:
● Ability to live in a cabin with others, eat meals in a vibrant, communal dining hall, address challenging situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required.
● Counselors should be comfortable navigating 4-8 miles daily across a variety of terrain while employed at camp, ensuring access to different program areas around camp.
● CPR and First Aid certification
Driver
Salary & Dates: $3,865. Dates for this position are May 31 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Safety
❖ Team Work
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
❖ Department Area Skill
Qualifications
❖ Must be 21 years old or older
❖ A safe driving record
❖ Be able to lift up to 50 lbs
Day in the Life
5:30AM – 6:00AM – Wake up after a good/restful night of sleep (eight hours)
6:00AM – Pre-trip vehicle inspections
6:30AM – 7:00AM – Depart on morning drives
9:00AM – 10:00AM – Drop off campers, eat breakfast with campers at trailhead
12:30PM – Pick up another group of campers in Yosemite and drive them back to camp
2:30PM – Return to camp, refuel vehicles
3:30PM – Break
6:45PM – Daily driver meeting. Find out where you are going the next day, review maps.
9:15PM – Bed time so they can get eight hours of sleep!
In general drivers should expect to drive 4-8 hours a day (not in a row). If they only have one drive, they may do vehicle maintenance or help in the office. If not dropping off trips they may run errands for camp or serve as “driver on duty”.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Head of Arts & Crafts
The head of the A&C department is responsible for supervising 4 - 5 Arts and Crafts Specialists, creating arts and crafts related programs, managing the Arts and Crafts studio and managing campers during studio hours.
Salary & Dates: $4,700. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9
Other duties include:
❖ Review and edit the A&C manual for the upcoming summer.
❖ Responsible for the department’s opening and closing inventories, equipment management, and procuring new supplies for the season.
❖ Responsible for training and supervising A&C staff.
❖ Provide A&C staff with individual evaluations. This includes regular observations of staff, regular feedback and a final written evaluation.
❖ Oversee Clearinghouse scheduling: make sure counselors know what will be offered at A&C the day before clearing house, attend clearing house, and assign A&C staff to a weekly teaching schedule.
❖ Offer A&C Staff nights and make sure they are staffed.
❖ Oversee A&C packouts and their returns.
❖ Maintain a safe, welcoming and pleasant work atmosphere at A&C.
❖ Recycle paper and clay.
❖ Consult with unit heads about unit art projects, chugs & livnots.
❖ Assist program director in preparation for special all camp events where art supplies may be needed.
❖ Work with guest artists (if applicable): call them before they arrive to figure out supply needs, make sure they are mentioned at clearinghouse, and host them while they are at camp.
❖ Maintain a clean and beautiful program space at AnC and on the deck. Clean the studio every day and do a deeper clean once a week.
Day in the Life
8:00 AM – Lead Breakfast Meeting – be on time and ready to start the day
9:00 AM – Set-up department areas for morning blocks
9:30 AM – Morning Blocks (9:30-10:45 and 11:00-12:15)
12:30 PM – Lunch - (occasional bunk coverage)
1:30 PM – Sometimes there is a break, sometimes there is a block, sometimes this is bunk coverage
2:30 PM – 3 rd Block
4:00 PM – Camper free choice time (lead drop in activities)
5:00 PM – Daily Supervisor/Director Meeting
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Evening Blocks (7:30-8:15 and 8:30-9:15)
9:30 PM – Off (occasional bunk coverage and/or other duties)
Physical Requirements
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
❖ Move around the Arts and Crafts Studio to access materials, program supplies, support camper projects etc.
❖ Operate Arts and Crafts equipment such as a stove, kiln, toaster, and other Arts and Crafts appliances
❖ Move boxes and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds across the Arts and Crafts Studio for various needs.
❖ Move around camp property to support Arts and Crafts Programming across camp
❖ Be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
❖ Work in outdoor weather conditions
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Head of Maintenance
Dates & Salary: $4700, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9, 2025.
Job Responsibilities
❖ Team Work and Leadership
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
❖ Physical Work
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Head of Transportation
Salary & Dates: $4,700. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
Safety and Risk Management are the top priorities in this job.
❖ Supervise team of drivers.
❖ Role model appropriate Driver behavior at all times.
❖ Ensure that all Tawonga transportation policies are being followed by all drivers.
❖ Co-lead driver training for all summer staff who may drive Tawonga vehicles.
❖ Report any concerns about driver performance or safety to your supervisor immediately.
❖ Schedule all vehicles and drivers for camper transportation and other transportation needs and communicate the schedule to all parties involved.
❖ Recycling: Facilitate camp’s recycling efforts. Work with Maintenance Supervisors to teach recycling, and make sure recycling is sorted and dropped off to Mather/Big Oak Flat/Sonora.
❖ Coordinate Driver on Duty - DOD (make sure whoever is on shift as DOD knows they are the DOD and understands the expectations).
❖ Attend 5 o’clock meetings as needed to get additional drivers.
❖ Lead daily Driver pre-trip meetings. Attend backpacking destination pre-trip meetings
❖ Observe Drivers directly and elicit feedback on Driver performance and safety from staff passengers (i.e. Co-pilots, Counselors on backpacking trips).
❖ Have a casual check-in with each Driver daily and an official check-in with each Driver weekly to exchange feedback. Provide written evaluations halfway through the summer and at the end of the summer to evaluate job performance of all Drivers.
❖ Ensure that anyone who will be driving a Camp Tawonga vehicle:
❖ Organize and upload/submit all receipts and oversee Drivers in uploading receipts
❖ Vehicle damage reports, when needed
❖ Be aware of changing road conditions, road closures, construction, and detours and communicate this information to drivers.
❖ Distribute vehicle keys to Drivers.
❖ Inspect vehicles upon delivery to camp and complete Vehicle Delivery Reports.
❖ Take pride in vehicles, maintaining cleanliness and addressing any problems immediately.
❖ Submit VINs to AM Skier & receive certificates of insurance, place in all vehicles
❖ Inspect vehicles weekly, noting:
❖ Submit mileage reports to Enterprise as requested
❖ Ensure vehicles are cleaned and inspected for damage before being returned to Enterprise
❖ Coordinate maintenance of all vehicles. Gas vehicles as necessary.
❖ Drive to drop-off and pick-up locations (backpacking trips and day trips), errands, Ruach Ride (bus duty) and emergencies, camper car camping trips (including spending the night, supporting the trip as requested by the Wilderness Leader).
❖ Respond to any vehicular breakdowns and emergency situations appropriately
❖ Assist with Gate, Phones and Radio Coverage, mail sorting, and other office functions
❖ Get adequate rest in order to drive safely. If you are not safe to drive, tell your supervisor who will assist you in finding a substitute.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Head of Waterfront
The primary goal of the waterfront staff is to promote good water safety and accident prevention at all aquatic areas in camp and during trips out of camp. Waterfront staff are responsible for planning and leading safe, fun activities at our pool, lake, and river to help campers enjoy and feel comfortable in the water. Be prepared to respond to any emergencies that may occur at the Waterfront.
Salary & Dates: $4,850. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
The head of the waterfront department is responsible for supervising 5-6 waterfront specialists, creating waterfront programs, and managing campers while they are at waterfront areas.
❖ Establish a safe and serious tone for all activities around water including: swimming at the pool, boating and fishing at the lake, and day trips to the river or to lakes.
❖ Conduct an in-service orientation to the pool and lake for all staff and campers.
❖ Test and record swimming ability of staff and campers.
