Outdoor Program Instructor - Camp Surf

Overnight Program Instructor - Camp Surf

Teach outdoor classes, recreational activities, and provide resident supervision to students in outdoor science school program. Provide excellent customer service to all clients, know and enforce safety rules, care for equipment and facilities, and work well as a member of the camp community.

For more on Employee Perks, click on this link: Employee Benefits | YMCA of San Diego County (ymcasd.org) 

Pay & Benefits

• Weekly Pay: $608.72 - $613.72* This position is exempt from overtime because you will work as a camp counselor or program counselor of an organized camp, and you will be paid a weekly salary equivalent to more than 85% of the minimum wage for a 40-hour week, subject to deduction for the value of lodging you receive and all withholdings and deductions as required by law. 
• Schedule: 5 days per week
• What’s Included: Free on-site meals are included. On-site housing is provided, with a weekly housing cost deducted from your paycheck.

Schedule

• Mandatory Staff Training: Begins August 15, 2026
• Outdoor Education Season Dates: August 15, 2026 - November 15, 2026
• Weekly Schedule: 5 days a week

• Teach educational classes and lead activities for students and clients. Develop an interpretive display or lesson plans based on needs and areas of expertise
• Lead activities including (but not limited to) archery, field games, and the climbing tower with good teaching and leadership skills
• Employ good teaching and leadership techniques in providing quality instruction
• Take full responsibility for the program areas of camp, including developing rules and procedures and maintaining or improving equipment and facilities
• Use good judgment and make conservative decisions to ensure the safety of our campers
• Follow all rules, operating procedures, and instructions, carry and use properly the necessary equipment during activities, know and follow established emergency procedures
• Provide exemplary role modeling at all times when groups are in camp, and demonstrate a strong sense of ownership in camp, including cleaning of facilities and care of equipment and supplies
• Supervise students during mealtimes, overnight in cabins, during transitional times and during cabin chores
• Follow specific directives of the Program Coordinators, Outdoor Education Director, or Program
• Directors as assigned. Communicate all work-related issues through the Program Coordinators
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical incidents and the physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency situation
• Ability to adequately observe participant’s activities, enforce safety regulations, and apply appropriate policies and procedures
• Physical ability to lead and interact in group activities and perform related physical skills including: standing, hiking and/or climbing for long periods of time
• Must be able to live on-site during program season
• Other duties as assigned needs to be included to all roles

• Bachelor's degree or in progress in education, recreation, related field, or equivalent experience preferred
• Experience or aptitude to work closely with children in a positive, supportive manner
• Minimum 6 months experience in outdoor education or related field
• CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, obtained within 30 days of hire and must be from one of the following certifying organizations:
  
  • American Red Cross
  • American Heart Association
  • American Safety & Health Institute