Join BCSR Staff
Working at Birch Creek is a physically and emotionally demanding, but very rewarding experience. How many jobs have you had where rock climbing and roasting marshmallows were part of your duties? The quality of our directors, counselors, cooks, and volunteers is the most important factor in determining the success of the program. Counselors are immediately given responsibility and decision-making power, and gain valuable life-lessons and work experience in a short amount of time. Please contact us if you have questions about seasonal positions and work with us.
Benefits
Room and board included
Potentially life-shaping experience working with youth and practicing ranch philosophy
Experience designing, planning, and implementing activities
Opportunity to have positive impact through mentoring and regular community service projects
Working in close quarters with a great community of coworkers and participants
Staying active and outdoors all summer
Senior Counselor
Senior counselors plan and carryout all activities that make up the summer program. Seniors report to the program director. They live in bunkhouses with campers, and lead work crews, recreational activities, and backpacking trips. Senior counselors act as mentors to the 12-15 year old campers, as well as the junior counselors and counselors-in-training (CITs) on staff. We are very selective in curating our senior staff because the quality of these mentors determines the quality of the program each summer. Applicants may apply for one, two, or all three sessions. This position is seasonal (early June through early August)
Responsibilities
Caring for the safety and wellbeing of the campers—Creating a physically and emotionally safe environment.
Facilitating social interactions amongst campers and with the local community.
Overseeing work and recreational activities—Helping campers stay active and involved.
Qualifications
Must be at least 21 years old
Experience mentoring youth
Self-motivated
Willing to try new and challenging things
Willing to put others before self for the community
Resourceful—Ability to problem-solve, take initiative, create activities, find solutions, and live according to the principles of BCSR
Other related certifications/skills/experience a plus—Lifeguard, wilderness first aid, WFR, EMT, cooking, rock climbing, mountain bike mechanic, CDL, arts and crafts, construction, gardening, sports, mentoring, music, leadership, etc.
Compensation based on qualifications and experience
Range: $1,800-$2,500 per session
Junior Counselor
Junior counselors assist senior counselors in carrying out all summer program activities. Juniors report to the program director and senior staff. They live in bunkhouses with campers, and lead work crews, recreational activities, and backpacking trips. Junior counselors act as mentors to the 12-15 year old campers, as well as counselors-in-training (CITs) on staff. We are very selective in curating our junior staff, and we regularly have high volume of applicants for just a few positions. Applicants may apply for one or two sessions. This position is seasonal (early June through early August)
Responsibilities
Caring for the safety and wellbeing of the campers—Creating a physically and emotionally safe environment.
Facilitating social interactions amongst campers and with the local community.
Overseeing work and recreational activities—Helping campers stay active and involved.
Qualifications
Must be 17-20 years old
Experience mentoring youth
Self-motivated
Willing to try new and challenging things
Willing to put others before self for the community
Resourceful—Ability to problem-solve, take initiative, create activities, find solutions, and live according to the principles of BCSR
Other related certifications/skills/experience a plus—Lifeguard, wilderness first aid, WFR, EMT, cooking, rock climbing, mountain bike mechanic, CDL, arts and crafts, construction, gardening, sports, mentoring, music, leadership, etc.
Compensation based on qualifications and experience
Range: $900-$1,750 per session
Counselor in Training (CIT)
Counselors in training are 16-17 year old, unpaid interns who assist junior and senior counselors in carrying out all summer program activities. CITs report to the program director and senior staff, and are considered junior counselors to the camp participants. They live in bunkhouses with campers, and help lead work crews, recreational activities, and backpacking trips. CITs act as mentors to the 12-15 year old campers under the tutelage of fellow staff members. We are very selective in curating our junior staff, and we regularly have high volume of applicants for just a few CIT positions. Applicants may apply for one or two sessions. This position is seasonal (beginning June through mid-August)
Responsibilities
Caring for the safety and wellbeing of the campers—Creating a physically and emotionally safe environment.
Facilitating social interactions amongst campers and with the local community.
Overseeing work and recreational activities—Helping campers stay active and involved.
Qualifications
Must be 16-17 years old
Self-motivated
Willing to try new and challenging things
Willing to put others before self for the community
Resourceful—Ability to problem-solve, take initiative, create activities, find solutions, and live according to the principles of BCSR
Other related certifications/skills/experience a plus—Lifeguard, wilderness first aid, WFR, EMT, cooking, rock climbing, mountain bike mechanic, CDL, arts and crafts, construction, gardening, sports, mentoring, music, leadership, etc.
Compensation based on qualifications and experience
Room and board, and great experience
Camp Nanny/Counselor
The nanny/counselor works part-time taking care of the director’s young children, and part-time fulfilling counselor duties. The nanny reports to the program director. The nanny’s first responsibility is to care for the kids when called upon. During the remaining time, they live in the bunkhouse with campers, and lead work crews, recreational activities, and backpacking trips. The nanny/counselor acts as mentor to the 12-15 year old campers and the director’s children, as well as the junior counselors and counselors-in-training (CITs) on staff. We are very selective in curating our senior staff because the quality of these mentors determines the quality of the program each summer. Applicants should apply for all three summer sessions. This position is seasonal (June through mid-August)
Responsibilities
Caring for the safety and wellbeing of the director’s children and the campers—Creating a physically and emotionally safe environment.
Facilitating social interactions amongst campers and with the local community.
Overseeing work and recreational activities—Helping campers stay active and involved.
Qualifications
Must be at least at least 18 years old
Experience caring for children and mentoring youth
Self-motivated
Willing to try new and challenging things
Willing to put others before self for the community
Resourceful—Ability to problem-solve, take initiative, create activities, find solutions, and live according to the principles of BCSR
Other related certifications/skills/experience a plus—Nanny experience, CPR, lifeguard, wilderness first aid, WFR, EMT, cooking, rock climbing, arts and crafts, construction, gardening, sports, mentoring, babysitting, music, leadership, etc.
Compensation based on qualifications and experience
Range: $1,800-$2,500 per session
Camp Cook
Camp cooks have the most important job at the ranch. Besides providing fuel for very active staff members and campers, the meals at Birch Creek keep all other activity on schedule and allow us moments to have the entire population assembled for announcements. We have a framework in place with meal calendars and purchasing plans for novice young culinary artists to gain experience, but that framework is flexible enough to allow complete freedom for experienced applicants desiring to have complete control over the food purchasing, preparation, and service. Applicants can apply alone or as a team of 2 looking to work together and share the load (and salary). This position is seasonal (beginning June 2 through August 3 this year).
Responsibilities
Overseeing food ordering/purchasing
Preparing meals and overseeing kitchen helpers
Overseeing food service promptly at meal times (breakfast, lunch, and dinner)
Maintaining organized pantry, fridges, and kitchen
Working one on one to provide alternatives for people with food allergies and preference
Qualifications
Must be at least 18 years old
Experience preparing and serving food
Understanding of nutrition and providing balanced meals to active young participants
Self-motivated and very organized
Willing to try new and challenging things
Willing to put others before self for the community
Resourceful—Ability to problem-solve, take initiative, find solutions, and live according to the principles of BCSR
Other related certifications/skills/experience a plus—Food handlers permit, experience working with youth
Compensation based on qualifications, experience, and number of cooks
Range: $7,500-$9,000 for the two months