Specialty Camp Counselor - Summer 2026
Position Summary
Effectively lead and participate in the Camp Lincoln community. Specialty Camp Counselors are models of leadership who lead by example, follow the staff pledge and live in accordance with the Core Values – Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Mission, Values and Behavior: Understands and models The Y’s mission and values; develops and embraces a shared vision; focuses on creating positive social & community change through the development of meaningful programs and services; models the mission and values of The Y in all written and verbal interactions with peers, co-workers, staff, members and the community.
Relationship Building: Deliberate in establishing positive relationships with internal and external members and partners; creates a team atmosphere by identifying common goals, sharing information, encouraging cooperation and keeping others informed of decisions impacting others; makes member and community needs paramount and does everything in his/her power to engage and partner with members and community to exceed expectations.
Professional Approach and Positive Outlook: Applies positive “can-do” approach to work, accepts full responsibility for own actions and responds openly and appropriately to people of different backgrounds; uses a variety of clear and consistent communication methods to keep all informed and responds to internal and external requests in a timely and appropriate fashion; fosters a healthy, safe work environment; has a healthy, long-term focus in decision making; responds in a timely & appropriate fashion to camper, parent, co-worker and supervisor requests.
Leadership: Motivates others to achieve results and provides clear and timely direction to others; takes initiative, maximizes productivity, is proactive on the job and consistently leads efforts to positive results; provides staff, co-workers and volunteers with feedback, coaching, guidance and support; encourages, supports and models curiosity, creativity, innovation and calculated risk-taking of others; models healthy behaviors; values other people regardless of differences and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion and cultural competence.
Risk Management: Adheres to policies related to boundaries with consumers; attends required abuse risk management training; adheres to procedures related to managing high-risk activities and supervising consumers; reports suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations; follows mandated abuse reporting requirements.
Professionalism: Appears every day cleanly dressed, well groomed and prompt; maintains confidentiality when shared pertinent information; expresses oneself in a mature manner that is fun, responsible and appropriate for the age group being served; be tolerant of individual needs by expressing patience, understanding and compassion; lead by example how to respect other people, Camp Lincoln property and other’s property; manages and organizes time to gain the best result everyday and through the summer.
Safety / Health Conscious: Understands and follows the camp rules and standards; effectively teaches them to participants and helps them understand the importance of safety through understanding; uses good judgment and common sense when making decisions and leading groups; models safe behavior on and off-site; protects the physical and mental safety of campers through intervention, adherence, and rule / policy enforcement and understanding; does one's part in cleaning camp to limit health concerns and easily identify possible concerns; immediately reports safety &/or health concerns to Unit Leader.
Team Player: Exhibits service with a smile all day, every day; even when presented with challenges, meets them with a positive attitude; completes assigned tasks with enthusiasm, gusto and pride; acknowledges differences and works with fellow staff members to embrace diversity; be prompt to all aspects of camp.
Professionalism
Appear every day cleanly dressed, well groomed and prompt.
Maintain confidentiality when shared pertinent information.
Express yourself in a mature manner that is fun, responsible and appropriate for the age group being served.
Be tolerant of individual needs by expressing patience, understanding and compassion.
Lead by example how to respect other people, Camp Lincoln property and other’s property.
Manage and organize time to gain the best result everyday and through the summer.
Safety / Health Conscious
Understand and follow the camp rules and standards. Effectively teach them to participants and help them understand the importance of safety through understanding.
At all times, use good judgment and common sense when making decisions and leading groups.
Model safe behavior on and off-site.
Protect the physical and mental safety of campers through intervention, adherence, and rule / policy enforcement and understanding.
Do your part in cleaning camp to limit health concerns and easily identify possible concerns.
Immediately report safety &/or health concerns to Unit Leader.
Team Player
Exhibit service with a smile all day, every day. Even when presented with challenges, meet them with a positive attitude.
Have a positive attitude and lead with it.
Complete assigned tasks with enthusiasm, gusto and pride.
Acknowledge differences and work with fellow staff members to embrace diversity.
Be prompt to all aspects of camp.
YMCA Leadership Competencies
Mission Advancement: 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 fundraising.
Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds 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.
Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgements, 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.
Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assess 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
Successfully embrace Camp Lincoln’s spirit and follow the Core Values – Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility.
Must be able to communicate in a professional manner.
Must have a positive attitude, be able to multi-task, and manage priorities.
Obtain New Staff Orientation within 30 days of hire, including child abuse prevention and blood-borne pathogen training.
Agree to state criminal background checks.
Maintain updated certifications of the job (CPR and First Aid/AED).
Must sign the Voluntary Disclosure statement.
Must sign and demonstrate the Southern District YMCA Code of Conduct.
Must sign and abide by The Y’s Personnel Policy.
Must be at least 16 years old before starting.
Must attend all summer staff meetings (first Thursday evenings of our two week sessions) and Family Nights (second Thursday evenings of our two week sessions).
Be eager and willing to work with campers 5 – 15 years old and effectively communicate needs to appropriate supervisors.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.