Make a Real Difference
in the Blue Ridge Mountains
Two counselor roles are open for Summer 2026. If you want to do meaningful work with neurodivergent kids — this is it. Positions fill fast. Call us today.
Open Positions — Summer 2026
Two Roles. One Unforgettable Summer.
We have two counselor positions open right now for Summer 2026. Both include room, board, paid training, and professional certifications. Call us today — these go fast.
Camp Counselor
Core Staff · Seasonal · Summer 2026
Our counselors are the heart of the Talisman experience. You'll provide 24/7 support for a small group of campers — leading outdoor activities, modeling positive behavior, and building real relationships with kids who need a champion.
- Daily supervision and care for your camper group
- Lead outdoor activities: hiking, climbing, waterfront, arts
- Facilitate social skills practice in real-world settings
- Model self-regulation and flexible thinking
- Collaborate with clinical and activity teams
Senior Counselor
Leadership Staff · Seasonal · Summer 2026
Built for returning staff ready to step into a leadership role. As a Senior Counselor, you'll mentor new staff, lead your group with greater autonomy, and serve as a go-to resource for both campers and the broader team.
- All Camp Counselor responsibilities, elevated
- Mentor and guide first-year counselors
- Greater group autonomy and leadership scope
- Serve as a peer resource during staff training
- Help shape a consistent, high-quality camper experience
Why Work at Talisman
What You Get This Summer
Beyond the mission, we make sure our staff are supported, trained, and rewarded for showing up every day.
Room & Board Included
Housing and meals on-campus throughout the season — no commute, no rent.
Competitive Seasonal Salary
10-week paid position. Training weeks included in your compensation.
Professional Certifications
CPR PRO, Wilderness First Aid, and Lifeguarding — all earned on-site.
College Credit Available
Internship hours and credit available in psychology, social work, and education.
One Full Day Off Weekly
Structured time to recharge in the Blue Ridge Mountains.
Blue Ridge Mountains Campus
Spend your summer in Zirconia, NC — hiking, climbing, and outdoor living.
Staff Training
You'll Arrive Prepared — Not Guessing
We invest heavily in our staff before campers arrive. Our training program covers autism and ADHD, behavior management, outdoor programming, and more.
Days 1–5
Certification Week
Earn CPR PRO, Wilderness First Aid, and Lifeguarding certifications. All training costs are covered by Talisman.
Days 6–15
Paid Staff Training
Deep training in autism and ADHD, behavior management strategies, activity leadership, and camp routines. You'll feel ready before campers arrive.
Weeks 3–10
Summer Sessions
Work directly with camper groups across our summer sessions. Build relationships, lead programming, and make an impact every single day.
Who We're Looking For
Does This Sound Like You?
We hire for character first. If you bring reliability, genuine care, and a growth mindset, we'll teach you the rest.
Background in special education, psychology, social work, or a related field
Genuine interest in serving autistic and ADHD populations
Comfortable with outdoor, physical work in a mountain environment
Reliable, adaptable, and able to stay calm under pressure
Committed to being present for the full 10-week season
Team-first mindset with strong communication skills
Additional Roles
Other Ways to Join the Team
Not a fit for counselor? We have other positions. Call us to learn about current availability.
Social Work / Counseling Intern
Clinical
Complete clinical hours under licensed supervision. Ideal for graduate students in social work or counseling.
Activity Specialist
Programming
Lead a specific program area — waterfront, climbing, hiking, arts, or nature. Expertise in your activity required.
Camp Nurse
Health Staff
RN or LPN to manage health center operations, medication administration, and camper wellbeing.
Summer 2026 — Two Spots Open
Ready to Apply? Call Us Now.
These roles fill every season. If you're ready to spend your summer doing meaningful work in the mountains, pick up the phone.