❖ Conduct a two hour in-service training for unit heads and counselors to assure their safety knowledge and preparedness at the pool, at rivers and at lakes.
❖ Review and edit the waterfront manual with a Tawonga Director for the upcoming summer.
❖ Responsible for the department’s opening and closing inventories, equipment management, and procuring new supplies for the season.
❖ Responsible for waterfront staff supervision & evaluation which includes: regular staff observation and feedback, and a final written evaluation.
❖ Oversee Clearinghouse scheduling: attend clearing house and assign waterfront staff to a weekly teaching schedule.
❖ Assign waterfront staff to a unit each session. Confer with unit heads about waterfront staff presence and participation during unit activities.
❖ Provide maintenance with a pool use schedule at the end of every clearing house.
❖ Maintain a clean and beautiful program space at the pool and lake. Clean the area every day and do a deeper clean once a week. Return lost and found to the main L&F by the dining hall, pick up trash, tidy equipment and supplies, sweep the pool deck, etc.
❖ Supervise and conduct weekly training drills for lifeguard team
Qualifications
❖ Current Lifeguard Certification (LGT) approved by the American Camp Association
❖ Current Lifeguard Instructor Certification p
❖ Be able to lift 50 lbs.
❖ Walk between program areas including camp pool, Tuolumne River, and Lake
Day in the Life
7:30AM – Take off pool covers
8:00AM – Breakfast Meeting, be on time and ready to start the day
9:00AM – Set-up department areas for morning blocks
9:30AM – Morning Blocks (9:30AM – 10:45AM and 11:00AM – 12:15PM)
12:30PM – Lunch (or bunk coverage)
1:30PM – Sometimes there is a break, sometimes there is a block or bunk coverage
2:30PM – 3rd Block
4:00PM – Free Swim or Floats
5:30PM – Place Pool Covers on and close the Pool
6:00PM – Dinner
7:30PM – Occasional Evening Blocks/ Prepare for next Day (7:30PM – 8:15PM and 8:30PM – 9:15PM)
9:30PM – Off (usually, sometimes you will have bunk coverage and/or other duties)
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Inclusion Counselor
Tawonga inclusion counselors provide additional support to campers with disabilities, enabling these campers to be more successful. Inclusion counselors help all staff in the unit, and also specialists, improve their ability to support and include all campers by modeling, teaching, and being a resource to other staff. Like all counselors, inclusion counselors are kid specialists, with no secondary responsibilities outside focusing on bunks in their unit, prioritizing the quality of the group dynamic over any activity. There are three main responsibilities of being a counselor at Camp Tawonga: parent, cheerleader and limit setter; additional responsibilities unique to the inclusion counselor role are included below.
Salary & Dates: $3865, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9.
Job Responsibilities
❖ Parent
❖ Cheerleader
❖ Limit Setter
Day in the Life of an Inclusion Counselor
7:30AM – Meet at assigned camper bunk and help kids with higher needs prepare for the day and
transition to breakfast
8:00AM – Breakfast (followed by song session): check in on all campers you’re working with and touch
base with counselors and unit heads about the day ahead
9:30AM – Activities Begin: You’ll be assigned to one of the bunks in your unit. Support the campers who
need the most help to succeed in the activities. Implement accommodations and modifications where
needed.
12:30PM – Lunch: Sit with your assigned bunk during lunch
1:30PM – Rest Hour: Work closely with campers who need support during this unstructured down time.
Facilitate social relationships and unstructured activities in the bunk.
2:30PM – Activities: You’ll be assigned to one of the bunks in your unit. Support the campers who need
the most help to succeed in the activities. Implement accommodations and modifications where needed.
3:45PM – Snack
4:00PM – Free Swim or Floats: Support the campers who need the most help to succeed in the
activities. Implement accommodations and modifications where needed.
6:00PM – Dinner (followed by song session): check in on all campers you’re working with and touch
base with counselors and unit heads
7:30PM – Evening Activities: Support the campers who need the most help to succeed in the activities.
Implement accommodations and modifications where needed.
9:15PM – Bedtime: You’ll be assigned to a bunk to support. Work closely with campers who need the
most support to transition to bedtime.
10:00PM – You’ll be off for the evening or you’ll be assigned to a Shmira shift about once a week.
Everyday will look a little different. You will have 3 hours off every day and about one day off every week. Once a week you’ll meet with the inclusion team (therapists, ICs, director supervising inclusion), your assigned UH, and you’ll have an hour of assigned ATO to create tools to support campers in the unit, such as visual schedules and other resources.
Additional Requirements:
Jewish Program Assistant
The Jewish Program Assistant leads engaging activity blocks with bunks of campers. Each bunk will be of a shared age which can range from around 8-17 years old. The Jewish Program Assistant supports the Jewish Program Director in supporting counselors and supervisors on Jewish program content, works with all bunks to prepare for Shabbat each week and drives creative Jewish programing at Camp Tawonga. Jewish Program Assistants live in shared staff housing.
Salary & Dates: $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Team Work
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
❖ Working with campers
❖ Department Area Skill
Day in the Life
8:00AM – Breakfast Meeting, be on time and ready to start the day
9:00AM – Set-up department areas and collect materials for morning blocks
9:30AM – Morning Blocks (9:30AM – 10:45AM and 11:00AM – 12:15PM)
12:30PM – Lunch
1:30PM – Sometimes there is a break, sometimes there are B’nei Mitzvah study sessions
2:30PM – 3rd Block
4:00PM – Free Swim or Floats
6:00PM – Dinner
7:30PM – Evening Blocks (7:30PM – 8:15PM and 8:30PM – 9:15PM)
9:30PM – Off (usually, sometimes you will have bunk coverage and/or other duties)
Physical Requirements
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
❖ Be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able
to exchange accurate information in these situations
❖ Work in outdoor weather conditions
❖ Almost all positions at Tawonga include long, active days where it is normal to walk 4-8 miles between staff housing, communally shared meals and various locations where work responsibilities occur.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Jewish Program Director
The Jewish Program Director is the lead Jewish educator at Camp Tawonga. The Jewish Program Director supervises one or two Jewish Program Assistants leading and supporting their staff in leading engaging activity blocks with bunks of campers. Each bunk will be of a shared age which can range from around 8-17 years old. The Jewish Program Director is a liaison to counselors and supervisors on Jewish program content, works with all bunks to prepare for Shabbat each week and drives creative Jewish programing at Camp Tawonga. Jewish Program Directors live in shared staff housing.
Salary & Dates: $5,840. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Department Area Skill
❖ Team Work
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
❖ Working with campers
Day in the Life
8:00AM – Breakfast Meeting, be on time and ready to start the day
9:00AM – Set-up department areas and collect materials for morning blocks
9:30AM – Morning Blocks (9:30AM – 10:45AM and 11:00AM – 12:15PM)
12:30PM – Lunch
1:30PM – Sometimes there is a break, sometimes there are B’nei Mitzvah study sessions
2:30PM – 3rd Block
4:00PM – Camper Free Choice
6:00PM – Dinner
7:30PM – Evening Blocks (7:30PM – 8:15PM and 8:30PM – 9:15PM)
9:30PM – Off (usually, sometimes you will have bunk coverage and/or other duties)
Physical Requirements
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
❖ Move across camp property regularly to lead programming in various areas around camp
❖ Move equipment and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds across camp property
❖ Be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
❖ Work in outdoor weather conditions
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Lead Cook
Dates & Salary: $7025, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 20 – August 9, 2025.
