LOS ANGELES (CBS) — The suspect in the mass shooting at an Aurora, Colo., theater worked as a counselor at a non-sectarian camp run by the Jewish Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Los Angeles.

CEO Randy Schwab confirmed in a statement that James Holmes, 24, worked as a cabin counselor at Camp Max Straus, in the mountains above Glendale, in the summer of 2008.

“(He) was responsible for the care and guidance of a group of approximately 10 children,” he said. “His role was to ensure that these children had a wonderful camp experience by helping them learn confidence, self-esteem and how to work in small teams to affect positive outcomes.”

Schwab said the skills are learned through activities such as archery, horseback riding, swimming, art, sports and a high ropes course.

Camp Max Straus is a program for children ages 7-14.

(©2012 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Wire services contributed to this report.)