Don't Miss out on the BEST Job of your Life!
Want to positively impact the lives of youth while also gaining priceless work experience? Join us for a summer on beautiful Lake Ocoee in the Cherokee National Forest!
Real Life Work Experience Including:
- Leadership Skills
- Teamwork & Networking
- Diverse Experiences
- Professional Development
- Spiritual Development
- Training & Certifications
- Letters of Recommendation
You'll Also Get:
- Paychecks!
- Room & Board
- Referral Bonus
2026 SUMMER STAFF DATES:
All Staff : May 25-29, 2026
Program Staff, High Ropes Staff & Lifeguards : May 18-22, 2026
Full Summer: May 25- July 25, 2026
Questions reach out to John at jordway@ymcachattanooga.org
Job Description: Directly supervise a cabin group, encourage campers to participate in all activities and guide the campers throughout his/her stay at camp.
Min. Education Required: High School Graduate or 18 years of age
Min. Experience Required: Leadership skills/ love for children
Min. Age Required: 17 (must have a High School Diploma)
Salary: $400 per week ($3,600 for 9 week season)
Specific Responsibilities: Live in a cabin with 10-12 campers (Sunday-Saturday); teach in specific activities; give daily devotions for the cabin group; take campers on overnight camping trips; set an example of promptness, high standards, values and Christian character. Focused on our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith.
Required Skills and/or Certifications: Experience working with children; possess at least 2 specific skills to instruct; possess high personal standards and Christian values; have a love for children and a willingness to serve them. First Aid and CPR certification.
Physical Demands: Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings. Walking up to 5 miles per day, stooping, standing, hearing, seeing, lifting (up to
50 pounds).
Job Description: Responsible for teaching and leading arts and crafts projects at camp and maintaining a clean & organized environment.
Min. Experience Required: Organizational skills, flexibility, at least 1 year of camp experience
Min. Age Required: 19
Salary: $400 per week ($4,000 for a 10 week season)
Specific Responsibilities: Work with the Cabin Life Director to plan, organize and execute arts & crafts for all age groups. Maintain a clean & organized environment for arts & crafts projects. Assist in any other programming needs of camp. Focused on our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith.
Required Skills and/or Certifications: Must have a high level of organization, responsibility, and flexibility. Must hold a current drivers license.
Physical Demands: Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings. Walking up to 5 miles per day, stooping, standing, hearing, seeing, lifting (up to 50 pounds).
Job Description: Responsible for organizational needs pertaining to the campers.
Min. Experience Required: Organizational skills, flexibility, at least 2 years of camp experience
Min. Age Required: 20
Salary: $425 per week ($4,250) for a 10 week season)
Specific Responsibilities: Maintain a high level of organization and service in such things as camper photos, lost and found, activity supervision, cabin assignments, etc. Works closely with the Cabin Life Director on a daily basis. Focused on our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith.
Required Skills and/or Certifications: Must have a high level of responsibility and initiative. Must hold a current drivers license.
Physical Demands: Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings. Walking up to 5 miles per day, stooping, standing, hearing, seeing, lifting (up to 50 pounds
Job Description: Responsible for all aspects of the adventure, climbing and high ropes programs.
Min. Experience Required: Extensive experience in adventure activities, high ropes and climbing
Min. Age Required: 20
Salary: $425 per week ($4,250 for a 10 week season)
Specific Responsibilities: Train all staff; structure class schedules and content; be a "teaching" instructor; set an example of promptness, high standards and values, and Christian character. Focused on our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith.
Required Skills and/or Certifications: Must have at least 2 years of adventure sport, climbing and high ropes experience and hold a current drivers license . First Aid and CPR certification.
Physical Demands: Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings. Walking up to 5 miles per day, stooping, standing, hearing, seeing, lifting (up to
50 pounds).
Job Description: Coordinate all aspects of the Teen Leadership Academy (CIT and Ambassador Programs). Assist and/or lead some of the out of camp tripping programs. Help plan and carry out evening and special camp programming.
Min. Experience Required: 1 to 2 years of camp experience
Min. Age Required: 20
Salary: $425 per week ($4,250 for a 10 week season)
Specific Responsibilities: Plan, schedule and supervise specific skills to be learned in the Counselor-In-Training (CIT) and Ambassador Programs. Evaluate participants. Advise staff in guidance of CITs and Ambassadors in cabin and activity areas.
Required Skills and/or Certifications: Have experience in a leadership role. Been a camper and/or CIT in a camp setting. Demonstrate A VERY strong personal Christian lifestyle. Must hold a current drivers license.
Physical Demands: Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings. Walking up to 5 miles per day, stooping, standing, hearing, seeing, lifting (up to
50 pounds).
