What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2026 Eagle's Nest Camp Counselor position at Eagle's Nest Foundation?
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.
Who We Are: Eagle’s Nest Camp is non-profit, overnight camp located on 200 acres of wooded land in the lush mountains of Western North Carolina, just southwest of Asheville and down the road from 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 have the opportunity to participate in 1 to 3-week long sessions that emphasize community living while choosing to take classes in visual and performing arts, athletics, appreciation of nature, outdoor adventure, horseback riding, and more. Our population is diverse and smaller in size than most camps, which allows our campers and staff to feel seen, heard, and valued no matter how long they attend camp!
As a counselor and activity instructor, you’ll:
- 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 an extra layer of belonging for every camper, pitch in with dishes, sing with our Lunchtime Singing Band.
- Be a leader: Participate in and lead the many silly, competitive, or unique whole-camp activities Eagle’s Nest offers. Develop leadership, communication, and teamwork skills that will benefit you long after the summer ends.
- Be a collaborative innovator: Adapt your plans, be spontaneous, make magical memories. Bring your own ideas of how to make our camp more inclusive, more kind, more rooted in nature, and more fun!
Required Qualifications:
- All staff must be at least 18 years old with one full year out of high school.
- We require CPR and First Aid certification by the time the season begins and may require higher certifications for teaching in specific areas.
- We offer certifications in CPR/FA and Lifeguarding, as well as skills in other areas to help you feel competent, qualified, and build your own resume.
Benefits: Competitive salary and one full day off each week, plus nights off and lunches out. On-campus housing. Delicious, home-cooked meals (including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options), professional discounts on outdoor gear and equipment, staff lounge with wifi, and access to laundry facilities provided.
Dates: Position is from mid-to-late May to August 10th, 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 visit our webpage to learn more about Eagle's Nest Camp!
Working at Eagle’s Nest Camp can be a great option for internship credit. During your time at Eagle’s Nest Camp, you will build meaningful job preparation skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication, work ethic, flexibility, and more. We can work with you and your advisors to meet your internship requirements. We can also help you craft an individual internship that will meet your goals. Past internships have included Outdoor Recreation Management, logistics, non-profit leadership, and cooking. For more information about completing an internship at Eagle’s Nest Camp, reach out to Lia Messersmith at lia@enf.org.
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