Camp Leader

Join our holiday camp team! Are you passionate about inspiring young minds through creative and innovative programmes? George Watson’s College is developing an exciting, non-sport focused holiday camp programme, and we are seeking experienced and creative Camp Leaders to design and deliver engaging courses for children and young people aged 9 – 16.

About the role

We are looking for self-starting and experienced Camp Leaders to design, develop and lead high quality and stimulating holiday programmes. This role requires strong team leadership, overseeing a dedicated team while ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children and young people throughout the camp. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of our camp programmes to complement our highly successful multisport camps.

Essential experience

• Experience in camp or programme design
• Experience in working with children and young people is essential.
• We are particularly interested in candidates with qualifications and proven experience in one or more of the following specialist areas:
• Drama and theatre
• Fashion design
• Art and design
• Culinary arts (cooking and baking)
• Film making and/or animation
• Creative writing
• Social enterprise / entrepreneurship
• Or do you have a brilliant idea not listed above? We would love to hear from you. Pitch us the innovative camp idea that you can bring to life!

APPLICATION PROCESS

To apply, please click the Apply for this job button. Please include your CV and a covering letter. Please note that all candidates selected for an interview will be required to complete a pre-interview task.

Main responsibilities

• Programme design and development
• Using their skills and knowledge to develop and implement educational, engaging and age-appropriate daily and weekly programme schedules, activities and themes in line with the camp’s objectives and participant needs.
• Create an effective, fun learning environment that develops children’s skills and nurtures their achievement by ensuring engagement and building confidence in a low-stress setting.
• Create detailed activity plans, considering learning outcomes, resource requirements and safety protocols.
• Plan and source, through the School and within a set budget, any necessary materials and equipment for planned activities.
• Continuously evaluate programme effectiveness and analyse surveys and feedback, make adjustments as needed to enhance participant engagement and learning.
• Programme delivery and facilitation
• Lead and facilitate a wide range of camp activities, ensuring they are delivered in a fun, safe and engaging manner with responsibility for all children attending the camp.
• Adapt activities to meet the diverse needs and abilities of participants, ensuring every child feels included and challenged.
• Be the main point of contact for parents and carers during the camp, communicating effectively both in person and on the phone. This includes providing positive feedback, addressing concerns, and promptly resolving any issues that may arise.
• Ensure the supervision of all children during activities, breaks and meal times, ensuring adherence to the camp’s safety protocols and behavioural guidelines.
• Actively participate alongside participants, fostering a positive and inclusive group dynamic.
• Ensure the smooth and timely execution of the daily programme.
• Team leadership
• Lead, mentor and motivate a team of 1 - 2 camp practitioners and 1 - 2 assistants. Responsible for up to 40 children per camp.
• Prior to the start of the camp, undertake administration and preparation, communicating with team, organising resources.
• Delegate tasks and responsibilities effectively, providing clear guidance and support.
• Conduct regular team meetings to communicate information, address concerns and foster teamwork.
• Ensure team members adhere to all camp and school policies, procedures, safeguarding and health and safety policies.
• Safeguarding and child protection
• Responsible for uplifting the School’s safeguarding procedures and policies and ensure the welfare of all pupils at all times throughout the camp.
• Ensuring that camp staff are familiar with procedures and policies and ensuring that all concerns are reported to the Camp Leader in the first instance.
• Passing on any concerns about any participants to the School’s Child Protection Officer.
• Health and safety
• To familiarise yourself with Health & Safety policies and procedures, including risk assessments and safe methods of work specific to your department.
• Maintain accurate records of incidents including Accidents and Near Miss reports ensuring.
• Work with the Enterprise Team and HR to ensure that all Camp Practitioners and Camp Assistants have completed all mandatory training prior to the start of the camp.
• Ensure that you are aware of all children and young people attending the camp with medical needs, medication requirements, allergies and conditions and that you adjust activities as required to ensure their safety.
• Administrative tasks
• Manage all administrative duties during the camp, including sign in and sign out procedures, staff rotas and changes to the timetable.
• Liaise with the Enterprise Team throughout the camp with any updates to timings, participants and issues during the camp.
• Contribute to end of camp reports and evaluations.

Ideal candidate

Essential criteria

• Proven experience in working with children and young people in a leadership or activity-based role
• Experience in designing and delivering engaging programmes or activities
• Degree qualification in area of specialism and/or teaching or childcare (or related qualification) with relevant subject specific experience
• Knowledge and experience of Child Protection and Safeguarding
• Strong leadership, communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organisational skills
• Team player with excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Passion for education and working with young learners
• Commitment to creating an inclusive and encouraging learning environment
• IT skills including Google / Microsoft

Desirable criteria

• Experience working in summer camps or extracurricular programmes
• First Aid Qualification

Package description

Location: George Watson’s College, Edinburgh

Contract Type: Casual, Short term contracts

Working weeks: Camps will run during all key school holidays in 2026 and beyond: February, April, July, August, and October

Salary: The salary for this position will be in the Grade 3 range of £30,701 - £36,359 (based 36.25 hours, 52 weeks). The salary will be pro-rated for contracted hours.