❖ Team Work and Leadership
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
❖ Physical Work
❖ Member of Kitchen Supervisor Team
Day in the Life
❖ Each Lead Cook is scheduled daily on one of three shifts
❖ Facilitate all meal preparation, cooking, serving, clearing, and cleaning by executing some tasks and delegating others to Prep Cooks throughout the entire shift. Additionally, if there is extra time, prepare items for the following meal.
❖ For AM Shift: Oversee that all surfaces are cleared and bleached, floors swept, trash emptied, trash cans relined, entire Dish Room cleaned, Dining Hall service counter wiped down, and Coffee Bar cleared, organized, and restocked.
❖ For PM Shift: Same as AM plus floors mopped and plates, bowls, cups, and dish racks put back in their place in the kitchen.
❖ For Late Shift: Oversee that all surfaces are cleared and bleached, floors spot swept, mopping the Bakery, entire Dish Room cleaned and shutdown for the night, Dining Hall service counter wiped down, and Coffee Bar cleared, organized, restocked, and shut down for the night.
Lead Cooks are listed 6 days/week on the kitchen schedule. You must be ready to work at the listed start time of each shift. It is your responsibility to know your schedule and show up for work on time, well rested, fed, and ready to work.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Lead Nanny
The Lead Nanny supervises a team of up to 6 nannies and oversees the nanny department, ensuring that all children of staff members are cared for. The Lead Nanny supports nannies with responding to challenging child behaviors, develops age-appropriate programming for children and nannies, and acts as a liaison between nannies and staff parents.
Salary & Dates: $5355. - Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9.
Job Responsibilities:
I. Staff Supervision of Tawonga’s Nanny Program
❖ Oversee and lead training for camp nannies (during staff training and ongoing)
➢ Communication with parents training and maintaining confidentiality
➢ Age group expectations training
➢ Scheduling ideas
➢ Tone setting training
❖ Daily observation of nannies
❖ Mid-session check-in with each supervisee
❖ Written evaluations for nanny supervisees
❖ Provide time off coverage to other nannies as needed
❖ Coordination of roaming nanny schedule
❖ Daily check-in with nannies to discuss daily schedule and time off coverage
❖ Organize nanny R&R
II. Direct Observations & Interventions with children
❖ Daily nanny observation – providing support and feedback to nannies
❖ Work with nannies and parents to develop appropriate interventions in response to behavioral challenges
❖ Act as a roaming nanny and provide coverage, as needed
III. Creative Program Planning and Implementation
❖ Take the lead on staff kids’ clearinghouse schedule and help plan and lead activities
❖ Create a schedule for staff kid groups (one preschool aged, one elementary school) and oversee program quality and execution
❖ Connect with specialists before activities to plan age appropriate activities
IV. Participation in All-Camp Management Team
❖ Participate in Camp Management Team – supporting the high level smooth functioning of all aspects of camp, supporting supervisor peers in creative problem solving and idea sharing
❖ Attend daily management team meetings, as needed (for example, when nannies can offer extra bunk coverage to coordinate with Unit Heads)
V. Parent Communication/Partnering and Scheduling
❖ Daily communication with camp parents
❖ Manage daily nanny coverage and communicate coverage plan with parents
❖ Coordinate coverage time off/day off coverage with nannies, directors, unit heads and guests
❖ Connect with families prior to their arrival to learn about children and review expectations
❖ Prepare nannies to greet guests and their families
Day in the Life of a Lead Nanny
7:00 AM – Wake up and get ready for breakfast (support families if early care is needed)
8:00 AM – Breakfast: check in with nanny team and families to communicate schedule and coverage for
the day; support nannies with childcare
9:30 AM – Observe group activities and provide interventions as necessary. Plan to lead some activities
for groups as well.
12:30 PM – Lunch: Check in with staff and families. Make sure the children are eating and drinking,
serve food and talk to kids, help with getting food and clean-up.
1:30 PM – Rest Hour: This is time for resting, napping, reading, swimming..etc depending on family
schedules. This is also a good time to take time off for yourself.
2:30 PM – Observe group activities or have check-ins with staff.
3:45 PM – Snack
4:00 PM – Observe group activities, check in with staff, or take time for yourself.
6:00 PM – Dinner (followed by a song session): Check in with staff and families, communicate coverage
schedule for the following day, support with childcare as needed.
7:30 PM – Evening Activities: mellow activities, bed time
10:00 PM – Off for the night. Occasionally supervises bunk coverage 5-6 times throughout the summer.
Additional Requirements:
● Ability to live in a cabin with others, eat meals in a large, noisy dining hall, address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required.
● Lead Nanny should be comfortable navigating across a variety of terrain while employed at camp, ensuring access to different program areas around camp
Lead Naturalist
Every program in the Wilderness Department is designed both to create stronger, well-bonded groups and to foster a respect, appreciation and stewardship of nature.
Salary & Dates: $5100, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Training and Supervision: Lead workshops and training during Wild Week and Staff Training for all Wilderness Leaders, as needed. Lead Wilderness Department meetings and ongoing training. Hold and co-lead daily meetings with Teva naturalists and Garden staff to review schedules and address departmental challenges. Observe staff daily. Prepare written evaluations of staff. Provide additional training and supervision to the entire wilderness team as needed.
❖ Collaborate very closely with Farm and Garden Supervisor, as direct supervisor of the Lead Naturalist/Teva Supervisor.
❖ Backpacking, Quest and Challenge Course: Support other wilderness supervisors with coverage as needed.
❖ Nature: Supervise Naturalists. Ensure a variety of high-quality, nature-based programming is being offered, including Tikkun Tawonga (land-based service projects/forestry work), floats, and livnot (periodic electives offered to campers). Provide on-going training, observation, feedback, formal and informal check-ins and written evaluations for staff. Assist with tip sheets, rotations, and schedules. Support staff and lead/co-lead blocks, assist with planning blocks, and help with farm and garden labor as needed. Approve purchases, help staff locate and obtain resources at camp, maintain safety of all equipment, facilitate gear sign-out including wilderness library. Organize resources for Teva including curriculum/programming resources. Conduct beginning and end-of-season inventories and create a wishlist for the following year.
❖ Farm and Garden: Follow lead of Farm and Garden Supervisor in these areas: Sustainability: If we decide to collect compost for farm animals, assign Teva staff to be at the Post in the Dining Hall/Pavilion at meals to collect scraps and teach what can be included.
❖ Other: Meet with the Wild Supervisor Team, as needed. Report significant counselor or kid events to the 5 o’clock team, and all staff/safety issues to a supervisor, maintain records (schedules, certifications, incidents, and purchases). Day/night Toran as assigned. Provide coverage for other Wild Supervisors as needed, e.g. BP departures/returns, attending daily 5 o’clock meetings, etc., and drive, lead trips, assist with Challenge Course, lead BP prep or gear return, if needed.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Maintenance Staff
Dates & Salary: $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9, 2025.
Job Responsibilities
❖ Team Work
o Friendly and constant communication with your team.
o Working on a shift with 3-5 people.
o Have a good attitude, it spreads to others.
o Sharing the desirable and less desirable work.
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
o Being on time and prepared when your shift starts, meaning you have your work clothes and shoes on at least five minutes before the start of your shift.
o When one task is done asking for the next, take initiative!
o Always doing your best, taking pride in a job well done, asking for clarification if you don’t understand what is expected or how to do it safely/correctly.