Job Description: Responsible for all aspects of off-campus trips, including: cabin campouts, paintball & Ocoee/Hiwassee rafting experiences
Min. Experience Required: Organizational skills, extensive experience in adventure and camping
Min. Age Required: 20
Salary: $425 per week ($4,250 for a 10 week season)
Specific Responsibilities: Coordinate cabin campout pack-in/out. Communicate with kitchen staff on meals needed for weekly trips. Supervise paintball and maintain supplies. Internally & externally coordinate rafting excursions. Demonstrate leadership in involvement of other camp activities/events. Focused on our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith.
Required Skills and/or Certifications: Must have a high level of responsibility and initiative. Must hold a current drivers license.
Physical Demands: Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings. Walking up to 5 miles per day, stooping, standing, hearing, seeing, lifting (up
to 50 pounds).
Job Description: Assume full responsibility for boat driving and water ski programs.
Min. Experience Required: Boat driving and water ski/wakeboard experience
Min. Age Required: 20
Salary: $425 per week ($4,250 for a 10 week season)
Specific Responsibilities: Take care of boats, instruct water skiing and wakeboarding, demonstrate leadership in involvement of other camp activities/events. Focused on our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith.
Required Skills and/or Certifications: Valid boating license, extensive knowledge of boat operation and water ski techniques. Must hold a current drivers license.
Physical Demands: Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings. Walking up to 5 miles per day, stooping, standing, hearing, seeing, lifting (up to 50 pounds).
Job Description: Assume full responsibility for supervision, administration and coordination of all facets concerning the waterfront program.
Min. Experience Required: Worked at a pool or waterfront
Min. Age Required: 20
Salary: $425 per week ($4,250 for a 10 week season)
Specific Responsibilities: Supervise and train all aquatic staff; schedule and supervise instructional and general swims and all waterfront activities (canoeing, kayaking, etc.). Focused on our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith.
Required Skills and/or Certifications: Hold current YMCA or Red Cross certification. Safety, Safety, Safety is #1 priority. Benefits: directing, problem solving, planning, team building, communication. Must hold a current drivers license.
Physical Demands: Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings. Walking up to 5 miles per day, stooping, standing, hearing, seeing, lifting (up to 50 pounds).
Job Description: Responsible for teaching and leading arts and crafts projects at camp and maintaining a clean & organized environment.
Min. Experience Required: Organizational skills, flexibility, at least 1 year of camp experience
Min. Age Required: 19
Salary: $400 per week ($4,000 for a 10 week season)
Specific Responsibilities: Work with the Cabin Life Director to plan, organize and execute arts & crafts for all age groups. Maintain a clean & organized environment for arts & crafts projects. Assist in any other programming needs of camp. Focused on our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith.
Required Skills and/or Certifications: Must have a high level of organization, responsibility, and flexibility. Must hold a current drivers license.
Physical Demands: Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings. Walking up to 5 miles per day, stooping, standing, hearing, seeing, lifting (up to 50 pounds).
Job Description: Directly supervise, coordinate and plan all aspects of the daily camp program. Supervise all activity staff.
Min. Experience Required: Planning, supervising, problem solving
Min. Age Required: 20
Salary: $425 per week ($4,250 for a 10 week season)
Specific Responsibilities: Schedule camper and cabin groups daily activities; Help solve camper problems; plan all evening and special activities; schedule duty roster and staff time off. Focused on our core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and faith.
Required Skills and/or Certifications: Extensive experience in resident camp; experience with planning and scheduling with attention to detail; ability to supervise staff; possess an attitude of excellence; set Christian example. Must hold a current drivers license with an F4 classification.
Physical Demands: Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings. Walking up to 5 miles per day, stooping, standing, hearing, seeing, lifting (up
to 50 pounds).
Qualifications:
- At least 18 years of age
- High school diploma or GED if under 18 years of age.
- Past work experience with children and/or in a summer camp setting
- Problem solving skills
- Communication and conflict resolution skills
- Ability to lift 40+ lbs.
Christian Values & Emphasis
YMCA Camp Ocoee’s mission follows the YMCA movement’s mission in putting Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all. Campers of all faiths and cultural backgrounds attend camp. To meet the goals of our mission, Camp Ocoee has a unique and important tradition of emphasizing the Christian aspect of a camper’s experience. Campers are engaged in daily, Biblical-based devotions. With that said, YMCA Camp Ocoee is not a church-affiliated camp; therefore, we do not engage in matters of Christian doctrine or philosophy.
“I’m Third” – Camp Slogan
(Philippians 2:3-8, Galatians 6:2, Luke 9:57-62, James 4:1-3, John 13:2-17)
I’m Third is a slogan treasured at YMCA Camp Ocoee. It means to put our focus on God 1st, others 2nd, and ourselves 3rd. By doing this, we devote ourselves to lifting up others and therefore spreading the love of Jesus with everyone around us. This type of hospitality and humility is vital in our camp culture.
Attention Parents: Please do not contact us on behalf of your son or daughter. We are looking for responsible applicants who can take the initiative to apply for their own job.