LEAD COUNSELOR – SUMMER CAMP - CATHY NOVINGER GIRL SCOUT LEADERSHIP CENTER 2025

Description

Seasonal Staff - Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center, Columbia, SC

Located in Columbia, SC day camp facilities

Dates for day camp: May 19 through August 2, 2025

(Monday-Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. OR 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.)

Dates for overnight: 6/19/2025, 6/26/2025, 7/17/2025, and 7/24/2025 (only required to attend 1)

Committed days off, outside of weekends: July 3 and 4, 2025.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Day Camp Lead Counselor will assist the Camp Director in the administration and coordination of the day camp operations by carrying out duties as delegated. Day Camp Lead Counselor will work with their assigned age group to provide hands-on, interactive activities such as crafting in the Art Studio and science experiments in the STEM Lab. While at camp, our Lead Counselors will be role models for our campers, leadership campers, and camp staff – showing enthusiasm, kindness, and motivation. You can expect to spend your summer days at the indoor rock wall, outside playing games on the splash pad and so much more! Lead Counselor will help facilitate weekly talent shows, camp wide outdoor games, tie dye and s’mores! Lead Counselors will work with leadership campers, middle school and high school age girls, to build their leadership skills and lead daily group reflections, and provide timely feedback to them and the Camp Director.

The Lead Counselor will work either from 7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. or 8:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. for our day camp weeks. The Camp at Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center will host four overnights on Thursdays; on June 19 and 26, and July 17 and 24. The Lead Counselor will have the opportunity to work one or two overnights: schedules will be determined once all staff are hired.

Explore more about our Day Camp here:   https://www.gssc-mm.org/en/get-involved/camps-and-properties/summer-camp.html.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

• No prior Girl Scout experience required to apply.
• Two plus year's experience working with children or two year's experience seasonal summer camp experience preferred.
• Must be at least 21 years old.
• HS Diploma or equivalent required (advanced education or college preferred).
• Successful reference check and background check.
• Upon hire, must hold personal membership in the Girl Scout organization and subscribe to the tenets of the Girl Scout Promise and Law.
• Must have personal transportation and the ability to drive. Must possess a valid driver’s license, maintain personal auto insurance which meets the council insurance company’s requirement for coverage.
• Individuals who are Bilingual (Spanish) are encouraged to apply.
• Assists in the smooth functioning of summer camp by performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Assist the Camp Director in providing guidance to general counselors, as well as leadership campers, and is able to give and receive feedback to these groups.
• Able to act as a lead in the absence of the Camp Director, from maintaining safety standards, health of campers, and management of staff.
• Show strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to make independent decisions; interact effectively with staff and volunteers; and work well with children.
• Assist in the on-going planning and implementing of program activities that meet the needs and interest of the campers such as STEM, art, and life skills.
• Assist in the direct supervision and organization of campers with your co-counselor and ensure campers are properly supervised at all times and ensure that adult/child ratios are followed.
• Serve as a role model and guide campers in appropriate behaviors, language, and attitudes. Help maintain each camper’s self-esteem, allow girls to develop individual responsibility, facilitate group communication through conflict resolution, and problem solving.
• Be aware of ongoing medical and social needs of the campers by understanding and following through with plans set forth by parents and guardians and the Camp Director.
• Demonstrate interpersonal skills for problem-solving and conflict management capabilities with co-counselors and Camp Director. Demonstrate the ability to give and receive feedback to other staff.
• Ensure program site and supplies are properly maintained through cleaning and continued care of supplies and equipment.
• Learn and implement the crisis management plan, including emergency procedures.

ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Activities occur both inside and outside with employee subject to both environmental conditions to include fluctuating weather conditions (hot, cold, windy, etc.) as well as outdoor exposure to variety of vegetation.
• Ability to stoop, kneel, bend, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, work with fingers, grasp, feel, talk, hear, and perform repetitive motions.
• Ability to perform light work exerting up to 40 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

COMPENSATION/BENEFITS

Summer seasonal employment is a unique experience and falls under the seasonal exemption standard categorized as “seasonal amusement or recreational establishment” by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Department of Labor (DOL). This exempts the position from federal minimum and overtime wage requirements as we compensate a daily rate plus. The potential weekly earnings for this position is between $350 -$375 depending on experience, availability, scheduling, and any related certifications.   Seasonal staff are eligible for a performance based bonus that will be paid after the first 4 weeks of summer camp and at the end of summer camp.  Seasonal staff may qualify for a performance-based bonus and a stay-on bonus. Eligibility for each bonus is outlined below:

• Performance Bonus – is paid to staff who meet or exceed weekly key metrics. The bonus is paid out mid- summer and at the end of camp in the final pay. 
• Stay-on Bonus - paid to staff who work all weeks committed through the end of  camp. The bonus is paid out at the end of camp in the final pay. 

 This is a seasonal position only with no eligibility for benefits. 

Equal Opportunity Employer (E.O.E.)

Girl Scouts of South Carolina - Mountains to Midlands (GSSC-MM) is an equal employment opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, ancestry, disability, veteran status, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require special assistance or accommodation while seeking employment with GSSC-MM, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@gssc-mm.org . GSSC-MM reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time.