Camp Independence Summer 2025 Overnight Camp Counselor

Source Point Staffing; Illinois; On-site; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking passionate Overnight Camp Counselors for their Summer 2025 Camp Season. This role is vital in creating a positive and safe environment for children and young adults with spina bifida and other neurological disabilities. Counselors will serve as role models, guiding campers through recreational activities that teach essential life skills and foster independence. With a commitment to diversity and inclusion, this camp offers a supportive environment where staff can thrive and make a significant impact. Join a team dedicated to empowering youth and enhancing their camp experience while enjoying comprehensive benefits and a fulfilling work atmosphere.

Benefits

Housing provided

Meals provided

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Wellness programs

Family gym membership

Continuous learning opportunities

Employee assistance programs

Discounts on programs

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old and have prior experience working with youth.
• Excellent communication skills and a passion for diversity are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead recreational activities and ensure camper safety and well-being.
• Provide outstanding customer service and promote the YMCA values.

Skills

Experience working with youth

Excellent verbal communication skills

Ability to establish constructive relationships

Passion for working with diverse youth

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Job description

Camp Independence Summer 2025 Overnight Camp Counselor

YMCA Camp Independence is now hiring Overnight Camp Counselors for the 2025 Summer Camp Season!

YMCA Camp Independence is a special place for children and young adults with spina bifida and other neurological disabilities. The camp program is designed to teach life skills, foster independence, build confidence, teach leadership and increase self-esteem.

Located near Fox Lake in northern Illinois, Camp Independence offers one-week residential camp sessions in the summer and weekend retreats from September through April.

The Overnight Camp Counselor serves as a professional role model for our campers by leading through example and guiding campers through recreational activities that teach life skills, encourage healthy and safe behaviors and create a positive camper experience. The Overnight Camp Counselor ensures that each youth has adequate supervision including ensuring that no youth is unsupervised at any time.

Pay range starts at $840 bi-weekly, housing & meals provided

Our staff is the Y's greatest asset. Our teams provide valuable skills, knowledge, and passion that is essential to the contribution and positive impact in our communities, which is why we offer Y employees numerous perks and benefits, including:

• Salaries that reflect your skills, experience, and the value you bring to our team.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance plans for eligible employees, along with access to wellness programs, mental health resources, and a family gym membership.
• Opportunities for continuous learning through workshops and training programs.
• A supportive work environment that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Discounts on programs, employee assistance programs, and company-sponsored events.

Scope of Responsibilities

Camper Experience

• Promotes the YMCA and provides outstanding customer service by creating an outstanding camper experience for children, parents and families.
• Leads recreational activities with campers, including but not limited to, arts and crafts, sports, social recreation, songfests, nature hikes, archery, and other games and hobbies.
• Teaches socially acceptable behaviors to campers by serving as a role model and by using age-appropriate positive reinforcement and behavior management strategies.
• Communicates consistently with supervisor, team leader, unit leader and other team members to ensure everyone is kept abreast of camp activities and schedule.
• Supports camp activities as assigned by supervisor, including any specialty camp activities.

Camp Safety

• Ensures the physical and emotional health and safety of campers by being safety conscious, following all established YMCA standards and critically evaluating situations for potential risks.
• Ensures compliance with established rules and regulations to ensure safety. Monitors campers and counselors and provides corrective coaching and intervention as necessary.
• Sets up facilities and/or equipment for activities and stores equipment appropriately after use. Immediately notifies Program Director of any broken or unsafe equipment or if more resources/equipment are needed.
• Works to keep camp facilities clean at all times.

Requirements and Qualifications:

• Must be at least 18 years of age by the first day of camp.
• Must have prior experience working with youth; previous experience in a camp setting strongly preferred.
• Relevant specialty experience for positions supporting specialty camps.
• Commitment to, and passion for, the YMCA of Metro Chicago's mission.
• Excellent verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly and concisely present ideas and concepts and tailor communication to multiple audiences.
• Passion for working with diverse youth and ability to provide a high-quality of instruction using age-appropriate practices.
• Proven ability to establish constructive relationships and interact as a positive role model.
• Continuous learner who leverages opportunities for learning and applies new knowledge and skills.
• Demonstrates evidence of YMCA Y Team competencies in previous experience or practice.
• Meets physical qualifications required as outlined in job description. The YMCA will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.

Child Abuse Prevention:

• Supports the commitment of the YMCA to child abuse prevention by reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor.
• Follows all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children.
• Reports any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor.
• Completes all child abuse prevention training as required.

We are proud to be an EEO/AA employer M/F/D/V. Employment is subject to a background check.