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Job Title: Camp Counselor
Classification: Nonexempt Salaried (Seasonal)
Reports to: Program Manager
Position Purpose:
Counselors are the primary caregivers for each camper. Supervise a group of 8 campers with one or two co-counselors through an 8-week period, leading various camp activities and facilitating social and emotional growth of campers with ADHD, autism and similar needs while maintaining a high level of safety.
Essential Job Functions:
Assist in the direction, supervision, and organization of campers in your group, within activities and throughout the camp in order to meet the intended camper outcomes.
- Apply basic youth development principles in working with campers through communication, relationship development, respect for diversity, involvement and empowerment of youth.
- Maintain 24-hour visual supervision of all campers, in coordination with co-counselors, including sleeping in sight of campers (in cabins when on-campus).
- Facilitate group discussions according to program guidelines to promote goal-setting and evaluation, problem-solving and smooth transitions.
Participate in developing and implementing program activities within the camp’s mission and goals.
- Lead or assist with all activities; initiate impromptu activities to fill schedule openings.
- Actively participate in all activities with your group.
- Ensure the progression of activities based on individual and group abilities.
- Oversee the use, maintenance, and return of all equipment in your group’s possession.
Maintain high standards of health and safety in all activities for campers and staff.
- Tend to health, hygiene and first aid care of your campers to your level of training.
- Ensure that campers receive their medications as directed by health care manager.
- Discuss any camper health concerns with nurse and/or program manager when appropriate.
- Promote emotional safety for campers and staff through maintaining an environment of encouragement and respect.
- If 21+, keep the med pack secure and administer camper prescription meds as trained.
- Be alert to equipment and facility safety and report repair needs to your supervisor.
Be a role model to campers and staff in your attitude and behavior.
- Follow and uphold all safety and security rules and procedures.
- Act as a positive role model for your camper, following basic moral, ethical and legal standards.
- Set a good example to campers and others in regard to general camp procedures and practices including sanitation, schedule, and sportsmanship.
Other Job Duties:
- Contribute to verbal and written evaluations and communication as requested.
- Participate as a member of the camp staff team to deliver and supervise evening programs, special events, overnights, and other all-camp activities and camp functions.
- Use approved methods for facilitating resolution of problems and conflicts, including the group process, natural consequences and time-outs. Keep supervisor informed of all behavioral issues, and consult with them for assistance.
- Keep up with daily paperwork, incident reports, and end of session summaries.
- If 21+ with driver approval and training, drive camp 15-passenger buses or shuttles to transport campers to and from activities, following all laws and camp rules.
- After campers leave for the summer, participate in camp clean-up and closing.
- If hired for Teen Wilderness Programs, lead activities in which you are trained, including teaching basic backpacking or paddling skills and leading up to 2-week expeditions.
Relationships:
Counselors will interact with kitchen, nursing, facility and office staff as coworkers, and are expected to do so with an intention of cooperation, customer service, policy adherence, and high-quality care for campers. If issues arise that require a higher-level decision, correction or policy change, refer those to your supervisor.
Qualifications:
- Be 18 years of age by the first day campers arrive; preferably have completed one year of college.
- Hold or be able to earn certification in Wilderness First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer and CPI.
- Be able to pass a pre-hiring drug test that will take place during staff training.
- Be physically able to carry a backpack that is 1/3 of your weight, and work on your feet all day.
- Have good verbal communication skills (in English).
- Have a basic understanding of child developmental stages.
- Be comfortable spending long periods of time outdoors, sometimes in wilderness settings.
- Be comfortable working with children with Asperger’s Syndrome, ADHD, and other similar diagnoses.
- Ability to interact with all age levels.
Desired Qualifications:
- Experience working with special needs children
- Certification in Lifeguarding or willingness to acquire certification during staff training.
- Certification in Wilderness First Responder
- Coursework in psychology, social work, special education, education or outdoor leadership
- Experience working with children and young adults with Asperger’s Syndrome
Physical Aspects of the Job:
- Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards.
- Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
- Ability to carry a backpack that is 1/3 of your weight, and work on your feet all day outdoors.
