Description
Join our vibrant summer team as a Cabin Counselor and make a lasting impact on the lives of young campers! This dynamic, seasonal position offers an exciting opportunity to lead, mentor, and inspire children in a fun-filled, supportive environment.
The Agassiz Village Camp Counselor is responsible for ensuring overall camper well-being, keeping a cabin group of 12 campers (ages vary from 8-17) on schedule with activities, and leading camp activities. A counselor’s work includes assisting with camper management during activities, in cabins, on sports fields, at the waterfront and in the dining hall. Counselors may lead daily activities, like crafts, outdoor games, musical performances, and may perform other responsibilities. Counselors supervise and manage campers at all times, except during scheduled breaks. Counselors participate in whole camp activities and special events such as talent shows, and camp competitions. Counselors also accompany youth on overnight trips to one of our islands.
Counselors are the ambassadors of fun, while following all safety rules and regulations.
Responsibilities and Key Functions:
- Act as a role model in all aspects of camp and be fully and actively engaged with campers at all times while on duty (including meals, program areas, special events, etc.).
- Wake campers on time each morning. Greet them positively and by name each day. Communicate proper attire for the day and activities. Follow shower schedule and put kids to bed on time.
- Have a friendly, upbeat, and encouraging attitude.
- Be welcoming and inclusive.
- Help campers negotiate conflict.
- Build strong positive relationships with your campers by participating in meals, evening programs, etc.
- Promote and encourage program participation and positive behavior (i.e., sound judgment, calm problem solving, enthusiasm, appropriate use of language, silence during announcements, etc.).
- Be sensitive to the camper’s individual needs, manage the behavior of their campers, especially regarding physical, emotional, or verbal abuse of others.
- Provide feedback to the Village Leader and fill out camper logs daily and submit them to the Village Leader.
Work together as a team with the other counselors in and out of your cabin and village, creating a trustworthy, fun, and enjoyable environment. - Help the campers with daily self-maintenance tasks (i.e., helping campers prepare for swimming, etc.).
- Perform all other duties as assigned.
Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS:
- 18 years of age or older;
- In good physical condition;
- Experience in work and/or play interaction with children;
- Excellent verbal communications skills;
- Commit to the entire summer season;
- Able to work as a team member;
- Demonstrate integrity, honesty and knowledge that promote the culture, values, and mission of Agassiz Village.
This position requires a consistently high energy level, an extremely elevated level of visual awareness, humor, creativity, the ability to recognize unhappiness and nurture children accordingly, and the desire to be a positive influence on the lives of children
Who We’re Looking For:
We expect all of our staff to model the 5 core SEL competencies for our campers:
Self-Awareness
Self-Management
Responsible Decision-Making
Relationship Skills
Social Awareness
That means our staff are special - people who put the campers first, understand that camp is a community, and demonstrate the skills we ask our campers to learn. Our campers come from tough backgrounds, with 35% having experienced foster care, homelessness, recent immigration, domestic violence, or having an incarcerated family member. AV staff treat them with kindness, respect, and an innate understanding that behavior is fueled by unmet needs.
