The Fresh Air Fund provides orientation and comprehensive training before campers arrive. Issues covered during orientation include how to deal with homesickness, behavioral management, safety matters, and leadership techniques. Training is ongoing throughout the summer.
Work At Camp
ALL PARTICIPANTS AND STAFF ARE REQUIRED TO BE FULLY VACCINATED.
An application will not move forward without proof of full vaccination. Read more here.
We look for candidates who are excited to work with children and bring a unique skill set to our camps. Camp staff mentor and teach our campers – all while developing leadership skills that can be applied to any future career. Click here to apply.
Learn More About Camp
Download Our Camp Staff Brochure
APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS
- Must be 18 years or older by the start of camp
- Must have experience working with children
- At least one year of college preferred
- A demonstrated commitment to work with children from underserved communities
- Must be able to commit to the full summer program – check back soon for dates.
- Click here to apply
Summer 2019:
82were alumni of FAF programs
OVER 475 Staff hired
176 were international
Here’s How Our Application Process Works
Fill out an application
During the application process, you will have the chance to indicate which position(s) and camps you are interested in applying for. To learn more about our camps, click here. Staff are encouraged to apply to the camp(s) of their choice, regardless of gender. While we do not have an application deadline, we encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible since we hire staff on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.
Your application will be reviewed by one of our Camp Directors
If you are selected for an interview, we will contact you to schedule a time to speak with one of our Camp Directors. We conduct interviews virtually over Zoom.
References
You will be asked to provide contact information (phone number and email) for three professional references. Your references should know you in an academic or professional setting, such as teachers, mentors and current/ former employers. We will send your references an online form to complete, later in the application process.
NOTE:
Returning staff members should email camping@freshair.org for instructions on how to reapply.
IMPORTANT STAFF DATES:
Staff need to commit to working at camp for the entire summer, which includes all orientation and session dates listed below. Please mention any scheduling conflicts during your interview.
2022 Staff Orientation Dates
All staff are required to participate in our extensive orientation program prior to the arrival of our campers. Orientation is mandatory for new and returning staff members. Start dates vary by the specific position a staff member is hired for. Staff will travel to camp on their scheduled start date and will stay at camp through the end of the first session. The Fresh Air Fund provides free transportation from New York City to camp for specific dates during the orientation.
Assistant Directors, Nurses
June 10thAdministration, Village Leaders/Head Counselors & All Waterfront, Office Managers
June 13thProgram Specialists, Teen Program Specialists, Farm Staff
June 15thGeneral Counselors, Ropes Staff
June 20th2022 Session Dates
Sleepaway Camp
Session 1
June 29 – July 13In-Service/Time off
July 13 – July 20Session 2
July 20 – August 3Family Wellness
August 10 – August 19
Positions
- Assistant Camp Director
- Camp Program Director
- Camp Office Manager
- Camp Support Services Coordinator
- CIT Director
- Director of Specialists
- General Counselor
- Program Specialist
- Summer Camp Nursing Assistant
- Summer Camp Nurse
- Teen Program Director
- Teen Program Staff
- Village Leader / Head Counselor
- Waterfront Director
- Waterfront Staff
Assistant Camp Director
Assistant Directors help in the overall management of camp by directing the day-to-day operations of camp, supervising staff, coordinating camp schedules, and assisting with administrative work. This position is for applicants who have prior experience working at a camp and are looking for an opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of a camp program.
The Assistant Director reports to the Camp Director.
Camp Program Director
Program Directors help in the overall management of camp by supervising staff, planning activity schedules, and running various programs throughout camp. Program directors design and deliver program activities that are safe, fun, and appropriate to the campers’ age and abilities. Program directors coordinate the camp schedule with other FAF camps as well as the NYC office and volunteer groups and visitors to camp. These positions are for applicants who have prior experience working at a camp and are looking for an opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of a camp program.
The Program Director reports to either the Camp Director or Assistant Director.
