Youth Behavioral Specialist & Wellness Coordinator (Spring Break Camp)

The Commitment:

Camp runs  March 14, 2027- March 20, 2027. Note that staff members live on-site.

• Paid Staff Training will take place : March 5-7
• Pro-Tip for Students: You can use your experience at ASC for internship credit while still receiving your seasonal pay.

Our Locations

• Lake Travis (Ages 12-15): A classic hill country setup in the Turkey Bend Recreation Area. Think lake swimming, high ropes courses, and sunset sports.
• Zilker Lodge (Ages 8-11): Located in the heart of central Austin. You’ll spend your days canoeing Lady Bird Lake, hiking the Greenbelt, and exploring Zilker Park.

About the Role: Camper Wellness Coordinator

As the Camper Wellness Coordinator (CWC), you will champion the mental, emotional, social, and physical safety of our campers.

We are seeking compassionate, high-integrity candidates with experience supporting diverse youth, applying trauma-informed behavioral interventions (e.g., TBRI, Restorative Practices), and managing behavioral or mental health crises with composure and empathy.

• Staff Training & Coaching: Help design and facilitate pre-camp and ongoing training for counselors on trauma-informed behavior management, restorative practices, and crisis de-escalation.
• Proactive Camper Engagement: Join in camp activities to build trust, lead age-appropriate wellness programming for cabin groups, and ensure positive cabin culture contracts (SHINE) are maintained.
• Responsive Intervention & Crisis Support: Serve as the primary responder for escalated behaviors or mental health crises, developing "Expected Behavior Plans" and actionable coping strategies to keep youth safely engaged at camp.
• Parent & Family Partnership: Communicate regularly with guardians regarding camper progress and behavior plans, coordinate outside support resources when needed, and lead delicate conversations if a camper must return home.
• Administrative Oversight & Compliance: Document behavior and incident reports, maintain detailed notes, and strictly adhere to Texas Mandated Reporter guidelines in close coordination with the Camp Director.

Requirements:

• You are 21 years or older AND have completed or are pursuing a Masters and/or Licensure in Social Work, Counseling, Psychology, or a related field. If you do not have a degree, you have extensive hands-on experience working with youth from the population we serve.
• You have at least 2 years of experience with camp, youth development, and/or outdoor programs
• You have the ability to pass a national criminal background check
• You have experience with trauma-informed care, TBRI, foster care, Child Development, child abuse, and understand the legal and ethical standards of practice
• You have experience working with youth with a wide range of backgrounds

Compensation & Benefits

• $813.52 for the camp session + additional paid training 
• Full Room & Board: Free lodging and all meals/snacks provided while camp is in session.
• Professional Growth: Opportunity to earn college internship credit while being paid.

Impact: A camp session of personal growth and the chance to make a lifelong difference in the lives of a diverse group of campers.

About Austin Sunshine Camps (ASC):

The mission of ASC is to provide the magic of overnight camp without the barrier of cost. We envision a world where all children have a place to grow, connect and explore. Since 1928, ASC has provided free, fun-filled overnight summer camp programs for children by partnering with families who face barriers to accessing such programs.

ASC’s Overnight Summer Camp is our flagship program and is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), which represents the industry’s highest standard. Each summer, we provide four sessions of overnight summer camp to 500-600 children ages eight to 15. Our eight to 11-year-olds attend our Zilker Camp in Zilker Park and our 12 to 15-year-olds attend our Lake Travis Camp in Marble Falls. For 10 days and nine nights, they swim, canoe, hike, learn new skills, create crafts, make music, and much more.

During the school year, we engage with our camper families, providing a variety of programming and events that allow them to feel a part of the larger ASC family as well. By deepening the relationship with our campers’ families throughout the year, we significantly increase the likelihood that campers will return year-after-year, increasing the opportunity to create lasting impact on the child’s life, education, and future career.