Candle Making Specialist

Step into an inspiring creative leadership role and spark camper imagination as our Candle Making Specialist for the upcoming summer season. Based in our bustling Art Corral, you will design and guide hands-on, age-appropriate candle crafting projects for campers ages 3 through 15. You will teach fun, accessible techniques such as layering vibrant waxes, rolling beeswax sheets, and experimenting with colors, scents, and molds while building each child's artistic confidence. Working alongside dedicated group counselors, you will cultivate an energizing, safe studio space where every camper feels proud of the custom creations they bring home. Trade the ordinary summer routine for 35 shaded acres where you develop real-world mentorship, classroom management, and program implementation skills every single day.

- Lead engaging, hands-on candle making and wax crafting sessions for campers ranging from Little Willows through Senior Camp.- Utilize our curriculum to structure activity periods with plans using a variety of beginner-friendly techniques such as rolled beeswax sheets, sand candles, poured wax layers, decorative embeds, and soap making.- Maintain safety by overseeing melting stations, warm wax handling, and proper tool usage with the highest care and attention to detail.- Partner with unit leaders and active group counselors to encourage full camper participation and celebrate individual artistic expression.- Organize, inventory, and prep all wax, wicks, molds, dyes, and crafting supplies daily in the Art Corral.- Cultivate an inclusive, encouraging environment where campers feel empowered to try new crafts and take pride in their finished work.

- Prior experience working with children in camp, school, childcare, recreation, or community youth settings.- Personal passion or background in crafting, DIY projects, studio art, candle making, or hands-on creative hobbies.- Experience planning or guiding creative group activities in an upbeat, organized manner.

- Energetic, patient, and enthusiastic personality with a natural ability to connect with and mentor children ages 3–15.- Strong communication and organizational skills to lead multiple group activity rotations each day.- Safety-conscious mindset with the attentiveness required to manage warm crafting materials and equipment safely.- Collaborative team player ready to guide counselors and support overall camp spirit.

- Bachelor's degree or equivalent required (degrees with a focus in Education, Fine Arts, Art Therapy, Child Development, Recreation, or related fields are a great fit).

- Ability to navigate a 35-acre outdoor and shaded campus in summer weather conditions.- Ability to stand, bend, and move comfortably while demonstrating crafting techniques across 30-minute activity periods.- Capability to lift and carry art supplies, wax blocks, and equipment.- Visual acuity and fine motor dexterity to monitor hot wax stations, assist with wicking, and oversee detailed craft work.

- Competitive seasonal compensation with weekday daytime hours (Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM, no nights or weekends).- Comprehensive pre-camp staff orientation.- Daily freshly prepared hot and cold lunch.- Opportunity for your child(ren) to attend camp at discounted tuition.- Resume-building experience in studio management, youth instruction, and program leadership.- Warm, tight-knit staff community with fun staff traditions and lasting friendships.

Willow Lake Day Camp is a premier family-owned day camp set on 35 shaded acres in Lake Hopatcong, New Jersey, serving campers ages 3 through 15 since 1980. Grounded in our Dream Big philosophy, we partner with families all summer to build character, self-esteem, and lifelong memories through top-tier athletics, arts, adventure, and aquatics. Our supportive camp family brings together passionate educators and emerging leaders who are dedicated to creating a safe, spirited, and unforgettable summer experience.

Our picturesque 35-acre camp campus is nestled along the scenic shores of Lake Hopatcong in northwest New Jersey, offering a blend of modern indoor studios and outdoor pavilions. Staff work on-site amidst rolling fields, shaded woodlands, heated swimming pools, and dedicated creative arts facilities.