Camp Counselor - Applied Child Psychology (Outdoor Setting)

Applied Child Psychology in an Outdoor Setting: Camp Counselor

Apply: www.LureoftheWild.com

Lure of the Wild is a fully outdoor day camp operating in the public and private woodlands of Central Maryland. Our state-certified program uses child-led, play-based learning to support healthy development. Through careful observation, intentional scaffolding, and minimal adult intervention, we create a natural environment where children build confidence, resilience, problem-solving skills, and emotional regulation.

Our staff is committed to nurturing children’s physical, emotional, and social development while fostering a lifelong connection with nature.

Why Psychology Majors Love This Job

This role is ideal for students interested in child psychology, counseling, school psychology, education, play therapy, occupational therapy, social work, or developmental research.

You will gain hands-on experience with:

• Real-time child behavior observation
• Emotional co-regulation and conflict mediation
• Understanding developmental stages
• Behavioral pattern recognition
• Trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches
• Motivational communication with children and caregivers
• Outdoor and experiential learning models

Your daily work directly supports children’s cognitive, social, and emotional development, and the experience translates strongly to graduate programs and careers in the helping professions.

About the Job

Lure of the Wild Counselors are seasonal, 40+ hour/week employees from early June through the end of August.  Mandatory paid trainings occur in April and May.  

During camp you’ll create a safe, joyful outdoor environment while communicating with camp leadership and parents about camper needs and daily happenings.

Counselors gain career-relevant, résumé-ready experience in:

• Child development
• Applied psychology
• Group dynamics
• Behavioral support
• Observational assessment
• Leadership and communication

We’re looking for people who believe in children’s natural resilience, curiosity, and capacity to grow — and who love being outdoors.

Key Responsibilities

All Counselors:

• Supervise and mentor children during free play and nature-based activities
• Facilitate child-led decision-making and problem-solving
• Practice developmentally informed guidance to support emotional and social growth
• Create an inclusive environment that encourages belonging
• Collaborate with counselors and directors to support smooth daily operations
• Participate in pre-season professional training (child development, conflict support, risk management, wilderness safety, and first aid)

Lead Counselors:

• Provide daily support and coaching to counseling staff
• Help navigate interactions between campers, staff, and families with a child-centered, regulation-focused approach

Junior Counselors (ages 17+)

• Serve as positive role models and support staff
• Assist with supervision, safety, and group management
• Learn foundational skills in child behavior, leadership, and outdoor education

Requirements:

• Love working with children and genuine interest in child development, psychology, or education
• Comfortable working outdoors in all weather
• Strong communication, teamwork, and interpersonal skills
• Clear background check (ages 18+)
• Junior Counselors must be at least 17

Salary & Benefits

Counselors

• $17–20/hour
• Paid training (including child development + outdoor safety and leadership modules)
• Attendance and performance bonuses
• Access to occasional professional development opportunities during the year
• Paid holiday: July 4

Junior Counselors

• $15–16/hour
• Paid training
• Growth-focused mentorship and leadership experience
• Attendance/performance bonuses
• Paid holiday: July 4