Current Openings
Summer Camp Positions
At Cub Creek, we want all of our camp staff to have an understanding of "cabin life". No one understands that more than a counselor. That is why most staff in their first year of camp work as a cabin counselor. Cabin counselors are housed in one of our 15 camper cabins. Our cabins are divided into two villages (the southern village and the western village). Campers and staff are divided into cabin groups based on their biological sex. Cabin groups are further divided by age and cabin requests. Girls are typically housed in the western village and boysin the southern village.
In addition to cabin positions, we also hire support staff to help the smooth functioning of camp. First preference for many of these positions are given to returning staff but all applicants are welcome to apply. Many of these positions are out-of-cabin, but staff should be ready to assist cabins if needed.
Cabin Counselor & Instructor
Should work cooperatively with fellow Cabin Counselors to provide a healthy, safe and enjoyable camp environment and experience for all campers. Responsible for ensuring that your campers are on time to activities, that your cabin is kept clean, camp rules are followed, and that your campers are kept informed of the camp schedule and choices that are available. Should be prepared to provide guidance and emotional support for campers as needed. Responsible for completing weekly paperwork documenting camper interactions and camp involvement. Each counselor is also an Instructor for camp activities. To see our full list of possible instruction positions, see Activity Periods. Depending on skill level, a counselor/instructor can possibly teach up to 4 periods each day. All our instructors are trained at camp during staff training and require no previous experience. In-cabin position, anyone can apply.
Specialty Instructor
Share your unique skill or area of expertise with our campers. Follow one of our many lesson plans, or bring your own, as an instructor during our daily activity periods. This flexible position allows you to set your own schedule and bring a special experience to our campers. Utilise the vast resources and space of Cub Creek Science Camp to share your passion. Out-of-cabin or Off-camp position. Anyone may apply. Pay scale variable based on schedule and availability.
Ropes Course Lead Instructor *Filled for 2025*
Responsible for facilitating ropes course activities for campers including classes, early-bird and night-owl activities. Ropes Course elements include zipline, rappel, climbing wall, giant swing, crate stacking and leap of faith. Previous experience as a climbing or ropes course instructor is required. Out-of-cabin position, anyone may apply.
Arts and Crafts Lead Instructor *Filled for 2024*
Responsible for facilitating facilitating arts and crafts activities for campers including classes, early-bird and night-owl activities. Areas of program instruction may include crafts, ceramics, and pottery. Out-of-cabin position, anyone may apply.
Photographer & Videographer
Our photography team is responsible for taking pictures and video, posting them to a secure site for parents to view daily, and at the end of the week, making a photo flash drive that contains all the pictures taken. Photographers also write a daily newsletter for parents and assist our Animal Care Director in marketing adoptable animals. In addition, camp's videography will capture and edit video footage for creation of a weekly video for campers, and for camp marketing. At Cub Creek, extensive knowledge of how to use a camera (DSLR) or owning a personal camera is not required. However, photographers need to be open to constructive criticism and feedback and should be prepared to learn basic techiniques.They should also be comfortable taking pictures of people perdominantly in candid situations and posed when needed. Returning staff preferred, but anyone may apply.
Kitchen Support Staff
Will assist with the preparation, serving and clean up of all meals served at Cub Creek. All staff working in the kitchen will assist with the preperation of camp meals and monitoring the buffets lines during meal times. Kitchen staff are focused on maintaining the cleanliness standards throughout the dining hall and kitchen, while preparing good tasting meals, on time, with as little food waste as possible. Kitchen staff assist with the unloading and stocking of incoming food deliveries and should be able to lift 40 lbs and stand for hours at a time. Kitchen staff should be able to work in a team and be open to learning. Anyone may apply.
