Overview
Do you love working with kids and living in nature? Come to camp this summer at Songadeewin on Lake Dunmore to lead activities, sports, drama, games, and crafts for girls ages 8 to 16 on our 60 acre campus nestled between the lake and Vernont’s Green Mountains. Leadership and/or experience in backcountry settings preferred as camp counselors also lead or assist on two small group wilderness canoeing (flatwater & white water) or hiking trips each summer.
At Songa, our camp counselors are called tent & cabin staff. Not only do they live with campers, they also lead wilderness trips, in-camp activities, and most importantly they love working with kids! Our staff are great role models who share with campers their love of nature, canoeing, hiking, swimming, sailing, archery, the arts, sports, and more.
In-Camp
At Songa our Tent & Cabin staff live in cabins or tents with campers, ages 8 – 16, serve and eat meals family-style alongside campers, are responsible for leading a range of activities and evening programming. Life at camp is dynamic and the job of a tent & cabin staff requires creativity, flexibility, strong skills in communication and collaboration, and a mindset of community over self.
We run activities on our 60 acre campus in the following areas: Archery, Riflery, Rock Climbing, Waterfront (Canoeing, Kayaking, Sailing, Swimming, Diving), Sports (Soccer, Tennis, Softball, Volleyball, Basketball, and more), and Arts (Drama, Ceramics, Fiber, Crafting), among others. Songa staff instruct and assist in their areas of expertise and have opportunities to assist with new activities on occasion.
In addition to leading a range of activities, Songa staff support cabin & grove (age group) coverage during free times at camp, playing games and engaging with campers in groves and in common space around Songa’s campus. Tent & Cabin staff are active in the planning and execution of camp-wide evening programs, games, holidays and camp events, and occasional off-campus day trips.
Wilderness Tripping
Each staff will lead or assist two small-group wilderness trips over the course of the summer at camp. Co-staff must work collaboratively as a team to prepare, pack, plan meals, review itineraries, and teach pack-out and necessary skills to their campers before each trip. Staff must be willing to learn to lead trips ranging from basecamp hiking and canoeing trips to point to point canoeing trips on flat and whitewater routes. During the trips, staff are responsible for the safety and well being of campers, facilitating a positive group dynamic, managing risk in remote locations, and introducing Songa girls to the joys and challenges of living in nature. Wilderness trips travel throughout scenic and remote locations in Vermont, the Adirondack of New York, Maine, and Canada.
Dates for this position are from June 10 – August 22, 2026. To learn more and for a full job description, contact Camp Director Lauren McDowell, lauren@keewaydin.org.
Qualifications:
Experience working with children and living in nature
Wilderness canoe tripping and/or hiking/backpacking experience preferred.
Team ethos - enjoy living and collaborating with fellow Songa staff of all ages and backgrounds to contribute to life in our camp community
Passion for creating the magic of camp and the growth and challenge coming from small group experiences
Ability to thrive in a residential camp community for girls
Required Skills:
Must be at least 18 years old
Must be able to carry up to 50 lb pack or canoe for extended periods of time
Must be prepared to live for 1 - 2 weeks in the backcountry, navigating difficult terrain, at times off-trail and in inclement weather conditions
Must be a clear and compassionate communicator
About Songadeewin of Keewaydin
Songadeewin is a summer camp for girls with a focus on wilderness canoe tripping, one of the Keewaydin Camps. The Keewaydin Foundation operates single-gender summer camps whose mission is to help children grow and flourish by living in community, learning to be independent and interdependent, and living simply. We foster kindness, courage, honesty, resilience and leadership and we strive to create a joyful community based on inclusivity, shared values, and respect.
