Help Transform Lives
Sherwood Forest is more than just a summer camp…
Our programs change the lives of children in need. We are looking for people to join our team this summer who are not only looking to work at a summer camp, but also want to help kids discover the best in themselves. Sherwood Forest staff members are passionate about the outdoors, working with children, and making the world a better place.
year round job opportunities
Program Manager - Quest (aka Camp Director)
Sherwood Forest’s Quest Program is a year-round youth development program for youth in grades one through nine, anchored in a residential summer camp experience. The Quest Program focuses on helping youth develop resilience and developmental assets through out-of-school time experiences.
The Quest Program Manager is the summer Camp Director and reports to the Executive Director. This role oversees Sherwood Forest’s Quest program and works with the Supports for Success Program Managers to ensure a continuum of care for our participants. The Quest Program Manager directly supervises one to three full-time Program Coordinators and part-time and seasonal Quest program staff.
For more information on the position and hiring requirements, please click here.
summer job opportunities
General Information
Click on the job titles below to learn more about the different positions we are hiring for camp this summer.
*Dates for Summer 2025*
Supervisors Arrive Thursday, May 22nd
Supervisor Training Saturday, May 24th to Tuesday, May 27th
All Staff Arrive Sunday, May 25th and Monday, May 26th
Staff Online Training Tuesday, May 27th and Wednesday 28th
Lifeguard Training Thursday, May 29th and Friday, May 30th
Tower Training Wednesday, May 28th and Friday, May 30th
CPR / First Aid Thursday, May 29th or Saturday, May 31st
All Staff Training Thursday, May 29th to Sunday, June 8th
Youth Mental Health First Aid Monday, June 2nd
Camp In Session Tuesday, June 10th to Monday, August 4th
- Mini Camp (1st & 2nd) Tuesday, June 10 to Monday, June 16
- Explorer Camp (3rd – 5th) Thursday, June 19 to Wednesday, July 2
- Leadership Camp (6th – 9th) Tuesday, July 8 to Monday, August 4
Intersession Break Thursday, July 3rd to Monday, July 7th (at breakfast)
Trip Training Tuesday, June 10th to Monday, June 16th
Staff Wrap-up Days Monday, August 4th to Wednesday, August 6th
Staff Departure Day Thursday, August 7th
Facilities
Sherwood Forest consists of four separate villages — Shire, Stargazer, Sycamore Springs, and Summit — each with its own campfire circle. All cabins have large porches, bunk beds, and plenty of storage spaces for campers to keep their belongings. Learn more about our facilities.
How to apply
Go online to https://sherwoodstaff.campbrainstaff.com to complete an application
Questions
Contact Alexis Newsome at alexisn@sherwoodforeststl.org or (314)644-3322
Group Leader/Activity Instructor
Position Description
Group Leaders/Activity Instructors fill two important roles while at camp: as a grade-specific Group Leader and an activity Instructor. As a Group Leader, counselors work with and oversee a cabin group of campers. Each cabin group acts as a camp family and home base for campers. As an Instructor, staff teach and lead activities within different department areas, providing grade-specific programs as well as programs for campers at all age levels. Some staff may have specialized department training.
Qualifications
- Minimum 18 years old
- Basic understanding of and desire to work with children from diverse backgrounds
- One year of post-secondary school or work preferred
- Interpersonal skills, especially with regards to accepting guidance and feedback
- Organizational, written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to provide a safe environment and proper care for campers
- Ability to supervise overnight trips, including learning wilderness camping skills and teaching skills to campers
- Ability to adhere to and uphold all regulations, policies, and procedures related to health and COVID-19
Salary
Salary is based on education, experience, qualifications, and time contracted ranging from $3,000-$3,500. It includes room and board for the duration of employment.
Village Director
Position Description
At Sherwood Forest, cabins are organized into grade level clusters called Villages. Village Directors are in charge of the well-being and organization of individuals within the village, including both campers and staff. They directly manage and supervise all group leaders living their respective village. This position also serves as a supervisory role within the Quest team and camp, and will be expected to fulfill supervisory duties beyond department area.
Qualifications
- Minimum 21 years old preferred
- Class E Driver’s License
- Experience working with children from diverse backgrounds
- Prior experience with camp or other recreational activities with children desired
- Strong interpersonal skills, especially with regards to accepting guidance and feedback
- Strong organizational, written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to manage and supervise group leaders and campers
- Ability to plan and organize camp programs and events related to their village
Salary
Salary is based on education, experience, and qualifications ranging from $3,500 -$4,000. It includes room and board for the duration of employment.
Department Head
POSITION DESCRIPTION
At Sherwood Forest, we have six activity areas, Adventure Sports, Aquatics, Arts, I.D.E.A.S, (In Depth Exploration for Achievement and Success), Outdoor Living Skills (O.L.S.), and Tripping. Department Heads manage activity instructors, and oversee all activities related their respective department within camp. This includes proper preparation, training, of staff regarding of the department. This position also serves as a supervisory role within the Quest team and camp, and will be expected to fulfill supervisory duties beyond department area.
Qualifications
- Valid Class E Driver’s License
- Experience working with children from diverse backgrounds
- Prior experience with camp or other recreational activities with children desired
- Experience in adventure sports and or aquatic programs
- Certified for the Tango Tower, zip lines, archery, and the low ropes course, or willing and able to be certified by the camp. Prior experience with climbing towers and/or ropes courses preferred.
