Eagle's Nest Camp Counselor

Counselor and Activity Instructor — Eagle’s Nest Camp

Pisgah Forest, North Carolina
· Seasonal

Do you value kindness, inclusion, nature, and community? Are you looking to build your resume while also building character and meaningful relationships? Come play, learn, teach, and create memories in Pisgah Forest as a counselor at Eagle’s Nest Camp. We are looking for hard-working, FUN folks to create magic, be role models, and explore the outdoors with our campers. Eagle’s Nest Camp is a place where campers and counselors grow in confidence, independence, and become the best versions of themselves.

If you’re up for the challenge, the rewards are plenty.

Hear from a few of our former staff about why they chose to work at The Nest.

Overview

Eagle’s Nest Camp is a non-profit, overnight camp located on 200 acres of wooded land in the mountains of Western North Carolina, near Asheville and close to Pisgah National Forest and Dupont State Forest. Since 1927, we’ve provided a joyful, inclusive community where campers ages 6 to 18 are treated with respect, compassion, and care. Campers participate in 1 to 3-week sessions that emphasize community living while offering classes in visual and performing arts, athletics, appreciation of nature, outdoor adventure, horseback riding, and more.

Our population is diverse and smaller in size, allowing campers and staff to feel seen, heard, and valued no matter how long they attend camp.

Responsibilities

• Be an educator: our mission emphasizes Experiential Education. Plan lessons and teach classes daily in areas that match your skills and passions (examples include Arts and Crafts, Backpacking, Horseback Riding, Canoeing, Rock Climbing, Athletics, Swimming, Music, Drama, and more).
• Be a caregiver:
  Live in a cabin with 10 to 12 campers, providing supervision, building community, ensuring safety, managing routines, working as a team, and having fun.
• Be a community member:
  Eat meals with a “Table Family” to provide belonging, pitch in with dishes, and participate in Lunchtime Singing Band.
• Be a leader:
  Participate in and lead whole-camp activities, developing leadership, communication, and teamwork skills that will benefit you beyond the summer.
• Be a collaborative innovator:
  Adapt plans, be spontaneous, and bring ideas to make camp more inclusive, kind, rooted in nature, and fun.

Required Qualifications

• All staff must be at least 18 years old with one full year out of high school.
• CPR and First Aid certification required by the start of the season; higher certifications may be required for teaching specific areas.
• CPR/FA and Lifeguarding certifications are offered, and other skills are available to help you feel competent, qualified, and build your resume.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and one full day off each week, plus nights off and lunches out.
• On-campus housing.
• Delicious, home-cooked meals (vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options).
• Professional discounts on outdoor gear and equipment.
• Staff lounge with wifi and access to laundry facilities.

Dates

Position is from mid-to-late May to August 10, 2026.

How to Apply

Please complete this short application. Once we receive it, we will review your application and reach out about next steps. You can learn more about Eagle’s Nest Camp on our webpage.

Internships

Working at Eagle’s Nest Camp can be a great option for internship credit. You will build skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication, work ethic, and flexibility. We can work with your advisors to meet internship requirements and tailor projects to your goals. Past internships have included Outdoor Recreation Management, logistics, non-profit leadership, and cooking. For more information, contact Lia Messersmith at lia.