program Description

Counselor, National Math Camps (Summer Role)

Are you passionate about math, excited to mentor young students, and eager to create a supportive and fun camp environment? National Math Camps is looking for enthusiastic counselors to join our summer math camps for mathematically talented middle school students in Summer 2026.

Counselors live on-site with campers and play a central role in shaping the culture, traditions, and spirit of camp. Beyond supporting daily life in the residential community, counselors help create an environment that is welcoming, playful, and delightfully nerdy — a place where curiosity is celebrated and it’s normal to get excited about ideas. We look for counselors who bring their own interests, creativity, and personality to camp, helping build traditions, lead activities, and foster a strong sense of belonging.

Counselors do not have formal teaching responsibilities, but they help create an immersive environment where mathematical curiosity extends beyond the classroom and into the residential and recreational life of camp — from conversations over meals to games, puzzles, and shared moments of discovery.

For 2026, our camps will be held at Harvey Mudd College in Claremont, CA (Camp Conway), and William Peace University in Raleigh, NC (Camp Sierpinski), with each camp hosting two 2-week sessions.  Counselors are required to work both sessions at their assigned camp and participate in onsite pre-camp training. In addition, counselors will complete up to 5 hours of paid remote asynchronous training before arrival. Applicants must have completed at least one year of college, and be at least 18 years old by the start of camp. 

There are multiple opportunities for strong counselors to continue growing with National Math Camps, including returning in future summers as a Head Counselor or Operations Assistant, or participating in our faculty training program.

What You’ll Do

• Live in community with campers: Reside in the dorms and serve as a consistent, supportive presence. Build meaningful relationships with campers and help create a safe, welcoming, and joyful environment.

• Lead a counselor group: Guide a daily small group of 8–12 campers, facilitating check-ins, discussions, and reflections that help students build connections, navigate camp life, and feel included in the camp community.

• Supervise campers: Ensure student safety and well-being by escorting students between locations, taking attendance when required, and helping uphold NMC’s policies, procedures, and positive behavior expectations.

• Plan and facilitate activities: Design and lead fun non-academic activities—such as board games, crafts, sports, or creative offerings—for groups of campers. This is a great chance to be creative and share your own interests.

• Bring mathy fun into camp life: Find ways to infuse some nerdiness into camp life so that camp feels uniquely like math camp. This can look different for every counselor depending on their interests and background.

• Support camper well-being: Collect and review daily camper surveys, observe student needs, and share concerns or patterns with the Head Counselor or Camper Support Director to ensure timely support.

• Support conflict resolution: Help campers work through minor conflicts or misunderstandings with empathy and restorative approaches, and involve leadership when a situation needs additional support.

• Support all-camp events: Assist with special events like variety shows, scavenger hunts, themed nights, and field trips, helping create memorable shared experiences. 

• Assist with arrivals and departures: Help with camper check-in and check-out, welcome families, guide students through orientation, and participate in airport pickups or drop-offs as assigned. 

• Assist with other duties as assigned: We each have specific roles, but making camp run smoothly requires everyone to pitch in when needed. 

What We're Looking For - Experience & Background

• At least 18 years old and completed 1+ years of college by the start of camp. 

• Experience working with kids in any capacity (e.g., tutoring, mentoring, babysitting, youth programs).

• Experience in camp settings, residential life, club leadership, or similar environments is preferred.

• Experience with discrete math, recreational math, or other math topics outside of the standard K-12 curriculum is preferred. 

• Experience with math enrichment programs (math camps, math circles, etc) as a student or staff member is a plus.

What We're Looking For - Skills & Attributes

• Responsible, flexible, and proactive—able to take initiative and collaborate effectively with fellow staff.

• Excellent interpersonal skills; able to build rapport with middle school students and help create a welcoming, inclusive camp environment.

• Compassionate and patient, with the ability to support campers through both small challenges and big feelings.

• Skilled at listening, communicating clearly, and navigating minor conflicts with empathy and calm.

What We're Looking For - Values

• A deep commitment to camper safety, well-being, and inclusion. 

• Excited to design and lead fun activities and to share personal interests with campers.

• Genuine enthusiasm for mathematics and for being part of a joyful, inclusive, and delightfully nerdy community.

• Interest in supporting young people with strong mathematical talent and diverse social–emotional needs. 

• Enthusiasm for working in a fast-paced, residential environment. 

• Willingness to fully immerse yourself in camp life—living on-site, participating in traditions, and helping build a supportive, vibrant, and delightfully nerdy community. 

Logistics - Dates 

We have the following dates & locations available for summer 2026: 

• 6/18 - 7/18 at Camp Conway (Harvey Mudd College, Claremont, CA) 

• 6/25 - 7/25 at Camp Sierpinski (William Peace University, Raleigh, NC) 

These dates include on-site staff training followed by two 2-week camp sessions. Counselors are required to live in the dorms near campers for the duration of the program. 

Logistics - Compensation 

• $3,600 for the full period listed above, plus room, board, and round-trip travel.

• Up to 5 hours of remote pre-camp training, paid at $20/hour 

Note about California positions: Due to California labor laws, counselors at Camp Conway are paid hourly while at camp rather than via a stipend. However, we will ensure that the total compensation is at least the amount listed above. 

How to Apply

Apply on our website here. Please note that all applicants must be authorized to work in the US. We will consider applications on a rolling basis until all spots are filled. National Math Camps is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Feel free to reach out to jobs@nationalmathcamps.org with any questions.