Support Camp Counselor

Camp Shai is the JCC in Denver’s premier Jewish Day Camp serving children entering Kindergarten through 6th grade. Individuals of all backgrounds, faiths, and families are welcome. At Camp Shai, we offer a little something for everyone with a variety of engaging and fun activities. From sports to theater to engineering, our campers are building their skills, bolstering their confidence, and creating magical summer camp memories. At Camp Shai, we place an emphasis in our programming on the universal values of kindness (chesed), respect (kavod), community (kehillah), courage (ometz lev), and good attitude (ruach).  

Camp is the perfect environment for campers to develop their skills outside of the classroom and build their confidence – and yours too! Your work will make a difference in supporting campers to improve their ability to make and maintain friendships, increase their confidence to try new activities, and create a safe space for everyone to be themselves, campers and staff alike. Being a staff member at camp helps you to gain the skills you want from an internship in a concrete, hands-on, and fun way!     

We are seeking individuals for the Support Counselor role that are adaptable, goal-oriented, and excited to work in a fast-paced and fun environment where everyone is welcome. Support Counselors are excited to gain experience in childcare and are passionate about creating a positive experience for all campers. Our Support Counselors work directly with campers each day to guide them through their summer activities, provide mentorship and support as campers develop their skills, and create a fun and supportive environment where kids want to come back again and again! 

Our Ideal Candidate 

• You are passionate about working with kids and creating a welcoming, creative, and fun environment that celebrates learning and growth.  

• You are flexible and excited by challenges that require creative problem-solving and determination.  

• You enjoy working in a dynamic environment and are ready to bring that camp energy this summer, whether you are dancing across the stage in a silly costume or face painting with campers during downtime.  

• You want to grow your skillset, and you are ready to both give and receive feedback.  

• You are a team player that relishes opportunities to collaborate with your colleagues.  

• You exercise patience and empathy when dealing with others and exude positivity. 

• You are available to work a minimum of six consecutive weeks throughout the camp season.  

Role and Responsibilities:

• Support your co-counselors with camper care and supervision; prioritizing the physical, social, and emotional health, safety, and well-being of each individual camper 

• Contribute to and participate in all activities at camp including, but not limited to, swimming, specialist activities, camp-wide community rituals, traditions, and programs  

• Ensure that inclusive practices are being implemented to make camp accessible for all campers as prescribed by Camp Shai’s inclusion team 

• Complete documentation of camper notes as requested 

• Manage camper behaviors using positive behavior management techniques, enforcing appropriate safety policies, emergency procedures, and camp rules 

• Organize and facilitate age-appropriate activities for camper groups 

• Responsible for ensuring that health and safety guidelines and expectations around cleaning, sanitization, and risk mitigation as outlined by current JCC and Camp Shai policies are followed 

• Participate in weekly staff meetings either before or after camp hours as determined by Camp Director  

• Perform duties in before or after care at least twice during the summer, as assigned by the Camp Director 

• Perform other related duties as assigned by Camp Leadership

Qualifications and Education Requirements 

Basic Qualifications 

• Must be at least 18 years of age by the start of camp 

• Must have some childcare experience or a demonstrated interest in the childcare field 

• Must obtain First Aid & CPR certifications before the start date of camp. Opportunity for certification will be made available through the JCC prior or during Staff Orientation. Certifications must be conducted by a Division of Early Care and Learning approved training vendor. 

• Staff must obtain the required certifications set by Colorado Early Childhood Care Licensing, including PDIS (Professional Development Information System) certifications, before their first day of work. 

• Must be able to fulfill requirements for employment at the Staenberg-Loup JCC, including background screening, three professional references, documentation, and compliance with CDHS (Colorado Department of Human Services) law 

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience working with school-aged children in either a school or camp environment 

• Completion of some relevant college coursework or high school diploma (GED). 

Physical Demands and Working Environment 

• Physical Demands: This job requires personnel to have operative auditory and visual functioning. Employees must also be able to walk upwards of two (2) miles each day, including use of stairs and uneven terrain. Employees may also stand, sit in chairs or on the ground, run, swim, and carry at least 20 pounds. Mental requirements include, but are not limited to, the ability to concentrate, effectively cope with stress, adapt to, and stay alert in a professional environment, as well as an ability to problem solve and de-escalate crisis situations and challenging behaviors. Reasonable accommodation may be granted for qualified applicants. 

• Work Environment: Working conditions may include being in indoor, open classroom spaces and spending extended time outdoors under the sun. 

Additional Notes:

Advantages of Working at Camp Shai  

• Comprehensive One-Week Orientation Before Camp (June 2nd – June 6th, 2025) 

• Support and Mentorship from Camp Leadership Team 

• Ongoing Professional Development and Individualized Performance Feedback 

• Fitness & Aquatics Membership During Time of Employment 

• Involvement in a Fun-Loving Community of Camp Professionals 

Benefits Overview 

This is a seasonal job and is ineligible for benefits. 

Note: This job description is not meant to be an all-inclusive statement of every duty and responsibility which will ever be required of an employee in this position; however, the employee will be held responsible for all duties assigned. 

The Jewish Community Center values diversity and inclusiveness and is an equal opportunity employer.