Junior Counselor

About the role

The heart of the camp is the cabin leadership! This position requires a minimum of a junior year of high school or equivalent, and at least 17 years of age. Applicants should have a desire and ability to work with children and staff outdoors, in a rural, rustic setting. They must also possess the ability to relate to their peers, accept supervision and guidance, assist in teaching an activity, and be an advocate for overnight camping.

Responsibilities

• To Senior Staff Camp Goals
• Create an enjoyable camping experience for each child in the camp
• Identify and meet camper needs
• Maintain appropriate behavioral expectations
• To live in a cabin with a co-counselor(s) and 7-12 campers, and be directly responsible for the health, welfare, and happiness of those campers
• Interpret safety and health regulations to campers
• Guide the individual camper in participation in cabin, unit, and all-camp activities
• Absorb any bruises, scrapes or other injuries to players are seen by the camp nurse and an accident/incident report is filed each time
• Set an example in thoughtfulness and concern for others; in manners, language, dress and actions also of promptness to activities, including meals
• Keep an eye on campers' health and sanitary practices. Keep an eye on what they eat and don't eat in the dining room. Encourage good eating habits along with good manners
• Supervise the cabin group in work activities and encourage pride in the work of the cabin group
• Help build and maintain cabin and camp spirit
• Recognize and appreciate that each camper is an individual with different backgrounds, needs, and talents. Try to always emphasize the positive and avoid any show of favoritism or dislike or frustration
• Supervise letter-writing home
• Maintain friendly professional relationships with all personnel: campers, counselors, senior staff, kitchen staff, and maintenance staff
• Attend all staff meetings as assigned
• Write and turn in all written reports in accordance with instructions
• Report promptly to your supervisor or senior staff member as appropriate, any difficult situations which may arise in camper or staff relationships
• Report any missing camper – at once!
• Instruct campers in emergency procedures
• Secure proper coverage for all responsibilities before leaving camp; then check out/in according to procedures
• All friendships/relationships must be kept on a platonic basis in camp. Appearances do matter
• When off duty and away from camp, please remember that your conduct reflects on the entire camp
• Be a role model for the camp, supporting the Site-Director and staff and upholding the traditions and philosophy of The Susquehannock Camps
• Remember – The Camper comes first!

Qualifications

• Ability to communicate and work with groups participating at camp (generally age 7-16 years for campers and 17 years and older for staff) of all skill levels, and provide necessary instruction to campers
• Physically able to accompany the campers to any of the camp activities
• Able to communicate verbally with campers, and provide instructions
• Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity, as well as physical symptoms of camper injury or illness, and camper concerns
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid
• Cognitive and communication abilities to plan and conduct activities to achieve camper development objectives

Essential Functions

• Ability to communicate and work with groups participating at camp (generally age 7-16 years for campers and 17 years and older for staff) of all skill levels, and provide necessary instruction to campers
• Physically able to accompany the campers to any of the camp activities
• Able to communicate verbally with campers, and provide instructions
• Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity, as well as physical symptoms of camper injury or illness, and camper concerns
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid
• Cognitive and communication abilities to plan and conduct activities to achieve camper development objectives