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Summer Guide Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Summer Camp Director

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$21.50 - $29.50/hr

... all Summer Camp operations to ensure the delivery of professional, high-quality, and safe Camp ... Our Culture Our unique culture is at the heart of all we do and is guided by our values and ...

Summer Camp Director

Redwood City, CA · On-site

$21 - $28.75/hr

... all Summer Camp operations to ensure the delivery of professional, high-quality, and safe Camp ... Our Culture Our unique culture is at the heart of all we do and is guided by our values and ...

Summer Camp Director

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

$20.25 - $27.75/hr

... all Summer Camp operations to ensure the delivery of professional, high-quality, and safe Camp ... Our Culture Our unique culture is at the heart of all we do and is guided by our values and ...

Showing results 41-60

Summer Guide information

See California salary details

$7

$19

$39

How much do summer guide jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for summer guide in California is $19.45, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.51 and $19.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a summer guide?

Summer guides are individuals who lead and assist groups or individuals in outdoor activities, tours, or educational programs during the summer season. They often work at camps, national parks, adventure tour companies, or educational institutions, providing guidance, safety, and information to participants. Their responsibilities can include leading hikes, organizing activities, ensuring safety protocols, and sharing knowledge about the local environment or subject matter. This role is ideal for those who enjoy working outdoors, have strong leadership skills, and are passionate about sharing experiences with others.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a summer guide, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Summer Guide, you need strong knowledge of local geography, safety protocols, and outdoor activity facilitation, often supported by certifications such as CPR/First Aid. Familiarity with reservation systems, GPS devices, and communication radios is commonly required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, leadership, and the ability to engage and motivate groups are vital soft skills in this role. These skills ensure guest safety, enhance the experience, and foster trust in dynamic outdoor environments.

What are some common challenges summer guides face when working with groups, and how can they be overcome?

Summer Guides often encounter challenges such as managing diverse group dynamics, keeping participants engaged, and ensuring safety during activities. To address these, successful guides use clear communication, set expectations early, and adapt activities to suit different age groups and interests. Building rapport and staying attentive to individual needs helps foster a positive, inclusive environment. Regular training and teamwork with co-guides also play a crucial role in overcoming these challenges and ensuring a smooth experience for everyone.

What is the difference between Summer Guide vs Summer Camp Counselor?

AspectSummer GuideSummer Camp Counselor
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some positions may prefer experience in guiding or outdoor activitiesHigh school diploma; certifications in first aid or CPR often preferred
Work EnvironmentOutdoor locations, parks, or tourist sites guiding groupsCampgrounds, recreational facilities working with children and teens
Employer & Industry UsageTourism, outdoor recreation, adventure companiesSummer camps, youth programs, recreational organizations
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding guiding roles in outdoor settingsWorking with children in summer camp settings

The main difference between a Summer Guide and a Summer Camp Counselor lies in their work environment and focus. Summer Guides typically lead outdoor tours or activities at parks or tourist sites, while Summer Camp Counselors work directly with children at summer camps. Both roles may require similar certifications like CPR, but their daily tasks and settings differ significantly.

What are the most commonly searched types of Guide jobs in California?

The most popular types of Guide jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Summer Guide jobs?

Cities in California with the most Summer Guide job openings:

Infographic showing various Summer Guide job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 80% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,450 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

Public Speaking Instructor - Summer 2026

Education Unlimited

Stanford, CA • On-site

$1.4K - $1.6K/wk

Temporary

Re-posted 18 days ago


Job description

Education Unlimited® provides academic summer camps & pre-college summer programs for students entering grades 4-12. Our summer programs include public speaking camps, college admissions prep programs, science camps, summer acting camp, writing camps, computer camp, leadership camp, video production camp, and college tours.

