Residential Camp Counselor

Spend Your Summer Making a Difference at Camp Downer!

Looking for a summer job that’s more than just a job? At Camp Downer, you’ll spend your days leading adventures, creating unforgettable experiences, and making a lasting impact on campers—all while having the most fun you’ve ever had at work! As a counselor, you’ll mentor, support, and inspire campers while exploring the outdoors, running activities, and being part of a close-knit team. Whether you're leading hikes, teaching archery, guiding arts & crafts, or cheering on campers at the waterfront, every day is rewarding, dynamic, and full of adventure. Our 2025 camp season runs from Sunday, June 15th, through Saturday, August 16th—apply today and make this summer one you’ll never forget!

Camp Downer Counselor Job Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Counselor is key to the day-to-day activities of the summer camp experience for the entire camper population. In addition to orchestrating programs and activities throughout the day and each evening, the Counselor resides with the campers within their assigned cabin. Due to the level of responsibility and visibility, the Counselor must remain both a leader and a role model in all camper interactions. This position supports Camp Downer’s mission to provide a positive and affordable camping experience for youth in a safe, constructive, and welcoming environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Staffing:

• Performs evaluations on staff mid-summer and at the end-of-summer.
• Actively contributes to weekly staff meetings to address challenges, celebrate achievements, and foster collaboration.

2. Policy and Procedures:

• Adheres to the policies and procedures outlined in the Camp Downer Staff Policies and Procedures Handbook, ensuring a safe and welcoming camp environment.

3. Residential Life:

• Serves as the leader of assigned cabins throughout the camp season.
• Creates a safe, positive, and inclusive atmosphere in assigned cabin.
• Resides in the assigned cabin with campers.
• Leads, encourages, and supervises campers through daily and weekly activities including but not limited to:
• Escorting campers to and from activities.
• Staying on schedule.
• Facilitating smooth transitions during village time.
• Promoting cabin cleanliness and organization and encouraging participation during Cabin of the Day.
• Supporting campers when preparing for programs, evening activities, and special events.
• Supporting campers with placing Camp Store orders.
• Escorting campers to and from visiting the Nurse’s Cabin.
• Resolves issues independently and/or seeks assistance/guidance from relevant resources (co-counselor, healthcare staff, director, etc).
• Elevates issues according to proper protocol.

4. Daily Programs:

• Leads and facilitates engaging and safe program activities each day.
• Maintains safety protocols and enforces behavioral expectations.
• Utilizes program heads, other staff members, program binders, and other materials to prepare for assigned programs.
• Leads campers through assigned program content over the course of the week by guiding, instructing, demonstrating, supervising, and encouraging.
• Provides feedback and new ideas to program heads for consideration.

5. Animal Groups:

• Serves as the leader of assigned Animal Groups throughout the camp season.
• Dines with and supervises assigned Animal Group, modeling positive behavior and participating in dining hall customs during meals.
• Supervises and supports campers in any Animal Group based special events or activities.

6. Evening Activities:

• Accepts periodic Evening Activity Committee (EAC) assignments.
• Generates ideas for camp-wide evening activities.
• Plans, organizes, and orchestrates set up and clean-up of activities.

7. May function as the Very Important Counselor (VIC) during a session:

• Serves as the leader of the Evening Activity Committee, overseeing the evening activities planned, organized, and facilitated during that session.
• Plans the Free Time offerings during that session.
• Functions as supervisor of the day during that session.

8. Watches and Supervision Duties:

• Performs watches and supervision duties to provide consistent and adequate supervision according to scheduled assignments:
• Nightwatch in assigned village weekly
• Daywatch in assigned village weekly
• In-Camp duty weekly
• May perform as Nurse’s Cabin duty if qualified

9. Preparing for End-of-Season:

• Assists in the clean-up, storage, and securing of the entire camp at the end-of-season according to current specifications.
• Follows direction from village leader to clean cabins, bathrooms, and prepare villages for end-of-season storage.
• Identifies and reports any damage or repair needs requiring attention during the off-season.
• Ensures personal living space is cleaned and cleared of all belongings.
• Obtains permission from camp leadership before departing.

10. Other duties as assigned by camp leadership.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Education

• High school graduate or equivalent and/or at least 18 years of age.

Minimum Work Experience

• Successful Completion of Camp Downer Leadership Development Program preferred.

Certifications

• First Aid/CPR/AED, Lifeguard, and Archery certifications are highly desirable.
• Low Ropes Course and Riflery Training are highly desirable.

Required Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities

• Serves as an inspiring role model, demonstrating integrity, respect, professionalism, and kindness to all.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Demonstrated ability to accept constructive feedback and adapt to change.
• Demonstrated ability to follow verbal and/or written instructions.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated level of maturity and responsibility.
• Willingness and ability to reside onsite through the camp season.
• Ability to effectively relate to individuals from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds.
• Must be able to pass relevant background screening.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Long periods of moving and/or traversing both inside and outside, often on uneven terrain.
• Constant positioning self to acquire supplies and materials.
• Frequent moving of materials and equipment up to 25 pounds for various needs.
• Moderate noise.
• A variety of temperatures and weather conditions.

MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL DEMANDS AND WORKING CONDITIONS

• Handling multiple priorities.
• Independent discretion and decision-making.
• Making decisions under pressure.
• Managing challenging behaviors or emotions.
• Managing stress appropriately.
• Working alone effectively.
• Working with others effectively.
• Working in close proximity to others and/or in a distracting environment.
• Stress of uneven workload, frequent interruptions, and performing multiple tasks simultaneously.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Ability to Relocate:

• Sharon, VT 05065: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: In person