CAMP COUNSELOR

Job Summary

The Camp Counselor is responsible for the direct supervision of program participants, the planning/implementation of age-appropriate activities, and the safety of participants enrolled in Adventure Camp, Trek & Travel Camp, or Before/After Camp.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily and demonstrate the District’s core competencies consisting of integrity/ethics, job knowledge, interpersonal skills, policies & procedures compliance, work quality, risk management/safety, District/Department vision and values, adaptability/flexibility, dependability, teamwork, and productivity.

Essential Duties

• Responsible for enthusiastically leading, planning and teaching camp activities.
• Actively participate in all assigned program areas of camp including but not limited to sports, canoeing, nature, team-building, health awareness, games, arts and crafts as directed.
• Ensure campers are properly supervised at all times.
• Be alert to camper and staff needs and assist them with personal and/or health problems, and discuss with Site Director or Camp Director when appropriate.
• Make sure rooms and equipment are maintained properly, storage of supplies and materials are orderly in closets, cabinets, and rooms.
• Maintain orderly records and file appropriate documents with the Site Director in a timely manner, which may include but it is not limited to: attendance records, lesson plans, accident/incident reports, safety logs, behavior logs, and demerits.
• Actively participate in the daily operation of the summer camp including programming, public relations, business practices, safety, and supervision.
• Apply basic youth development principles in working with campers through communication, relationship development, respect for diversity, involvement and empowerment of youth. Be fair and consistent when rewarding or correcting campers
• Ensure that campers and staff receive their medications as directed by the Site Director.
• Be aware of equipment and facilities to ensure utilization, proper care, and maintenance is adhered to. Report any needed repairs promptly to the Site Director.
• Maintain high standards of health and safety in all activities for campers and staff. Administer first aid when necessary.
• Appropriately enforce disciplinary policy.
• Follow through on reward system for campers.
• Participate in group planning.
• Set a good example to campers and others in regard to general camp procedures and practices including sanitation, upholding schedules, and sportsmanship.

Customer Service

• Monitor health of all participants; be aware and prepared to deal with emergency health issues in accordance with Park District policies. Special sanitation procedures are to be taken in the event of some illnesses, see policy 3.4 in the Comprehensive Policy & Procedures Manual for details.
• Maintain pleasant and professional image, understand Park District products and services, communicate with participants, handle problems politely and efficiently, follow procedures to solve participant problems.

Initiative

• Be knowledgeable of individual abilities and group interests when submitting program ideas.

Co-operation & Attitude

• Maintain an enthusiastic and positive attitude. Work as part of a team and motivate others.
• Other duties, responsibilities and activities may change or be assigned at any time with or without notice.

Communication

• se appropriate subject matter in the presence of children. Make sure appropriate notes, newsletter, etc. go home with campers.
• se appropriate time keeping method/system to accurately record time worked in accordance with policy/procedure.

Appearance

• Present a good personal appearance; follow camp dress code.

Focused on Job

• void talking socially while on the job and taking personal phone calls.

Teamwork

• Attend all staff trainings and meetings.

Leadership

• Fulfill Mandated Reporter requirements per Policy 5.6.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily and demonstrate the competencies listed above in addition to the following:

• Minimum of 16 years of age for Before and After Camp Counselors, Adventure and Trek & Travel Camp Counselors may be a minimum of 18 years of age and must meet the education requirement.
• Minimum of one year of previous day camp experience or a similar type of program is preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Knowledge of child development and the needs of campers.
• Knowledge and skills for planning, organizing, purchasing, and executing a wide variety of creative and innovative activities for youth
• Ability to participate in vigorous activity for extended periods of time (8 or more hours a day, 5 days a week).
• Ability to swim at an intermediate level of skill.
• Ability to display patience and compassion to understand camper and staff needs, yet also be firm and assertive in decision making.
• Ability to interact positively with residents, parents, campers, and fellow staff members.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondences and to speak effectively before groups of participants or employees of organization.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagram form.
• Ability to identify and respond quickly to emergency situations.
• Ability to effectively adjust to stressful situations (i.e. disputes between participants).
• Ability to effectively problem solve and adapt to change.

Education & Training

• Minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent required for Adventure Camp and Trek & Travel Camp Counselors
• Minimum of one year of college education preferred.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Obtain and maintain first-aid certification prior to camp start date.
• Obtain and maintain adult CPR/AED certification prior to camp start date.
• Obtain and maintain infant/child CPR/AED certification prior to camp start date.
• Obtain and maintain valid Illinois driver’s license.
• Complete Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) online training prior to camp start date.

Special Considerations

• Requires a flexible work schedule which may include days, nights and weekends. Training will be scheduled before the camp session starts.