Job Description

Camp Mendocino is a residential summer camp located in Northern California, four hours north of San Francisco and spread over 2,000 acres. We provide transportation between San Francisco and Camp at the start and end of the summer. All Camp employees are expected to live, sleep and work at Camp. As a program of the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco (BGCSF), we are dedicated to providing children and teens with safe, fun places to learn and grow, with professional staff to offer support and guidance, serving as caring mentors and role models.

Who are we:

We’re not just a summer camp—we’re a community. We provide a safe, transformative outdoor experience for youth from diverse backgrounds including youth from some of San Francisco’s least resourced neighborhoods; grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and joy. Our staff culture values growth, teamwork, professionalism, and fun.

Who are you:

You are a youth-centered role model with strong emotional intelligence, integrity, and a love for the outdoors. You collaborate well, bring creativity and patience, and are eager to learn, grow, and support a diverse community of campers and staff.

Position Purpose

The Challenge Course Specialist (also called Ropes Course Specialist) facilitates the challenge course, which includes: high elements on two static systems, a climbing wall, and low elements. This position teaches youth about team building, goal setting, and overcoming challenges in a positive manner, and promotes character development. The challenge course team ensures the safety of all participants while on the challenge course.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide a positive and safe environment for participants to engage in all challenge course activities.
• Ensure the safety of all campers, including setting clear safety expectations, observing and engaging campers while in their care, assessing the appropriateness of camper behaviors.
• Ensure the safety requirements are being followed by all participants on challenge course elements.
• Foster an atmosphere of teamwork for all participants.
• Foster character development consistent with BGCSF philosophy.
• Run activities with youth including but not limited to: wellness activities, outdoor education, hiking, and overnight camping.
• Engage campers with a positive attitude.
• Other duties as specified by the direct supervisor.

Requirements

Required Skills

• Experience facilitating challenge courses/high ropes courses and/or rock climbing walls.
• Experience facilitating team-building activities.
• Experience leading youth programs.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with coworkers and youth.
• Ability to handle difficult or stressful situations in a professional manner.
• Strong communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Preferred Skills

• Experience working with youth in an overnight camp setting.
• Experience working with youth from disadvantaged circumstances.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift 50lbs.
• Must be able to walk on uneven terrain for at least 3 miles.
• Must be able to stand for 8 hours (with breaks).
• Must be able to work in temperatures ranging from 30° to 100°.

Schedule

• Temporary/Seasonal Summer position.
• Applicants should be available June 12 - August 6, 2026 to work & live on-site at our Camp location in Northern California (Mendocino County).
• Staff members work 40-56 hours/week depending on position with two days off per week. Days off vary per session.

Lodging

Lodging is provided for all staff on site. Ropes Course specialists will sleep on bunk beds in open-air cabins while supervising youth overnight.

Benefits

• Onsite lodging is provided for all staff.
• Three cooked meals per day are provided onsite, including on days off (gluten-free, vegan, & vegetarian options).
• Free onsite laundry.
• Employee Assistance Program: in-person counseling + 24/7 confidential mental health support.
• Onsite workout facilities.
• Free Wifi access in the staff lounge.
• Free 1-year membership to the American Camp Association

Pay

The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and BGCSF needs. At BGCSF, our decisions are based on other factors and dependent on circumstances for each position. Depending on the need and requirement of the position, an individual could be hired at or near the entry level, mid - level or top of the range for their role and compensation. As such, a reasonable estimate for this temporary summer position from June 12 - August 6, 2026, is $4,195.00.

Disclaimer

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The information presented indicates the general nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain, nor to be interpreted as, a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications and objectives required of employees assigned to this job.

If you’re excited about this opportunity, but your experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyways and attach a cover letter explaining why it would be a good fit. You may just be the right candidate!

IMPACT | GROWTH | COMMUNITY