Todd Barnett, pictured here with his family, has been Field Camp’s Owner and Director since its start in 2000. A longtime teacher, Todd was the Founding Head of School at Field School in Crozet for 14 years. He is now the Assistant Head of School at Canterbury School in Fort Myers, Florida during the camp offseason. Todd has a B.A. in English and Government from U.Va., and a Ph.D. in History from the University of Pennsylvania. He and his wife Meredith Montague (who provides camp support every summer) and their family split their time between Charlottesville and Florida.

The 2025 Staff included 25 counselors and administrators with an average of 12.5 years at Field Camp. The staff includes local teachers and students attending Brown University, Cal Poly, Stanford, Bates, Virginia Tech, UVA, UNC, Williams, Charlottesville HS, and Western Albemarle HS.

If you would like a well paying and fun summer job in the outdoors, send us a resume and cover letter. We are particularly interested in hiring folks with experience in camping, teaching, or outdoors recreation. We had our full staff return in 2025, but expect some turnover this coming summer, so please let us know if you are interested and think you would contribute to our community.

Field Camp is seeking an Assistant Camp Director for Summer 2025 to support the leadership, administration, and daily operations of our residential summer camp in central Virginia.

This is a hands-on leadership position for an experienced camp professional who thrives in an outdoor, community-centered environment. The Assistant Camp Director will work closely with the Camp Director and Program Director to support staff, ensure camper safety, and help guide the overall culture and operations of camp.

We are especially interested in candidates with experience in residential summer camps, outdoor education programs, and experiential youth programs, and who are excited to join a close-knit camp community and contribute meaningfully to its growth.

Responsibilities

Assume duties and responsibilities of the Camp Director during their absence.
Assist the Camp Director in planning and carrying out staff orientation and in-service staff trainings.
Explain and enforce the policies, traditions, and rules of camp.
Manage interpersonal and operational conflicts among campers, counselors, and staff.
Assume responsibility for the safety and well-being of campers.
Directly supervise counselor staff, including providing daily guidance, support, and ongoing evaluation.
Assist in the evaluation and record keeping of staff and campers.
Oversee vehicle performance checks and daily usage logs.
Oversee the ordering and control of general camp equipment and supplies.
Supervise the Dining Hall area and maintain open communication with the Chef Manager.
Coordinate with the Program Director in matters of mutual responsibility.
Respond appropriately to stressful situations in a fast-paced, interactive environment.
Make decisions with the best interest of campers as the highest priority.
Participate fully in camp life, including camp-wide events, overnights, hikes, swimming, activities, and meetings.
Lift and move equipment as needed and participate in physically active programming.
Demonstrate a caring, supportive, and professional demeanor at all times.
Work cooperatively with fellow staff to achieve the goals of the program.
Invest time with campers and staff to support growth, leadership, and community.
Live in cabins with limited privacy and eat meals with campers in a communal dining environment.
Assume responsibility for the use and care of camp equipment and facilities.
Be fully familiar with emergency procedures and follow them when necessary.
Take on additional responsibilities as assigned.

Qualifications

Must be at least 21 years of age by the start of camp.
College graduation required.
Prior experience as a counselor or staff member in a residential camp setting required.
Prior supervisory or leadership experience required.
Ability to supervise staff in a fair, calm, and diplomatic manner.
Passion for working with children and adolescents.
Strong interest in working and living outdoors for the summer.
Emotional maturity and willingness to work as part of a team.
Flexible, adaptable, and open to challenges.
Positive attitude and strong interpersonal skills.
Ability to sit, stand, walk, reach, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, talk, and hear.
Ability to regularly lift and/or move equipment weighing 20+ pounds.
Comfortable working in wet, humid, hot, and very hot outdoor conditions.
Driver’s license preferred.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should email a resume and brief cover note to:

toddhbarnett@gmail.com

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.