Transportation Assistant
Coordinates the proper transporting of all Cub Creek campers to and from the St Louis airport. This postition requires someone with time management skills, the ability to problem solve, and experience with delegating tasks. The Transportation Assistant is responsible for assigning and organizing staff in coordination with the pick up/drop off information submitted for campers' flights. In addition to airport transportation, they will be available for conducting errands as needed, and transporting campers or staff to medical appoints or other needs in town. Out-of-cabin position, anyone may apply. Part-time, off-camp position possible for the right applicant.
Scheduler
Responsible for the scheduling of camp courses and classes. This includes assigning staff to teach activities and campers signing up for classes. They must have strong attention to detail, be organized and be familiar with excel as well as other software programs that may be required. Out-of-cabin position, returning staff preferred but anyone may apply.
Cabin Advocate *Filled for 2025*
Responsible for the support of cabin operations to ensure that campers have a positive camp experience and staff are equipped to complete their daily tasks. Cabin advocates will keep cabins stocked with supplies, organize cabin activities, and help staff and campers locate needed items around camp. They also conduct daily cabin inspections and make sure cabins are kep clean throughout the week. Cabin advocates need to be organized, be able to take intiative, and work with minimal supervision to complete needed tasks. Out-of-cabin position, anyone may apply.
Special Events Coordinator
Responsible for facilitating early-bird, evening, and night-owl activities as well as other special celebrations such as camp birthdays. The Special events coordinator ensures are supplies are ready, promotes activities to staff and campers, and works with other staff to create magic moments for our campers. They need to be organized, be able to take intiative and work with minimal supervision to complete needed tasks. Out-of-cabin position, returning staff may apply.
ASIT Leader
Responsible for the health, safety and growth of camp's ASITs. The ASIT Leaders are the cabin counselors for our camp's leadership campers, the ASITs. They are responsible for the training, leading, and growth of our ASITs including: joining them during their required animal area morning rounds; scheduling them to help in camp activities in alignment with both their preferences and camp's needs; guiding them in assiting with their assigned "adopted cabins"; and modeling proper behavior as it aligns with camp's conduct expectations. They are also responsible for completing weekly paperwork documenting ASIT interactions, involvement, and success. ASIT Leaders are also Instructors for camp activities in conjunction with being supervisors for their ASITs while they assist in activities. ASIT Leaders work in a close team of 3 and ASITs have a schedule that works independently of the general campers' schedule. ASITs require counselors whose focus is aligned with the direction of their personal growth as an individual and leader. ASIT Leaders are not required to be returning staff, but it is preferred as this role requires an understanding of Cub Creek and the ASIT Program. Read more about the ASIT Program HERE . In-cabin position, returning staff preffered, but anyone may apply.
Nature Programs Lead Instructor
Responsible for facilitating nature-based activities for campers such as early-bird hikes, classes and night-owl activities. Activities may include tree ID hikes, pond study, wild edibles, bird watching and more. The Nature Programs Lead Instructor should be highly knowledgeable on native Missouri flora and fauna and be camps 'go-to' when a camper finds a critter or wants to ID a flower they find. Out-of-cabin position, anyone may apply.
Adventure Programs Lead Instructor *Filled for 2025*
Responsible for facilitating adventure-based activities for campers such as classes, early-bird , and night-owl activities. Areas of program instruction may include archery, riflery, survival skills, caving, and high ropes course. Ability to be training as a high ropes instructor is required. Out-of-cabin position, anyone may apply.
Science Programs Lead Instructor *Filled for 2025*
The Science Programs Lead Instructor is responsible for facilitating science-based activities for campers including classes, early-bird and night-owl activities. Areas of program instruction may include chemistry, physics, engineering, and crime science. Out-of-cabin position, anyone may apply.
Culinary Programs Lead Instructor *Filled for 2025*
The Culinary Programs Lead Instructor is responsible for facilitating culinary activities for campers including classes, early-bird and night-owl activities. Areas of program instruction may include Let's Bake a Pizza and Candy Making. Out-of-cabin position, anyone may apply.
