Camp Illahee
Camp Illahee
Currently recruiting for the season from May 28th, 2024 to August 16th, 2024.
Since 1921, Camp Illahee has given girls the opportunity to explore their interests, seek new adventures and forge friendships and memories that last a lifetime. We invite you to explore more about Illahee.
Brevard, North Carolina - a cool, small mountain town with a BIG national forest in our backyard!
- Location
- North Carolina
- Season
- Summer
- Staff size
- 100-150 total
- Housing
- Whether included in the compensation package or provided at a cost, housing is provided for staff.
- Pet friendly
- No
- Meals
- Provided
- Cell phone service
- Yes, most carriers
- Internet access
- Good
About Camp Illahee
If you are looking for the perfect summer job, we invite you to think “outside the office” and discover just how fun a summer job can be! We invite you to practice skills such as communication, problem solving, critical thinking, strategic planning, and teamwork, all while enjoying your passions and passing your knowledge to younger outdoor enthusiasts! An Illahee summer is a season for broadening your horizons and for being part of a team of caring individuals. We invite you to explore, and perhaps, share our "heavenly world".
The Employee Experience
From the words of a summer intern:
"My time at Camp Illahee was nothing short of transformative. I am proud to have been a part of this summer's Trips Program. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such a dedicated and passionate group of women. The knowledge and experiences I gained will undoubtedly serve me well in my future endeavors."
...the words of a staff member following her first summer:
"Working at Illahee not only gave me a chance to connect with other young women my age but also greatly developed my leadership skills. I enjoyed being able to share my love of climbing with young girls and see them be inspired by all the counselors and staff. Illahee gave me a chance to pass on my passion to kids that might not have found a passion anywhere else."
...and another:
"It was one of the best summers of my life. It gave me the opportunity to make a positive impact on campers, and that is a truly rewarding feeling. Not only did I watch my campers grow, I felt myself grow as well! I left camp feeling more confident and more like myself than ever before, and also met people who became some of my closest friends."
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidates for a staff member at Illahee are dynamic, patient, kind and compassionate. She/He is enthusiastic, creative, wise (occasionally less wise and more silly), flexible, hard-working and willing to learn. Certainly an individual who loves working with children and being outdoors! Our best staff want to have a purposeful summer, to have fun and to be part of a community with common goals. They put safety and campers first, but also have an understanding of and ability to push campers outside of their comfort zone.
Room and Board
Room and Board are available for most staff positions. This consists of a screened-in cabin to allow the cool mountain air, bullfrogs, and crickets to lull you to sleep after a good day at play! All cabins have electricity and a full bathhouse is available just steps away.
Three delicious meals are part of every day at camp. Dietary restrictions can be met but sometimes staff like to outsource, as well!
Employee Perks
Staff discount cards are issued for most establishments in town. Some pro-deals are offered to seasonal staff as well. The Brevard Racquet club offers a very reasonable weekly rate to staff for a gym membership and pool time. It is located about a mile away from camp!
Pisgah National Forest and Dupont State Park offer FREE hikes, waterfall views, and outstanding vistas!
Getting Here and Getting Around
Most staff have their cars at camp, and if you don't they would love for you to join them! Transylvania County is a very bike friendly place and town is an easy bike ride away.
If a staff member flies to camp, we will arrange for transportation to and from the airport.
For Fun
BEST summer EVER! Fun is at your fingertips every evening with the camp's evening programs! Additionally, hiking, biking, tubing, rafting, and forest bathing opportunities are minutes away. If you are a "foodie", Asheville NC is 45 minutes away and is an excellent cultural city to explore! Find out more by visiting Our town's website, Explore Brevard!
Current Job Openings
Specialty Instructor
Share your creative talents and help others find theirs! General Arts and Crafts, Fiber Arts, Ceramics, Painting and Woodworking are all offered at camp with a blend of cool new projects and traditional favorites.
Cabin Counselors and Activity Instructors
Wearing different hats and having a variety of experiences is the hallmark of a summer at Illahee. As a cabin staff member you are a mom, older sister, friend, mentor, and teacher all in one. You will live in a cabin with seven or eight campers and a co-counselor. During the day, you teach activities, usually in at least two different activity areas. You will make a positive difference by sharing new ideas, teaching with creativity and enthusiasm, and building relationships with the campers and staff around you.
Base pay for this position is $275 per week plus room and board, with weekly bonuses for certifications and leadership roles. End-of-season bonuses also bring up the total pay.
Specialty Instructor - Kayaking
Salary is based on experience and the low end is $3000 for the season, with increases beyond that for experienced applicants and certifications held.
Some activities, such as horseback riding, rock climbing, and kayaking require advanced skills and expertise in order to teach. If you have a lot of experience and a passion for one of these areas, and a love for and interest in working with children, a non-cabin staff position might be right for you. As an adventure trip leader you will spend your days working with other trip leaders to lead groups of 8-12 campers on climbing, hiking, or paddling trips to classic western North Carolina sites. As a riding or Mountain Bike instructor, you will work with other staff at our scenic barn and riding arena or at our new Biking facility where campers are eager to learn riding, 4 legged or 2-wheeled!
We have 10 weeks with campers, but some of our specialty staff work between 7 and 9 weeks depending on our needs. The season begins with orientation on June 3rd and runs through August 16th, 2024
Grounds Staff
This job is perfect for the handy man OR woman who enjoys the satisfaction of physical outdoor work! Join a great crew of folks who keep camp looking beautiful and operating smoothly with general grounds work and light maintenance.
Hourly or salaried depending on living arrangement and meal plan.
Specialty Instructor - Climbing
Salary is based on experience and the low end is $3000 for the season, with increases beyond that for experienced applicants and certifications held.
Some activities, such as horseback riding, rock climbing, and kayaking require advanced skills and expertise in order to teach. If you have a lot of experience and a passion for one of these areas, and a love for and interest in working with children, a non-cabin staff position might be right for you. As an adventure trip leader you will spend your days working with other trip leaders to lead groups of 8-12 campers on climbing, hiking, or paddling trips to classic western North Carolina sites. As a Horseback riding or Mountain Bike instructor, you will work with other staff at our scenic barn and riding arena or at our new Biking facility where campers are eager to learn riding, 4 legged or 2-wheeled!
We have 10 weeks with campers, but some of our specialty staff work between 7 and 9 weeks depending on our needs. The season begins with orientation on June 3rd and runs through August 16th, 2024
How to Apply
Visit our website, www.campillahee.com, to learn more, inquire or submit our online application by clicking the button below.
Once we receive the application we will schedule a time for a virtual interview (or if you are close by, in person is even better!). Communication and efficiency are an important part of the application process on our end, so let's get started!
Contact Info
- Gretchen Greene
- gretchen@campillahee.com
- (828) 883-2181
- www.campillahee.com