❖ Physical Work
o You will be on your feet for 8 hours doing manual labor in hot weather.
o You must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. at a time.
o Being outside in the elements, you must be aware of staying hydrated, operating machinery safely, wearing sunscreen, and communicating with others if you need help.
o Always maintain safety as the top priority
Day in the Life
❖ 2 shifts: shifts rotate daily, so it is always different
o AM Shift: 7:30 AM – 3:00 PM
o PM Shift: 2:00PM - 10:00PM
❖ Each shift includes:
o Trash runs (taking out 30-40 bins of trash)
o Cleaning bathrooms (4-5 bathrooms)
o Mopping dining hall floors (after meals) and cleaning Dining Pavilion tables and area
o Other tasks as needed (i.e. chopping wood, moving heavy furniture, weed eating, guest cabin cleaning)
o AM Shifts can include ‘tikkun blocks’ cleaning bathrooms with campers’ help
o Both shifts periodically can include other activities with kids such as kickball or dodgeball.
Maintenance Crew shifts are listed 6 days/week. You must be ready to work at the listed start time of each shift. It is your responsibility to know your schedule and show up for work on time, well rested, fed, and ready to work.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Head Song Leader
The Head Song Leader is the leader of the Music Department at Camp. Song Leaders bring music to camp in many different ways including but not limited to leading all camp song sessions and activity blocks with bunks of campers. Each bunk will be of a shared age which can range from around 8-17 years old. Songleaders can expect to lead multiple activity blocks a day as well as supporting Jewish Programming with their activity blocks. As well as musical programming Songleaders will be called upon to support with bunk coverage and other all camp activities. The head songleader will manage other songleaders, supporting in their development as musicians and activity leaders. Songleaders live in shared staff housing.
Salary & Dates: $4,700. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Plan and run morning and evening song sessions
❖ Plan and lead Songs for Campfire camper program
❖ Plan and run Torah service with Jewish Program Director and Camp Director
❖ Help to run unit “Ruach Hour,” a Jewish education program in preparation for Kabbalat Shabbat
❖ Plan and run Havdalah (Brief ritual to close out Shabbat)
❖ Plan and run Freylach (Extended high energy song session after Shabbat Dinner)
❖ Program Activity Blocks
❖ Support Unit & Bunk Campfires
❖ Support trips to out of Camp like I.P., the river, the ridge
❖ Lead bedtime singing and rituals
❖ Create and lead bunk activities Floats (Camper free-time)
❖ Offer and lead guitar lessons and/or sing-alongs
❖ Talent show preparation & support Livnot (camper electives)
❖ Create and lead choral groups or other music themed Livnot Staff Programs
❖ Lead and Support Staff Nighttime programs as needed Staff Supervision
❖ Supervise music staff - create schedules, observe performance, give feedback, write evaluations
❖ Maintain clean program area - keep music supplies organized in dining hall, A/V closet, toran station, piano area
Day in the Life
8:00AM – Breakfast Meeting, be on time and ready to start the day
8:30AM – Set up musical equipment
8:45AM – Song Session
9:30AM – Morning Blocks (9:30AM – 10:45AM and 11:00AM – 12:15PM)
12:30PM – Lunch
1:30PM – Sometimes there is a break, sometimes there is a block
2:30PM – 3rd Block
4:00 PM – Camper free choice time (lead drop in activities)
6:00PM – Dinner
6:30PM – Set up musical equipment
6:45PM – Song Session
7:30PM – Evening Blocks (7:30PM – 8:15PM and 8:30PM – 9:15PM)
9:30 PM – Off (occasional bunk coverage and/or other duties)
Physical Requirements
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
❖ Transport, set up and breakdown musical equipment like mic/music stands, XLR cords and guitars.
❖ Move equipment and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds across camp property
❖ Move around camp property to support Music programming across camp
❖ Be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
❖ Work in outdoor weather conditions
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Nanny
Each summer Tawonga hires nannies to care for the children of senior camp staff.These children range in age from infants to teenagers. Rather than being in charge of 12 campers at a time as bunk counselors are, most nannies will be assigned to small groups of children or work one on one with younger children. Nannies provide loving care for children, and work with specialists and the rest of the nanny team to offer fun and creative age-appropriate programs that fulfill the Camp mission. You may be responsible for the same children all summer or for different children from week to week. Because the number of children in the nanny department varies from week to week, you may also work some days or weeks as a unit counselor working with campers and bunks as needed. You live in a cabin with other staff, not in a camper cabin. Should expect to navigate over 4-8 miles of uneven terrain to different program areas around camp daily. Patience, creativity, flexibility and strong communication skills are helpful. If you enjoy working with children 1:1 or in small groups, enjoy developing creative programs, and/or if you enjoy working with younger children, this could be a great job for you!
Salary & Dates: $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Parent
○ As a parent you must be aware of the physical and emotional well-being of the children at all times and communicate with parents about specific needs.
○ Physical needs: Ensure children have everything they need to stay healthy at camp
○ Emotional needs: Make sure that the children are feeling good about themselves and their relationships at camp
○ Being a “parent” during your working hours means giving kids plenty of TLC (tender loving care) and forming relationships with the children, parents, and fellow nannies.
❖ Cheerleader
○ Be excited and positive about the day’s schedule regardless of what your personal feelings are
○ Bring positivity, energy, enthusiasm, creativity, and excitement! Make it fun!
❖ Limit Setter
○ Make sure that the children are on time and prepared for each activity (especially when there is a specialist leading the activity)
○ Use different tone and energy for different activities such as a morning circle to begin the day versus a silly obstacle course activity.
○ Manage children’s behavior, enforces rules and hand out appropriate consequences as needed. Communicate with families about behavioral supports and styles that they prefer.
Day in the Life of a Nanny
7:00 AM – Wake up and get ready for breakfast (support families if early care is needed)
8:00 AM – Breakfast: ensure all children are eating and engaged, help families get food, support clean up of children and families
9:30 AM – Activities by group: Plan to lead some of the activities yourself, and to assist and support the children in the activities that are led by other specialists. Adapt activities to be age-appropriate for the children in your care.
12:30 PM – Lunch: Make sure the children are eating and drinking, serve food and talk to kids, help with getting food and clean-up.
1:30 PM – Rest Hour: This is time for resting, napping, reading, swimming..etc depending on family schedules
2:30 PM – Activities (see description above)
3:45 PM – Snack
4:00 PM – Activities (see description above)
6:00 PM – Dinner (followed by song session): Serve food, ensure all kids are eating, talk to kids, help with clean-up
7:30 PM – Evening Activities: mellow activities, bed time
10:00 PM – Rotating night time support as needed for families
Additional Requirements:
● Ability to live in a cabin with others, eat meals in a vibrant, communal dining hall, address challenging situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required.
● Nannies should be comfortable navigating 4-8 miles daily across a variety of terrain while employed at camp, ensuring access to different program areas around camp.
● CPR and First Aid certification
Naturalist/Teva Specialist
Every program in the Wilderness Department is designed both to create stronger, well-bonded groups and to foster a respect, appreciation and stewardship of nature.
Salary & Dates: $3865, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 31 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Teamwork
o Proactive, kind and constant communication.
o Working in a small group with the same people all summer.
o Sharing the desirable and less desirable work, while having a good attitude.
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
o Being on time and prepared.
o Going above and beyond. When one task is done, seeking out the next.
❖ Working with youth
o Kids ages 8-16, all genders.
o Planning fun and age-appropriate garden/nature based activities and adapting on the fly.
o Occasional bunk coverage instead of or in support of counselors.
