Camp Staff Application 2026

We ask that all applicants complete this application thoughtfully and thoroughly. Your responses help us get to know you beyond your name and availability, and they play a big role in our hiring decisions. Please take your time and answer each question to the best of your ability.

General Information - Step 1 of 11

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Applicant Phone *

Address *

Address Line 1

Address Line 2

City

State

Zip Code

How did you hear about the Farm and Ranch Camps at The Center?

Please share with us who referred you to our program. *

What position(s) are you applying for? *

Junior Farmers Counselor
Farm Explorers Counselor
Farm Camp Counselor
Outdoor Adventure for Teens Counselor
Ranch Camp Counselor
Equine Specialist/Wrangler
Program Director

If you have not yet reviewed the counselor job descriptions, please do so before selecting your choices. Please note that some job assignments are a combination of different roles. For example, a staffer might be a Junior Farmers Counselor during the daytime and a Farm Camp Bunkhouse Supervisor in the evening.

Summer Camp Counselor Job Descriptions

Are you applying for a residential positon or a daytime position? *

Residential
Daytime

*Please note that residential applications will be given preferred consideration

Are you available from June 8th-August 8th with no scheduling conflicts? *

Staff receive one to two nights off per week and approximately two hours off per day. Due to the nature of our residential program and limited staffing, additional time off beyond scheduled days/nights off is difficult to accommodate. Staff are expected to commit fully to the dates of employment. While we understand that emergencies and illnesses can occur, staff are expected to be mindful of time-off requests.

Please indicate any scheduling conflicts in the space provided below. *

I understand that the contracted salary for this position begins at $4,300 plus room and board for the 9-week term, and I am comfortable with that compensation. *

We offer additional compensation for candidates who bring specialized skills and experience, including: Teaching riding lessons or advanced horsemanship skills, Outdoor adventure skills (e.g., shelter building, canoeing, camping, or navigation), or previous experience working in a summer camp setting.

Age as of Summer '26 *

EDUCATION

Are you currently enrolled in *

Name of School

Anticipated Graduation Date

If in college, what is your major? If not in school, what are your long term employment plans?

OUTDOOR & LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE

Please list any experience you have with organized summer camps either as a camper or staff member. Include name of camp, your position and dates of attendance or employment. *

Please list other significant outdoor experiences applicable to this job such as scouts, hobbies, family vacations, etc. *Equine positions, please describe your horse experience here *

Please list any applicable experience you have working with youth such as school, church, scouts, little league, etc. *

Please list your leadership experiences such as committee, teams, officer responsibilities, etc. *

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Are you currently employed? *

Current or most recent employer: *

Job Title *

Nature of work & responsibilities? *

Past Employment Experiences - please list employer, nature of work and dates of employment

SKILLS

Do you drive? *

Do you have a valid driver's license?

Are you currently certified in First Aid? *

Are you currently certified in CPR? *

Do you have any impairment, physical or mental, which would interfere with your ability to perform the job for which you are applying? *

If yes, please explain:

In the following list, please check all the boxes of activities you feel you can organize and lead as an "expert"

Farm Animal Chores & Handling
Horse Chores & Handling
Horseback Riding & Instruction
Gardening
Cooking
Outdoor, Campfire Cooking
Camp Songs/Group Singing
Arts & Crafts
Games for Large Groups
Campfire Building
Story Telling
Skits

In the following list, please check all the boxes of activities you feel you prepared to assist in leading but do not have the skills or experience to lead independently

Farm Animal Chores & Handling
Horse Chores & Handling
Horseback Riding & Instruction
Gardening
Cooking
Outdoor, Campfire Cooking
Camp Songs/Group Singing
Arts & Crafts
Games for Large Groups
Campfire Building
Story Telling
Skits

In the following list, please check all the boxes of activities you feel you have little to no experience with

Farm Animal Chores & Handling
Horse Chores & Handling
Horseback Riding & Instruction
Gardening
Cooking
Outdoor, Campfire Cooking
Camp Songs/Group Singing
Arts & Crafts
Games for Large Groups
Campfire Building
Story Telling
Skits

REFERENCES

Please provide information for 2 employers, teachers, or youth leaders who are willing to provide information about your character, work ethic, experience and abilities.

Reference #1 Name *

First

Last

Reference #1 Position *

Reference #1 School/Organization *

Reference #1 Email *

Reference #1 Phone *

Reference #2 Name *

First

Last

Reference #2 Position *

Reference #2 School/Organization *

Reference #2 Email *

Reference #2 Phone *

Short Answers

What contribution do you think you can make at camp? *

What contribution do you think a positive summer camp experience can have on children? *

What makes you a great candidate to work at our camp? *

General Equine Experience

Please select a value 1 - 3 that rates your level of experience in the following equine skills and your ability to teach them to a group of teen campers. 1 - no experience: would need assistance 2 - some experience: can accomplish myself but would need assistance teaching children 3 - extensive experience: am comfortable teaching this to children

Ground work, catching horses from a corral, leading

Selected Value: 1

Grooming and identifying all brushes and the order they are used:

Selected Value: 1

Saddling with a western saddle

Selected Value: 1

Bridling a horse

Selected Value: 1

Properly fitting tack to each horse - including saddles and bridles

Selected Value: 1

Properly fitting/adjusting tack to each camper - including saddle size, stirrup length and helmet fitting

Selected Value: 1

Basic barn chores - including cleaning stalls, feeding, watering & turn outs

Selected Value: 1

Horse Care Experience

Our Horse Summer Camp staff are the front line of caretakers for our horse herd. Please answer the following questions in regards to the overall wellbeing of our herd and suitability for daily riding.

Please comment on your experience or knowledge regarding equine injuries. Please include any treatments and care plans you have actively participated in. *

Are you comfortable assessing horses for lameness on a continual basis? What experience do you have in this area? *

Riding Experience

Please rate your comfort level, riding independently at these gaits or activities. 1 - no experience 2 - some experience 3 - extensive experience

Walking in an arena

Selected Value: 1

Jogging in an arena

Selected Value: 1

Loping in an arena

Selected Value: 1

Walking on a Trail Ride

Selected Value: 1

Jogging on a Trail Ride

Selected Value: 1

Loping on a Trail Ride

Selected Value: 1

Water crossings on trail

Selected Value: 1

Riding challenging horses that may be green and exhibit behaviors such as bucking, rearing, refusals

Selected Value: 1

Additional Horse Information

Please provide details on how your horse experience and knowledge was obtained. Are you self taught? Professionally training? Owned horses? Participated in lessons? *

Please provide details on your experience with TEACHING riding lessons or general horsemanship skills: *

Feel free to share anything additional to help us understand the scope of your horse knowledge and experience and how that would be beneficial to our camp setting.

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