Employment at Camp

"The Toughest, and BEST, Job I Ever Had"

SUMMER 2024 APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

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 900 campers join us each summer, averaging approximately 125 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 2024 Details

Our staff application for Summer 2024 is now open, and we encourage interested applicants to begin their online application as soon as possible.

Our Summer 2024 season begins for staff with a full week of on-site training (Friday, May 31 – Friday, June 7, 2024). Summer camp sessions are weekly from June 9th – August 2nd. With staff contracts concluding on August 3rd. We also offer a small number of half-summer contracts starting May 31st to June 29th.

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 2024

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.

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).

Lifeguard Specialist

Assist with supervision and leadership of boating and swimming. Must be 17+ with current lifeguard certification.

Kitchen Staff

Great meals make a great camp! Lead meal preparation, service, and clean-up for either AM or PM meals. Must be 17+; previous kitchen experience required.

Maintenance Assistants

Make exceptional camp experiences possible behind the scenes with maintaining, cleaning, and improving camp facilities. Must be 17+, related experience preferred.