❖ Department Area Skill
o Create new nature based programming and lead programming across camp property.
o Weave new and traditional Jewish ways of enjoying, respecting, and caring for the natural world into your activities.
o Help grow the educational, organic garden and care for farm animals including goats and chickens.
❖ Safety
o Always being aware of the potential hazards. Safety comes first at ALL times.
Qualifications
❖ Must have current certifications*:
o Lifeguard Certification (LGT)
o ServSafe Certification
o A safe driving record, 21+ and a Wilderness First Responder preferred.
❖ Experience with children and natural history are essential.
❖ Experience with environmental education and Judaic knowledge are helpful.
❖ Be able to lift 50 lbs.
* If you do not possess these certifications, Tawonga may help cover the costs of obtaining them.
Day in the Life
8:00AM – Breakfast, be on time and ready to start the day
8:30PM – Breakfast Teva Meeting
9:00AM – Set-up department areas for morning activity blocks
9:30AM – Morning Activity Blocks (9:30AM – 10:45AM and 11:00AM – 12:15PM)
12:30PM – Lunch
1:30PM – Sometimes there is a break, sometimes there is an activity block
2:30PM – 3rd Activity Block
4:00PM – Free Swim or Floats (a time in the day when campers are able to pick an activity)
6:00PM – Dinner
7:30PM – Evening Blocks (7:30PM –8:15PM and 8:30PM – 9:15PM)
9:30PM – Off (sometimes you will have Shmira - supporting camper bunks as needed while campers sleep - and/or other duties)
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Pantry and Bakery Cook
At Tawonga, the “Bantry” is combination of our Bakery and Pantry spaces. The Bantry Cook holds a handful of daily responsibilities that keep our Kitchen humming and organized – preparing the fruit dessert for Lunch, baking a fresh dessert for dinner, Camper and Kitchen laundry, maintaining our coffee and tea bar and keeping all things clean and organized behind the scenes (i.e. receiving and putting away food orders/deliveries).
Dates & Salary: $6210, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 20 – August 9, 2025.
Job Responsibilities
❖ Team Work and Leadership
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
❖ Physical Work
❖ Member of Kitchen Supervisor Team
Day in the Life
❖ The Bantry Cook has a variety of daily responsibilities throughout the week:
❖ Responsible for cleanliness, organization, and safety of the all food storage
spaces: Bakery, Pantry, Reach-in Refrigeration units, Walk-in Refrigeration units, Reach-in Freezer. In addition, keep clean and clear all hallways, Kitchen Bathroom and Laundry Room. This responsibility can also include:
The Bantry Cook is listed 6 days/week on the kitchen schedule. Most shifts will start at 6:30AM. You must be ready to work at the listed start time of each shift. It is your responsibility to know your schedule and show up for work on time, well rested, fed, and ready to work.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Prep Cook
Dates & Salary: $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9, 2025.
Job Responsibilities
❖ Team Work
o Working on a shift with 3-5 people.
o Having a good attitude, it spreads to others.
o Sharing the desirable and less desirable work.
o Friendly and constant communication with your team.
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
o Being on time and prepared: being on time means ready to go at the time the
scheduled shift begins – hands washed, apron on, ready for a task!
o When one task is done asking for the next, take initiative!
o Always doing your best, taking pride in a job well done, asking for clarification if you don’t understand what is expected or how to do it safely/correctly.
❖ Physical Work
o You will be on your feet for 8 hours in a hot kitchen.
o You must be able to lift up to 50 lbs. at a time.
o You are removed from the campers. Find ways of making your work fit into themission in a supporting role.
Day in the Life
❖ 3 shifts: shifts rotate daily so it is always different
o AM Shift: begins at 6:30a. Responsible for preparing, serving, and clearing
Breakfast and Lunch
o PM Shift: begins at 2:00p. Responsible for preparing, serving, and clearing
Dinner
o Late Shift: begins at 4:00p. Responsible for preparing, serving, and clearing Late night snack and contributing to Breakfast prep for the next morning
❖ Jobs that will be assigned while on shift include but aren’t limited to:
o Preparing the meal
○ Chopping veggies
○ Making salad dressing
○ Running dishes
○ And more!
o While serving the meal
○ In the front window giving kids food and refilling emptied items.
○ In back cleaning dishes.
o Cleaning up meal
○ Washing dishes
○ Cleaning kitchen
○ Putting leftovers away
Prep Cooks are listed 6 days/week on the kitchen schedule. You must be ready to work at the listed start time of each shift. It is your responsibility to know your schedule and show up for work on time, well rested, fed, and ready to work.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Program Assistant
Program Assistants are responsible for planning and executing fun and innovative activities with camper bunks. Each bunk will be of a shared age which can range from around 8-17 years old. Program Assistants can expect to lead up to six activity blocks a day and also will be supporting all camp functions and needs such as all camp programming and bunk coverage. Program Assistants will be taught and lead classic Camp Tawonga activity blocks and also be encouraged to come up with their own programs. Program
Assistants have time in their day to plan and prepare for the activities they are going to lead. Program Assistants are also responsible for several camp programs and functions including but not limited to: Campfires, Talent Shows, Dances, Electives and Lost and Found. Program Assistants live in shared staff
housing.
Salary & Dates: $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Safety
o Safety must come first AT ALL TIMES.
o You must always be aware of the potential dangers in any program or activity you are
running.
❖ Team Work
o Working in a small group with the same people all summer.
o Having a good attitude, it spreads to others.
o Sharing the desirable and less desirable work.
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
o Being on time and prepared.
o Going above and beyond. When one task is done asking for the next.
❖ Working with campers
o Kids of all ages and genders.
o Frequent bunk coverage instead of or in support of counselors.
o Planning ahead the appropriate activities and adapting on the fly if it’s not working.
❖ Department Area Skill
o Teaching and leading sports, games, creative blocks and electives.
o Keeping the program department supplies clean and organized.
o Helping sort and organize Lost and Found.
o Supporting the AV and Tech needs of Camp.
Day in the Life
8:00 AM – Breakfast Meeting – be on time and ready to start the day
9:00 AM – Set-up department areas for morning blocks
9:30 AM – Morning Blocks (9:30-10:45 and 11:00-12:15)
12:30 PM – Lunch - (occasional bunk coverage)
1:30 PM – Sometimes there is a break, sometimes there is a block, sometimes this is bunk coverage
2:30 PM – 3rd Block
4:00 PM – Camper free choice time (lead drop in activities)
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Evening Blocks (7:30-8:15 and 8:30-9:15)
9:30 PM – Off (occasional bunk coverage and/or other duties)
Physical Requirements
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
❖ Transport, set up and breakdown AV equipment and other supplies weighing up to 50 pounds across camp property
❖ Be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
❖ Work in outdoor weather conditions
❖ Almost all positions at Tawonga include long, active days where it is normal to walk 4-8 miles between staff housing, communally shared meals and various locations where work responsibilities occur.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Program Director
Salary & Dates: $5,840. Dates for this position are May 22-August 9
Job Description: Program Directors are responsible for managing all camp programming including but not limited to: Campfires, Talent Shows, Dances, Electives and Lost and Found. Program Directors manage several Program Assistants who, along with the Program Director, plan and execute fun and innovative activities with camper bunks. Each bunk will be of a shared age which can range from around 8-17 years old. Program Directors can expect to lead several activity blocks a day. Program Directors will teach and lead classic Camp Tawonga activity blocks and also come up with their own programs. Program Directors live in shared staff housing.
Job Responsibilities
❖ Plan & oversee all camp programming.
❖ Work with unit heads to conceptualize and carry out unit programming.
