Group of young people singing and playing guitars outdoors during daytime.

WORK AT CAMP

Outline drawing of a silicon microchip with integrated circuits.

Looking for a summer like no other? Working at Camp is one of the most rewarding, fun, community-oriented, and skill-building jobs you can have.

Join our Ranch family to live, work, and play in the mountains, all while creating unforgettable memories for campers—and yourself!

learn more

Outline of a fish with internal skeletal structure depiction

Creativity and joy

“I loved my summer at The Bar 717. I was in such a unique environment, with immense support towards creativity, outdoor engagement, and overall joy. It is a one of a kind place that fosters your relationships with others and the world around you. I had never been in a place like this, and it is a blessing to be a part of such a family.”
— Ceili, staff
Changed my life for the better

“Working at Bar 717 truly changed my life for the better. Working with children and seeing them develop as people and knowing that you are developing as a person as well is an experience that’s well worth having and Bar 717 couldn’t be a better place to do it.”
— Ronan, staff
Personal and professional growth

“Bar 717 Ranch has provided me with a supportive and positive work environment for the past 7 years, which has had a significant impact on my personal and professional growth. The community values, the beautiful outdoors space, the fun and unique activities, and the amazing people there, have been something that I rarely see anywhere else. I am very lucky to have found this place.”
— Xani, staff
Amazing memories

“This job is an amazing gift that has challenged me and taught me so many things about myself and how I want to exist in the world. I am so grateful for the opportunity to connect with such amazing kids and coworkers in an incredibly beautiful place, and to be able to learn so much from each other. Each year I have left camp with so many amazing new memories, and enough joy to last me through the cold Canadian winter.”
— Aiden, staff
Free of Distractions

“This place is just what I’ve been looking for. A community free of distractions and devices. This place gave me a chance to grow into a more confident and well rounded person. You can tell the care and purpose put into this place has been fostered over generations.”
— Blake, staff
Greatest Experience

“Working at the Bar 717 after having been a camper has been the single greatest experience of my life.”
— Duncan, staff & former camper
Deeply satisfying

“Last summer was the best summer of my life. I’ve never connected with a group of people, a place, and a way of living so quickly and so deeply. Camp was such a unique, immersive experience – so much more than just a ranch and the people on it. Living a philosophy of simplicity and collaboration was amazing and deeply satisfying, and I walked out of the gate a different person than I was when I entered.”
— Sam, staff
Smell the roses

“The time spent away from the modern day demands of a fast-paced world gave me the chance to dig my hands down into the soil every day, share a living space with interesting people from around the world who I can now call my friends, listen to the sounds of the birds and crickets, and—quite literally—smell the roses. I am forever grateful to have had the opportunity to spend my summer as part of such a lovely community.”
— Hollyn, staff
An incredible feeling

The most rewarding part of working at camp was watching campers come out of their comfort zones, both within friendships and platform dynamics and in facing challenges out on the alps trips. Seeing how happy and accomplished the campers felt, was an incredible feeling.”
— Blaire, staff
A New Perspective

“Having grown up in a fairly built-up area in the UK the scale and sheer beauty of the ranch took my breath away from day one, and that was just the start. As someone training for a career in education, the ranch changed my perspective [and] made a big impact on how I plan to approach my life as a teacher. The experiences here changed my outlook on life in general and I have taken the attitude of working together as a big family to make things the best they can be back to my home life.”
— Alex, staff
The true meaning of community

This summer was my first on the ranch, although I know now it will be far from my last. Arriving as a new counselor I was apprehensive at first, but from the moment I stepped foot on the beautiful property and took a deep breath of the fresh air, I knew I had arrived somewhere very special. As I got to know my new Bar 717 family of counselors and staff, I soon came to know the true meaning and feeling of community that so many have come to love and appreciate about the ranch.”
— Alyssa, staff
Supportive and positive

Being a counselor was a wonderful experience and I am overjoyed that I had the opportunity to do it at the Bar 717. I know it’s a choice I will never regret. Everyone was always extremely supportive and positive. It creates an environment in which anyone can thrive. I plan on staying in touch with many people from the summer and as much as I travel I will see most again.
— Buck, staff

apply now

welcome staff

Thank you for your interest in becoming a staff member at Camp Trinity!

Each summer, we build a team comprised of new and returning staff, international staff, and camper alumni. Our goal is to find staff who share our vision for creating a space where children can live cooperatively, challenge themselves, and develop profound connections with themselves, others, and our place here in the mountains.

Positions are available for responsible, driven, curious, and enthusiastic young leaders who want to work with children in a positive, outdoor environment.

Staff Applications for Summer 2027 are now open.

If you have questions, email clara@bar717.com at any time.

positions + employment details

staff faq

Illustration of a lawnmower chopping grass and weeds

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

Our international staff bring a wonderful diversity of culture and experience to camp, and must speak conversational English. Each summer, about 30% of our staff are from different countries across the globe.

International staff are eligible to work with us through the J-1 cultural exchange visa program. We work with agencies including Camp Leaders, CCUSA, and IENA to bring camp counselors and support staff to the Bar 717 Ranch from around the world.

