Summer Camp

Summer Staff hiring applications initial deadline is January 5th. Please expect interviews to begin mid-January. Then applications are still accepted on a rolling basis, as positions fill, they will be labeled as filled. Make sure you click on the correct link to apply for the position you are intending to apply for.

Regular Staff Applications– Must be 17 or older by June 24th to apply.  Please read position descriptions below before applying.  4-H Camp Overlook hires only a couple 16 year olds. To best qualify as a 16 year old, ensure to get your application and references in timely.

Senior Staff Applications –  Must be 21 or older by June 24th to apply. Please read position descriptions below before applying. Senior Staff members are leaders, self-starters, and strong collaborators with a willingness to foster these skills within your designated staff. All Senior Staff Positions live on site beginning in the evening of June 18th until the end of the season on August 11th. Saturdays are also days off, but if needed you may remain on site, this is available to you. 

Nurse Applications –  Must be a licensed NYS RN. Position description below.

Staff Reference Form – 2023 Fillable – Due ASAP after you apply. References must be someone other than family. Good examples would be a current employer, school guidance counselor, or professor/teacher. New Applicants (and former CITs) need 2 references, returning staff need to submit at least 1 reference form. If you are unable to obtain written recommendations, a reference list with phone and email contact information is also accepted. 

4-H Camp Overlook runs a traditional overnight camp for ages 8-19 in the Northern Adirondacks. Traditional camp sessions provide youth an in-depth six-day, five-night residential camp experience. Campers are provided instruction and supervision from our well-trained counselors who act as positive role models.

Waterfront Director – Our Waterfront Director supervises and offers continual training to our lifeguarding and boating staff at our beautiful waterfront location on Indian Lake in the Adirondacks. The waterfront includes swimming, canoeing/kayaking, and sailing activities. Director must have their current Waterfront Lifeguarding certification and experience working with youth. WSI is preferred but not required. Candidates must also be willing to obtain their lifeguard management certification and be 21+ (Camp Overlook can assist with this process). Duties also include developing games that correspond with the weeks theme that also allows campers to make gains towards swimming skills, modeling how to best lead these activities in a safe manner, and helping our leadership team with the wider camp program. This is a senior staff position, and compensation includes room and board. This position does not include cabin duties.

Dining Hall Supervisor – Our Dining Hall supervisor acts as a liaison between our cooks and our counselor staff, supervising staff as they assist in kitchen prep and clean up duties, and helping prepare and serve meals for our campers in our industrial kitchen. Duties also include teaching our popular Cooking class and helping our leadership team with the wider camp program. This is a senior staff position, and compensation includes room and board. This position does not include cabin duties.

Summer Camp Counselor Positions: 

(must be 17 years or older, see where exceptions apply)

Lifeguard & Boating / Summer Camp Counselor–  Our experienced Red Cross certified waterfront staff provide lakefront lifeguarding and other duties as assigned by the Waterfront Director. Lifeguards with WSI provide instruction and testing, while other guards help with supervision, teaching, guidance, and motivation to all campers at the waterfront activities. Our waterfront staff also teach campers sailing, canoeing, and kayaking! Safety is to be the primary concern at all waterfront activities. Our waterfront instructors make up a dynamic team that works well together while also having the freedom to work independently while developing their teaching styles. Other responsibilities include living in the cabins with the campers and assisting the other cabin staff in assuming the responsibility for the general health and safety of the campers in your cabin. Current waterfront life-guarding first-aid and CPR certification required.  (CPR must be renewed every year). Staff who have their WSI receive an additional salary bonus. Lifeguards must be 16 years or older by June 24th, 2023. 

Shooting Sports / Summer Camp Counselor– Our shooting sports program at camp ranges from three levels of archery to an air gun marksmanship class.  Safety is to be the primary concern at all shooting sport activities, and campers learn basic marksmanship and shooting skills, as well as have fun with games and challenges. 4-H Shooting Sports training will be available to a few staff members in Mid-May, if you are interested in attending, please express this within your interview. Other responsibilities include living in the cabins with the campers and assisting the other cabin staff in assuming the responsibility for the general health and safety of the campers in your cabin. 

Creative Arts / Summer Camp Counselor – Our arts staff teach a variety of classes including traditional arts and crafts, painting, creating a camp newspaper, drama, and dance.  Campers learn the value of creative expression, while learning basic skills they can take home.  Our arts activities continue to be some of most popular with campers! Other responsibilities include living in the cabins with the campers and assisting the other cabin staff in assuming the responsibility for the general health and safety of the campers in your cabin. 