❖ Work with unit heads on camper issues which have possible programmatic solutions. Implement programming in these cases.
❖ Attend any in-camp program of 3 or more units.
❖ Create, plan and coordinate opening, closing and mid-session campfires as well as camper talent shows.
❖ Supervise Program Department including direct supervision of two to three Program Assistants, as well as (1) Dance Specialist, (1) Drama Specialist and (1) Israel Programmer.
❖ Liaison between Program and other Specialist Departments to synthesize their responsibilities, collaborate on programs and form a cohesive collegial “Department”.
❖ Attend all 5:00pm Supervisors Meetings, unless on day off.
❖ Audio-visual setup and support throughout camp.
❖ Lost & found coordination and systemization.
❖ Oversee use of all sports equipment, maintain inventory and organization of sports shed.
❖ “Float Master” (Floats is camper free-time. The Program Director is a senior supervisor while the campers are participating in “Floats.” The Program Director is responsible for assigning counselors to activities and visiting the different activities to insure quality).
Day in the Life
8:00 AM – Breakfast Meeting – be on time and ready to start the day
9:00 AM – Set-up department areas for morning blocks
9:30 AM – Morning Blocks (9:30-10:45 and 11:00-12:15)
12:30 PM – Lunch - (occasional bunk coverage)
1:30 PM – Sometimes there is a break, sometimes there is a block, sometimes this is bunk coverage
2:30 PM – 3rd Block
4:00 PM – Camper free choice time (lead drop in activities)
6:00 PM – Dinner
7:30 PM – Evening Blocks (7:30-8:15 and 8:30-9:15)
9:30 PM – Off (occasional bunk coverage and/or other duties)
Physical Requirements
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
❖ Transport, set up and breakdown AV equipment and other supplies weighing up to 50 pounds across camp property
❖ Be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
❖ Work in outdoor weather conditions
❖ Almost all positions at Tawonga include long, active days where it is normal to walk 4-8 miles between staff housing, communally shared meals and various locations where work responsibilities occur.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Songleader
Songleaders bring music to camp in many different ways including but not limited to leading all camp song sessions and activity blocks with bunks of campers. Each bunk will be of a shared age which can range from around 8-17 years old. Songleaders can expect to lead multiple activity blocks a day as well as supporting Jewish Programming with their activity blocks. As well as musical programming Songleaders will be called upon to support with bunk coverage and other all camp activities. Songleaders live in shared staff housing.
Salary & Dates: $3655, more DOE. Dates for this position are June 1 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Teamwork
o You will be working in a small group with the same people all summer.
o Having a good attitude, it spreads to others.
o Sharing the desirable and less desirable work.
o Friendly and constant communication with your team.
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
o Making sure you are on time and prepared.
o Going above and beyond, when one task is done, asking for the next.
❖ Working with campers
o You will be teaching and leading activities to kids of all ages and genders to engage campers with music. Activities may include teaching songs, sing-alongs, drumming, guitar instruction, song-writing, and new creative programs.
o Planning ahead the appropriate activities and adapting on the fly if it’s not working.
o Frequent bunk coverage instead of or in support of counselors.
❖ Department Area Skill
o Must be able to sing and play guitar.
o Be able and willing to learn and play new songs on guitar.
o Be able to lead a song session alone for 200 campers and staff a few times during the summer.
o Lead activities for bunks (12-24 campers) and support unit programs (for 50 60 campers).
o Work with Jewish Programming staff to plan and execute Shabbat including: Torah Services, Ruach Hour, Kabbalat Shabbat, Freylach, and Havdalah.
Day in the Life
8:00AM – Breakfast Meeting, be on time and ready to start the day
8:30AM – Set up musical equipment
8:45AM – Song Session
9:30AM – Morning Blocks (9:30AM – 10:45AM and 11:00AM – 12:15PM)
12:30PM – Lunch
1:30PM – Sometimes there is a break, sometimes there is a block
2:30PM – 3rd Block
4:00 PM – Camper free choice time (lead drop in activities)
6:00PM – Dinner
6:30PM – Set up musical equipment
6:45PM – Song Session
7:30PM – Evening Blocks (7:30PM – 8:15PM and 8:30PM – 9:15PM)
9:30 PM – Off (occasional bunk coverage and/or other duties)
Physical Requirements
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
❖ Transport, set up and breakdown musical equipment like mic/music stands, XLR cords and guitars.
❖ Move equipment and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds across camp property
❖ Move around camp property to support Music programming across camp
❖ Be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
❖ Work in outdoor weather conditions
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Specialist & Counselor In-Training
SCIT staff play a dual role of Counselor and Supervisor for our Specialist and Counselors in Training (SCIT). SCIT staff lead trainings for their campers in the first week of the program and then observe and give feedback to SCITs throughout the remainder of the program. SCIT staff live in separate staff housing within “Teen Village.”
Salary & Dates: $2,345. Dates for this position are May 31 – July 4
Job Responsibilities
Collaborate with IT Supervisor to run SCIT Program, this includes:
❖ Teaching and Supervision
o Teen Training Week
▪ Develop program outlines for teen trainings
▪ Lead trainings
o Ongoing support and supervision of ITs
▪ Ensure ITs are on time, appropriate, and prepared for each activity. Manage IT behavior, enforce rules and deliver appropriate consequences as needed. *note: this is similar to the drill sergeant role, and involves additional coaching and supervision so the ITs understand their sense of responsibility
▪ Observe ITs working with their assigned bunks and campers
▪ Write evaluations of ITs
▪ Provide consistent feedback and coaching of ITs
▪ Help ITs reflect on how they responded to camper issues and how they could
improve
▪ Interface with department heads and counselors regarding IT performance
o Role Modeling
▪ Teens will be watching everything you do as an example of how to be a great staff member, even when you don’t realize they are watching
o Evening Supervision
▪ One to two rotating IT staff members will supervise the teens from 10pm-12am
▪ Check in and sleep in Teen Village at 12:00am (One staff member per night)
❖ Logistics
o Support with IT daily schedule and assignments
o Support with logistics and programming for IT rafting trip
❖ Parent
o Knowledge of all ITs, and support of their emotional and physical well-being at all
times
o Responsible for observing IT group dynamics and helping to build community
o Connect authentically with the IT group as a whole and individual teens
❖ Cheerleader
o Plan fun activities for ITs!
o Positivity, energy, enthusiasm, and excitement! Make it fun!
Physical Requirements
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
❖ Participate in White Water Rafting Trip
❖ Almost all positions at Tawonga include long, active days where it is normal to walk 4-8 miles between staff housing, communally shared meals and various locations where work responsibilities occur.
❖ Be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
❖ Work in outdoor weather conditions
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Specialist & Counselor In-Training Supervisor
SCIT Supervisor supports SCIT staff in their dual role of Counselor and Supervisor for our Specialist and Counselors in Training (SCIT). SCIT staff lead training for their campers in the first week of the program and then observe and give feedback to SCITs throughout the remainder of the program. In addition to many of the responsibilities of IT Staff the IT Supervisor also manages the responsibilities included below. This position reports to the Assistant Director of Teen Programs and is responsible for supervising 3-5 IT Staff.
