Who: Rising 12th graders or teens who are 17 years old (by June 7th 2027)
When: June 8th- July 29th 2027
Details: Take the next step from camper to leader through our Junior Staff Program! Junior Staff gain hands-on experience in two sides of camp leadership, spending one session as a Junior Counselor working alongside a bunk team and one session as a Junior Specialist apprenticing with our Program Staff. Throughout the summer, Junior Staff participate in dedicated professional development, mentorship, and leadership opportunities designed to build skills in communication, teamwork, childcare, program facilitation, and more. You’ll learn alongside a cohort of peers, take on meaningful responsibilities at camp, and build skills you can carry into future jobs, school, and leadership opportunities.
A Day in the Life
Throughout the summer, Junior Staff will experience camp from two different perspectives: working alongside counselors as Junior Counselors and apprenticing with Program Staff as Junior Specialists. They’ll focus on one role each session, then switch for the next—giving them the chance to dive deeply into both sides of creating the camp experience. Along the way, they’ll come together as a cohort for professional development, community building, and plenty of opportunities to experience (and make!) camp magic together.
- Junior Counseling
- Junior Program Specializing
- Professional Development
Time with Campers
Get up close and personal with the heart and soul of Eden Village West- our campers! Try on what it means to be a role model, caretaker, and magic maker for kids, and have a ton of fun while doing it. Junior Staff will be assigned to a bunk and support all facets of bunk life, including wake up & getting ready for the day, bunk beautification, meal times, chugim, bunk nights & bedtime, and more! Junior Staff will also have the opportunity to help support a program area during chugim and get the chance to support and occasionally facilitate some of camp’s electives.
Program Apprentice
Work alongside trained program staff to see the inner workings of what it means to be on the program team! Develop curriculum, run programming and get your hands dirty! Junior Staff choose at least two different program areas to apprentice under in order to build skills and broaden horizons! What’s your specialty?
Learn & Grow with fellow Junior Staff
In addition to a week of training prior to the arrival of our campers, you will have 3-4 sessions each week either as a cohort to learn from one another or to continue your learning & growing with a member of EVW’s staff. Together, you’ll explore everything from leadership styles, to effective & fun outdoor education, to supporting camper conflicts & behavioral challenges, to writing & running your own programming, and everything in between! Plus, you’ll get to build on the magic of camp by creating & leading a few all camp programs throughout the summer, and helping to lead already existing programming.
More Info & FAQ
Is this role considered staff or campers?
Junior Staff are in the midst of a year of transition from camper to staff member when they participate in this program. They will be given some core responsibilities of an Eden Village West staff member, but also receive hands on guidance, mentorship, and learning along the way, in addition to having free time bonding nights with other staff. They are expected to treat this program like they would an internship.
Do you have to pay to be a Junior Staff member?
Nope, the program is free! Junior Staff will put down a $500 deposit to hold their spot but it will be returned after they complete the program. Junior Staff who are hired as Camp Staff the following summer will receive a $100 Jr. Staff bonus.
Where will junior staff live?
Junior Staff will live in the dorms together as a cohort. During the times of the day when their campers are in their dorms and Junior Counselors are assigned to be with the kids, they will be expected to be around & ready to spend time with campers as necessary.
Will Junior Staff be supervised?
Yes! Junior Staff will have a Junior Staff Coordinator who is there to support the growth and learning of the cohort and each individual Junior Staff member. Additionally, Junior Staff members will report to the Tribe leader their bunk belongs to as well as the Specialist or their program area – just like other staff they are working alongside. They will benefit from feedback and mentorship from both their Junior Staff Coordinator, their Tribe Leader, and Program Specialist.
Will Junior Staff have regular time off?
Yes! In addition to cohort time together each day, Junior Staff will have two hours off daily and an a one day off each week, just like the rest of our staff.
Will Junior Staff Ever be the only counselor 'on' for their bunk?
No. Each of our bunks has 2 staff members assigned to it as a standard– Junior Staff will be the third staff member for their bunk. They will have the ongoing support of other staff members throughout each session for guidance and teamwork.
I have college applications & Summer Homework to do. Can I still participate in this program?
Yes! Your time off is yours to use however you need to. We expect you to manage your time wisely and use the allotted hours that camp gives you for this work to take care of external school work etc.
Will there be any time for fun? Will I get to see my friends from past years?
Yes! The Junior Staff experience is meant to show you how much fun being a staff member can be, and allow you to have fun with friends from your cohort & from previous summers. You will have opportunities to connect with the staff through Neshama Nights, our regular staff bonding evening programs!