A safe and inclusive environment challenging and empowering girls to try new things, grow in self awareness and come together as a strong community.
Established in 1916, Keystone Camp is an overnight all-girls summer camp that provides campers with the opportunity to build lifelong friendships and gain new skills. We offer a wide range of activities including kayaking, canoeing, rock climbing, outdoor adventure, arts & crafts, horseback riding and many others. We empower our campers to be their best selves in a safe and supportive environment.
Located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Keystone Camp is the perfect home base for adventures in Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest and the Blue Ridge Parkway.
About Keystone Camp
Keystone Camp is a residential all girls summer camp in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Western North Carolina. At Keystone, our mission drives us to encourage and support campers to become strong individuals with lifelong skills and values in a fun, nurturing environment. We are looking for staff members that love kids, the outdoors and creating magical moments that last a lifetime!
We offer over 30 activities including rock climbing, kayaking, canoeing, outdoor adventure, high ropes, horseback riding, arts & crafts, ceramics, team sports and many more. Our summers are 10 weeks long (May 30-August 9) including a one week staff training with housing and meals provided for all staff. At Keystone you will have the opportunity to work alongside talented staff from all over the US and the world.
Read more about Keystone at https://keystonecamp.com/about-keystone
The Employee Experience
Being a counselor at Keystone Camp is no ordinary summer job...
Why should you work here? Let us count the ways,
- To make a difference in the lives of children
- To make a difference in your own life
- You will live and work in one of the most beautiful outdoor locations
- You will become a valued part of a close, supportive and uplifting community
- You will develop your leadership skills
- An opportunity to meet new people and make lifelong friends
- To gain new skills and experiences
- Play, learn and grow!
Working at Keystone provides staff with an extraordinary summer experience where they get to play, learn and grow in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. The skills and knowledge our staff gain working at Keystone continue on with them well past the summer. Our staff expand their leadership, communication, self-awareness, teamwork, supervision and problem solving skills.
Our camper cohort consists of approximately 150 campers each session and 100+ staff in total. Our staff create a diverse group of college students, outdoor enthusiasts, team leaders, nurses, artists, musicians, performers, teachers & former campers from all over the US and the world.
From a former camper & staff member:
"I can say with confidence that I found myself at Keystone, that I went to camp every year and little by little pieced together that foundation of myself that will certainly continue to grow as I gain more life experience. I met incredible people, strong women with whom I could relate and from whom I could learn. I made memories that will last me a lifetime. I found passions in leadership and in helping and understanding people. I found enjoyment in skills like rock climbing and canoeing that I’ll be able to use even after the summer ends. I developed a can-do attitude, and I discovered the power of positivity. I was encouraged to choose to safely step outside of my comfort zone. I learned to embrace new adventures, cherish the journey, and soak in everything that goes right and everything that goes wrong…because there is something to gain from all of it. "
Ideal Candidate
At Keystone, we aim to hire as wide a variety of personalities & skill sets as possible. We value staff who are enthusiastic, responsible and motivated. We believe that each person at Keystone, staff and camper alike, contributes something unique to our community to make it the most memorable and rewarding experience imaginable.
Above all else, Keystone seeks individuals to be role models, mentors and a shoulder to lean on for our campers. We want our staff to encourage and inspire young girls to be excited to try new things, step out of their comfort zone and live well in community. If this sounds like you, then take a look at our website and submit a staff application today!
https://keystonecamp.com/staff
P.S.A You will encounter many chickens, shaving cream parties, and mud fights when working at Keystone.
Room and Board
We provide all summer staff with room and board. Our cabin counselors live in cabins with a co-counselor and typically 8-12 campers. Our non-cabin staff (specialists in activities such as rock climbing & backpacking or our photographer/videographer) live in a staff-only cabin. Staff receive three meals a day, which always includes a hot option and a well-stocked salad bar. We are able to accommodate dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free.
Employee Perks
As a Keystone staff member you will have the opportunity to expand your horizons beyond an ordinary summer job. Working at camp is challenging (and sometimes a little chaotic) but it is also the most rewarding experience you could possibly imagine. We make sure to provide our staff with plenty of time off to explore the beautiful mountains, forests and lakes surrounding us. Taking on the responsibility of teaching and supporting our campers will help you develop life-long skills that you will apply for the rest of your life.
Working at camp gives you the opportunity to
- have FUN while you work
- feel uplifted and supported by an all-female staff
- unplug from technology
- try & learn new activities
- make a positive impact on campers
- create lifelong friendships
- receive three meals a day plus have housing taken care of for you
- explore the outdoors
- get certified in areas such as whitewater kayaking, lifeguarding, rock climbing, archery or Wilderness First Aid
- receive local discounts
- have access to pro deals for outdoor gear companies
- get the best chaco tan of your life!
- receive bonuses for certifications, leadership roles & a full summer commitment!
Getting Here and Getting Around
Most staff drive to camp and keep their vehicle with them at Keystone to use during their time off. If you don't have your own vehicle, don't worry, you'll make plenty of friends that do! If you are flying in, we can pick you from Asheville Regional Airport, NC.
For Fun
Western North Carolina is overflowing with opportunities for fun and exploration! Keystone is within driving distance of some of the states best hiking, backpacking and mountain biking trails, alongside beautiful kayaking, canoeing, camping, waterfall, lake and rock climbing locations.
We are located 1.5 miles from downtown Brevard, which boasts a number of local stores, coffee shops and restaurants. Asheville is 35 minutes away and is home to an amazing art, music, shopping and restaurant scene.
How to Apply
Did we catch your eye? If you're interested in applying, check out our website and our social media (@keystonecamp) to see more of what we're all about!
For new staff, we've made the process a little quicker with an interest form to get you started with the application! If you'd like more information, feel free to email izzy@keystonecamp.com.
Contact Info
- Allison Hillstrom
- allison@keystonecamp.com
- (828) 884-9125
- keystonecamp.com
