Head Summer Camp Counselor

Sanctuary For Families, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 10,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking dedicated Head Counselors for Camp HOPE America, a trauma-informed camp for children affected by gender-based violence. This role involves supervising staff, guiding counselors, and ensuring a supportive environment for campers. Candidates should be empathetic, mature, and passionate about working with children in an outdoor setting. The camp runs from August 18-23, 2025, requiring pre-camp training on August 16 and 17. Join a mission-driven organization that transforms lives and empowers survivors of domestic violence. This is a full-time, in-person position with a competitive salary and benefits.

Benefits

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Qualifications

• 2 years of experience in camping and supervision of children required.
• Must have previous supervisory experience and be passionate about working with children.

Responsibilities

• Supervise a group of staff and campers, providing leadership and support.
• Maintain communication between counselors and administration.

Skills

Supervision of children

Behavior management techniques

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Empathy

Education

High school graduate

1 or 2 years of college

Job description

Description

ABOUT US

Sanctuary for Families is New York’s leading service provider and advocate for survivors of domestic violence, sex trafficking and related forms of gender violence. Every year, Sanctuary empowers thousands of adults and children to move from fear and abuse to safety and stability, transforming lives through a comprehensive range of services. We provide a range of wrap-around services to help survivors rebuild their lives in the aftermath of abuse, and work to end gender violence through three key strategies: direct services, outreach and training, and systems-change advocacy. Our services are available in 12 locations throughout New York City.

POSITION OVERVIEW

Head Counselors will help to support the Camp HOPE America - New York model. This model is a trauma informed camp, which supports campers whose background experience includes gender-based violence and residual trauma. Staff working with this demographic will be empathetic, caring, and knowledgeable about how trauma impacts individuals. The Head Counselor will act in a supervisory role to help provide guidance and support to general counselors. They are also responsible to alert the Clinical Camp Director and Camp Director of any potential issues. Overall, they help ensure the day-to-day Camp program runs smoothly.

Head Counselors will report to the Assistant Director.

Camp runs from August 18 - 23, 2025. All activities will be in-person in Fishkill, NY. Head Counselors are required to be at camp August 16 & 17 for pre-camp training. There will be an additional pre-camp training for all camp staff August 9, 2025.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for directly supervising a group of 12 staff members and a village of 18 campers.
• Provide leadership, guidance, and support to general counselors.
• Demonstrate and role model positive camper behavior management techniques for their staff and assist with camper-camper and camper-counselor behavioral issues/conflicts that may arise.
• Work with Camp Clinical Director to provide counselors with behavior management skills and extra support for campers.
• Oversee all Camp HOPE America curriculum requirements.
• Cover General Counselor breaks when needed.
• Understand that campers come first, and decisions should be made in the best interest of the campers.
• Maintain open communication between counselors and the administration.
• Co-Facilitate morning meetings with Assistant Director.
• Be present at all camp activities and assist the Camp Director with all camp activities.
• Interpret to the campers and general counselors the policies, traditions and rules of the camp.
• Practice good health habits and maintain good personal appearance.
• Assume responsibility for the use and care of camp equipment and facilities.
• Be familiar with emergency procedures, support, guide general counselors, and campers to follow them when necessary.
• Be willing to invest your time with the campers to meet their needs, challenge their capabilities, and serve as a role model during their time at camp.
• Participate in overnights and hikes.
• Follow other rules and regulations that are deemed important by the Camp Director.
• Strive to work in a cooperative manner with fellow staff to achieve goals of the program.
• Provide general counselor feedback.

ORGANIZATION RELATIONSHIPS

• Works in collaboration with Camp Director, Assistant Camp Director, and Camp HOPE Leadership team.
• Collaborate with agency children's services staff.

Requirements

• High school graduate, 1 or 2 years of college preferred.
• Must have two (2) years' experience in camping and supervision of children or have completed an acceptable training course.

Additional Experience:

• Must have 1 year of previous supervisory experience.
• Passionate about working with children.
• Interested in working and living outdoors for the summer.
• Emotionally mature with a willingness to work as a team player.
• Flexible and willing to accept challenges and step outside comfort zone.
• Able to maintain a positive attitude.
• Must be able to sit, stand, walk, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop or kneel, talk, or hear.
• Comfortable with being exposed to wet, humid, and hot/very hot conditions.

Budgeted Salary: $1000 per week

Work position is Full-time

Work location is In Person/Onsite

Benefits:

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Sanctuary for Families is a welcoming workplace. All qualified applicants will be afforded equal employment opportunities without discrimination because of race, creed (religion), color, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, military status, age, disability, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status or domestic violence victim status, and other categories protected under Federal, New York state or New York city laws.

Survivors of gender-based violence are strongly encouraged to apply.