Careers
Summer Contract Employment
Interested in working at Happy Acres Ranch this summer?
We are currently accepting applications for summer camp counselors and lifeguards.
Job Descriptions:
Camp Counselors at Happy Acres Ranch are responsible for creating a safe, engaging, supportive, and fun environment for campers. Counselors supervise groups of children throughout daily camp activities, lead recreational and educational experiences, model positive behavior, and ensure the emotional and physical well-being of all campers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervise and actively engage campers throughout the camp day
- Lead and assist with activities including arts and crafts, sports, outdoor recreation, STEM activities, animal interactions, water activities, themed camp weeks, and team-building games
- Ensure camper safety at all times
- Follow all camp policies, procedures, and emergency protocols
- Maintain appropriate camper-to-staff ratios
- Assist with camper check-in and dismissal procedures
- Encourage inclusion, teamwork, kindness, and positive behavior
- Help resolve conflicts between campers using positive behavior management techniques
- Maintain the cleanliness and organization of activity areas
- Communicate concerns, incidents, injuries, or behavioral issues to supervisors immediately
- Assist with setup, cleanup, and preparation of camp activities
- Serve as a positive role model for campers and fellow staff members
- Pay range is $15 – $17 per hour
Qualifications:
- Minimum age: 18 preferred (16+ may be considered for junior counselor roles)
- Experience working with children preferred
- Strong communication and leadership skills
- Ability to work outdoors in Florida heat and weather conditions
- Ability to remain calm in emergencies
- CPR/First Aid certification preferred
- Must complete background screening
- Ability to stand, walk, bend, lift, and actively participate in camp activities for extended periods
- Ability to lift up to 30 pounds
- Ability to supervise children in outdoor environments
Seasonal / Summer Position
Monday–Friday (hours may vary based on camp schedule)
The Lifeguard is responsible for ensuring the safety and well-being of all campers and staff participating in aquatic activities at Happy Acres Ranch. Lifeguards monitor swimming areas, enforce safety rules, respond to emergencies, and help create a safe and enjoyable waterfront experience.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervise all aquatic activities and monitor swimmers continuously
- Enforce waterfront and pool/lake safety rules
- Respond quickly and appropriately to emergencies
- Perform water rescues and administer first aid/CPR when necessary
- Conduct safety checks of aquatic areas and equipment
- Maintain accurate incident and accident reports
- Assist with swim tests and camper supervision during water activities
- Help maintain cleanliness and organization of aquatic areas
- Communicate safety concerns immediately to supervisors
- Assist with opening and closing aquatic facilities daily
- Serve as a positive role model for campers and staff
- Pay range is $15 – $18 per hour
Qualifications:
- Current Lifeguard Certification required
- Current CPR/AED and First Aid certification required
- Strong swimming skills and rescue ability
- Ability to remain alert and focused for extended periods
- Ability to respond calmly and effectively in emergencies
- Experience working with children preferred
- Ability to swim proficiently and perform water rescues
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
- Ability to stand or sit for extended periods while maintaining active surveillance
- Ability to lift and assist individuals in emergency situations
Seasonal / Summer Position
Monday–Friday (hours may vary based on camp schedule)
Happy Acres Ranch is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all campers, families, and staff.
Imagine a job where almost anything is possible:
- Live, play, and work in the great outdoors.
- Go on active adventures.
- Experience other parts of the country.
- Make new friends from all over — even from other countries.
- Bank more money than you think — with few expenses.
- Become a child’s hero.
- Learn leadership skills.
Camp jobs offer invaluable skill-building, leadership, training, and enrichment opportunities that can’t be found anywhere else! Regardless of your college major, camp experiences allow you to learn and develop skills that will enhance your job marketability. The benefits go far beyond a paycheck, too. Business executives often note that experience as a camp counselor translates into excellent management and personnel skills. College credit can sometimes be obtained from working at camp. Check with your college adviser to see if you qualify.
Mandatory Requirements
1. Must be physically able to perform the job (outdoors all day, in the heat, moving around alot).
2. Must be able to pass a drug screen and background check (at your own expense).
3. Must be able to attend all of Staff Training (exceptions made on rare occasions, with approval, only if dates/times are noted on your application).
4. Must be able to work for most of the summer.
Ready to apply?
Step 1 ~ Submit your application through Indeed.
Step 2 ~ We will call you for an interview if selected.
Step 3 ~ Attend your interview.
Step 4 ~ If we think you might have potential as a counselor, we will call you with a conditional job offer and invite you to complete your onboarding.
What happens after I receive a conditional job offer?
Step 1 ~ Take the Live Scan form provided to All Clear Employee Screening. They take walk-ins but appointments are preferable. You will need a Level 2 Background Check and a 10 Panel Drug Screen. You must complete this step before attending Staff Training. If you are unable to complete this step before Staff Training begins, you will not be eligible to work at camp this summer.
Step 2 ~ Attend all of Staff Training.
Staff Training 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, May 18th through May 22nd from 8am – 5pm. Counselors who miss parts of Staff Training risk having their conditional offer withdrawn. Exceptions can be made with approval by noting times you are unavailable on your application. Formal hiring occurs on the last day of training. Bring a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. It’s going to be long, information packed, and tiring but we are going to have fun and grow closer together as a team.
When do I know I have a job this summer?
If you make it to Staff Training Day 1, we feel you will make a good counselor with our additional training. So you make it that far, chances are you are in. However, we only hire the best counselors for our campers, so we may turn down counselors after the first day or two of Staff Training. At the very end of Staff Training, we will meet with each potential staff member to decide whether they are hired or not.
Please note that, due to licensing and accreditation rules, your conditional offer will be automatically withdrawn if you fail your background check and/or drug screen.
Great! I completed Staff Training and have been hired! What is next?
The last step is employment paperwork. You will be asked to provide two valid forms of identification, one of which must be a photo ID. If you can’t bring the originals, a photocopy of the front and back will work.
Examples of forms of identification:
- Drivers License
- Passport
- School ID
- Social Security Card
- Birth Certificate
