Counselor, BGCA (West Philadelphia)

Statement of General Purpose:

Boys and Girls Club Summer Camp Counselors are responsible for planning, organizing, scheduling, and implementing educational and recreational lessons and activities for elementary-age summer camp participants while ensuring the safety, well-being, and positive development of each child.

Examples of Essential Functions and Responsibilities

• Plan and facilitate high-quality and engaging recreational and educational activities for elementary-age children utilizing existing Boys & Girls Club of America curriculum and lesson plans, as well as individually drafted lesson plans.
• Monitor the safety and well-being of each child at all times through the practice of active supervision and constant engagement.
• Oversee individual child and group behavior, preventing altercations and injuries through non-confrontational, non-physical, non-threatening techniques; corrects disciplinary problems in an understanding, positive, and non-physical manner; teaches conflict resolution through the development and use of verbal skills; manage classroom behaviors and overall positive learning environment.
• Completes incident and injury reports in a timely and accurate manner and reports any issues related to child behavior and/or wellbeing to program leadership and parent.
• Accompanies participants on field trips, swim trips, and other outings, ensuring safety at all times.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe program space.
• Serve as a positive role model for youth by building strong relationships with participants and demonstrating and promoting positive and professional communication, behavior, and engagement.
• Ensure the safety and wellbeing of all program participants at all times.
• Support daily program operations, as needed, which may include accompanying children on trips, distributing snacks, or other related tasks.
• Other related duties, as assigned.

Core Competencies

• Strong understanding of basic educational and recreational lessons and activities for elementary-age children.
• Experience working with children, preferably in a summer camp setting.
• Ability to manage a group of up to 20 children.
• Ability to implement existing lesson plans, as well the ability to tailor existing lesson plans and/or create new plans.
• Ability to adhere to a lesson plan, as well as demonstrate flexibility in activity implementation.
• Willingness and ability to attend swim trips and enter the pool.
• Strong communication skills, particularly with children, parents, and coworkers.
• Ability to adhere to a set schedule with limited instances of tardiness or call-outs.

Minimum Requirements

• Completion of or working toward a post-secondary degree in education or related field preferred; high school diploma required.
• Two years of experience working with children, preferably in an after-school or summer camp setting.
• Ability to submit all required background checks, health screenings, and other regulatory documentation.