Positions at Camp
Find the position that is right for you
Cabin Counselor (20 total)
Our cabin counselors travel with their cabin group throughout the day to daily activities. They actively participate and help facilitate all of the activities including skin diving, kayaking, sailing, hiking, target sports, high ropes course, and more!
Skin Diving Instructor (4)
Lead groups of campers on snorkeling trips in our cove. All waterfront staff are required to participate in a waterfront lifeguard course taught at the beginning of staff training. Our skin diving instructors also live in a cabin with a cabin counselor and up to ten campers.
Paddlesports Instructor (3)
Lead groups of campers on kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding trips in our cove. All waterfront staff are required to participate in a waterfront lifeguard course taught at the beginning of staff training. Our skin diving instructors also live in a cabin with a cabin counselor and up to ten campers.
Target Sports Instructor (2)
Facilitate archery, riflery, and tomahawk throwing for campers. Our target sports instructors also live in a cabin with a cabin counselor and up to ten campers.
Crafts Instructor (1)
Teach campers how to make crafts like friendship bracelets, lanyards, painting, and more! Live in a cabin with a cabin counselor and up to ten campers.
Sailing Instructor (4)
Take groups of campers out on our Hobie Cats or Catalina Expos. All waterfront staff are required to participate in new waterfront lifeguard training at the beginning of staff training. Our sailing instructors also live in a cabin with a cabin counselor and up to ten campers.
Challenge Course Instructor (6)
Teach a variety of activities including climbing wall, high ropes, low-ropes initiatives, and group games. All challenge course instructors are required to attend challenge training. Instructors live in a cabin with a cabin counselor and up to ten campers.
Photographer (2)
Capture 500+ pictures per day of our campers participating in activities to be uploaded to our parent website. Create slideshows at the end of each session for the campers to watch. Teach the basics of photography to campers. Our photographers live in a cabin with a cabin counselor and up to ten campers.
Boat Driver (3)
Our boat drivers are required to possess a specific USCG captain’s license unique to Catalina Island. For more information, please contact our office at (626) 296-4040.
Naturalist (2)
Our naturalists teach in and tend to the garden at Howlands Landing. They teach composting, gardening, tide pooling, and lead campers on hikes around our cove. Must complete the waterfront lifeguard course at the beginning of staff training. Our naturalists live in a cabin with a cabin counselor and up to ten campers.
Store Manager (1)
Manage the camp store selling apparel and treats. Go on daily mail runs and deliver mail to camper bunks. Must be able to work independently. Lives in a cabin with a cabin counselor and up to ten campers.
Leadership Team
Our leadership team consists of 20 staff members to lead program areas and act as direct supervisors for our general staff. These roles are usually filled by returning staff members. To learn more, please contact us at (626) 296-4040.
Minimum Requirements:
(In order to be considered for employment at CIC you must meet the following criteria)
- Staff members must be at least 18 years old, graduated high school AND completed their first year of college OR 19 years old.
- Staff must be available for the entire summer with a start date of May 27, 2025 for Waterfront Lifeguards and the Challenge Team, and May 30, 2025 for all Staff. Staff leave the island the morning of August 5, 2025.
- Have First-Aid and CPR certification before arriving at camp. Waterfront staff should have previous experience or be very comfortable in the water. (Waterfront Lifeguard Training provided at camp).
- Submit to a drug screening during staff training in accordance with the Catalina Island Camps, Inc. Substance Abuse Policy.
- Participate in our Child Abuse Prevention online course prior to employment.
- Be willing to maintain a well-groomed appearance during the entirety of your employment. (At the discretion of Camp Directors)
- Possess the desire and ability to work with children (6-year-old to 16-year-old) in an outdoor setting
- Possess the ability to relate to one’s peer group
- Possess the ability to accept supervision, guidance & feedback
- Possess the ability to teach an activity
- Possess a good character, flexibility, adaptability, enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience & self-control
Responsible to: Camp Director / Program Leads
General Responsibilities:
All staff must participate as a member of camp. This includes supervising, identifying and meeting the needs of campers while providing a high-quality experience for all campers in the daily operation of camp and to provide a safe camp experience.
Specific Responsibilities:
- Live in a cabin and provide consistent and active supervision, promote group unity and learn individual camper’s needs.
- Supervise all aspects of the camper’s day including morning and bedtime routines, clean-up, meal times, rest hour, daily camp activities, evening activities, special events and other duties as assigned.
- Maintain a positive and enthusiastic attitude towards the camp program, campers and staff.
- Recognize and respond to opportunities for problem solving in the group.
- Develop opportunities for interaction between campers and staff.
- Create opportunities for campers to experience success during camp.
- Help each participant meet the goals established by the camp for camper development.
- Guide campers to participate successfully in camp activities.
- Carry out and support established roles for supervising camper health and safety.
- Develop cabin group activity plans as appropriate and scheduled.
- Assist with planning and encourage campers’ involvement in camp-wide programs, special events and evening activities.
- Assist in teaching or leading an activity, as assigned.
- Prepare for and actively participate in staff training, meetings and supervisory evaluations.
- Set a good example for campers and others including cleanliness, punctuality, clean-up, sportsmanship and table manners.
- Follow and support rules and regulations and policies of Catalina Island Camps.
- Encourage respect for personal property, camp equipment and facilities.
- Manage personal time off in accordance with camp policy.
- Conduct self when away from camp or on days off in a positive manner.
- Maintain good public relations with campers’ parents and other community members.
- Submit paperwork and reports on time.
- Communicate with appropriate leadership staff about camper behavior.
- Intervene in activities where camper safety is threatened or staff leadership is lacking.
- Communicate with appropriate management staff about camper health and safety concerns.
- These are not the only duties to be performed. Some duties may be reassigned and others may be assigned as required.
Essential Functions
- Ability to communicate and work in groups, and provide necessary guidance to campers.
- Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
- Ability to supervise campers, follow assigned program schedules, and encourage and adapt to each individual camper’s needs within the outcomes of the camp program.
- Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.
- Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness or injury) and possess the strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
- Physically fit to be able to:
- Hike for extended periods of time across varied, uneven terrain
- Swim 50 meters in the ocean without assistance
- Move multiple pieces of luggage approximately up to 50lb
- Perform and participate in all camp activities