What are the responsibilities and job description for the 2025 Summer Camp Counselor position at Animal Welfare Association (AWA)?
The Summer Camp Counselor will assist our Education Department with facilitating a series of Summer Camp programs. The time commitment is approximately 38-40 hours each week. The counselor will facilitate programs following provided guidelines, curriculum, and staff assistance/oversite. Counselors will also be required to provide coverage for after care when needed. This is a temporary seasonal position.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Instruct campers of varying age (6-9 and 10-13), in a group setting focusing on S.T.E.A.M related activities to educate campers on topics such as Animal Biology, Engineering and Design, Veterinary Science and Technology, Animal Welfare, Animal Safety/Responsibility and more
- Interact with all campers, staff members and guests in a positive, professional and upbeat manner
- Provide hands-on instruction and assistance with completing tasks/activities, crafts, setting up and cleaning up spaces, etc.
- Greet all speakers and presenters with a professional manner
- Oversee Counselors in Training and ensure they are providing assistance during activities, guest speakers, games, etc.
Schedule:
- 10 one week camp sessions and three single day camp sessions beginning June 23rd – August 29th, 2025 from 9AM – 3PM daily
- Counselors will have staggered schedules to accommodate after care coverage; 8:15AM-3:45PM and 9:00AM-5:00PM to be coordinated with the Camp Director
- Camp Counselor Training, June 16th and 17th from 9:30am until 3:00pm is mandatory – training has the potential to wrap up early but that is not guaranteed
- Approximately 38-40 hours of availability is required each week, inclusive of the set program times
- The time commitment is 11 weeks and approximately 8 hours per day
Overall Requirements:
- Counselors must be at least 18 years old
- Knowledgeable and passionate about animals and animal welfare
- Experience working with children and adolescents (preferably in a school, daycare or camp setting)
- Completed college course work of 20 credits in a related field (may be considered instead of on the job experience)
- Ability to think on your feet, be flexible and adapt to ever changing situations and schedules
- Have the ability and willingness to work both in a team setting and independently
- Highly attentive and able to accurately and quickly convey information and instructions to children, volunteers and staff
- Be able to communicate effectively and maintain a friendly, professional and positive demeanor
- Demonstrated leadership experience
- Ability to move about the Adoption & Education Center, Pet Clinic and outdoor spaces
Camp Counselors will be working in an Animal Shelter environment and outside on the AWA Campus in a natural summer time setting. The counselor must adhere to all rules and regulations of the shelter and be willing to learn how to properly handle animals and instruct others in this technique. Counselors must have or be able to complete their CPR/First Aid Certification and will be required to complete a background check prior to employment. Employment is conditional upon the successful completion of both.
