Summer Camp Counselor Evanston

Overview

As a Summer Camp Counselor (Team Leaders at Galileo), you’ll be the core presence for each camper, guiding them through a safe, engaging summer experience. You will stay with the same group all week and help create a supportive environment that prioritizes physical and emotional safety. This is a seasonal role;
Summer Camp Counselors work full-time Monday – Friday (5 days per week).

• Lead and Supervise Campers: Supervise groups of 15+ campers weekly, creating a safe, inclusive, and engaging camp experience.
• Foster group connection through team activities, games, and daily interactions.
• Ensure a positive, supportive environment, manage camper behavior through restorative practices, and provide individual support based on campers' diverse needs.
• Collaborate with instructors to deliver Galileo’s project-based curriculum, integrating science, technology, engineering, and math.
• Support instructors by preparing materials and ensuring learning spaces are ready for each activity.
• Support and participate in extended care programming before and after standard camp hours.

• Engage in All Camp
  
  Activities:
  
  Collaborate with teammates to plan, set up, and run daily activities.
• Lead campers during ceremonies, activities, snack, and lunch, ensuring safety and a positive camp spirit.
• Lead and participate in camp songs, chants, and skits, contributing energy to opening and closing ceremonies.
• Work as part of a team to make camp experiences joyful and memorable.

• Provide Exceptional Customer Service: Greet campers and families with enthusiasm, ensuring a welcoming environment.
• Follow check-in/check-out procedures for efficient attendance and safety.
• Communicate with families about campers’ experiences as needed, ensuring a positive start and end to each day.

• Build Your Skills with Ongoing Training and Support
  :
• Complete paid online training on innovation education, Galileo policies, and best practices before camp starts.
• Attend two in-person setup and training days to prepare your camp and meet your team.
• Develop professionally through feedback, supplemental training, and hands-on learning guided by camp leaders.

At Galileo, we are committed to pay transparency and equity. We anticipate the compensation for this position to be $17.99 per hour for new (first-year) camp staff. Your exact pay rate will be determined based on a variety of factors, including work location and tenure.

Returning (alumni) staff pay for this role ranges from $18.24 per hour (second-year) to $18.99 per hour (fifth-year), based on tenure with Galileo Camps.

• One free week of camp for your own child
• 15% Friends and Family Discount
• Priority scholarship nominations
• Membership in the Galileo Alumni Community of over 20,000 inspiring changemakers

• All camps operate Monday – Friday. Shifts vary by position and location and can start as early as 7:00 a.m. and end as late as 6:30 p.m.
• Staff must complete online training and attend two pre-camp set-up days before camp opens. Set-up days may be scheduled on weekends.
• Camp set-up dates, start dates, and duration vary by location. See your location on our Camp Finder page for site-specific dates.

• Experience supervising groups of 10+ children
• At least 1 year (or camp season) experience in summer camp, school, childcare, tutoring, coaching kids, after-school programs, or related fields
• College coursework in Education or Child Development is a plus but not required
• Ability to balance multiple tasks with a sense of urgency and enthusiasm
• Bilingual in English and Spanish is a plus, but not required
• Ability to access and use web-based tools via a personal smart device
• Ability to complete pre-camp tasks, including background checks, state-mandated certifications, electronic onboarding paperwork, and online training prior to camp start
• Availability to work 8-hour shifts daily, Monday – Friday, for the duration of camp
• Required to be available to work a minimum of 4 continuous weeks overlapping with camp operation dates
• Priority given to those able to commit to the full duration of camp (4–8 continuous weeks, depending on location)
• Must be at least 18 years of age by May 1, 2026

At Galileo…