Day Camp Counselor

The CCA YMCA has multiple Day Camp locations: Vineland (two sites on Landis Avenue), Merrywood (an 80-acre camp with a lake), and Somers Point. The CCA YMCA 2025 Camp Season will start on June 16th and run through August 22nd. Paid training for staff is anticipated to begin in late April, early May. Day Camp Counselors start at $15.50 per hour and go up based on experience.

POSITION SUMMARY:
This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Provides direct supervision of a group of children in a seasonal day camp. Creates positive, nurturing relationships with children, while building cooperative relationships with parents/caregivers. Promotes and supports the potential of all youth in programs and facilitates peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall camp experience.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
1. Supervises a group of children.
2. Plans and implements program activities in conjunction with the Day Camp Site Coordinator that are culturally relevant, developmentally appropriate, captures the children's interest and consistent with YMCA values.
3. Adheres to program standards including safety and cleanliness standards.
4. Attends staff meetings and trainings.
5. Follows YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical and disciplinary situations, child abuse prevention and emergencies.
6. Cultivates positive relationships and maintains effective communication with parents, children and other staff. Models relationship-building skills in all interactions.
7. Supervise, lead, guide, motivate, be a positive role model to, and consistently interact with a group of 10-20 campers and work to ensure a positive, safe and nurturing camp experience for each participant at all times.
8. Works in cooperation with all counselors in planning weekly special events for the campers that relate to the theme.
9. Follow planned schedule of activities and arrive at each session promptly.
10. Acquaint campers with rules, activities, daily schedules, and traditions of camp.
11. Keep daily attendance and be constantly aware of the campers under their care throughout the day and at each new activity.
12. Report all accidents and incidents to the Day Camp Site Coordinator and complete all incident/accident forms correctly and in a timely manner (by end of shift).
13. Maintains sensitivity and patience while providing care to meet each child's individual basic needs.
14. Maintains confidentiality of the children and staffs information.
15. Actively participate with campers at all free swim and lesson sessions in the pool or lake.
16. Works in conjunction with outside organizations.
17. Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:
1. High school graduate or equivalent; one year or more of college preferred.
2. Previous experience working with children preferably in a day camp setting
3. Experience preferred in one or more of the following areas: outdoor living, archery, boating, camping, songs/music, skits, sports, aquatics, recreational games, etc.
4. At least 18 years of age.
5. CPR, First Aid, AED certifications and Child Abuse Prevention training within 30 days of hire date.
6. Previous experience with diverse populations preferred.
7. Able to work well within a team
8. Works cohesively and takes direction well from leadership including the Site Coordinator, Assistant Director, Director, and all other members of CCA YMCA leadership
9. Bilingual preferred 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.
• Performs heavy work which includes: exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force to constantly move objects, including human bodies.
• Possess vision clarity from a distance of less than 20 and up to and beyond 20. Possess the ability to judge distance and space relationships so as to be able to see objects where they actually are. Possess the ability to observe an area up or down or to the right or to the left with eyes in a fixed position.
• Possess the ability to perform the following activities, but not limited to: climbing, balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, reaching, standing, walking, pushing, pulling, lifting, grasping, feeling, talking, and hearing.
• Ability to plan, lead and participate in a range of activities in a variety of outdoor/indoor settings.