Head Counselor

Camp Bauercrest; Amesbury (MA); Presencial; USD 4000 - 7000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Private housing

Meals provided

Weekly time off

Evening supervision schedule

Facilities access

Leadership experience

Professional growth & development

Lasting community

Summer leadership impact

Descripción de la vacante

Camp Bauercrest is seeking a Head Counselor to join our administrative leadership team. You will guide bunk life, mentor counselors, and ensure a safe, inclusive residential community for boys during the summer season.

Responsibilities include coaching staff, supporting camper care, communicating with families, and upholding Bauercrest’s values of Community, Confidence, and Competition. You will work closely with the Camp Director and Camp Mom to shape daily life on the Hillside.

Formación

• Bachelor’s degree or higher required in education, psychology, recreation, or related field.
• Experience leading or supervising youth in residential camp settings.
• Strong communication and relationship-building skills.

Responsabilidades

• Lead, mentor, and develop bunk counselors throughout the summer.
• Oversee daily bunk life and residential operations to ensure safety and belonging.
• Support camper care, homesickness, and family communication.
• Collaborate with Camp Director and leadership team on camp culture and safety.

Conocimientos

Residential camp leadership

Staff development

Counselor mentoring

Camper safety

Family communication

Educación

Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, recreation, child development, or related field

Herramientas

None

Descripción del empleo

Position Summary:

At Camp Bauercrest, the most meaningful parts of summer often happen in the moments between activities. A camper finding his place in a new bunk. A counselor helping two boys work through a disagreement. A young staff member discovering what it means to be a leader. As Head Counselor, you'll serve as a member of our camp administrative leadership team, helping shape the relationships, experiences, and culture that define life on the Hillside.

You’ll oversee the daily life of our residential community, supervise and mentor bunk counselors, and help ensure that every camper feels safe, supported, included, and connected. From morning wake‑ups and bunk inspections to evening activities and bedtime routines, you’ll provide the leadership and guidance that help our bunks function as positive, welcoming communities.

Staff development is at the heart of this position. You’ll coach counselors through the challenges of working with children, provide meaningful feedback, conduct staff evaluations, and help young adults develop the confidence, judgment, and skills needed to become exceptional counselors and role models.

You’ll also play a central role in camper care and family communication. Working closely with the Camp Director, Camp Mom, and other members of the leadership team, you’ll support campers navigating homesickness, friendships, behavioral challenges, and the everyday ups and downs of growing up. You’ll build trusting relationships with families while helping counselors respond to campers with empathy, consistency, and care.

At Bauercrest, you’ll do more than supervise counselors and oversee bunk life. You’ll help create a community where boys feel they belong, young adults grow into leaders, and the relationships built on the Hillside last a lifetime.

What You’ll Do:

As a Head Counselor, you’ll be a key member of Bauercrest’s administrative leadership team, working closely with the Camp Director, Camp Mom, and other senior staff to support campers, develop counselors, and oversee daily residential life. You’ll be a visible, approachable leader who helps ensure that our expectations, relationships, and everyday experiences reflect the values of Community, Confidence, and Competition.

• Lead, Mentor, and Develop Bunk Counselors. Supervise counselors throughout the summer, establish clear expectations, observe their work, and provide regular coaching, feedback, and formal evaluations. Help staff grow as leaders while holding them accountable for the care and supervision of their campers.
• Champion Camper Care and Well‑Being. Build meaningful relationships with campers and help them navigate homesickness, friendships, social challenges, behavioral concerns, and the everyday ups and downs of camp life. Work collaboratively with the Camp Mom and leadership team to provide thoughtful, consistent support.
• Oversee Daily Bunk Life and Residential Operations. Help ensure that bunks are safe, organized, welcoming, and functioning effectively. Monitor daily routines, including wake‑ups, bunk inspections, transitions, rest periods, and bedtime, while supporting counselors in creating positive bunk communities.
• Coach Counselors Through Challenges. Serve as a trusted resource when staff encounter difficult situations involving campers, bunk dynamics, or their own responsibilities. Model effective problem‑solving, communication, conflict resolution, and sound judgment.
• Support Family Communication. Partner with the Camp Director and Camp Mom to address parent questions and concerns, share relevant observations, and help families feel confident in their child’s care and experience.
• Build a Positive and Inclusive Camp Culture. Help create an environment where every camper feels a sense of belonging, counselors model the behavior expected of campers, and traditions and daily interactions reinforce Bauercrest’s values.
• Develop and Support Staff Training. Help prepare counselors for their responsibilities during staff orientation and reinforce expectations throughout the summer through ongoing guidance, coaching, and professional development.
• Maintain High Standards of Safety and Supervision. Ensure counselors understand and consistently meet expectations for camper supervision, appropriate boundaries, behavior management, and residential safety. Recognize concerns early and work with camp leadership to respond appropriately.
• Collaborate as a Member of the Administrative Leadership Team. Participate in leadership meetings, communicate important camper and staff concerns, help address operational challenges, and contribute to decisions that improve the overall camp experience.
• Be a Visible and Engaged Leader. Maintain an active presence throughout camp, build relationships across age groups, recognize successes, and step in when additional support is needed. Lead by example in the way you interact with campers, counselors, families, and fellow administrators.

