"The Toughest, and BEST, Job I Ever Had"
Now Accepting Applications for our Summer 2025 Staff Team!
What is YMCA Camp Timbers?
YMCA Camp Timbers is a 300-acre summer camp located near West Branch, Michigan. Owned by the YMCA of Saginaw, Camp Timbers specializes in overnight and trip camps for youth ages 6-17 years old from throughout the Great Lakes Bay Region. Around 1000 campers join us each summer, averaging approximately 140 campers per week. For each camper, we strive to offer remarkable experiences, quality connections, and meaningful growth while fostering the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.
How do Staff Describe Camp?
It’s often the most challenging job they’ll have and also the most rewarding. Most of our staff eat, sleep, and work amongst campers nearly around the clock for week-long sessions. In this time, they become role models and heroes to their campers. They create meaningful memories, form lifelong friendships with each other, and find that camp becomes a “home away from home.”
Why Choose Camp Timbers?
Many of us are looking for ways to have a meaningful impact – to put our time, energy, and talents to work making positive change for others. Camp Timbers offers this opportunity to staff. Large enough to have extensive program options (ziplines, archery, ropes courses, climbing tower, giant swing, and much more), it’s also small enough that you can have a personal impact and legacy. Gain experience working with youth, spend the summer exploring and leading outdoors, and have the type of summer you’ll always remember! Broaden your horizons by working with a team of diverse individuals from around the globe!
Summer 2025 Details
We are currently recruiting staff and building our Summer 2025 staff team!
Our Summer 2025 season begins for staff with a full week of on-site training (Friday, May 30 – Friday, June 6, 2025). Summer camp sessions are weekly from June 8th – August 1st. With staff contracts concluding on August 2rd. We also offer a small number of half-summer contracts.
There will be opportunities for a small group of staff to continue working in program facilitator and support roles for guest groups during pre-season in May and post-season in August based on our guest group calendar.
Summer staff members live on-site during camp sessions. It’s a big commitment – while camp is in session our counselors are with campers 23 hours/day. Counselors stay in camper cabins overnight for supervision, eat meals with their campers, and facilitate cabin or activity-based programming throughout the day. As it’s part of the job, meals and lodging are provided while camp is in session. For our support staff, those working in Food Service, Maintenance/Cleaning, and some program areas (lifeguards and high adventure) there is an opportunity for staff to live off-site and work based on an hourly schedule.
Applications are considered on a rolling basis as qualified candidates are identified and as positions remain available.
Camp Positions - Summer 2025
Cabin Counselors
The ULTIMATE role model experience! Provide direct supervision and leadership to a cabin of 8-12 campers. Create memorable experiences and a cohesive, family-like cabin. Fulfill any required volunteer hours for your program or organization. Must be 18+; at least 1 year of college preferred. Pay rate $365-385 per week based on experience.
Outdoor Trip Leaders
Be a role model in the wilderness! Lead week-long overnight hiking/canoeing trips for teens. Must be 19+; with trip experience (WFA/WFR certification preferred). Pay rate $365-400 per week based on experience.
Lifeguard Specialist
Assist with supervision and leadership of boating and swimming. Must be 16+ with current lifeguard certification. Pay rate $355-375 per week based on experience.
Learn More About a Role by Viewing Job Descriptions:
