Lake Clear Camp Summer Overnight Camp Lifeguard Counselor

Job Summary: To further the mission of the camp by ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment at the waterfront. This position involves organizing, supervising, and administering waterfront activities in alignment with Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York (GSNENY), New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH), and American Camp Association (ACA) standards and procedures. The lifeguard will protect and supervise campers and staff engaged in waterfront activities while assisting in the management of the physical operation of the waterfront facilities and equipment.

About Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York: Girl Scouts create the world they want to live in and strive to make it better every single day. They explore their strengths, take on new challenges, and can always be themselves, regardless of background or ability. Girl Scouts of Northeastern New York is one of 110 councils across the United States, supporting Girl Scouts and volunteers across fifteen counties of upstate New York. We help build girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place.

Lake Clear Camp: Our Camps are unique and shaped by the physical, and outdoor spaces in which they take place, the team-building nature of our activities, and the welcoming environment that we strive to create. Situated on 91 scenic acres of land on a peninsula on Lake Clear is an Adirondack gem. The camp is surrounded by breathtaking state land in the Adirondack Park, adjacent to the St. Regis Canoe area. Facilities at Lake Clear Camp include renovated cabins with full bathrooms, lean-to units, a dining hall, a health center, and buildings for programs and activities. Campers range from first through twelfth grade.

Summer Camp dates at Lake Clear Camp are July 28th – August 22nd, 2025. All positions include room and board. Camp staff are generally off from Friday evening through Sunday afternoon each week.

GSNENY operates two summer overnight camps; Hidden Lake Camp in Lake George NY and Lake Clear Camp near Saranac Lake, NY. Many staff positions can be combined to work at both camps for a full summer of employment (June 28th - August 22nd).

Essential Job Functions:

1. Camper Supervision

• Ensure camper safety (physical, emotional, & mental)
• Apply basic youth development principles in working with campers through communication, relationship development, respect for diversity, active involvement and empowerment of youth
• Manage camper behaviors with appropriate guidance and reinforcement
• Provide quality support that resolves concerns by offering creative solutions in a timely manner.
• Provide constant supervision of campers
• Plan and facilitate age-appropriate camp activities

2. Camper Engagement

• Uphold and consistently model the Girl Scout Mission & Law
• Be a positive role model for campers and peers as an active member of camp community, maintaining positive relationships.
• Demonstrate cultural competence in interacting with campers, staff, caregivers focusing on inclusivity & sense of belonging

3. Program Facilitation – Challenge on Ropes (COR)

• Plan, prepare, & facilitate daily activities based on campers age, abilities and interest in connection with week’s theme or programmatic needs, in alignment with GSNENY mission and outcomes
• Write lesson plans that meet camp outcomes and the abilities of the campers.
• Evaluate adventure challenge abilities of campers and staff.
• Deliver progressive adventure challenge program activities.
• Evaluate the success of the adventure challenge programs and the development of the campers’ abilities and skills in adventure challenge.
• Expand the camp’s activities with new games and initiatives.
• Ensure that camp staff and campers know and follow safety and educational procedures in adventure challenge.
• Assist in the implementation of staff training for adventure challenge activities.
• Provide guidelines for a program utilizing the initiatives and the challenge course.
• Train other staff in their adventure challenge responsibilities including spotting.
• Assist in the management and care of the physical facilities and equipment in the Rope course program area.
• Conduct daily check of area and equipment for safety, cleanliness, and good repair.
• Maintain the adventure challenge course equipment and elements, and daily use logs.
• Clean challenge course area daily keeping it free of hazards and debris.

4. Health & Safety

• Proactively maintain high standards of health and safety in all activities for campers & staff
• Follow all policies and procedures set by GSNENY, ACA, DOH, SAC, etc.
• Ensure work areas & activities are safe and meet all requirements
• Report broken or damaged equipment or other hazards to the appropriate person in a timely manner and take appropriate action to keep others safe.
• Be alert to campers and staff needs and assist them with personal and/or health problems
• Ensure overall camp cleanliness/ upkeep – following Camp policy& protocols
• Follow the chain of command to solve problems and mediate solutions including reporting issues to the Camp Director, Assistant Director or Health Director when appropriate.
• Daily supervision and monitoring of campers and their needs
• Ensure proper health maintenance care, including campers' medication administered by health director

5. Mentorship & Role Modeling

• Promote & support the principles of the Girl Scout Leadership experience and the core philosophies of GSUSA and GSNENY
• Work collaboratively with other camp staff to ensure a positive camp experience for campers, caregivers and staff
• Maintain effective and collaborative working relationships with the camp team using open respectful communication
• Complete assigned tasks as scheduled and communicate any challenges or delays promptly
• Actively participate in trainings, at a satisfactory level to achieve training or certification credit
• Take initiative, identify areas of need, and complete other duties as assigned
• Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, planning and leading those as assigned.

6. Administrative Duties

• Complete logs, daily/weekly reports, and other requirement documentation
• Communicate proactively with Camp Director/ Assistant Director about camper/ program needs, updates, or changes
• Utilize specialized skills in accordance with training and certification (First Aid, CPR, waterfront skills, ropes, archery, etc.)
• Contribute to verbal and written evaluations and communications as requested

7. Other Job Duties as assigned according to the needs of campers and camp programs.

Qualifications: (Minimum Education and Experience)

• Must be 18 years of age or high school graduate.
• Must be a certified Lifeguard with waterfront skills
• Must be certified First Aid and CPR/AED
• Boating instructor certification or GSNENY Small Craft Safety course, or willingness to obtain
• Must submit health history record and examination form prior to first day of work.
• Must be able to pass criminal and sex-offender background check

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Understanding of the developmental needs of youth
• Ability to interact and provide instruction to campers of all age and skill levels and adults in a positive respectful manner.
• Current certification or documented experience in guarding, teaching and facilitating swimming and small craft boating
• Demonstrated knowledge and skill in designated camp program areas.
• Interest and ability to work with children outdoors.
• Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.

Physical requirements of a camp staff position include: the physical ability to move about camp terrain, and engage in physical activities including prolonged standing, bending, stooping, walking long distances, hiking, climbing, and stretching, as well as moving canoes, kayaks, paddles boards and row boats on a daily basis; requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate outdoor equipment; requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate camper activities/programs; Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related, and the ability to lift up to 50 lbs.; Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers. Staff must be willing to live in a rustic camp setting and work irregular hours with limited or simple equipment and facilities; with daily exposure to the sun, heat, cold, and inclement weather conditions. Summer camp staff may encounter a variety of arachnids, including ticks and spiders, as well as insects like mosquitoes and flies, and other wildlife such as snakes and bats, while working outdoors in natural environments.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $420.00 - $425.00 per week

Benefits:

• Employee assistance program

Work Location: In person

Salary : $420 - $425