Why This Role is a Game-Changer for You:

This isn’t just a summer job in camp leadership. It’s an opportunity to develop the skills, judgment, and confidence to lead people, navigate challenges, and make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and young adults.

As a Head Counselor at Bauercrest, you’ll gain valuable experience in staff supervision, performance evaluation, child development, conflict resolution, family communication, and organizational leadership. You’ll learn how to balance empathy with accountability, make thoughtful decisions under pressure, and support people with different personalities, needs, and experiences. Whether you’re pursuing a career in education, psychology, social work, youth development, or organizational leadership, these are skills that extend well beyond the summer.

And you’ll experience the moments that make this work meaningful. Watching a counselor you’ve mentored become a confident leader. Helping a homesick camper find his place in the bunk. Seeing a group of boys who arrived as strangers develop into a close‑knit community. You’ll also become part of a collaborative leadership team where your perspective matters, your growth is encouraged, and your contributions have a lasting impact.

You’ll leave Bauercrest having done more than help run a summer camp. You’ll have developed as a leader, helped young adults become better counselors, and shaped experiences that campers will carry with them long after summer ends.

What We’re Looking For:

We’re looking for a mature, compassionate, and dependable leader who understands that great camp experiences begin with strong relationships and thoughtful leadership. Our ideal Head Counselor is someone who can connect with children, mentor young adults, navigate challenging situations, and maintain high expectations while creating an environment where people feel supported and valued.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in education, psychology, recreation, child development, or a related field required, masters degree preferred. Camp or Youth Development Experience: Previous experience working in a summer camp or comparable youth-serving environment, with a strong understanding of residential camp life.
• Experience Working with Children and Young Adults: Demonstrated ability to build relationships with, support, and lead individuals ranging from approximately ages 7–22.
• Leadership and Staff Development: Proven ability to mentor, coach, motivate, and provide constructive feedback to young adult staff.
• Communication Skills: Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally with campers, counselors, parents, and administrators.
• Judgment and Emotional Maturity: Ability to remain calm under pressure, exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and approach challenging situations with empathy and professionalism.
• Organization and Adaptability: Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and the flexibility to manage competing responsibilities in a fast‑paced residential environment.
• Collaborative Leadership: Ability to work effectively as part of an administrative leadership team while taking initiative and accepting responsibility for assigned areas.
• Commitment to Camper Safety and Well‑Being: A demonstrated understanding of appropriate supervision, professional boundaries, and the social and emotional needs of children and adolescents.
• Full‑Summer Availability: Ability to reside at camp and fulfil the responsibilities of a residential leadership position throughout the summer season.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in education, psychology, counseling, social work, recreation, or a related field.
• Previous experience as a Head Counselor, Unit Head, Group Leader, Assistant Director, or comparable camp leadership position.
• Experience supervising staff, conducting performance evaluations, or facilitating professional development.
• Background in education, coaching, counseling, behavioral support, or child and adolescent development.
• Familiarity with positive behavior supports, collaborative problem‑solving, and relationship-based approaches to working with children.
• Experience communicating with parents and supporting children with homesickness, social challenges, or behavioral concerns.
• Above all, we’re looking for someone who leads with empathy, models accountability, and believes that helping campers and counselors grow is one of the most important responsibilities of camp leadership.

Perks & Compensation:

At Camp Bauercrest, being part of our leadership team means more than having a great summer. It’s an opportunity to develop professionally, build meaningful relationships, and help shape an experience that makes a lasting difference in the lives of campers and staff.

• Competitive Summer Compensation: Salary is based on experience, qualifications, and leadership background, reflecting the responsibilities of this administrative position.
• Private Housing & Connectivity: Enjoy private residential accommodations with your own bathroom, Wi‑Fi to stay connected with family and friends, and access to on‑site laundry facilities.
• Meals Provided: Enjoy three meals a day in our Mess Hall alongside campers and staff. Mealtimes are an important part of the Bauercrest experience, bringing our community together and creating opportunities to connect beyond the pool.
• Generous Weekly Time Off: Enjoy a scheduled day off each week, with an extended break that includes two nights away from camp, giving you meaningful time to rest, recharge, and enjoy your summer.
• Evening Free Time: Following evening activities, staff generally have personal time to relax, socialize, or unwind. Staff also participate in a rotating evening supervision schedule, typically once per week, to support the safety and well‑being of our camp community.
• Access to Camp Facilities: Take advantage of Bauercrest’s recreational facilities during designated free time, including our athletic fields, sports courts, fitness facilities, pool, and waterfront, subject to camp schedules and safety guidelines.
• Meaningful Leadership Experience: Serve as a member of our camp administrative team, gaining hands‑on experience in staff supervision, counselor development, camper management, and parent/family communications.
• Professional Growth & Development: Strengthen your skills in mentoring, communication, emergency preparedness, decision‑making, and team development while working alongside experienced camp professionals.
• Make a Lasting Impact: Build meaningful connections with fellow administrators, counselors, and campers while becoming part of Bauercrest’s long standing community.
• A Community That Lasts: Build friendships, professional connections, and memories that extend far beyond the summer.