What are the responsibilities and job description for the Y Summer Camp Program Aide position at YMCA of Virginia's Blue Ridge?
Description The Summer Camp Aide (SCA) plays a crucial role in ensuring the overall well-being and safety of summer camp participants. They must possess high energy, genuine enthusiasm for working with children, and excellent teamwork skills. The SCA assists the Summer Camp Director (SCD) and the Summer Camp Lead (SCL) in planning, implementing, and facilitating a structured daily schedule.
The ideal candidate should be positive, patient, and respectful towards campers, parents, coworkers, and administration. All staff are expected to engage with the children throughout the day, including standing for long periods and participating in indoor and outdoor physical activities.
Essential Functions:
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate should be positive, patient, and respectful towards campers, parents, coworkers, and administration. All staff are expected to engage with the children throughout the day, including standing for long periods and participating in indoor and outdoor physical activities.
Essential Functions:
- Supervises a group of children alongside the Summer Camp Lead, ensuring their overall health and well-being. Provides careful, attentive supervision at all times.
- Takes group attendance daily.
- Maintains campsite and equipment on a daily basis.
- Implements program activities that are engaging, developmentally appropriate, and consistent with YMCA values.
- Adheres to program standards regarding safety, cleanliness, and adherence to licensing protocol.
- Attends training and staff meetings with summer camp leadership.
- Able to attend and participate in scheduled field trips and off-site activities.
- Follows YMCA policies and procedures, including those related to medical emergencies, behavior policy implementation, child abuse prevention, and emergency situations.
- Cultivates positive relationships and effectively communicates with parents, children, and other staff, modeling positive relationship-building skills in all interactions.
- Maintains ongoing communication with the Summer Camp Lead and Director.
- Sets up for and cleans up after all camp activities.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualifications:
- Must be at least 16 years of age or older.
- Six months of programmatic experience with children, preferably in a camp setting, is preferred.
- Must complete 24 hours of training to meet the licensing standards of a licensed child day center.
- Preferred CPR/First-Aid certification; will receive training through the YMCA if not certified.
- Exceptional group management, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills.
- Experience in creating, planning, and facilitating interactive and educational/artistic activities relating to youth development, physical fitness, and academic enrichment is preferred.
- Must possess speaking, listening, and writing skills appropriate for interacting with children and adults.
- Must be capable of implementing directives related to the daily program.
- Must have the flexibility and ability to adapt to changing circumstances.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge of the YMCA mission, purpose, and goals, childcare policies, and YMCA standards; ensure the program meets the highest standards of excellence.
- An employee must meet the physical demands described here to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
- Sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential position functions and supervise and participate in program activities.
