Swim Instructor: Summer Camp

Role:  Swim Instructor

Reports to:  Aquatic Director

Wheeler Summer Camp’s goal is simple and clear. We give campers the opportunity to be active outdoors, explore new things, have fun, build confidence and character, and make lasting friendships. Our programs serve children ages 3 to 15 and offer a full day of camp activities for groups organized by age and specialty. Swim lessons and free swim are a fundamental part of our summer program and help campers build lifelong skills in and out of the water.

Wheeler Summer Camp is seeking enthusiastic water safety instructors to lead swim lessons and support daily aquatics programming. Water safety instructors are responsible for teaching campers foundational swimming and water safety skills, supporting a positive and encouraging learning environment, and helping campers build confidence in the water. This role is ideal for individuals who enjoy working with children, communicate clearly, and are passionate about teaching swimming and water safety.

Wheeler Farm features a brand-new aquatics facility that includes an 8-lane lap pool, a training pool ideal for swim lessons and younger swimmers, and an all-season dome that allows the pools to operate outdoors during the summer months and indoors year-round. This is an opportunity to teach in a new facility while helping create safe, fun, and meaningful camp experiences for campers and families.

Swim Instructor Responsibilities:

• Demonstrate compassion, patience, and empathy toward all campers
• Maintain flexibility and adapt positively to schedule or activity changes
• Arrive on time and prepared for each camp day
• Follow all camp policies and procedures, including emergency and waterfront protocols
• Ensure the safety of all swimmers through active supervision, regular head counts, and strong situational awareness
• Plan and lead age-appropriate, skill-based swim lessons that support camper growth and water confidence
• Teach swimming skills, water safety, and stroke development according to campers’ swim levels
• Provide clear instruction, demonstrations, and constructive feedback in a positive and encouraging manner
• Assist with swim evaluations and help monitor camper swim levels according to camp procedures
• Support safe entry, exit, and transitions during swim periods
• Enforce all pool and waterfront rules consistently and fairly
• Recognize unsafe behaviors and respond quickly and appropriately to potential risks
• Engage positively with campers while maintaining appropriate professional boundaries
• Create a supportive, inclusive environment that builds confidence and encourages participation
• Maintain organization and proper use of swim equipment and teaching materials
• Communicate any safety concerns, skill challenges, or behavioral issues promptly to the Aquatics Director and/or Camp Director
• Report all illnesses, injuries, or incidents immediately to the Health Team and complete required documentation
• Attend and participate in all required camp, aquatics, and division meetings
• Serve as a professional and positive role model for campers and staff
• Assist with sunscreen reminders and basic first aid when needed
• Support camp-wide activities when not teaching swim lessons, as assigned

Perform other duties as assigned by the Camp Director or Camp Administration.

Qualifications: 

A Swim Instructor must be 18 years old unless they have completed the Counselor In Training program. No camp experience is necessary, but experience working with children is required (ie: babysitting, coaching, family helper etc.). The ideal candidate has excellent communication, problem solving skills and is adaptable.  The ideal candidate is WSI certified or is willing to become certified prior to the start of employment. 
 

Orientation: June 16-18, 2026 required
 

Camp hours: 8:15am-4:15 pm Monday through Friday with some exceptions. This is a seasonal position that is exempt from overtime and benefits. There may be additional opportunities during the school year depending on program needs and candidate interest.

Statement on Diversity and Cultural Competency At Wheeler:
We actively seek students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds, believing that a broad range of experiences and viewpoints enhances learning, enriches life on campus, and better prepares us all for full participation in a pluralistic, democratic society. We seek to further our community's overall diversity and cultural competency through hiring.

The Wheeler School is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or disability, and any other category protected by federal, state or local law. To learn more about Wheeler, please visit www.wheelerschool.org and our Careers page here.

About The Wheeler School:

Founded in 1889 by visionary artist and educator Mary C. Wheeler, The Wheeler School is an N-12 independent day school of approximately 800 students from throughout Greater Providence and Greater Boston. Wheeler’s mission, “to learn our powers and be answerable for their use,” is incorporated into our classrooms, athletic fields, art studios, and STEAM labs, as students are encouraged to think deeply and explore the world on and beyond our two campuses in the College Hill neighborhood of Providence, Rhode Island and our 120-acre farm in Seekonk, Massachusetts. Across Wheeler’s campuses and grades, dedicated faculty and staff identify students’ learning path and passions, challenging and supporting them in pursuit of academic excellence, artistic expression, and personal growth. Our graduates are prepared for college and life as creative, ethical, and engaged global citizens. Wheeler is also home to The Hamilton School, where skilled faculty meet students’ learning differences with the individualized instruction that leads to success.

Wheeler Summer Camps is and operated by Wheeler School, Inc. To apply, fill out the application.