Camp Store Assistant
Assigned with assisting in the camp store or gift shop to stock, clean and perform customer sales. An assistant will be trained by the Camp Store Manager to understand the basics of inventory and keeping track of sales in the store. Assistants should have attention to detail and care about the integrity of the products in the store and stock room. In-cabin or Out-of-cabin position, anyone may apply.
Office Assistant
Assists with the answering of phones, data entry and errands as needed. The Office Assistant should be confident in communicating with our camp parents and in answering questions about camp. This position should be familiar and proficient in programs like Microsoft Word and Excel and should be open to and capable of learning other programs that may be required to assist in the camp office. An Office Assistant should have organizational skills, be able to retain information, be able to take constructive feedback, and be a quick and willing learner. This position requires a lot interaction with people both in-person and over the phone/email- a positive and helpful disposition is highly preferred. While previous knowledge of our camp is helpful, it is not required. Out-of-cabin position, anyone may apply. Part-time, off-camp position possible for the right applicant.
Communications Specialist
Work cooperatively with program directors, and summer staff to ensure the smooth operation of communications and customer service tasks for camp. Ensure that camper-parent communication channels are effective and all mail is delivered to campers on time. Out-of-cabin position, anyone may apply.
Data Entry Assistant
Assists with entering camp data including camper registrations as well as processing camp store and other payments. This position should be familiar and proficient in programs like Microsoft Word and Excel and should be open to and capable of learning other programs that may be required to assist in the camp office. A Data Entry Assistant should have excellent organizational skills, be able to retain information, be able to take constructive feedback, and be a quick and willing learner. While previous knowledge of our camp is helpful, it is not required. Out-of-cabin position, anyone may apply. Part-time, off-camp position possible for the right applicant.
Animal Specialist
Responsible with the care of all animals at Cub Creek Science Camp. Animal Specialists ensure strict adherence to the animal care standards of Cub Creek for the specific animal area in which they are assigned. This includes, but is not limited to, the proper feeding of the animals in your care, meeting the needs of safety procedures in habitat, care, and handling, and overseeing interactions between animals and staff/campers. This role also is tasked with making sure that all activities taught within their assigned animal area are taught according to Cub Creek's standards. Out-of-cabin position, returning staff may apply.
Camper Advocate
Oversees the camp experience for all campers at Cub Creek, responsible for enhancing their experience and supporting cabin staff in creating a positive cabin environment. The Camper Advocate is also a line of communication between campers and the camp office and parents. They should have patience and an ability to handle homesickness, have proper time management, and stay organized. In or Out-of-cabin position, returning staff may apply.
Internships are often a requirement for a student to graduate from college. We are happy to work with our camp staff to aid them in meeting an internship requirement if possible. We offer a great deal of variety for majors in science, education, parks and recreation, business administration and more. To read more about making a summer with us an internship, click here .
Available Animal Internships
Bear River Ranch offers unique and rewarding internship experiences for students and recent graduates as Animal Interns! If you wish to spend a semester learning and practicing animal husbandry skills while gaining valuable experience to build your resume, this may be the perfect opportunity! Read more about Animal and other Internship Opportunities here.
Fall Internships - August to December
Spring Internships - January to May
** Previous experience is not required, but is preferred.
Available Volunteer Positions
Bear River Ranch appreciates the help of volunteers to assist us with the feeding and socialization of our animals. Our volunteers work alongside our professional staff to provide care, enrichment and socialization to over 100 species of domestic and exotic animals. Volunteers positions are available during our "off-season" months (not available during our summer camp months of May to August). If you would like to read more about Volunteering with us, click here click here.
Part-time Volunteer - Minimum 4 hours a week
Full-time Volunteer - Minimum 8 hours a week
* Previous experience is not required, but is preferred. We do not have Volunteer opoortunities during the Summer.
Available Full - Time Positions
We do not have any current openings for full-time staff. If you are curious about any possible full time positions at Cub Creek, we will post those on Indeed or announce the opening on Facebook.