Junior Camp Counselor - Resident Camp - FVL

POSITION SUMMARY

The Junior Camp Counselor is responsible for assisting Counselors and Senior Counselors in the supervision, guidance, and direction of campers in various settings. The role involves helping children adjust to camp according to safety precautions and fostering positive relationships with campers.

Essential Functions

• Maintain a professional demeanor and represent the YMCA positively.
• Wear Camp T-shirt as required.
• Encourage campers through positivity and positivity-based actions.
• Supervise campers in the dining hall and cabin settings.
• Aid campers in staying focused and engaged in activities.
• Respond promptly to campers' needs.
• Assist all counselors during activity periods, ensuring all campers are engaged.
• Learn and remember camper names.
• Greet campers with a smile and treat them respectfully and enthusiastically.
• Develop positive relationships with families and understand their reasons for coming to the Y.
• Be knowledgeable about the Annual Campaign and its purpose.
• Support the implementation of camp themes, special events, and activities.
• Encourage camper's youth development and social responsibility.
• Help maintain camp and cabin cleanliness.
• Work cooperatively with all camp staff in planning activities.
• Perform responsibilities enthusiastically and go beyond the minimum expectations.
• Treat each camper as unique and special.
• Uphold and demonstrate the YMCA’s core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.
• Create a positive and nurturing learning environment.
• Follow all sign-in/sign-out policies and procedures.
• Ensure proper handling of attendance records.

Safety & Supervision

• Attend regular staff meetings and complete required trainings.
• Uphold camp safety standards and maintain constant face counts.
• Understand and practice risk management and disaster policies and procedures.
• Help maintain group control and facilitate lunchtime activities.
• Follow Association Aquatics Policy Guidelines and YMCA, ACA, and NJ Licensing standards and procedures.
• Secure and submit all incident reports to the Camp Director.
• Report all immediate concerns to the Camp Director or nearest supervisor.
• Follow supervision of bus counselors and ensure safety, expedient procedures, and fun activities on the bus.
• Lead bus songs, stories, and games.
• Use redirection and positive reinforcement to commend good choices when applicable.

YMCA Competencies (Leader)

• Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values.
• Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs.
• Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them.
• Supports fund-raising.
• Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions.
• Buils rapport and relates well to others.
• Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations.
• Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively.
• Takes initiative to assist in developing others.
• Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another.
• Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience.
• Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work, and actively participates in meetings.
• Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately.
• Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.
• Pursues self-development that enhances job performance.
• Pursues an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process.
• Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships.
• Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

Requirements

• Basic understanding of youth development principles.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to communicate with all levels including staff, parents, and staff.
• Knowledge and expertise in horse care and riding as applicable.
• Knowledge of low and high ropes courses, teambuilding, and climbing as applicable.
• Knowledge of hiking, canoeing, biking, or other high adventure activities as applicable.
• Ability to be creative, innovative, flexible with high energy.
• Ability to problem solve and take initiative that adhere to the purpose, mission, and goals of the YMCA.
• Ability to relate to children and develop professional, positive relationships with youth.
• 1-3 years’ experience leading and supervising group activities.
• Ability to work as part of a team, as a role model, and take initiative to identify potential risk factors and take measures to reduce them.
• First Aid, CPR, and AED certification may be required.

Physical Demands

• Capable of being on your feet for long periods and actively supervising children in various indoor and outdoor environments.
• Capable of bending, kneeling, squatting, and lifting 30 pounds.
• Capable of visually accounting for all children in the program, whether inside or outside.
• Capable of hearing whistles or alarms.
• Clear speaking voice needed to command control of the group.

SALARY DESCRIPTION

$2,025-$2,400 for 9 weeks.