Work at Friends Camp
We are now accepting applications for the 2026 summer!
Camp jobs are exciting, fulfilling, challenging, fun, and inspiring. For our nine-week summer season we look to hire about forty people. All counselors and staff will start work on June 12, 2026, and will end work on August 15, 2026 at noon. If you plan to apply to work at Friends Camp as a first-time staff person this summer, please be available for the full nine weeks. One-third to one-half of our staff are returning staff each year. Sometimes, returning staff members work just a few weeks or a partial season. Please feel free to ask questions about working at Friends Camp at any time – contact our Camp Director at (207) 877-4302 or by email at director@friendscamp.org.
To apply to camp, you will need to fill out an online application that will take about an hour. Our application process is rolling, meaning you can apply at any time. Applicants must be at least 19 years old. If you’re not ready to do the full application, but you’d like to learn a little more and connect with no pressure, fill out this Google form and we’ll be in touch!
If you would like to apply to be a counselor-in-training (also called Rising Leaders), please visit this page on our website .
A Little Bit About Friends Camp
Friends Camp is a small Quaker (Friends) youth camp located on China Lake in South China, Maine. The focus, policies, annual budget, and program direction of the camp are under the care of a Friends Camp Committee that is appointed by the New England Yearly Meeting of Friends. Friends Camp staff members and youth campers come from diverse religious, geographic, racial, and economic backgrounds. Because of our diverse camper population, Friends Camp makes a special effort to hire counselors and staff of color. While it is not a requirement for counselors or staff members to be a Quaker, or familiar with Quakerism prior to the summer, we do ask all staff to be comfortable with Quakerism and with Quaker values as they are present in our programming. Most essentially, we ask that our staff commit to seeing the goodness (or Light) in every person.
At Friends Camp, we practice the Quaker values of community, equality, integrity, peace, & simplicity.
We are a youth camp with a unique atmosphere of tolerance and love where special friendships develop.
All members of our camp community try to see the Light of God in everyone.
Our interesting, creative, non-competitive, and fun activities help young people grow into healthy and responsible adults.
We seek socio-economic diversity by providing affordable tuition and camperships.
It is not our practice at Friends Camp to preach Quakerism, but to live the principles that represent Quakerism.
Qualifications
We need people who can be fully committed to the responsibilities of the job of being a camp counselor or staff member. Honesty, maturity, responsibility, and creativity are high on our list for young adults we are looking to hire. Being a counselor or staff member can be difficult or exhausting at times, but (in our opinion) it is the most rewarding and important summer job you could have. We are seeking staff who have experience with kids, whether that be through a job, babysitting, or taking care of family members, and are at least 19 years old. Read below for specifics on qualifications for different positions.
2026 Positions
Cabin Counselors/Activity Leaders (minimum age 19)
Counselors live in cabins with campers and lead programs according to their own interests and talents. Many counselors are also lifeguards. Counselors form the heart and soul of each camper’s experience at Friends Camp, so we look to hire positive role models who enjoy being with children and teenagers. Counselors also need to be highly creative and contribute to all programs, regardless of their specialty. To apply, you must be 19 or older by the summer months, although occasional exceptions can be made. We also prefer staff members who have lived away from home for at least a year or who have otherwise demonstrated their independence. Other ways to demonstrate independence include regular employment and outstanding references.
Superperson/Kitchen Staff
Superpeople are vital to making camp run – hence their name! The responsibilities of a superperson most prominently include preparing all meals under the supervision and direction of the head cook, and supervising campers everyday during morning free time. Working closely with a small team in the kitchen often means forming a close-knit community and long lasting friendships. Superpeople have slightly more down time than cabin staff, and live in housing separate from campers. Similar qualifications are needed for superpeople as for counselors — you must be at least 19 and have some experience with kids. Kitchen or food service experience is valued but not required.
Head Cook
Friends Camp is seeking a new head cook! The head cook supervises the kitchen team to facilitate prep, cooking, and serving of meals. In addition to being responsible for the famously delicious food at camp, the head cook helps to cultivate positive community and effective teamwork within the kitchen. Experience working in a kitchen is necessary.
Nurse/ EMT
For 2026, we are seeking RNs or NPs to work a week or two during the summer each. Nurses can be paid and/or compensated through a free session of tuition per week worked if their children wish to attend camp. Nurses will administer medication, treat sick campers and staff, respond to health emergencies, and generally keep camp safe.
Summer Communications Coordinator
General responsibilities for the communications coordinator include managing office tasks over the summer months, daily camper supervision, shopping for camp supplies, and taking pictures. The office manager will provide the “face” and “voice” of camp over the phone and email during summer months in communication with camper families, working closely with the Camp Director. This person will also assist the camp director with database management, mail processing, bookkeeping, and preparing for camper registration days. Minimum age 21.
Mental Health Support Person
The mental health support person is a member of support staff who is specifically designated as a resource for campers struggling with emotional or mental health challenges. They also support cabin counselors and help to reduce the stress of their roles. Mental health support people are typically returning staff members with relevant experience with youth in school or clinical settings, but are not the same as a therapist.
How do I apply?
Please fill out the staff application, linked above, to get started, and then we will contact you. For candidates whose experience and background fits our needs, next steps will include an interview, references, and a background check. Contact our Camp Director at director@friendscamp.org with questions at any time.
Staff Orientation
Our one-week staff orientation is an important training, learning, and bonding time for the counselors and staff. It is a week for us to start to build our camp staff family, to learn about Friends Camp programming, to learn about the needs of the campers, and to prepare the program areas. We will also share skills, develop the programs, practice safety procedures at camp, and review policies.
