Camper Support Coordinator

CAMPER SUPPORT COORDINATOR

Position Description

ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION: Our mission is to bring out the limitless potential in young leaders through extraordinary experiences and nurturing relationships. 

PEAK VALUES & BELIEFS: At PEAK, we know that with the right support and access to quality programs and experiences, all young people are able to achieve at the highest level imaginable. Below are the core values that we operate under at PEAK. Staff are expected to embrace and exhibit these values toward each other, participants, caregivers, and all stakeholders. 

• Every living being has inherent value.

We honor the unique identities of every person and uphold their right to a safe and fun environment where everyone belongs. We also treat our natural environment with care and respect.

• The community is better when everyone contributes.

We unite in sharing responsibilities, creating a strong community. We inspire one another to embrace our authentic selves, celebrating the diversity of perspectives and experiences we each bring forth.

• We can only grow when we are honest about our mistakes.

We accept accountability for our actions, look for ways to improve, and have opportunities to grow.

• Everyone has the power to change their world.

We all have the ability to influence and make a difference in our own lives and our communities around us.

POSITION SUMMARY: By building and using respect, trust, and empathy, provide ongoing support and coaching for campers. Provide support to other staff in positive behavioral and emotional support of campers and cabin groups. Camper Support Coordinators serve as members of the LVC Leadership Team.

POSITION AVAILABILITY:

Staff Orientation: June 1-18

Session 1: June 21-July 2

Session 2: July 5-16

Session 3: July 19-30 

Teen Camp and Camp Clean-up: August 2-7

BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY 

• Work directly with individual campers and camper groups who need extra support (behavioral, emotional, life skills, etc.) to help them develop plans for improvement at LVC. With support from camp administration and other LVC leadership team members, Camper Support Coordinators may assist with communicating with parents and guardians regarding their camper when issues arise. If a camper cannot reside in their cabin due to a behavioral challenge (eg. they are being sent home the next day, have an unresolved issue in the cabin, etc.), Camper Support Coordinators will spend the night outside of their normal sleeping arrangements to be able to supervise and support that (or those) campers.
• Lead, coach, and develop counselors/staff and provide ongoing additional resources related to camper support, behavior, and wellbeing.
• Be responsible for communicating your observations regarding the successes, achievements, and areas for growth of participants with the team and strategize solutions. This includes documentation such as Incident Reports, Behavioral Support Contracts, etc. 
• Actively lead, participate in, and assist in the preparation and implementation of camp, including All Camp activities, staff training, inventory/clean-up and more. Camper Support Coordinators will always, unless other circumstances arise, go to Milwaukee on camper arrival days to interact with campers and families and be a bus chaperone. This position may also be asked to be a bus chaperone from Lake Valley Camp to Milwaukee and back on camper departure days.
  • In between sessions (including between orientation/trainings and sessions), Lead Team members will be assigned by Administrators to drive a vehicle back to PEAK in Milwaukee and then bring staff back to Lake Valley Camp after camper drop-off is complete. Camper Support Coordinators may do this more often than some Leadership Team members due to availability.
  • Drive campers partway or all the way back to Milwaukee if they need to go home early.
• As a member of the LVC Leadership Team, Camper Support Coordinators participate in regular meetings to provide updates and strategize to help our camp community be the best it can be. They will be responsible for some evening/overnight shifts as Supervisor-on-Duty. Camper Support Coordinators consistently act as a positive role model for our community and their actions and decisions should reflect that expectation. 

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

• This position is compensated at a rate of $850 per week, pre-tax.
• Full-time summer seasonal staff are paid on a bi-weekly basis and are classified as exempt, seasonal employees.
• All meals are provided during camp sessions.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES

• Belief that with the right support and access to quality programs and experiences, all young people are able to achieve at the highest level imaginable. 

• Enthusiasm about new experiences and ability to self-manage to bring a consistent level of energy all summer long.
• Calm under pressure and able to embrace change and be flexible. 
• Ability to create a supportive relationship with LVC staff while still setting appropriate boundaries and upholding expectations.
• Possess strong communications skills and apply them with young people, coworkers, and supervisors, maintaining confidentiality of sensitive staff and camper information when necessary.
• Ability to provide job coaching constructively to team members.
• Ability to take and provide feedback with a growth mindset.
• Serve as a role model for staff and campers, and make decisions in line with that expectation.
• Ability to work independently and maintain a strong commitment to teamwork; exceptional people management and communication skills.
• Proven experience in managing groups of children effectively and addressing behavioral issues that commonly arise. Able to implement an asset-based approach to youth development; you should have the ability to relate to children  and have an understanding of their needs and motivations. 
• A background/degree in social work or psychology is preferred.

REQUIREMENTS & CERTIFICATIONS

• Must be able to reside in shared staff housing on the LVC resident camp property in Boscobel, WI starting with leadership team orientation in early June and ending after the last camp program lets out in mid-August. 
• The Camper Support Coordinator will be expected to work from early morning to late at night (often 7:00am to 11:00pm) on a typical day and additional hours when necessary. They are also expected to be on call throughout the night in case of emergencies.
• Must be at least 18 and/or have a high school diploma or GED to apply.
• Current, age-appropriate CPR/AED/First Aid certification (PEAK will provide if needed).

• Must be able to pass PEAK’s motor vehicle background check and driver training and safely drive/transport adults and children in PEAK vehicles, including a 12-passenger van.

REPORTING AND RELATIONSHIPS

• The Camper Support Coordinator reports to the Camper Support Manager
• The Camper Support Coordinator supports all staff in supporting our campers in behavior and life skills

PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS 

The mental and physical requirements and work environment conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.

• Staff are required to actively participate in all camper activities, including water related activities.
• Staff must be ready for new experiences and maintain a consistent level of energy all summer long.
• The camp environment is often hot or rainy. Staff must be able to work outside for sustained periods of time without air conditioning. 
• All PEAK Initiative properties, including Lake Valley Camp and the Milwaukee Program Center, are substance-free environments. Smoking, vaping, alcohol consumption, and the use of illicit drugs are strictly prohibited on all property regardless of whether or not staff are on break. 

• Position requires standing, stooping, sitting, walking long distances in hilly terrain, and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds with or without assistance. 

• Camp activities are often loud, involving many people talking, yelling, cheering, etc., in indoor and outdoor settings.
• Staff must be able to walk and perform activities in the dark in an outdoor, nature setting.
• Staff must be able to sleep in a tent outdoors.
• Staff must be able to eat in a dining hall setting with 100 people. The dining hall will be very busy and very noisy during these times and staff are expected to supervise and sit with their cabins throughout the meals.
• Staff must be able to eat family style meals in a dining hall for 3 meals a day. Sample menus available upon request. With pre-summer notice, the kitchen can accommodate most medical or value-based dietary restrictions.
• Position requires working weekends and nights, with time off in between camp sessions. Camp days are often long and at times require late night camper support, especially for Leadership Team Members and Health Staff. Staff will have daily scheduled breaks. Staff will have a combination of work and on call hours for up to 22 hours a day for several consecutive days.
• Staff must be able to reside in shared housing on the LVC overnight camp property in Boscobel, WI starting with staff training in June and ending after the last camp program lets out in mid-August.
• Staff must be able to live and sleep in housing with campers. Cabins have electricity, but no plumbing. Staff and campers are required to use communal bath houses located within the village. 
• Staff may be required to drive 6 hours in one day, transporting campers or other staff members.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: 

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.

PEAK Initiative is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.

Salary : $850