Summer Camp Senior Counselor (Castle Hill YMCA)

About the role

The YMCA of Greater New York seeks Summer Camp Senior Counselors to join its dynamic team. The Summer Camp Senior Counselor plays a crucial role in ensuring the safety and well-being of participants while fostering learning, interaction, and personal growth.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of participants by providing appropriate supervision at all times.
• Maintain and enforce Risk Management and safety procedures.
• Keep the supervisor informed daily of any concerns regarding participants, staff, or the facility.
• Plan and implement meaningful activities, lesson plans, and special events that are structured, age-appropriate, fun, exciting, challenging, and values-based in various areas.
• Perform specific scheduled assignments, including arrival and/or departure and lunch duty.
• Prepare the learning environment, lessons, and necessary supplies for program activities.
• Assume responsibility for the cleanliness and organization of the camp room, program supplies, and activity space.
• Support the planning and implementation of all camp activities, including summer learning initiatives, field trips, in-camp events, and culminating performances.
• Provide support to Activity Specialists with activity implementation.
• Guide and support Counselors in Training (CITs), hold them accountable for program expectations, and complete required CIT paperwork.
• Work cooperatively with all program staff.
• Promote an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment that embraces diversity.
• Create and maintain a strength-based, youth-focused atmosphere sensitive to the needs of participants with learning, emotional, or behavioral differences.
• Act as a positive role model for participants.
• Maintain accurate program documentation, including attendance, sign-in/out forms, behavior reports, incident reports, and accident reports, as appropriate.
• Communicate the YMCA’s core values and the goals of the Summer Camp program to staff, participants, and caregivers.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents and guardians through regular communication about their child’s strengths and areas for growth.
• Provide caregivers with regular updates, including Snapshots, behavior updates, success stories, etc.
• Attend all required pre-camp training sessions.
• Participate actively in training sessions, designated meetings, and special events.
• Ensure that groups are in proper ratios.
• Provide support and accountability to other Summer Camp Counselors and ensure they maintain all program standards, even in your absence.
• Adhere to all Department of Health, YMCA of Greater New York, and funder standards, expectations, and regulations.

Qualifications

• A High School Diploma or equivalent required.
• College credits preferred.
• Minimum of one (1) year of experience working with youth.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Knowledge of Access, Adobe PageMaker, and Photoshop preferred.
• Strong interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, and comfort working with diverse youth and adults.