Summer Camp Horsemanship Program Assistant needed in northern California ~ June - Aug 2026

Bar 717 Ranch

Email

[email protected]

Phone

530-628-5992

Location

Hayfork, CA

Job Type

Seasonal
(June, July, August)

Salary

Starting at $615 per week

Posted

October 16, 2025

Housing Offered

Yes

Experience

2-5 yrs

Sponsoring Work Visas?

Maybe

How to Apply

Click This Link to Apply

About the Position

Camp Trinity on the Bar 717 Ranch is a residential summer camp in Northern California for kids ages 7-16. Our mission is to provide an outdoor camp experience where children have daily opportunities to have fun, develop friendships, challenge themselves, build character, learn new skills, and gain a sense of community. Campers choose freely from activities that range from horseback riding, gardening, animal care, and maintenance projects, to backpacking trips, crafts, campfires, singing, and much more.

Our Horsemanship Assistant is an integral part of our horsemanship staff and provides daily support to our horsemanship program, which introduces campers to the joys of working with horses. The Horsemanship Assistant is responsible for camper supervision, support for horsemanship staff, and daily horse care and barn management. This position will also have additional camper supervision duties in our general camp program as assigned.

Essential Skills

Excellent understanding of basic barn chores including how to catch, groom, tack, and feed horses.
Familiarity with various disciplines of riding and handling with the ability to teach basic skills to riders including how to mount, dismount, steer, and maintain safe position in the saddle.
Ability to demonstrate patience and sensitivity to the needs of a diverse group of campers.
Ability to assess a child’s comfort level around horses and pair them with the appropriate mount.
Ability to make choices that prioritize the safety of campers and horses.
Ability to foresee a potentially unsafe or dangerous situation (whether in the barn or on the trail) and avoid or defuse it.
Ability to facilitate an educational experience for children
Ability to observe and assess camper behavior, enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior management techniques.
Communication skills and cognitive abilities to give individual instruction, conduct group activities and to give clear and effective verbal presentations and instructions to groups of up to 150 people.
Physical ability to assist campers in the event of an emergency (CPR, fire, earthquake, injury, etc.)
Ability to follow clear verbal and written instructions.
Ability to sustain moderate physical exertion; including hiking in 100+ degree heat; negotiating uneven terrain; carrying a backpack weighing 35 lbs., and possessing physical strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.

Responsibilities

Set a positive example for campers and fellow staff by working efficiently, acting responsibly and maintaining positivity on a daily basis.
Participate in morning chores, AM/PM feeding rotation, catching, grooming, tacking and watering of horses prior to trail rides
Lead/Drag on trail rides daily; teach lessons in the ring
Help campers mount/dismount
Check tack to make sure everything is working properly and fitting appropriately
Provide basic first aid and other necessary care to horses outside of program time
Helping to plan barn program activities and events for campers

Qualifications

Minimum age 19 by June 2026
Passion for working with youth and with horses
Experience in riding and horsemanship instruction
Experience in barn management and horse care
Quick learner with strong problem solving skills
Accepting of diversity in culture, race, religion, gender identity, and ethnicity
Strong communication skills with children, peers, and supervisors
Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team
Ability to seek and accept supervision and guidance
Enthusiasm, good judgment, patience, adaptability and self-control
Willing to take alcohol and/or drug tests on request of employer
Possession of a valid Driver’s License
Ability to complete Lifeguard/CPR and Wilderness First Aid Training
Able to be a resident at camp from June 2, 2026 to at least August 9, 2026

Hours, Benefits, and Compensation

Full time June 2 – August 18, possibility for pre-season work starting mid-May.
Starting at $615 per week
Resident staff position
Housing, meals, and laundry service are provided for resident staff for the duration of our summer camp season
Supportive community of coworkers and supervisors
A rewarding summer spent outside and unplugged in a beautiful place

Equal Opportunity Employment: We are committed to core values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Working at Camp can be one of the most rewarding jobs of your life! We look forward to reading your application!