LEARN MORECamp Office Manager
Office Managers are responsible for keeping the camp office organized and running smoothly. Office Managers answer all incoming phone calls and serve as the first point of contact for parents who are calling camp about their children. They are responsible for mail management, maintaining files and camp paperwork, and reconciling camper, cabin, and bus lists in the online database each session. Office Managers work directly with the Camp Director and administrative staff as well as with all members of the camp community, including camp staff and NYC office staff.
Office Managers report to the Camp Director.
LEARN MORECamp Support Services Coordinator
Camp Support Services Coordinators are part of the camp team and provide assistance to campers with behavioral issues, mental health concerns and emotional wellbeing. They will also help staff troubleshoot and problem-solve ways to work with campers experiencing challenging emotions or behaviors and address issues with group dynamics and conflict resolution. They serve as a liaison between counselors, Village Leaders, parents, and Camp Leadership, ensuring that communication is seamless, and everyone involved is doing their part to set campers up to have a successful and fun summer.
The Camp Support Services Coordinator reports to the Camp Director.
LEARN MORECIT Director
The Counselor in Training (CIT) Director provides leadership and guidance to the group of approximately 6-12 CIT campers under their charge, as they prepare to become future Camp staff. The CIT Director, together with CIT Counselors, help plan, organize, and execute the summer CIT schedule, and provide a key conduit of information for the Summer Director. Duties include planning and teaching the daily CIT training period, communicating with parents, overseeing the CIT evaluation process, meeting regularly with leadership team members, supervising activities, and managing any difficulties within the unit that may arise.
CIT Directors are responsible to the Camp Director.
LEARN MOREDirector of Specialists
Director of Specialists help in the overall management of camp by directing the day-to-day camp program, supervising program staff (specialists), coordinating camp schedules, and assisting with administrative work. The Director of Specialists is responsible for ensuring campers receive quality experiential education throughout their encampment. This position is for applicants who have prior experience working at a camp and are looking for an opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of a camp program.
The Director of Specialists reports to either the Camp Director or Assistant Camp Director.
LEARN MOREGeneral Counselor
General Counselors play a critical role in the successful operation of our summer camp programs by providing 24-hour-a-day direct supervision of campers and participating in exciting and rigorous activities such as hiking and swimming. Counselors and their campers live together and travel as a cabin throughout the day, including meals and activities such as swimming, archery, ropes course, model farm, and other specialized activities.
General Counselors report to the Village Leader / Head Counselor.
LEARN MOREProgram Specialist
Program Specialists are assigned to a specific activity area during the day and are responsible for developing lesson plans and teaching four to six one-hour activity periods each day, providing supervision and guidance to campers. Activities include but are not limited to: Art, Athletics, Ceramics, Chess, Coding, Creative Writing & Journalism, Culinary Arts, Dance, Drama, Fashion and Sewing, Martial Arts, Music, Nature and Hiking, Outdoor Living Skills & Pioneering, Photography, Robotics, SCRATCH & STEAM, Sign Language, SEL, Video & Film, and Yoga. When not teaching or in scheduled prep time, program specialists work as a General Counselor in assigned village, living in cabins with campers and assume responsibility for their safety and well-being.
Program Specialists report to the Director of Specialists.
Summer Camp Nursing Assistant
Camp Nursing Staff work in our camp health centers and are responsible for all health-related care of campers and staff. Camp Nurses are the primary medical staff in camp and administer medication, assess medical needs and provide emergency care as needed. Nursing Assistants work alongside our Camp Nurses and assist them with daily routines and camper supervision in the infirmary.
Nursing Assistants report to the Camp Nurse.
Summer Camp Nurse
Camp Nursing Staff work in our camp health centers and are responsible for all health-related care of campers and staff. Camp Nurses are the primary medical staff in camp and administer medication, assess medical needs and provide emergency care as needed. Nursing Assistants work alongside our Camp Nurses and assist them with daily routines and camper supervision in the infirmary.
The Camp Nurses reports to the Health and Safety Director.
