POSITION SUMMARY:The Camp Kanata Overnight Camp Counselor is responsible for leading, developing, and building relationships with the youth participants in the Summer Overnight and Day Camp programs.Camp Kanata is hiring overnight and day camp counselors for summer 2024! Whether you are looking to pursue a career in camping, recreation, education, human services or in the corporate world, Camp Kanata provides a fun and valuable experience for all young adults as they embark on their career journey. 

Counselors are responsible for managing these functions in accordance with the stated mission, goals, and policies established by the administrative staff, governing committees and Board of Directors of the YMCA. 

This is a live-on-site position that runs from June 9, 2024, through August 17, 2024 for Summer Camp. Extended Season Weekend Camps run Friday evening through Sunday morning starting in September.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Live on-site in age-specific cabins with co-counselors while supervising and building relationships with a group of elementary, middle school and high school campers while creating a safe space for campers to be themselves.
• Creates an atmosphere that is fun, safe, friendly and challenging.
• Mentors and models responsible behavior while leading programs.
• Adheres to YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention and emergencies.
• In collaboration with a Program Director, Counselors will plan and implement activities for their campers that are developmentally appropriate and engaging. Activities may include those such as Aquatics, Archery, Basketball, Climbing Wall, Creative Arts, Environmental Discovery, Lacrosse, Paddle Sports, Riflery and Soccer
• Develops and maintains collaborative relationships with co-workers and the camp community. Maintains regular, clear, and concise communication within area of responsibility.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• 1-2 years experience working with children preferred, with a genuine interest in working with children.
• Experience preferred in one or more of the following areas: outdoor living, planning and organizing activities, crafts, songs/music, skits, sports, recreational games, and other potential camp activities. 
• Positive conflict resolution skills a must.
• Ability to commit to the entire summer on site preferred, but not required.
• Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community.
• Multi-lingual desired but not required.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Requires corrected vision, speech, and hearing to normal range, or have special accommodations made of sufficient nature for completion of assigned tasks.
• Ability to safely walk over uneven ground throughout camp grounds.
• Ability to lift and carry a minimum of 50 pounds, as well as stand, walk, kneel, stoop, bend and climb.
• Ability to quickly adapt to change, work under stressful conditions, be responsible for others, and communicate clearly through written and verbal communication, and work long hours as needed.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
• Compliance with all COVID related PPE, cleaning, reporting and prevention expectations efforts. Further training and detail will be provided upon question and/or hire.