Summer Art Camp Counselors

Performing and Visual Arts camps are offered in a variety of disciplines, themes, and mediums in one-week full and half-day sessions for campers entering grades K–7in the following school year.  Campers register for camps according to age/rising grade and interest in camp content. Campers must reach age 5 by September 1 of that year to participate in HCAC summer camp. 

Our Visual Arts and Performing Arts camps are generally limited to 15 campers, and each class has one teacher and 1-4 classroom assistants (which include Counselors and Volunteers). All staff receive CJIS, FBI, and CPS background checks and are trained in Summer Camp policies and procedures, Medical and Emergency procedures, and the Child Abuse Prevention and Reporting Program.

The Camp Assistant Program is a summer employment and volunteer program designed to provide an environment for teenagers and young adults to learn leadership skills by example, activities, and feedback from summer camp directors and staff. Camp Counselors are paid, others serve as Volunteers. Not all camp classes will have Volunteers; Counselors and Volunteers are assigned based on class enrollment. 

Camp Counselors assist with activity set-up and clean-up, camper activities, running an activity (if appropriate), and other duties as assigned by their supervisor. All classroom assistants should be actively and appropriately involved with the campers throughout the camp day. 

• January 5* – Camp Assistant Applications open on the HoCo Arts website
• March 31* – Application deadline
• March through April* – Scheduled zoom interviews with HoCo Arts Camp Supervisors
• April 25 – Notification of job offer with schedule available
• June 17 – Staff zoom meeting
• June 19 – All day onsite MANDATORY staff training
• June 22 – 26 Camp Session 1
• June 29 – July 2 Camp Session 2 (4-day camp, closed July 3)
• July 6 –10 Camp Session 3
• July 13 – 17 Camp Session 4
• July 20 – 24 Camp Session 5
• July 27 – 31 Camp Session 6
• August 3 – 7 Camp Session 7
• August 10 – 14 Camp Session 8
• August 17 – 21 Camp Session 9 

*Yearly dates will remain the same, otherwise specific 2026 dates listed

Daily Schedules:

Counselors will be scheduled for the week in the following shifts.  If you are not available to work a particular schedule for the full week, please let us know in your application.  While we try to avoid scheduling people for a partial week, occasionally counselors are called in to cover for a schedule change due to illness.  

• 8am – 4pm (before care shift)
• 8:30am – 4:30pm (general counselor shift)
• 10am – 6pm (after care shift)
• 2pm –6pm (part-time shift, limited offers for this shift will be made depending on camp enrollment)

We depend on Counselors and Volunteers to keep camp running smoothly!

Counselors and Volunteers’ primary role is to help teachers and campers in the classroom. Tasks will vary from creative, such as assisting students in completing artwork or rehearsing a scene, to routine, such as washing out paint trays, wiping down tables, and walking students to the restroom. All of these are of equal importance and should be done with the same positive approach. 

Expectations:

• A good role model
• Dependability
• Positive attitude
• Respect for staff, campers, and fellow assistants
• Appropriate active participation in all activities
• Involvement in duties without reminders or requests
• Appropriate dress
• Completion of required paperwork
• Adherence to Center and camp policies and procedures

Counselors are paid minimum wage and can request schedules that will offer them up to 20 or up to 40 hours weekly.  The 2026 camp counselor rate will be $16.  

Volunteers are unpaid. They can earn school service hours, but this is not required.