A job at an overnight camp can have a lasting effect on your life. Our goal at YMCA Camp Santa Maria is to have the best trained camp staff in the country. We are a small camp serving up to 125 campers a session with 35 staff. The intimate size of this camp combined with a focus on teaching campers about the natural world around them and skills for life while role-modeling the social skills of kindness, patience, enthusiasm and strength. We hire and train some of the best camp staff in the country.
Are you ready for a summer at camp?
Do you have a passion for the environment and connecting youth to the outdoors? We are looking for staff who can teach about the world in which we live. Camp is the hardest job you will ever have and absolutely the most rewarding!
Do you have great skills?
Adventure programs are an important part of Camp Santa Maria, and require some of our staff members to have a greater level of certification and education. We are looking for people who have education and certification through nationally and internationally recognized organizations such as Red Cross, American Mountain Guide Association, the American Canoe Association, National Outdoor Leadership School and Outward Bound. An interest in teaching, leading and working with youth is key for all of our staff members.
Staff Training: May 27th to June 8th
Camp Dates: June 9th to August 8th, and extra week until August 16th
Click here to view our Current Job Openings.
Counselors make themselves at home in cabins nestled among the pine and aspen trees. Cabins are dormitory style with a centrally located bath house. Cabin group will include your Co-Counselor and up to 12 campers. Administrative and support staff live in a communal staff housing may be asked to cover cabins occasionally overnight. Healthy, kid-friendly meals are served family style in the dining hall. Afternoon snacks are available through your camp store account.
During your time off: Laundry facilities are available at camp (suds provided) at no cost and wireless internet and phones are available.
Professional Training and Experience
Thinking about a career in education, environmental education or outdoor recreation? Get real life-experience and specialized trainings during our two-week staff trainings.
Certifications
Take it with you when you go! All of the Camp Santa Maria staff has Wilderness First Aid, CPR and Lifeguard certified. These certifications can be an asset in your job search after the summer.
References
Boost your resume! We love telling everybody how great our staff is. Camp is the perfect opportunity to create relationships with people who want you to succeed at camp and beyond.
Rocky Mountain Setting
Location, location, location! While our focus is on youth development, it doesn’t hurt that we’re surrounded by the scenic Rocky Mountains of Colorado. Not a bad place to play and explore during the summer!
If you can get yourself to Denver, we’ll take care of the rest! Most of our staff members come from outside of Colorado and fly in to Denver International Airport. We would be happy to pick you up at the airport. Or, like many of our staff members, you can make a road trip of it. Either way, YMCA Camp Santa Maria is easy to get to. We’re located about 45 minutes west of Denver on U.S. Highway 285.
Coming to camp but won’t have a car for the summer? No problem. One of the great things about Camp Santa Maria is that we are a close community of friendly people and enjoy being together. Many staff members do bring cars and on days off our staff members plan outings together to relax, play and explore Colorado in the summertime.
The opportunities for fun while you are on staff at YMCA Camp Santa Maria are boundless. We will hike, climb, backpack, mountain bike, skateboard, kayak, raft, shoot archery, fish, horseback ride, create art and swim, among many, many other great activities. We’ll spend evenings at camp night hiking, playing games and sitting by the campfire.
And, when it's time to relax and enjoy your time off, there are endless opportunities for exploring and recreating in the Colorado Rockies. Take a day trip to ski towns like Breckenridge and Vail, head in to Denver for shopping and catch up on city life, or take advantage of the many hiking trails and climbing locations in the area. Since summer is busy and bustling, many of our staff members plan a few extra days before or after camp to see the sights.