What are the responsibilities and job description for the Summer Camp Program Specialist - Camp Tommy position at The Fresh Air Fund?
PROGRAM SPECIALIST
Since its founding in 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit youth development organization, has provided free life-changing summer experiences in the outdoors to more than 1.8 million children from New York City's underserved communities. Young people also participate in year-round leadership, career exploration and educational programs. For more information, visit www.FreshAir.org.
Position Summary
Program Specialists are assigned to a specific activity area during the day and are responsible for developing lesson plans and teaching four to six one-hour activity periods each day, providing supervision and guidance to campers. Activities include but are not limited to : Art, Athletics, Ceramics, Chess, Coding, Creative Writing & Journalism, Culinary Arts, Dance, Drama, Fashion and Sewing, Martial Arts, Music, Nature and Hiking, Outdoor Living Skills & Pioneering, Photography, Robotics, SCRATCH & STEAM, Sign Language, SEL, Video & Film, and Yoga. When not teaching or in scheduled prep time, program specialists work as a General Counselor in assigned village, living in cabins with campers and assume responsibility for their safety and well-being.
Program Specialists will report to the Director of Specialists.
Responsibilities
- Plan and teach four to six one-hour classes each day, providing supervision and guidance to campers.
- Supervise the staff assigned to activity area, utilizing their skills to enhance the program.
- Responsible for ordering and maintaining equipment and supplies and keeping the program area clean. This may include lifting heavy supplies and program equipment.
- Prepare and submit reports, evaluations, supply requests and inventories as requested by the Director of Specialists.
- When not teaching or in scheduled prep time, work as a General Counselor in assigned village.
- Provide 24-hour-a-day direct supervision, leadership and guidance to campers with assigned co-counselors. This includes supervising the group in between and during the daily program, planning cabin activities, eating meals with campers and behavior management.
- Assume responsibility for the safety and well-being of campers.
- Live in a cabin with 6-12 campers and co-counselors for the full duration of each camp session. Time off during each encampment will be arranged by a supervisor.
- Understand that the position involves living in cabins with little to no privacy and eating all meals with campers in a large, noisy dining room.
- Understand that campers come first and decisions should be made in the best interest of campers.
- Address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment.
- Be an active member of the camp community by participating in all camp programming including camp-wide events, overnights, hikes, swimming, activities and village meetings. This includes but is not limited to : going on hikes in the woods on camp property and going in the water during swimming activities. At times, lifting heavy objects may be necessary.
- Write daily reports and a final evaluation for each camper to help evaluate their needs, goals and progress during their camp experience.
- Strive to work in a cooperative manner with fellow staff to achieve goals of the program.
- Explain and enforce the policies, traditions, and rules of camp.
- Invest time with campers to meet their needs, challenge their capabilities and serve as a role model during their time at camp.
- Take ownership of the use and care of camp equipment and facilities.
- Be totally familiar with emergency procedures and follow them when necessary.
- Additional responsibilities as needed and assigned.
Qualifications
Employment Period : June 11, 2025 - August 16, 2025
Compensation : $2,600
Benefits : None
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit a Program Specialist application. We are hiring on a rolling basis and encourage interested applicants to apply as early as possible. No calls or recruiters, please.
The Fresh Air Fund is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to inclusive hiring, and dedicated to diversity in its work and on its staff. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, experiences, orientations, and communities to apply.
