The Season for Work
Summer at the Staenberg-Loup Jewish Community Center arrives with familiar sights and sounds: laughter echoing across the pool deck, campers gathering for Shabbat, staff greeting members they’ve known for years. It’s a season defined not just by sunshine, but by connection, responsibility, and shared purpose.
Each summer, the JCC becomes a place where work feels deeply tied to community. Whether serving as a lifeguard at the JCC Denver, a counselor at Camp Shai, or a specialist at JCC Ranch Camp, staff members play an essential role in creating safe, meaningful, and joyful experiences for people of all ages. These roles offer more than a paycheck—they provide hands-on learning, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to be part of something larger than oneself.
Make an impact. Make memories. Have fun doing it.
Seasonal positions at the JCC are open—apply or share with someone who’d be amazing.
At JCC Ranch Camp, counselors often describe the experience as transformative. Gabs, an international counselor from the United Kingdom returning for her third summer, reflects on the culture: “You connect with people you would never have in the ‘outside world.’ Our staff uplift each other.” Living and working together in cabins surrounded by miles of trails in Elbert County, counselors develop strong relationships while building leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills. Staff are encouraged to bring their own interests into their work—whether teaching horseback riding, leading Jewish learning and Shabbat experiences, or guiding teens on multi-day adventure trips through Colorado’s national forests. These roles challenge counselors to grow, adapt, and lead with confidence.
Closer to home, the JCC Denver and Camp Shai offer that same sense of belonging and impact. At the Aquatics Center, lifeguards are a familiar and trusted presence. Head Lifeguard Adrian Gomez, who has worked at the JCC since 2019, describes the role as deeply relational. “I love that I get to see these community members and my staff grow up over the summer and from year to year,” he shares. “It really brings me joy to see how the community engages with the lifeguards—I get to hear about their summer vacations or when the grandkids are in town.” For many, lifeguarding becomes a way to build responsibility, teamwork, and long-term connections within the JCC community.
At Camp Shai, counselors help shape some of the most meaningful weeks of a child’s summer. Through play, creativity, and Jewish values, staff form bonds with campers and each other that often last well beyond the season. The camp’s high staff return rate reflects what counselors consistently say brings them back: the relationships, the joy, and the opportunity to do work that feels both fun and meaningful. For those considering careers in education, childcare, or community work—or simply looking to try something new—Camp Shai offers valuable, transferable skills grounded in empathy, leadership, and collaboration.
Across all these settings, summer work at the JCC is rooted in learning, service, and community. It’s a season where staff grow alongside the people they support, gaining experience, confidence, and a strong sense of belonging—while helping ensure the well-being and vibrancy of Jewish life in Denver.