Environmental Education / Summer Camp Counselor – Our environmental education counselors teach activities of topics such as fishing, birding, bats, STEAM, and things beyond our atmosphere. Our classes focus on hands on learning. Most classes have campers outdoors exploring the Adirondacks, getting dirty, and having FUN! Other responsibilities include living in the cabins with the campers and assisting the other cabin staff in assuming the responsibility for the general health and safety of the campers in your cabin. 

Adventure Course / Summer Camp Counselor – The Adventure Course at Camp Overlook includes many high and low ropes elements, including a zip line, integrated into our beautiful forest setting. Our staff may find themselves hanging forty feet in the air from the ropes course, showing a camper how to fasten a harness, or debriefing a group discussion on leadership. Our instructors spend time teaching the basics of trust and teamwork on our low ropes elements before moving up to more advanced and challenging high ropes elements where safety is essential, as is an enthusiastic personality. This position will assist with program design and implementation of all adventure course programming and provide supervision and direction to all campers participating in camp activities. All counselors who work on the Adventure Course must attend a training prior to the regular counselor training. Other responsibilities include living in the cabins with the campers and assisting the other cabin staff in assuming the responsibility for the general health and safety of the campers in your cabin. 

M.A.A.P.s / Summer Camp Counselor –  Our M.A.A.P program is a wilderness backpacking and tripping progression that takes campers of all ages on challenging and fun hikes in the Adirondacks.  Our introductory course, Pathfinder, is a class taken at camp where campers are introduced to backcountry skills. Alpine Adventure includes more advance skills at camp before departing on a three-day backpacking trip. Our Mountaineers program is a five-day backpacking and leadership training trip, available to our oldest campers.  M.A.A.P staff love the outdoors and exploring it with young people.  Our instructors are trained in advance guiding and leadership skills, where safety in the backcountry is our number one priority. All counselors who work within the M.A.A.P.s program will be asked to attend a backpacking weekend prior to regular counselor training. Other responsibilities include living in the cabins with the campers when not out on trips.  Staff must have (or willing to obtain) their Wilderness First Aid or equivalent certification before the start of camp. Wilderness First Responder (WFR) preferred, and receives an additional salary bonus. 

Kitchen / Summer Camp Counselor – Kitchen staff are crucial to the daily runnings of camp. They feed up to 200 people three meals and a snack a day, therefore there is a lot of food prep and dishes that take place in a day. It is ideal to have multiple staff working on these tasks. Other responsibilities include living in the cabins with campers and assisting the other cabin staff in assuming the responsibility for the general health and safety of the campers in your cabin.

Camp Nanny – Our camp nanny(s) help assist our youngest members of the camp team during the day with fun games, swimming, art, and nature. Must be comfortable with ages 6 months – 4 years old. This position can be part-time (split with another program area) or full-time. Please indicate on the application which is preferred. Must have (or willing to obtain during staff training) their CPR. And must enjoy having FUN! Other responsibilities include living in the cabins with the campers and assisting the other cabin staff in assuming the responsibility for the general health and safety of the campers in your cabin. 

Apply Here: Staff Application

Weekly Theme Program Director

What is a weekly theme program director? They take on leading the theme for the week, helping at flag and attendance, planning and leading the evening program activities in a unique approach, and more. Although you still have all of the duties typically within your job description, you will be free from squad duties and have a period to plan out your programming within the day. The program director is a crucial role within making a week great! Harry Potter Quidditch, Disney Carnivals, Olympic style games are a memorable portion of the camp experience for our campers. Possible themes we hope to embrace for the summer of 2023 are superheros, western, 80s, holidays, and of course we will continue our second year of week 6 being “The Clover Games!” Although, ultimately the theme is mostly up to you as approved by the year round program director (confusing, we know!) Possibility of being a weekly theme program director should be discussed in your interview and will be assigned by the Camp Director and Program Director at a later date.

Important Application Notes

All Summer camp staff must be 17 years or older by June 24th to apply. Please review the position descriptions above, and all potential staff should read the following letter: Staff Letter 2023

We do accept 16 year old lifeguards, kitchen staff, or nanny (must be at least 16 by June 24th, 2023), but these positions are limited and highly competitive. Please spend time filling out the application and note why you would be a good fit for the position.

Staff Reference Form – 2023 Fillable Due ASAP after you apply. References must be someone other than family. Good examples would be a current employer, school guidance counselor or professor/teacher. New Applicants (and former CITs) need 2 references. Former staff need 1 reference.

All summer camp staff need to review the current Human resource policy updated 09-15-16