Swim Camp Counselor

The Bolles Swim Camp is an annual boarding camp held on The Bolles School campus in Jacksonville, Florida. This camp provides swimmers with a transformative experience, immersing them in rigorous training, technical coaching, and student-athlete life at Bolles. Known as a catalyst for success, the camp has inspired countless swimmers to achieve new heights in the sport, from national champions to Olympians.

Are you ready to make a lasting impact on youth athletes while advancing your own professional skills? At the Bolles Swim Camp, counselors have the unique opportunity to work alongside Bolles Swimming’s senior coaching staff, leaning from one of the most successful club swim programs in the world. This role not only offers valuable experience in leadership, coaching, and camper management but also provides unparalleled exposure to the methods and strategies that have propelled Bolles swimmers to the Olympics, international competitions, and U.S. championships.

Position Purpose

The Swim Camp Counselors role is to directly manage the resident-life areas of the Bolles Swim Camp, primarily through direct engagement with campers.  Campers should experience a safe, clean, and fulfilling experience at Bolles while enrolled in Swim Camp.  The counselors will work together to create positive residential, athletic, and social aspects of the camper’s experience. Counselors will work directly with all the swim camp staff, the Bolles campus staff and support personnel. The position will require residency at the Bolles School from May 27-June 28, 2026.

Counselors will be assigned specific times and activities to be responsible for each day.  These can include but are not limited to; camp setup and break down, camper airport transport, wake up/lights out routines, meals, monitoring camper rest/free time, on campus activities, off campus activities, room change procedures, practice sessions, classroom sessions, gym/dryland sessions.  Counselors will be scheduled to have “off duty” time throughout camp.  Should the counselor need to schedule personal time, they should contact the resident-life director and head coach in advance.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Counselors must live on The Bolles School campus for the duration of the camp.
• Proficiency with electronic communication, app-based communication tools, and social media is required.
• Experience working with or participating in competitive swimming is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience working with children; camp or other group experience preferred.
• Ability to teach and lead various recreational activities.
• Excellent character, integrity, and adaptability, enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience and self-control.
• Ability to communicate and work with a variety of age and skill levels.
• The desire and ability to work in a cooperative, team-oriented atmosphere.
• First Aid/CPR certification required.
• All positions require successful completion of a pre-employment background check and drug screen.
• Minimum age of 18 years.

General Responsibilities

• Supervise campers and actively participate in all aspects of the campers’ day.
• Take primary responsibility for the health, well-being and happiness of campers.
• Plan and participate in all camp activities with a positive attitude.
• Each counselor will be responsible for daily rotation of duties as assigned by the Supervisor.
• Counselors will attend on- and off-campus activities as assigned by the supervisor and coaching staff. This may include trips to the local beach, nearby cities or entertainment venues. Counselors must be willing to supervise and manage campers during these activities.
• Recognize and respond appropriately to opportunities for group problem solving within the camper community and among the staff.
• Observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
• Encourage respect for other campers’ personal property, school property, camp equipment and facilities.
• Maintain positive relationships with campers by showing sensitivity to campers’ emotional needs and problem-solving camper issues effectively.
• Meet/communicate regularly with camp leadership regarding concerns, updates and challenges.
• Abide by all The Bolles Swim Camp policies and procedures.
• Set a good example for campers, including cleanliness, punctuality, respect, rules and demeanor.

Additional Considerations

• Counselors work in a noisy, fast paced environment both indoors and outdoors with daily exposure to heat, sun, water and bugs. Prolonged standing, waiting, walking and some heavy lifting required.  Must possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
• Counselor duties will require a varied day-to-day schedule including odd hours and local travel.  Counselors should be flexible and proactive in managing their personal time.
• Counselors may request and discuss coaching duties as part of their contract for camp. 
• Be able to occasionally lift 45 lbs.
• Work intermittently in outside weather conditions which include daily exposure to sun, heat, water and bugs.
• Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury).

It is understood that this Job Description has been developed as an outline for basic responsibilities. Additional duties may be assigned by the Swim Camp Director & Resident Life Supervisor as deemed appropriate and/or necessary.