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Updated: Nov. 24, 2025

Why Work at Camp Burnt Gin?

Camp Burnt Gin is an overnight summer camp located in the Manchester State Forest that serves children, teens, and young adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses.

Are you someone with a desire to work with children in an outdoor and residential setting? Are you a person with a strong sense of dedication and responsibility? Are you looking for an opportunity to make a positive impact on a person’s life? If so, we highly encourage you to check out our available positions and fill out our staff interest form. 

Summer 2026 Positions

Cabin Counselor

  • General responsibilities: Work and live alongside 3-4 other staff members in a cabin with up to 8 campers with physical disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. All staff are responsible for the supervision and daily care of each camper in your cabin.
  • Experience working with children is preferred. Applicants for this position must be at least 18 years old and/or a high school graduate.
  • Salary: Base pay for cabin counselor is $640 before taxes, twice a month.

Counselor/Camp Support Specialist

  • General responsibilities: Work and live alongside 3-4 other staff members in a cabin with up to 8 campers with physical disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. All staff are responsible for the supervision and daily care of each camper in your cabin.
  • Position specific responsibilities: Responsible for behind-the-scenes work that helps keep camp tidy and running (laundry, camp beautification, and dishwasher).
  • Experience working with children is preferred. Applicants for this position must be at least 16 years of age.
  • Salary: Base pay for support counselor is $640 before taxes, twice a month.

Counselor/Activity Specialist

  • General responsibilities: Work and live alongside 3-4 other staff members in a cabin with up to 8 campers with physical disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. All staff are responsible for the supervision and daily care of each camper in your cabin.
  • Position specific responsibilities: Responsible for duties surrounding creating and implementation of activities for the designated activity area (arts and crafts, sports and games, nature and science, & fine arts).
  • Experience working with children is preferred. Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and/or rising junior in college or rising sophomore in college with 1 year Camp Burnt Gin experience.
  • Salary: Base pay for activity specialist counselor is $665 before taxes, twice a month.

Counselor/Lifeguard

  • General responsibilities: Work and live alongside 3-4 other staff members in cabin with up to 8 campers with physical disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. All staff are responsible for the supervision and daily care of each camper in your cabin.
  • Position specific responsibilities: Responsible for the operation and supervision of camp’s aquatic programs (swimming and boating).
  • Experience working with children is preferred. Applicants must be at least 16 years of age and possess a current Lifeguard Training Certification, American Red Cross CPR for Professional Rescuers, and standard First Aid Certification.
  • Salary: Base pay for lifeguard counselors is $675 before taxes, twice a month.

If you are interested in working at Camp Burnt Gin fill out an application:

staff interest form
Additional Information

  • Step 1: Complete your desired staff position’s application. Be sure to list the name, phone number, and email of at least 2 people you would like to use as a reference.
    • A reference is a person who is not related to you that can attest to your work ethic and character; for example a boss, co-worker, organizational leader, member of a shared club, teacher/professor, neighbor, etc.
  • Step 2: Once your application and reference forms are received, reviewed, and approved, you will be contacted to set up a telephone interview.
  • Step 3: Before a job offer can be made, eligible applicants must complete an online background check.
  • Step 4: Once your background check is approved, eligible applicants will follow the hiring and onboarding process outlined by the Assistant Director (more details will be provided at this point).

Camp Burnt Gin is located in the Manchester State Forest of Wedgefield, SC.

The employment period is from the end of May to the middle of July (for specific days, please complete the interest form).

Yes, staff are expected to stay onsite during a session as this is a residential (overnight) summer camp. They live in a cabin with the campers and are responsible or providing daily care and supervision.

Yes, staff have scheduled days off between each camp session.

Staff orientation is a week-long required training designed to prepare staff for the upcoming summer. It includes workshops, presentations, icebreakers, team-building, and an introduction to the camp’s culture and daily schedule. The goal is to equip staff with the tools and knowledge they need for a successful and rewarding work experience. Attendance at orientation is mandatory.

  • Cabin Counselors base pay (before taxes): $640 twice a month or bi-monthly
  • Counselor/Camp Support Specialist base pay (before taxes): $640 twice a month or bi-monthly
  • Counselor/Activity Specialist base pay (before taxes): $665 twice a month or bi-monthly
  • Counselor/Lifeguard base pay (before taxes): $675 twice a month or bi-monthly

Staff are paid on the 1st and 16th of the month, following a one pay period lag at the start of employment.

Read Staff Testimonials

At Camp Burnt Gin, we celebrate differences and build a safe community where campers and staff can learn, grow, and experience acceptance.

For more information about Camp Burnt Gin, call (803) 898-0784 and/or email campburntgin@dph.sc.gov.

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