International applicants must apply through a visa sponsor prior to filling out our online application directly. If you have questions, please email clara@bar717.com.

MORE INFORMATION ON WORKING
AT A SUMMER CAMP…

The Camp Counselor vs. The Intern (New York Times)

Why Camp Counselors Can Out-Parent Parents (New York Times)

WANT TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE OF WORKING AT THE BAR 717 RANCH?

A Return to Tip Top – 10 Years Later by Emma Bradish, Fall 2022

Summer Reflection by Lucy Robb, Fall 2018
The Integrated Nature of Camp: Observations from the Gardens at Bar 717 by Hollyn Hartlep, Fall 2016
What I’ve Learned by David Scanlon, Fall 2016
Bringing it All Back Home: A Love Story by Rachel Baker, Spring 2016

Four stylized musical notes in gold color on a black background.

My Camp Counselor Experience by Sinead Collins, Spring 2016
My Bar 717 Ranch Experience by David Scanlon, Fall 2015
Summer Reflections from ‘Probably Barn Counselor’ Grace by Grace Worm, Fall 2015
My Summer as a Camp Counselor by Alyssa Werner, Fall 2014
Reflecting on My Summer at Camp by Alex King, Fall 2014

FAQS

Got questions? We’ve got answers—send us an email or give us a call at (530) 628-5992, we’re happy to help!

What are the dates of employment?
This year, counselors will begin on June 6th and finish work on August 9th or 16th.
What is the compensation for this role?
See our 2026 pay scale here. Housing, food, and laundry service are included for all counselors and resident staff.
Can you describe a typical day for a counselor?
Morning: If you are an early riser, you might get up for a run or help with animal chores down at the barn. Or you may just sleep in until the wake up bell at 7:30. Breakfast at 8. After breakfast, you announce to the campers a fun activity that you’ve been planning in your program area. The rest of the morning you spend running your program, spending time with the campers that chose to join you that day and getting to know them through teaching and play. Time to clean up, that’s the 10 minute bell for lunch!
Afternoon: After lunch is rest hour, a favorite among counselors. Everyone returns to their platform during the warmest part of the day to rest. You may take a nap, read a book, or write a letter to someone back home. After rest hour, everyone heads down the hill to the river on the swimhole trail. At the river, you run a few rotations lifeguarding, have a refreshing swim, and then sit with some campers and fellow counselors on the beach where you might play some cards or explore the banks for critters. After a few hours, you’re ready for the hike back up the hill, powered by another favorite, the homestead stack! Then some relaxing time before dinner to shower and get ready for the evening.
Evening: After dinner, we have an evening activity that is different every night of the week. Evening activities include platform night, dances, big group games, campfires, or a special event like the International Festival, Untalent Show, or Apple Jubilee. Counselors participate in planning these activities and supervising kids throughout the evening. When things wrap up, it’s time to head back to the platform for bedtime!
What will my responsibilities be?
Counselors hold a lot of responsibility for making Camp a safe, fun, and magical place for our campers and for each other. We see the counselor responsibility as breaking into three main categories:
1) Platform Responsibilities: getting to know your assigned campers and helping them navigate Camp, facilitating the living space and group dynamic, planning platform activities, etc.
2) Program Responsibilities: planning activities in your program area for each day, prep and gathering materials, running the activity and teaching skills, getting to know campers that show up and helping them with their own project ideas, maintaining the equipment/space, etc.
3) Shared Responsibilities: working as a staff team to ensure that all Camp events/activities are planned and run smoothly, noticing campers need extra support, helping one another through tough moments or to get appropriate support when unsure of how to solve a problem, noticing the soap is empty at the handwashing sink and replacing it, etc.
Is there personal downtime for counselors? When do I get time off?
Camp is a dynamic environment and working at the ranch, in any capacity, is a demanding job. Counselors receive one 24-hour day off each week, when they can leave the ranch. Staff are off in groups of 4-6 and often carpool for their day off. We are 2 hours from the closest large town and 30-45 minutes to cell range. Day off activities commonly include camping at a gorgeous nearby river, hiking in the mountains, getting extra sleep, or exploring nearby small towns.
We intentionally build downtime into our schedule to ensure that counselors (and campers too) get moments of rest and recovery during the day – mornings, rest hour, river time, before dinner, can all be times to slow down or take a beat to yourself.
Are there specific certifications required?
We require counseling staff to obtain two current certifications:
1) Lifeguarding + CPR/AED training
2) Wilderness First Aid
We offer both of these courses at the Ranch prior to the summer. You may also take these courses in another place prior to arriving at the Ranch, and we subsidize the cost of these courses.
What kind of training and support do you provide counselors?
Counselors start the summer with a week-long staff orientation. This week gives counselors the opportunity to settle into life on the ranch and familiarize themselves with our program. This week is packed with hands-on training and review of all the essentials our staff need to be ready for Camp. This includes leadership development, skills, team building, and sessions on child development, abuse prevention, food handling, and mental health support.
We provide ongoing support to our staff throughout the summer. This includes regular 1:1 check-ins, weekly staff meetings, and a midsummer evaluation. Our leadership team works together to provide feedback and guidance to staff to help them be better counselors and to work on their own goals.