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Meet the Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp Directors

Executive Directors, Steve “Cujo” and Sara “Salsa” Kuljis, have been at the helm of Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp since 1998. They are second generation directors of this well loved and respected program which was founded in 1973 by Sara’s parents Jim and Manya Slevcove. With three kids of their own, they know the value of having heroes and role models who help shape their children in positive ways.

Sara has served on the board of the American Camp Association, Southern California/Hawaii Section, and is a frequent speaker and trainer for the Association. In addition, Sara conducts a variety of parenting workshops and podcasts.

Steve brings extensive experience in building and facility management, business administration, and wilderness camping. Steve served as legislative chair for Western Association of Independent Camps, and as a board member of the California Coalition for Youth.

Associate Director, Reverend Ron “Skeeter” Eckert, has served with YSSC for over twenty years. As a long time director, Ron honed skills essential for effectively leading programs and shaping the lives of children and youth. He also serves as the onsite Director of YSSC’s sister program Emerald Cove Day Camp in San Juan Capistrano.

Jessica Peterson is the Program Director for Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp. Jessica joined the camp directors full time in 2019 after serving on staff in a myriad of ways for 8 summer seasons. She graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary with a Masters in Theology and brings a passion for spiritual and youth formation. With her background in church ministry and youth development, she is enthusiastic in shaping and serving campers and staff alike. Jessica shares her love for camp ministry with her husband, Brandon, having both met while working at camp. He’ll be seen around camp participating in campfire songs and eating monster cookies!

Savannah Lawrence is the Administrative Director for Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp. She started her camp journey at seven years old at our resident program, Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp! Her love for camp led her to become a counselor in 2017 as well as a Young Life leader for four years at Azusa Pacific University. She has a B.A. in Journalism with a Media Studies emphasis and background in marketing, writing, graphic design, and social media management. Her passion for child development and camp has led her to our team!

Melanie Mackay is the Program Director of Emerald Cove Day Camp. After spending her 4 summers of college on staff at Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp, Melanie joined full time with the Day Camp team in 2016.  With a background in youth development, Melanie is now in her sixth year working to shape the program, staff and campers of ECDC with a passion for training and developing young people. Melanie’s husband, Teddy, is a high school English teacher who continues to invest his summers into the program, staff, and wonderful campers of ECDC.

Now more than ever, young adults (like yourself!) are facing high pressures to gain experience, skills and an impressive resume all before ever graduating college. Gaining those experiences doesn’t have to be in an office building. What if you could spend a summer in the beautiful high sierras, building relationships that last, deep joy in service, teaching kids play and silliness, all while adding skills, certifications and trainings that will translate in the work place?

At Yosemite Sierra Summer Camp, we have been hiring, training, and nurturing young adults for 50 years. Our staff alumni have become some of the best in their fields, shaped by their experiences at camp. Join us for a summer (or 3!) and see what we’re talking about.

2024 Dates & Rates of Employment

Counseling: June 7 – August 23
Boat Drivers and Backpack Guides: May 27 – August 23
Activity Specialists: June 2 – August 23
Food Service and Operations/Maintenance: June 7 – August 23
Infirmary Staff: June 3 – August 23
Office and Media Staff: June 7 – August 23
Program Leads:
May 31 – August 23

Priority is given to qualified applicants who can serve the entire summer. Please do not hesitate to apply if your available dates are different than those listed, discussions around dates will be initiated during interviews.

2023 Salary: $301 per week (plus room and board which equates a $510 per week value)
2024 Salary TBD
Rates are based on working a six-day work week. 

Available Positions

Click on the photos below for descriptions of the positions that we are hiring.

Counselor
Activity Specialist/Rotator
Boat Driver
Backpack Guide
Food Service
Office Assistant
Photographer/Videographer
Health Center Staff
Operations/Maintenance
Internships

Our Campers
YSSC campers range in age from 8 to 16. Approximately 70% come from Southern California, with the remainder coming from Northern California, other states and even a handful from other countries. The majority of our campers come from middle to upper income households, although YSSC remains committed to providing opportunities for financially disadvantaged children to also attend the program.

Our Staff
Staff are selected based on Christian maturity, experience working with children, communication skills, and zest for life. We purposefully hire a diversity of temperaments, talents, and backgrounds to create a balanced and healthy staff family. Length of service ranges from 10 to 13 weeks depending on a staff member’s role.

Our Community
Before you apply, please review our community life standards that we ask all of our seasonal staff to uphold.

Highroads Traditions

YSSC summer themes

Our Process

Our process is as simple at 1, 2, 3! Submit an application linked below. A team of Directors are waiting to get to know you. Two Directors will reach out to schedule a first & second interview with you over Zoom. Once the interviews has been completed, we will pursue the references you have provided. We have a hiring team that will assess qualifications, skills, and available roles. Once all references have been received, you will receive an email and/or phone communication regarding the job you’ve applied for. Background checks will be run on all potential employees prior to the start of summer.

We look forward to exploring summer opportunities with you!

To apply, simply fill out the online application and submit.

Apply Here

Applications for Summer 2024 are open!

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