OPEN POSITION: 

Housing, meals and compensation of $1410 - $1610 per week - possible travel stipend

Available Public Speaking Sessions

  • July 19 week @ UCLA
  • July 26 week @ Stanford
  • Aug 2 week @ Stanford

Course Description: 

Education Unlimited is the national leader in providing noncompetitive public speaking summer programs for kids and teens. Education Unlimited was founded in 1993 by a group of speech and debate coaches who developed our innovative curriculum. Today, our curriculum directors and on-site faculty and staff include coaches at some of the nation’s premier high schools and universities and former speech, debate, and mock trial competitors who reached national levels of success.

Too many young people have something to say but do not have the tools to speak in public effectively and with comfort. Designed to help students build confidence in their public speaking skills, our Public Speaking Institute trains students in public speaking, logic, and rhetoric through an interactive and dynamic curriculum that encourages incremental progress through ongoing practice and exercise. 

Over the course of the program, students will participate in three main courses: Debate, Persuasive Speaking, and an elective. 

Debate
Learn the art of verbal combat! Students will learn how to construct persuasive positions, defend against and attack each other’s arguments, and cross-examine effectively. Students will debate a variety of age- and experience-appropriate topics, form teams, and pit themselves against their co-campers. Past debate topics have included: climate change, U.S. military adventures, and the legal drinking age.
Persuasive Speaking
This useful activity teaches students to craft and deliver convincing speeches. Students start by performing a number of pre-written speeches in order to learn delivery, timing, and intonation. When students display comfort with delivery, they will begin to construct speeches based on their interests. Students learn to choose topics, establish captivating introductions, organize speech content, and deliver compelling conclusions! The focus is on speaking in a natural voice, with few or no notes, rather than writing an essay and merely reading it out loud, the form of "public speaking" taught by most teachers. All students end the week by presenting a speech in front of a large group of fellow campers.
Electives (on-campus programs only): In the evenings, students will participate in elective courses that will allow them to apply the lessons they learned during their morning and afternoon classes in fun simulations through negotiation exercises, mock trials, mock congress, etc. 

Public Speaking Institute students experience university life during their week on a college campus. Students live together in the dormitories, experience campus dining, and relax on campus with a wide array of sports and arts activities. Additionally, the camp will take one mid-week excursion to a local attraction, such as an amusement park or sports venue. The most recurrent comment made by students after camp is, “ I never knew I would have so much fun!”

Job Description:

The Public Speaking Instructor will guide students through the Education Unlimited Public Speaking curriculum to help them become more clear, confident, and effective speakers, and to help them enjoy public speaking activities. Instructors will teach rotating classes in delivery and/or debate, on-campus instructors will also teach an elective (examples include Impromptu Speaking, Negotiations, Policy Debate, and Storytelling) in the afternoons or evenings. 

In addition to teaching, instructors will be responsible for assisting students as needed in one-on-one feedback sessions, and leading students in a showcase at the end of camp. Instructors will also be responsible for tracking student work and handing in any deliverables to the camp director and EU home office. 

In addition to teaching responsibilities, on-campus instructors should be available and willing to assist the camp director with active supervision, recreational activities, and some administrative tasks. Instructors should be mature, reliable, and able to work well with fellow staffers. Instructors are also expected to act as mentors and will help lead field trips and guide students on excursions. With the support of the entire staff, instructors are responsible for the health and safety of students, in addition to fulfilling instructional objectives. 

Qualifications:

Instructors have a strong competitive speech and debate background, are studying communications at the graduate school level, or have significant experience teaching and mentoring students in public speaking.  

  • 2+ years' experience working with middle, high school or university students in an instructional setting.
  • 2+ years’ experience teaching public speaking and/or debate at any level or significant competitive experience. 
  • Bachelor's degree is required; preference is given to those with an advanced degree.
  • A passion for helping students improve their public speaking and debate skills
  • High level of professionalism and positive attitude. 
  • Self-motivation and follow-through.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
  • Ability to adjust to different learning styles and adapt lessons as needed.

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