Teen Program Director
A Teen Program Director supervises the ABC Teen Leadership Program. The ABC Teen leadership Program is for girls ages 13-17 and focuses on creating a supportive environment to where youth can focus on their personal development and future goals. Through writing workshops, poetry slams, team building and leadership workshops, participants become more independent and self-confident. The Teen Leadership Curriculum is centered upon SEL, cultural diversity and personal development. This program includes 3 levels: the Leaders in Training Program, Counselor in Training Program and Junior Counselor programs. The Teen Program Director in coordination with the Program Director is responsible for the scheduling of all the curriculum events and ensuring the curriculum is executed at a high level.
LEARN MORETeen Program Staff
A Teen Program Specialist works in the ABC Teen Leadership Program. The ABC Teen Leadership Program is for girls ages 13-17 and focuses on creating a supportive environment to where youth can focus on their personal development and future goals. Through writing workshops, poetry slams, team building and leadership workshops, participants become more independent and self-confident. The Teen Leadership Curriculum is centered upon SEL, cultural diversity and personal development. Teen Program Specialists take on the dual role of general counselor in the bunk and facilitate the Teen Leadership curriculum.
Teen Program Specialists report to the Village Leader and Teen Program Director.
LEARN MOREVillage Leader / Head Counselor
Village Leaders/Head Counselors help in the overall management of camp by assisting in the day-to-day operations of camp, supervising staff, coordinating camp schedules, and assisting with administrative work. This position is for applicants who have prior experience working at a camp and are looking for an opportunity to learn more about the inner workings of a camp program. Each Village Leader/Head Counselor is responsible for a specific age group of campers. They work directly with and supervise the staff working in those age groups. Village Leaders provide guidance and support to campers and staff and organize activities.
Village Leaders/Head Counselors are responsible to the Assistant Director.
Waterfront Director
The Waterfront Director is part of the leadership team working under the direction of the Director and Assistant Director, to ensure the general safety of campers and staff at the waterfront, to supervise the lifeguard team, and to oversee their camp’s aquatics program.
The Waterfront Director reports to either the Camp Director or the Assistant Director.
Waterfront Staff
Lifeguards supervise all free swim periods, boating and special events held at the waterfront at camp. Lifeguards also instruct swim lessons and maintain waterfront and boating facilities to comply with safety regulations. When not on the waterfront, work as a General Counselor in assigned village living with campers and accompanying them to activities. Applicants do not need to be certified lifeguards to apply but must be strong swimmer. Red Cross Certification is provided for free during orientation.
Waterfront Staff report to the Waterfront Director.

My campers taught me that flexibility and patience are key for anything you do. I hope that they learned a bit of code and a different way of thinking from me.
Hakeem, Coding Instructor & General Counselor
I love team building. Even though the campers only come for two weeks, it feels like years because the change you see in kids in just two weeks is so profound. I even switched my major from nutrition to social work.
Lindsey, Village LeaderWhat To Expect
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Staff training
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Living at Camp
All staff are required to live at camp during the summer. Staff live in cabins with a group of children while members of the administrative team live in staff housing. Facilities at Camps ABC, Hayden-Marks and Tommy are rustic. Some cabins do not have electricity and bathrooms are located a short walk away. Camps Mariah and Hidden Valley have more modern accommodations, but all staff should be comfortable living in a rustic environment.
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Cell phones and computers
Camp staff live and work with campers on a 24/7 basis and will not have access to cell phones, computers, and social media throughout the day. Staff may check their phones and/or use computer labs during their time off but not while they are on-duty.
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Transportation
We will provide free round-trip transportation between New York City and camp at the start and end of the summer.
During time off, van transportation is provided for trips into town. Transportation to and from New York City during session breaks is also provided. Staff members are permitted to have cars at camp.
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Time off
Time off schedules will vary by a staff member’s specific position and camp and will be determined at the start of each session. Staff can expect to have time off for at least one 24 hour period and an evening within each encampment as well some days off in between each camp session.
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College credit
The Fresh Air Fund will assist students who wish to earn college credits for their work at camp. Students should first check with their college to see if they are eligible to receive credit for working at camp and then discuss any requirements ahead of time with an assigned Camp Director to ensure that all necessary paperwork can be completed.
Working At Camp