- Familiarity with safety procedures, equipment use and care related to their program area
Skills & Abilities:
- Strong interpersonal skills, especially with regards to accepting guidance and feedback
- Strong organizational, written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to supervise and maintain an effective working relationship with instructors, group leaders and campers.
- Ability to plan and organize camp programs and events related to their program area
Salary
Salary is based on education, experience, and qualifications ranging from $3,500 -$4,000. It includes room and board for the duration of employment.
Nursing Assistant/Student Nurse
Position Description
Nursing Assistants/Student Nurses work closely with our RN to support the physical health and wellbeing of the camp community. They will be given the flexibility to work independently to assess and treat patients while receiving consistent guidance and feedback. Occasionally, they may be asked to provide care in backcountry and/or limited resource settings.
Qualifications
- 3rd or 4th year nursing student
- Valid class E driver’s license preferred
- Medication Management Certified or willing and able to be certified by the camp. Prior experience with medication management is preferred.
- Previous experience working with children and youth in a healthcare setting preferred
- Basic understanding and knowledge of working with children
- Interest in working in alternative nursing/medical fields
- Interpersonal skills, especially with regards to accepting guidance and feedback
- Ability to provide a safe environment and proper care for campers
- Ability to work and navigate in a variety of environments and weather conditions
Salary
Salary is based on education, experience, and qualifications ranging from $3,500 -$4,000. It includes room and board for the duration of employment.
Trip Leader
Position Description
Sherwood Forest has a progressive outdoor backpacking/hiking program, which starts in 1st grade with a night under the stars and ranges from single overnights to multiple backpacking and river expeditions. Trip Leaders assists Village Directors and Department Heads in the coordination and preparation of wilderness trips on camp property as well as in surrounding wilderness areas. This includes training and skills verification for staff leading or participating in wilderness trips.
Qualifications
- Valid Class E Driver’s License, preferred.
- Basic understanding of and desire to work with children
- Experience with wilderness trips, including backpacking, camping, canoeing.
- Wilderness First Aid, CPR/AED certification, WFR Preferred
- Strong interpersonal skills, especially with regards to accepting guidance and feedback
- Strong organizational, written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to provide a safe environment and proper care for campers
- Knowledge of proper gear usage and maintenance
- Knowledge of safety and risk management concerns related to terrain, weather, and animals in the Ozark mountains.
Salary
Salary is based on education, experience, and qualifications ranging from $3,500 -$4,000. It includes room and board for the duration of employment.
Youth Advocate – Practicum Position
Position Description
This position is open to applicants currently pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s in social work, psychology, counseling, or another mental health and/or behavioral health-related field. The Youth Advocate role is critical in supporting the social, emotional, and behavioral health of campers throughout their time at camp. They are responsible for establishing strong, positive relationships with the youth at camp, as well as serve as a resource for other seasonal program staff. This is a residential position, requiring full-time residence at Sherwood Forest’s camp from mid-May to early August. Free room and board are provided. This position also serves as a supervisory role within the Quest team and camp, and will be expected to fulfill supervisory duties beyond department area.
Qualifications & Certifications:
- Previous experience working with youth.
- Must be 21+ years old.
- Must have a valid driver’s license, the ability to obtain a Class E, pass a driver’s certification program, and be approved by insurance company.
- Ability to establish and sustain positive rapport with youth of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
- Puts time and energy into listening to others and is approachable.
- Ability to assess an individual’s strengths and challenges and support them to achieve their goals.
- Ability to anticipate, identify, and resolve problems in a timely manner. Gathers information skillfully and works well with others to solve problems.
- Consistently models positive, supportive interactions and appropriate boundaries for staff and youth.
- Able to deal with frequent change, delays, or unexpected events.
- Ability to make sound decisions in a timely manner.
- Open to personal growth and responsive to constructive criticism.
Registered Nurse
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Our head RN manages and supervises 2-4 nursing assistants/student nurses, by working a team to provide health care meeting the individual needs of campers and staff. The RN will maintain accurate and detailed medical records according to American Camp Association Standards and Sherwood’s Standing Medical Orders. Provide and oversee first aid procedures and supplies for the staff and campers. The RN will perform health checks on all campers and staff who are arriving and departing camp and as needed. Additionally the RN will supervise sanitary conditions throughout camp. This position also serves as an admin role within the Quest team and camp, and will be expected to fulfill supervisory duties beyond department area.
Qualifications & Certifications:
- Registered nurse (RN) with a license as required by state law, Certified Nurse Practitioner preferred.
- At least 5 years of nursing experience.
- CPR certified.
- Current First Aid certification and experience in first aid and emergency management.
- Class E Driver’s license or ability to obtain.
- Experience in both youth and adult illness/injury care.
- Desire to work with children and young adults.
- Community health knowledge.
- Ability to communicate with parents, staff, and administration about camper health concerns.
- Possess endurance to meet emergency needs.
- Ability to drive to off-camp health provider, physician, or emergency treatment locations.
Salary
Salary is based on education, experience, and qualifications ranging from $12,500 – $15,000. This position has private quartiers in our Comfort Lodge that is is air-conditioned, has washer dryer and full kitchen.