Nantahala Outdoor Center

Day Camp Counselor, 2026 Season

Nantahala Outdoor Center

full-time

Posted on:

Location Type: Office

Location: Atlanta • United States

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Salary

💰 $14 - $15 per hour

About the role

  • Guide day campers through rapids with while understanding and implementing risk-reduction in navigation, communication, and decision-making.
  • Teaching children how to paddle and pilot paddleboards, kayaks, canoes, and rafts effectively through varying river conditions.
  • Inform day campers about local area information, other NOC activities and offerings, river, and trip information, and provide supervision.
  • Provide first class guest service to all campers, before, after, and during their trip, as well as professional guest service to parents during check-in and check-out.
  • Assist with camper check-in and check-out.
  • Facilitate activities for participants during down time and transitional times.
  • Assist in off-the-water tasks, including moving, loading, and unloading equipment, assisting guests, delivering instructional talks, and washing and organizing gear and equipment.
  • Other tasks as assigned based on qualifications.

Requirements

  • Effective communication skills and the ability to motivate small and large groups of children
  • A strong sense of guest service
  • Accountability for one's actions and performance
  • Enthusiasm about teaching and sharing outdoor activities with others
  • The ability to take direction from supervisors and managers
  • Good judgement in decision-making
  • The ability to work well under pressure and be able to respond quickly to emergencies with appropriate judgement
  • A can-do attitude and ability to work in a teamwork-based environment
  • The ability to speak clearly and with authority while guiding and directing children
  • Basic First Aid & CPR are required prior to beginning work and this certification must be obtained through a classroom setting. (please note, online First Aid & CPR are not acceptable as per our river permit agreements)
  • Wilderness First Aid or higher is encouraged
Applicant Tracking System Keywords

Tip: use these terms in your resume and cover letter to boost ATS matches.

Hard Skills & Tools
paddlingnavigationrisk-reductiondecision-makingguest serviceinstructional talksequipment handling
Soft Skills
effective communicationmotivationaccountabilityenthusiasmgood judgementteamworkability to work under pressurecan-do attitude
Certifications
Basic First AidCPRWilderness First Aid