Available Positions
Current Availabilities
- Cabin Counselor/Activity Instructor
- Expedition Staff
- Photographers
- Maintenance Staff
- Laundry Staff
- Hostess and Summer Office Staff
- Nurses
- Counselor-In-Training (CIT)
The Job of a Cabin Counselor
A cabin counselor lives in a cabin with their campers and 2-3 other staff, partially separated in a “counselor’s section” of the cabin. Each counselor will either lead or assist in an activity that matches their skills during the day. The main focus of a cabin counselor is to pour his lives into the lives of their campers; it is both hard and extremely rewarding work.
The Job of Expedition Staff
Expedition staff run safe, fun, and professional out-of-camp trips daily here in our WNC backyard. They are a team of staff that work together to bring our trip calendar to life – we take two to three trips a day in canoeing, kayaking, rock climbing, backpacking, fly fishing, mountain biking, and others. An expedition staff member is a multi-discipline athlete with a desire to grow professional experience in outdoor recreation. The climbing guide will lead a variety of top-rope, rappelling, and bouldering trips while a whitewater guide will lead kayaking, canoeing, and rafting. A week in the life includes taking 5-6 trips with other staff members and 6-12 campers excited to get on the rock, river, or trail. There are a combination of day, overnight, and multi-discipline trips throughout. Expedition live in a staff cabin and must be 21 years old willing to obtain a WFA, WFR, or lifeguard certification before summer begins.
The Job of Photographers
The photography team tells the story of what is happening at camp to the families and friends who are not here. The photos they take, edit, and upload show the positive impact Timberlake has on boys while they are here. This team also helps with our social media and marketing content for the public. This role involves many kinds of shots, attention to details, organization, and getting your steps in walking around camp.
The Job of Maintenance Staff
Our maintenance men live in a staff cabin and are in charge of fixing plumbing issues, trash removal, grounds keeping, building repair, etc. during the summer. These men are revered by all for their willingness to deal with things that are usually smelly and are often heavy.
The Job of Laundry Staff
Our laundry staff lives on property and are in charge of cleaning the many loads of cabin laundry that are dropped off and picked up each day.
Hostess
Usually a camp mom, she lives in the Tuck and is the friendly voice that you speak with when you call camp during the summer. She is in charge of all mail needs, playing reveille and taps, answering general camp questions for camp parents, and taking messages for Program staff, Directors, and Nurses. She is a busy lady!
Camp Nurse
We have two RNs, and one Mother Helper each session. Nurses live in the camp infirmary providing medical care and managing any medications for our campers and staff. We are fortunate to work in partnership with an outstanding local medical community. Our infirmary staff operate under the standing orders of our camp physician.
Counselors in Training/CIT Director
As the name suggests, these are former campers who are not quite ready to be counselors, but who are being trained by a CIT director to learn what it takes to do the job. Our CITs can assist with our daily activities, water flowers, take out dining hall trash, pick up and return all lost and found clothing items to cabins each evening, assist with running the evening activities, and participate in a CIT bible study that happens each week.
Length of Employment
Most cabin counselors, expedition, photography, laundry, and maintenance positions are for the length of our summer operating schedule, typically late May – mid August. Counselor-In-Training (CIT) positions are for one 3 week session only, as are many nurse positions.
Staff Requirements
All cabin counselors must be 18 and have finished their first year in college. All CITs must be 17, out of camp, and not yet in college. Each position requires a submitted application and a formal interview.
Benefits
All positions are paid positions except CITs. Cabin counselor/activity staff are on a pay scale based on qualifications and years in camp. When training or certifications are necessary or desirable (which is frequent), camp pays for the training. Some positions, for adult staff, are available on a swap-for-camper-tuition basis. Most positions include room and board for the summer.
Time Off
Counselors get one full day off each week and one separate night out each week. Additional time off in camp is given as necessary. We make every effort to keep the staff rested and happy – we love what we do, and it shows in how we treat our staff.