Advocate Camp Counselor for children w/special needs, Camp Kaleidoscope, Summer

Greater Boston, Inc.; Massachusetts; On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

An established industry player seeks enthusiastic Camp Counselors to create a joyful and inclusive environment for children. This role involves guiding campers in various activities, ensuring their safety, and fostering a fun atmosphere. You'll work closely with co-Counselors to support campers, especially those with special needs, and help them build confidence through engaging experiences. With a vibrant team and a supportive work culture, this position offers the chance to make a meaningful impact while enjoying the summer outdoors. Join a community that values collaboration, joyfulness, and personal growth, making every day a rewarding adventure.

Benefits

Access to JCC Health & Fitness Center

Free or Discounted Camp Programs for Employees' Children

Supportive Work Environment

Team Camaraderie

Flexible Schedule

Training Opportunities

Qualifications

• Must be able to work well with others and build strong relationships.
• Experience in summer camps or similar settings is preferred.
• Commitment to inclusion and safety awareness is essential.

Responsibilities

• Create an inclusive environment for campers with special needs.
• Ensure safety and well-being of campers during activities.
• Facilitate participation in arts, sports, and swimming.

Skills

Relationship Building

Safety Awareness

Leadership Skills

Teamwork

Flexibility

Communication

Initiative

Education

10th Grade or Equivalent

Experience Working with Children

Concentration in Special Needs or Special Education

Job description

Laughter. Fun. Being a role model and making a difference. Camp Kaleidoscope, the JCC summer day camp in Newton, draws creative campers interested in the arts, science and the outdoors. Camp Counselors and activity specialists guide campers in drama, art, science, sports, swimming and much more as they develop and build self-confidence. The energy of the camp is lively, playful and warm, as both campers and staff develop lifelong friendships. JCC Greater Boston offers free bus service for staff from Cambridge, Brookline, Framingham, Sudbury, and Wayland during the season, making it possible for staff to receive transportation from their home communities if needed.

We serve a population of campers with special needs and are committed to fully including them in activities with their peers. Advocate Camp Counselors partner with their co-Counselors and our support staff as a team to create an inclusive group dynamic while facilitating accommodations based on ICPs (Individual Camper Plans) to fully include campers with special needs in their peer groups and activities throughout the camp day. We provide guidance and supports, so if you have an interest and passion for inclusion, this is a great opportunity for you!

Primary responsibilities include, and are not limited to:

• Work in partnership with co-Counselors to create an inclusive group dynamic and facilitate accommodations to fully include campers with special needs with their peers
• Advocate for camper’s needs and abilities
• Ensure the safety and well-being of campers in structured and unstructured time
• Create a fun/joyful dynamic
• Work in partnership with peers and Camp Leadership to provide a happy, safe and memorable summer for the children
• Facilitate and support camper participation in activities, including arts, sports and swimming
• Participate in, and support camper during swim times (must be able to access the pool and swim with the campers)

Standard staff expectations include and are not limited to:

• Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued and respected
• Actively participate as an essential team member
• Support JCC Greater Boston’s mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role modeling
• Enthusiastically representing the organization, model excellence and achievement
• Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned (dates to be announced)
• Other duties as assigned

JOB DETAILS: This is an hourly position with a daily schedule of 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday. Offering great perks, including JCC Health & Fitness center access, a supportive, vibrant in-person work environment, and a competitive starting pay rate of $15 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.

Lower and Middle Camp Counselors work with campers entering grades K - 3. They assist in specialist-led activities and lead fun group games with their campers. They support and nurture campers throughout the day.

Upper Camp Counselors work with campers entering grades 4 - 8. They lead or assist in a variety of activities, including theater, dance, video production, sports, boating, fencing, music, art, costuming and more.

Education and Experience:

• 10th grade (or equivalent) and eligible for work permit
• 1+ season (summer camp, semester, babysitting, coaching, other) experience working with children
• Concentration in Special Needs, Special Education, or similar field of study and/or comparable experience preferred

Skills and Abilities:

• Ability and commitment to build strong relationships with campers, parents, co-workers, and camp leadership
• Safety awareness and ability to communicate any issues and concerns with supervisors
• Exhibits leadership skills, including teamwork, patience, flexibility, and diplomacy
• Demonstrates positive attitude at all times
• Self-starter who takes the initiative
• Must be able to work well with others, building/sustaining collaborative solid relationships

Physical Requirements:

• Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities.
• Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30-40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children’s backpacks, etc.)
• Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly.
• Ability to swim and supervise children in pool (able to stand in pool)

ADA Statement: Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

JCCGB Perks! Each seasonal employee is eligible for access to JCC Greater Boston's top class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton! Seasonal access to the JCC Fitness Center includes:

• Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman JCC during active seasonal employment
• Free or discounted enrollment for camp programs may be available for camp employees’ children based on availability.

A Great Place to Work! JCC Greater Boston is consciously evolving as a great place to work! In our recent 2023 employee engagement survey, at least 88% of our staff gave us top ratings on:

• Supportive colleagues
• Team camaraderie
• How their managers treat them
• Individual autonomy
• Knowing what their work contributes to and how it impacts others
• Pride in working for the JCC
• Program and service quality
• Holding ourselves accountable