Thank you for your interest in Gold Arrow Camp for summer employment. For 75 years, Gold Arrow Camp has provided its campers with a quality camp program where campers can have fun, make friends and grow. We hope that each member of the Gold Arrow Camp family, campers and staff alike, leave camp having built new friendships, learned new skills, and grown in their independence, social skills, and self-confidence. Before submitting an application for employment, please read through the information in this section to see if Gold Arrow Camp is the right fit for you.

Who is on staff?

Approximately 130 dedicated individuals make up the counseling, administrative, and support staff of Gold Arrow Camp. Our staff members' enthusiasm, dedication and interest in child development are the key to positive experiences for each camper. Counselors are selected based on the ability to serve as outstanding role models and leaders. All staff members must be at least 19 years of age and have completed one year of college or work experience. They must have exceptional communication skills, be dedicated to providing children with a memorable and fun camp experience, and support Gold Arrow Camp’s overall philosophy and goals.

Staff are recruited from all over the United States and from Europe, Asia, New Zealand, and Australia. Our diverse staff, like our campers, add a unique flavor to the camp community. The entire staff works together toward their final goal of providing a positive, fun, and nurturing camp experience for each child.

What is camp life like?

Staff will experience rustic, outdoor living at Gold Arrow Camp. Group and activity counselors live with groups of 8-10 campers in large canvas tents on wood platforms with a deck. Group counselors are primarily responsible for the overall well-being of their cabin group. They live with and lead their group of campers to activities and meals and assist in teaching during our Free Choice activity period. Activity counselors are responsible for the organization and instruction of an activity during program periods. There are at least 2 counselors within each cabin group, one group counselor and one or two activity counselors. Many campers and staff sleep on the deck under the stars. Bring your sleeping bag to sleep on comfortable army style cots. Modern bathroom facilities with private showers are located near tents throughout camp.

Campers and staff dine on an open-aired, covered dining porch which overlooks Big Creek. Healthy, well-balanced, delicious meals are prepared by our chef and kitchen staff. A fresh, well-stocked salad bar is offered at both lunch and dinner. There are a variety of options, like our pasta bar, for selective eaters.

Gold Arrow offers over 20 outdoor, recreational activities including: waterskiing, horseback riding, sailing, rock climbing, waverunning, canyoneering, archery, riflery, drama, arts & crafts, canoeing, fishing, nature study, backpacking, knee boarding, ceramics, day hikes, campfires, and skits. Our structured program ensures that every camper will be able to participate in each activity.

Anyone who has worked at a summer camp before will tell you that working at a summer camp will be unlike any other job you will have. While working at camp, staff members not only have the opportunity to make a positive impact upon the lives of our campers but also positively impact their own lives. Staff members participate in a week long training before any campers arrive. During this time, our staff learn about child development issues, conflict resolution, team building, and communication and leadership skills. At the end of each summer, our staff walk away with valuable life skills that can be used in any career and friendships that last a lifetime.

What Our Staff Says About Working at Gold Arrow Camp:

“This has been the hardest yet most rewarding summer. I have learned so much about myself in these two months. Being away from the real world has shown me who I really am and what I truly enjoy. The people here are amazing--every staff member has impacted me. I love Gold Arrow Camp and will be coming back as long as I can. Thanks for the best summer."

"You will never meet such a big group of people that want exactly the same thing as you: to work with children, make new friends, and have an amazing summer. You will feel so rewarded at the end of each session and come away with friends for life. Welcome to the best nine weeks you'll ever spend."

“Prepare to work hard, 24/7. But in return, you get smiling faces, campers who believe you are perfect, fun activities, a beautiful place to stay and a lot of new, happy memories!”

"GAC is amazing to work for. It's like being transported into a perfect world for nine weeks where there's no swearing, no electronics, and no getting intoxicated. You can be yourself without anyone looking at you strangely."

“I am who I am today because of the people I've met and the experiences I've had at Gold Arrow Camp.”

"Working at GAC is an amazing experience. I study at a university full of incredibly driven students competing for the best internships and entries for their resumes. Coming here, I realized that a resume full of internships isn't everything. Getting away from it all and spending nine weeks here at camp with an awesome group of people is one of the best things I've done in years. You can't go wrong with the people you meet here. After all, it takes a special kind of person to become a counselor at GAC." 

“You might be exhausted by the end, but it's an exhaustion of muscles you've never had the chance to flex before. GAC gives you that opportunity, and working at a place like this is truly a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Or lots-in-a-lifetime if you, like lots of people, can't wait to come back!”

“I was a camper at GAC for most of my childhood. Much of who I am today is because of my amazing experiences and irreplaceable knowledge I acquired at GAC. I never thought I would experience as fun or fulfilling an experience as being a camper. When I came back to GAC as a counselor, I was proven wrong. GAC is for people who want to change other people's lives and improve and learn about themselves on the way.”

“In a nutshell, get ready for the best summer of your life and get ready to go all-out, all day, every day! You will have the opportunity to positively impact kids' lives while undoubtedly being positively impacted yourself.”

"Working at GAC can change your outlook on life. I came here not knowing what to expect, but left knowing that I have changed for the better. The ethos GAC has on developing children is infectious and should be adopted by youth organizations worldwide."

"I've loved working at Gold Arrow these past two summers. There is a great sense of belonging and community that exists here, which is hard to find in other jobs."

“If you feel like something's missing, or you need a change of pace for your summer, GAC is the place to be. You become a part of a family that you will never want to say goodbye to. Memories for life!”