Salary & Dates: $3600. Dates for this position are May 22 – July 4
Job Responsibilities
❖ Supervise CIT Program
o Plan and implement IT Rafting trip
o Plan, oversee and coordinate IT training week
o Oversee IT daily schedule and assignments
o Coordinate IT program schedule and ongoing trainings
o Oversee ongoing assessment of program quality
❖ Supervise IT Staff
o Observe and evaluate IT Staff
o Support IT Staff professional development
o Coordinate IT Staff roles and responsibilities during IT training week
o Oversee IT night time Shmira schedule
❖ Attend daily 5 o’clock supervisor meetings
❖ Interface with department heads and counselors regarding IT performance
Physical Requirements
The physical demands listed below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential function of this job. Reasonable accommodations will be made that enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions:
❖ Participate in White Water Rafting Trip
❖ Almost all positions at Tawonga include long, active days where it is normal to walk 4-8 miles between staff housing, communally shared meals and various locations where work responsibilities occur.
❖ Be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
❖ Work in outdoor weather conditions
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Unit Head
Unit Head is a leadership position with supervisor responsibilities. Unit Heads need to be able to keep up with the intense and fast pace of camp in order to effectively manage 4-5 camper cabins and supervise an Assistant Unit Head, 10-12 Bunk Counselors, and 2-4 Unit Counselors. Must be able to maintain open communication with AUH and Camp management team about staff and campers in the unit. College degree (or equivalent) and 3 yrs. residential camp experience required. Graduate training in a related field or social work experience is helpful.
Salary & Dates: $6210, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
Unit Heads and Assistant Unit Heads have responsibilities in the following four areas:
I. Staff Supervision
❖ Supervise all bunk counselors, unit counselors, inclusion counselors and AUH in your unit. This includes:
o Regular observation
o Regular informal check-ins with each person you supervise
o Mid-session formal check-in with each person you supervise
o End of session written evaluations
❖ Lead unit meetings and trainings during staff-training week.
❖ Coordinate your supervisees’ days off.
❖ Twice daily check-ins with AUH plus breakfast meetings with AUH and unit
counselors.
❖ Complete paperwork including:
o Counselor observation follow-up
o Formal evaluations for counselors and AUH 3 times throughout the summer
II. Direct Observations & Interventions with children
❖ Knowledge of all campers in your unit and the condition of their emotional and
physical well-being at all times. Proactively work with campers who need more
attention than counselors can give, and manage case-specific camper issues as they arise.
❖ Review “alert” list and files.
❖ Supervise meals as scheduled & share coverage of your unit w/AUH during all meals.
❖ Complete paperwork including the following:
o Unit head camper alert form
o Accurate and thorough record of contact with parents
III. Unit Program Planning and Implementation
❖ Plan and implement unit activities and programs.
❖ Plan and implement unit Kabbalat Shabbat.
❖ Arrange unit R&R.
IV. Participation in All-Camp Management Team
❖ Attendance and participation in all daily Management Team meetings and inform
AUH of meeting agenda items.
❖ Emergency coverage and Fire drill route.
❖ Respond quickly to staff in the CT office about camper inquiries.
❖ Join in counselor pairing meetings.
A Day in the Life of a Unit Head
7:00AM – Wake up: get ready for the day
8:00AM – Breakfast (followed by song session): Meet with unit staff to go over coverage schedule, check in with AUH
9:30AM – Activities Begin: observe staff and campers, provide support
12:30PM – Lunch: supervise unit, make sure the campers are eating and drinking, provide support when needed
1:30PM – Rest Hour: this is the time when campers are resting at their bunk. It is a good time for Unit Heads to make phone calls home, complete paperwork, plan activities, check in with staff, or rest.
2:30PM – Activities: observe staff and campers, provide support, complete paperwork or phone calls, plan activities, rest
3:45PM – Snack
4:00PM – Free Swim or Floats (Floats is a time when campers choose individual activities) This is a good time to complete paperwork or phone calls, plan activities, rest
6:00PM – Dinner (followed by song session): supervise unit, provide support when needed
7:30PM – Evening Activities: good time to lead unit activities such as s’mores or stargazing
9:15PM – Bedtime: check in on bunks and support with bedtime rituals
10:00PM – Unit Heads are off when bedtime rituals are done. Unit Heads occasionally supervise bunk coverage from 10pm-12am
Additional Responsibilities:
● Unit Heads occasionally supervise meals, including coordinating with the kitchen, leading campers in the blessing before and after the meal, and overseeing a smooth clean up after the meal. Can expect to supervise meals multiple times throughout each session.
● Clean grills on Shabbat.
● Unit heads occasionally supervise bunk coverage at night from 10PM-12AM. Can expect to do this 5-6 times a summer.
● Ability to live in a cabin with others, eat meals in a large, noisy dining hall, address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required.
● Unit Heads should be comfortable navigating across a variety of terrain while employed at camp, ensuring access to different program areas around camp
Additional Requirements:
● Ability to live in a cabin with others, eat meals in a vibrant, communal dining hall, address challenging situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required.
● Unit Heads should be comfortable navigating 4-8 miles daily across a variety of terrain while employed at camp, ensuring access to different program areas around camp.
Waterfront Staff
The primary goal of the waterfront staff is to promote good water safety and accident prevention at all aquatic areas in camp and during trips out of camp. Waterfront staff are responsible for planning and leading safe, fun activities at our pool, lake, and river to help campers enjoy and feel comfortable in water. Be prepared to respond to any emergencies that may occur at the Waterfront.
Salary & Dates: $3805, Position Dates: June 1 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Safety
o As a lifeguard it is imperative to always be aware.
o Safety has to come first at ALL times.
❖ Teamwork
o You will be working in a small group with the same people all summer.
o Having a good attitude, it spreads to others and sharing the desirable and less desirable work.
o Friendly and constant communication with your team.
❖ Initiative and Responsibility
o Making sure you are on time and prepared.
o Going above and beyond, when one task is done, asking for the next.
❖ Working with campers
o Frequent bunk coverage instead of or in support of counselors.
o You will be teaching and leading activities for kids of all ages and genders.
o Planning ahead the appropriate activities and adapting on the fly if it’s not working.
❖ Department Area Skill
o At the start of the summer, each guard will demonstrate to the head guard that in addition to current certifications, they have the skills and endurance necessary to carry out the job.
o Skills verification will include: basic swim skills, rescue techniques, spinal management techniques and physical endurance.
Qualifications
❖ Current Lifeguard Certification (LGT) approved by American Camp Association
❖ Be able to lift 50 lbs.
❖ Walk between program areas including camp pool, Tuolumne River, and
Lake
Day in the Life
7:30AM – Take off pool covers
8:00AM – Breakfast Meeting, be on time and ready to start the day
9:00AM – Set-up department areas for morning blocks
9:30AM – Morning Blocks (9:30AM – 10:45AM and 11:00AM – 12:15PM)
12:30PM – Lunch (or bunk coverage)
1:30PM – Sometimes there is a break, sometimes there is a block or bunk coverage
2:30PM – 3rd Block
4:00PM – Free Swim or Floats
5:30PM – Place Pool Covers on and close the Pool
6:00PM – Dinner
7:30PM – Occasional Evening Blocks (7:30PM – 8:15PM and 8:30PM – 9:15PM)
9:30PM – Off (usually, sometimes you will have bunk coverage and/or other duties)
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Wilderness Leader
Every program in the Wilderness Department is designed both to create stronger, well-bonded groups and to foster a respect, appreciation and stewardship of nature. Wilderness leaders rotate during the summer through a combination of the four roles, outlined below.
