Summer Camp Counselor

JOB SUMMARY

Procter Summer Camp offers a unique workspace, outside of office walls. Our counselors make lifelong friendships in a beautiful and peaceful outdoor setting. Procter Center is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Ohio. With our counselors, we create a place for children, youth, and families to grow in faith, sing, learn, play and pray. A large aspect of camp is our connection to farming. We use our six-acre, generative practiced farm to teach creation care, and how to be stewards of the land.

ABOUT OUR PROGRAM

We offer summer camps for children, youth and families. We are part of the Episcopal Church, and believe all people are loved by God, no matter who they are or what their life is like. Christian Formation is an important part of our program; we share stories and learn together, say prayers and sing together every day. Campers and staff members of all (or no) faith background are welcome. We also canoe, fish, have campfires, sleep outside, create art, do chalk murals, play sports and wacky games, and explore the farm and natural world around us. Serving on a camp staff is a formation experience in itself. While care and safety for campers is always a staff members first priority, personal, faithful and professional growth results from serving and living in community.

POSITION PURPOSE

Counselors are the primary caregivers for campers.

·      Youth camps include campers in 3rd -12th grade. Counselors are responsible for two distinct areas of camp life: cabin life and recreational activities. This includes planning, facilitating, coordinating, and cleaning up from activities throughout the camp session, guiding campers in their personal growth, faith life and daily living skills. 

·      Family Camps are open to campers of all ages, counselors do not provide overnight care for children at Family Camp.

·      Day Camp is for campers in grades 1 – 6 and runs Monday – Friday from 8:30 – 5:30pm

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

·      Create a safe and welcoming environment for the Procter Community.

·      Enthusiastically participate in all program areas: cabin life, meals, formation, worship, outdoor activities, small and large group activities, staff meetings.

·      Work collaboratively with camp staff to plan and deliver a safe, inclusive, fun and educational camp program.

·      Provide, with a co-counselor, continual supervision, ensure safety, and foster a family atmosphere for 7-12 campers in your cabin, including overnights.

·      Participate with our Chaplains in the Christian formation experience.

·      Take responsibility, on a rotation, for leading camp activities: morning and afternoon and evening activities, whether small group or whole camp. 

·      Nurture and interact with all campers, remaining attentive to the needs of campers in your cabin as well as throughout the community.

·      Know the camp schedule and ensure that each member of your cabin or group is on time to daily activities.

·      Model healthy relationships, facilitate skill building, create joy for a memorable camp experience.

Other Job Duties:

·      Take ownership for camp hospitality: water coolers, activity and pool set up/clean up, camp fire set up.

·      Be a positive role model to campers and staff by demonstrating a positive attitude, behavior, and leadership style.

·      Support the Procter Food Service team as needed

·      Participate in written (mid-summer and end of season) and verbal evaluations as requested.

·      Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

·      Counselors must be 18 years old

·      Priority will be given to applicants who have completed one year of college, or equivalent

·      Must submit health history and current health form before first day of training

·      Must complete online sexual abuse prevention training, Safe Church Training before the first day of on-site training

·      Attendance at Staff Training (mandatory for all staff)

·      Must obtain a BCI/FBI Background Check prior to the first day of training

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES

·      Summer camp experience, as a camper or counselor

·      Experience working with children and youth

·     Willingness to participate in a summer-long community and faith community

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS / WORK ENVIRONMENT

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.

·      Prolonged standing, stooping, lifting, walking long distances daily, requires typical range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare and communicate camper activities and programs, willing to participate in activities in and around water (pool, lake and pond). 

Above all, counselors are expected to strive for wellness: spiritual, physical, and emotional for first themselves and second everyone they encounter.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

·      Potential counselors should be prepared to enthusiastically live in a camp setting without a lot of privacy or down time. We live in Episcopal community and work irregular hours and daily exposure to the sun and heat.

WORK SCHEDULE

·      Days off will vary based on camp schedule.

Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

The above information is intended to describe the most important aspects of the job. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required in order to perform the work. Management may, at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities at any time.