Staffing Overview

ROLES

Cheer Instructors

Cheer Instructor applicants must be age 18 or older and lead skills and technique training. Eighteen-year-olds may apply as instructors if qualified or as Junior Camp Counselors with the required screening and training. They cannot register as campers. Applying does not guarantee placement; instructor candidates must complete the instructor selection and screening process.

ROLES

Administrative Staff

Administrative staff manage camp logistics and business operations. Applicants must be age 21 or older and have relevant experience.

ROLES

Junior Camp Counselors

Enthusiastic mentors ages 15–18 who help lead spirit and daily group activities. At age 18, junior counselors must complete required background checks, hold current age-appropriate USA Cheer membership, and finish athlete-protection safety training before serving. They do not count toward required cleared-adult supervision coverage.

ROLES

Parent Chaperones

Parent chaperones are adults age 21 or older who support camp logistics and camper well-being.

Junior Camp Counselor Leadership Path

At Cheerwood, athletes have a chance to grow into leaders and help shape the camp experience for others. Our Junior Camp Counselor program gives young leaders a real voice in what camp becomes—from their first planning meeting to the activities they lead at camp.

01 — Selected Months Before Camp

The leadership journey begins well before campers arrive. Junior counselors are selected months ahead of camp so they have time to get to know their team, understand their responsibilities, and help build the experience together.

02 — Plan and Train Together

Junior counselors participate in 4–5 planning and training sessions on Zoom. With guidance from our highly trained staff, they share ideas, practice teamwork and decision-making, and prepare for their roles at camp. These sessions give them time to develop their ideas and learn how to turn them into an organized plan.

03 — Create Their Vision for Camp

Together, junior counselors decide camp themes, games, colors, and activities. They learn to create, plan, and prepare the experiences they want campers to enjoy, working through how activities will run and how their team will bring the plan to life. Their ideas help shape the personality and traditions of Cheerwood.

04 — Bring the Plan to Life

At camp, junior counselors put their planning into practice by helping lead activities, songs, games, and group experiences. Our highly trained staff provide coaching, guidance, and supervision throughout. Junior counselors have room to lead, practice communicating clearly, support one another, and follow through on their responsibilities.

Real Responsibility. Supported Growth.

From creating ideas to carrying them out, junior counselors build confidence, teamwork, organization, and leadership skills. They lead with cleared adult supervision and do not replace adult supervisors.

Download Junior Counselor Flyer (PDF)

Apply to Join Cheerwood

2027 applications are open
Camper Camp · August 2–5, 2027
Coaches Conference · August 3–5, 2027
Timber Ridge Camp · Spencer, Indiana

Choose your role below to complete and submit your application online. No Google account is required. Have contact details for three references ready. Instructor and Administrative Staff applicants must email their résumé to cheerwoodcamp@gmail.com after submitting; certifications are optional for all roles. Include your full name and role in the email subject.

Junior Counselor applicants must be ages 15–18. Applicants under 18 need parent or guardian consent. At age 18, required background checks, current age-appropriate USA Cheer membership, and athlete-protection safety training must be completed before serving. Those turning 18 during camp must complete these steps before their birthday and before continuing service as an adult.

Apply — Cheer Instructor

Apply — Administrative Staff

Apply — Junior Counselor

Apply — Parent Chaperone

From Application to Camp

01

Preparation

Review the age requirements, responsibilities, screening steps and training expectations for each role.

02

Vetting & Screening

Selection includes age-appropriate interviews, background screening, and reference checks to support role suitability and preparedness.

03

Training Phase

Qualified candidates must complete required training and meet all role-specific qualifications before camp begins.