Salary & Dates: $5100, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Backpacking Trip Leader
o Solo lead groups of 12 campers and 2 counselors on 1-2 night backpacking trips in the Yosemite area and surrounding wilderness areas. You are the primary leader on these trips.
o Before each trip, acquire camper medical info, meds, and diet/allergy info. Stock and carry a first aid kit.
o Transportation: Understand departure and pick-up times, routes, and possess safe driving tactics.
o Maintain safety throughout trips.
o Provide fun, experiential and educational outdoor programming.
❖ Challenge Course Leader
o Lead each bunk through a full day of team building, low and high elements on the Camp Tawonga Challenge Course.
o Set up and take down the course daily and maintain equipment to ensure safety.
o Meet with counselors to review the goals of the day, their role, and belay skills.
o Facilitate sharing, listening, safe risk-taking, reflection and fun.
o Check in with your co-facilitator(s) each day.
❖ Quest Leaders
o Co-lead a group of teenagers on one, two or three week van trips through California or the Pacific Northwest.
o Drive passenger vans, keep financial accounting records, write in daily journal, manage group dynamics and individual needs, communicate with camp, offer creative programming, provide medical care, and represent Tawonga’s interests, image, and character with campers, families, outfitters, and the general public.
o As a quest leader, you are a counselor, program specialist, cook, health technician and more!
❖ Teva/Naturalist or Farmhand
o Create new nature based programming and lead programming around the property.
o Weave new and traditional Jewish ways of enjoying, respecting, and caring for the natural
world into your activities.
o Care for Tawonga’s farm and garden spaces.
Qualifications
❖ Must be 21 or older
❖ Must have current certifications:
o Lifeguard Certification (LGT)
o Wilderness First Responder Certification (WFR)
o ServSafe Certification
o A safe driving record
❖ Experience with children and prior experience backpacking are essential.
❖ Experience with rock climbing and belaying, natural history, environmental education, and Judaic knowledge are helpful.
❖ Be able to lift 50 lbs
* If you do not possess these certifications Tawonga may help cover the costs of obtaining them.
Day in the Life (Final Morning of a Backpacking Trip)
6:00AM – Wake up early to mountains and rivers in the backcountry; pack personal backpack and get water boiling.
6:45AM – Wake up bunk and help them get packed up.
7:30AM – Yummy backcountry breakfast as the sun hits your breakfast spot.
9:00AM – Stretch and get hiking! Hike through the Yosemite wilderness.
12:00PM – Lunch at the trailhead, meet your driver and load those packs!
2:30PM – Back at camp, unload and take a break.
4:00PM – Greet your next bunk and help them get prepared for backpacking.
6:00PM – Dinner at Camp, prep for your backpack trip and get a good night's rest!
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Wilderness Supervisor
Every program in the Wilderness Department is designed both to create
stronger, well-bonded groups and to foster a respect, appreciation and stewardship of nature.
Salary & Dates: $7205, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Training and Supervision
o Lead workshops and training during Wild Week and Staff Training for all Wilderness Leaders.
o Lead Wilderness department meetings and ongoing training.
o Supervise backpacking leaders and quest leaders. This includes pre-season and ongoing training, observation, feedback, policy enforcement, formal and informal check-ins, and written evaluations.
❖ Backpacking Management
o Manage logistics for the in-camp backpacking program. This includes creating schedules, communicating with other departments (Counselors & Unit Heads, Health Center, Kitchen, Drivers, Directors, Office), purchasing permits, seeing off BP trips and welcoming returns.
o Coordinate elective day hike logistics.
o Maintain and update BP Destinations manual.
o Inventory and maintain safety of all Backpacking (BP) equipment, facilitate gear sign out, help Wilderness Leaders keep shed organized, purchase new equipment as needed, and conduct final inventory at end of summer with a list of what needs to be ordered for the following season.
o Submit monthly actual use reports to Yosemite NP and bear reports as needed.
❖ Quest Management
o Prepare quest leaders to lead multi-week trips on the road.
o Support pre-trip preparations (planning and gathering materials), remotely supervise once the trip has started via regularly scheduled quest phone calls, support challenges with group management, camper behavior, route changes due to fire/smoke or other unexpected circumstances.
o Conduct end of quest return process, including gear return, paperwork and final evaluations.
❖ Other
o Meet daily with the Wild Supervisor Team or as needed
o Report significant counselor or kid events to the 5 o’clock team, and all staff/safety issues to Supervisor.
o Maintain records (schedules, certifications, incidents, and purchases).
o Drive, lead trips, lead BP prep or gear return, as needed.
o Provide coverage to other Wild Supervisors as needed, e.g. supervising Teva and Garden programs, observing at Challenge Course, etc.
o Facilitate gear lending and sign-out to non-wilderness camp staff.
o Attend daily 5 o’clock meetings.
o Work closely with the Head of Transportation to supervise Drivers.
o Assist the Head of Transportation in creating vehicle/driver schedules.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
Wilderness Supervisor / Challenge Course Manager
Every program in the Wilderness Department is designed both to create stronger, well-bonded groups and to foster a respect, appreciation and stewardship of nature.
Salary & Dates: $5840, more DOE. Dates for this position are May 22 – August 9
Job Responsibilities
❖ Training and Supervision
o Lead workshops and training during Wild Week and Staff Training.
o Lead Wilderness Department meetings and ongoing training.
o Plan and lead belay training for Counselors and Unit Heads
o Plan and lead weeklong Challenge Course Training during Taste of Camp.
o Supervise Challenge Course Facilitators (CCFs). This includes training, observing and coaching, feedback through formal and informal check-ins, and written evaluations.
o Enforce Local Operating Procedures.
o Be prepared to model facilitation, be shadowed by new facilitators, co-facilitate, and shadow new facilitators as they gain comfort with their skills.
o Provide coverage as needed, serving as a facilitator or running the climbing tower or other elements.
o Document all challenge course training and document observations of CCFs. Ask your Supervisor for assistance as needed.
❖ Challenge Course Program Management
o Manage all logistics for the Challenge Course. This includes schedules, communication with other departments (Kitchen, Health Center, Counselors and Unit Heads), equipment inventory, shed and cabinet organization, maintaining safety of course and all equipment, resetting fallen ropes and responding to any emergencies that arise on the course.
o Observe and assist groups on the course daily and address safety concerns immediately.
o Inspect gear/course at beginning, middle, and end of season, retire gear and order new equipment as needed with approval of Supervisor.
o Provide support at clearinghouse for initiatives, second chances at ropes.
o Update manuals and logs, organize challenge course resources, and keep Tawonga’s Challenge Course program aligned with current ACCT standards.
❖ Other
o Meet daily with the Wild Supervisor Team or as needed.
o Report significant counselor or kid events to the 5 o’clock team and all staff/safety issues to Supervisor
o Maintain records (schedules, certifications, incidents, and purchases).
o Day/night Toran as assigned.
o Provide coverage for other Wild Supervisors as needed, e.g. BP departures/returns, Quest returns, drives, lead trips, facilitate on Challenge Course, lead BP prep or gear return, if needed.
o If high elements are running, be in camp and able to respond to an emergency.
Tawonga requires staff to be up to date on vaccinations and staff may be required to participate in COVID-19 testing and health screening.
How to Apply
Don't hesitate to get in touch with Staffing Coordinator, Quan Phung, at quan@tawonga.org or 415.343.8180 with any questions. To apply send, please submit an application on our website!
Equal Opportunity Employer
Camp Tawonga is an Equal Opportunity Employer, values diversity and is committed to being an inclusive environment for all employees. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives and skills, and to hiring people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals and women. All employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and organizational need.
Contact Info
- Quan Phung
- quan@tawonga.org
- (415) 343-8180
- www.tawonga.org
