embark on your journey

At Embark, our Senior Staff and Staff teams are the heart of the camp experience. As the leaders who guide our programming, mentor youth, and cultivate a supportive and inclusive community, you play a pivotal role in bringing Embark’s mission to life. Whether you’re designing meaningful activities, facilitating faith-based discussions, managing camp operations or ensuring our campers feel safe and seen, your leadership shapes every moment.

In return, you’ll gain real, transferable skills like team leadership, communication, conflict management, and program facilitation, along with the confidence to guide groups, make decisions, and lead with purpose.

If you’re ready to grow, lead, and help create unforgettable camp experiences, we’d love to have you on the team!

National Camp Manager

open to ages 25+

The National Camp Manager (NCM) is the senior most staff member on site at Embark, responsible for a group of approximately 30 adults and 80 campers. We are seeking an individual who will manage the Senior Staff team but also manage the individual, meeting them where they are in terms of their skill sets and ability to contribute and help those individuals grow and thrive in the process. The NCM should be somebody who can be firm in terms of expectations that they set with respect to timelines and delivering each task with excellence, however, they should balance this with the lightness of touch and empathy, given that we are a volunteer-led, values-based community.

The staff members that the NCM will be managing and working with includes 4 other Senior Staff members, 2 scholar assigned by ITREB, a mental health professional through the SSN system, visiting faculty, health care providers assigned by Aga Khan Health Board, and approximately 20 college students serving as counselors and program assistants.

Senior Staff

Senior Staff is composed of five critical team members: the National Camp Manager, two Program Facilitators (one male, one female), the Operations Manager, and the Senior Program Assistant. These volunteers help plan and prepare for camp in the months leading up to the program and provide essential support for overall operations during training and camp - assisting with content setup, camper management, and many other program and operational tasks. They should think creatively about how to keep campers and staff engaged throughout Embark, be passionate about positive youth development, and contribute actively to creating an environment where staff and campers can thrive.

This is an opportunity to learn and/or implement interpersonal skills that can be applied throughout your life, both professionally and personally. Here are some key skills that you'll explore:

1. Adaptability – Camp life is always changing! Being flexible and ready to tackle unexpected challenges will help keep everything on track.

2. Resourcefulness – Whether it’s setting up activities, preparing meals, or problem-solving on the fly, a creative and solutions-oriented mindset is essential.

3. Team Player – Operations is all about collaboration! Working together with counselors, staff, and leadership ensures a seamless camp experience.

4. Interpersonal Communication – From guiding transitions to engaging with campers and staff, strong communication helps keep camp running efficiently and participants engaged.

Senior Staff members are instrumental in making camp a success. Your ability to support, adapt, and stay engaged will not only enhance the camp experience but also contribute to positive youth development. Your impact behind the scenes helps create life-changing moments for everyone at camp! Applicants must be 23 years of age at the time of camp. Applications close on December 14, 2025 at 11:59 PM PST.

interested? apply here!

Staff

Being a counselor or program assistant (PA) at Embark is more than just a summer activity - it’s an opportunity to make a lasting impact! Here are some key qualities that make a great staff member and help you succeed in this rewarding role:

1. Enthusiasm & Energy – Your positive attitude sets the tone for campers. Get excited, have fun, and bring the energy!

2. Patience & Adaptability – Every day at camp is different, so staying flexible and keeping a cool head will help you handle any challenge.

3. Strong Leadership & Teamwork – Whether leading a content area or working with fellow PAs to set up an evening program, being a team player is key to creating an amazing camp experience.

4. Communication & Listening Skills – Connecting with campers and co-staff members starts with great communication. Listen, engage, and be supportive!

5. Responsibility & Safety Awareness – Keeping campers safe (physically and emotionally) is your top priority. Be reliable, alert, and ready to step in when needed.

When you bring these skills to Embark, you’ll create unforgettable experiences, build meaningful relationships, and grow as a leader. Applicants are required to be at least 20 years old at the time of camp.

Staff applications for 2026 are not yet open - check back in December!