Kids' Counselor - Summer Season (May - September 2026)

Description

 Work with Kids and Horses in the beauty of the Rockies this Summer!

Now hiring for Summer 2026!

"Join a legacy 107 years in the making! C Lazy U Ranch, one of America’s top guest ranches, is hiring for the 2026 summer season in beautiful Granby, Colorado. We pride ourselves on delivering exceptional service that sets us apart. To maintain this standard, we seek enthusiastic, service-oriented professionals with strong communication skills who go above and beyond to create unforgettable guest experiences. We offer below-market housing and three complimentary meals daily. Spend your summer in the Rockies—apply today!"

Working Environment: Working Ranch & Guest Hospitality 

SUMMARY:
C Lazy U Ranch Counselors are responsible for providing a safe and adventurous experience for children and teens between the ages of 3 to 17 years old. Counselors must be outgoing, energetic, have contagious enthusiasm, good decision-making skills, and they should enjoy working and playing outdoors with children of all ages. 

The Cowpoke Counselor position (ages 3-5) requires extensive experience caring for young children and must be comfortable with leading pony rides on foot. Cowpoke counselors must be comfortable playing with young children in the pool each day and will be required to take a water safety course prior to employment. 

The Mustang and Teen Counselor (ages 6-17) is a riding position and requires advanced knowledge of horsemanship. It is paramount that the counselors exercise good common sense so that all activities will be conducted in a safe manner. Riders of all backgrounds and disciplines are encouraged to apply. 

Attention to detail, hospitality skills, and the ability to work well with others are essential for all roles within the Children’s Program. Kids Counselors should be mature, personable, professional and comfortable talking to adults. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Entertaining and keeping children and teens safe.
• Leading pony rides for children on foot.
• Leading trail rides on horseback for children and teens.
• Leading safe and fun family rides on horseback for children and adults every Friday.
• Guest service position; people skills are a must.
• Responsible for bringing the herd in and out of pasture for counselor jingles once a week or more.
• Groom horses.
• Saddle and bridle horses. Must be familiar with horse tack.
• Conduct supervised and instructional trail rides for all levels riders. Comfortable multitasking: riding a green horse, talking with and instructing guests on horsemanship and proper position
• Responsible for teaching riders to safely control their horse in the arena and out on the trail.
• Encourage scared or timid children/teens to try horseback riding – find alternative ways to include them if they don’t enjoy riding.
• Condition horses for trail riding by guests of all experience levels, at all paces and over all types of terrain.
• Ride green and difficult horses. Must be comfortable at the Walk, Trot, Lope (Canter) on all types of horses over all type of terrain.  
• Monitor horse behavior and report any unusual activity or health concerns. 
• Follow safety protocols to ensure the welfare of the horse and rider. 
• Daily swim time in pool with kids.
• Communicate daily with parents and family members about their child(s) experience 
• Leading nightly kid/teen activities (Karaoke, Counselor Hunt, Talent Show, Tractor Ride, Capture the Flag, Teen Ropes Course, etc.) 

Requirements

 QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must have current First Aid and CPR Certification. 
• Experience working with children. 
• Must be comfortable working around horses/live animals (if applying for any Kids Counselor position)
• Strong Horsemanship knowledge and experience (if applying for Mustang or Teen Counselor Position)
• Strong interpersonal skills

Please submit current riding videos demonstrating your ability to Walk, Trot, Lope (Canter) in both directions.  We would also love to see videos of you performing ground work, competing in any discipline, guiding trail rides, or anything else you would like us to consider.  

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: 

• Must be able to lift 50 lbs. 
• Must be able to endure extreme weather conditions: heat, cold, rain. 
• Must be able to safely get on and off a horse from the ground without a mounting block.

This job description provides an overview of the scope of responsibilities for the Kids Counselor position and is not intended to be an inclusive list of tasks and expectations. Employees are held accountable for all duties of this job. This job description does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment, and the company reserves the right to revise and change duties as the need arises.