Camp Counselor for Campers with Special Needs, Camp Grossman, Summer Day 2026

About the role

Come share your passion and skills as a Counselor in one of our many "Pathways" bunks dedicated to campers with special needs. Pathways, the broader inclusion program at Camp Grossman, enables children with a broad range of developmental and/or cognitive disabilities and/or mental health challenges to successfully access Camp Grossman with varying levels of support.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for caring for assigned campers – leading group activities, supporting the group in all activities (sports, drama, climbing wall…), managing both group and individual needs
• Guiding and supporting campers during both structured and unstructured time
• Ensuring the safety and well-being of campers
• Creating a fun/joyful dynamic
• Working in partnership with peers and Camp Leadership to provide a happy, safe, and memorable summer for the children
• Discussing camper involvement and concerns about campers with camp leadership
• Daily written communication with each camper's family (with guidance from camp leadership)

Requirements

• High school graduates* strongly preferred
• Counselors must be 16 years-old and have at least 4-weeks experience supervising children
• Junior Counselors must be 15 years-old and completing at least 10th grade* this year
• Experience with children with special needs is helpful and preferred, but not necessarily required
• Experience working in and/or attending summer camp is a plus

Skills and Abilities

• Models maturity and reliability with the ability to stay playful – exhibiting flexibility, patience, empathy, innovative problem solving and collaboration
• Has experience and enjoys working with young children
• Shares Camp’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion
• Models a positive, proactive, and kind approach while concentrating on providing children with a pleasant and safe camp experience
• Possesses ability to manage situations calmly, effectively, and diplomatically
• Has a strong desire to make a difference every single day
• Possesses the ability to work independently and as part of a team, with strong relationship-building skills
• Demonstrates excellent organizational and time management skills, with the ability to juggle multiple tasks and/or competing priorities
• Must be a self-starter who takes initiative
• Demonstrates a history of superb interpersonal and active listening skills

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to work in-person, on-site in Dover, Massachusetts
• Must be able to navigate 70 acres of rugged, uneven and rustic campgrounds independently
• Comfortable working all or most of the day outdoors or inside without air conditioning
• Able to work well in a busy, dynamic and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities
• Able to lift and carry objects weighing up to 30-40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children’s backpacks etc.)
• Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly.

Benefits

• In addition to offering rewarding work and great career opportunities within our mission-driven, values-driven, and family-centric environment, JCC Greater Boston proudly offers employees the generous benefits listed below.
• JCCGB Perks! Each seasonal employee is eligible for access to JCC Greater Boston's top-class fitness, recreation, and wellness facility in Newton!
• Seasonal access to the JCC Fitness Center includes:
• - Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman JCC during active seasonal employment
• - Free or discounted Camp Grossman enrollment for camp employees' children during the weeks worked. Discount prorated based on number of regularly scheduled hours.