Junior Counselor (overnight camp) 2027

Frost Valley Partnership; New York (NY); On-site; USD 24,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

Frost Valley YMCA is seeking a Junior Counselor to supervise and care for campers in loco parentis, creating a safe, fun environment and leading programming for a specified age group from morning wake-up to bedtime. Evening and night duties ensure campers’ safety and emotional wellbeing, with guidance not to be alone with campers.

The role emphasizes teamwork, strong communication, resilience, and the ability to manage multiple tasks while modeling Frost Valley’s values.

Qualifications

• Minimum 17 years of age by start of employment
• Experience working with youth & teens in an outdoor setting or desire to gain experience in such an environment
• Ability to work long hours, including evening and late night programs under stress
• Ability to be flexible to sudden changes in schedule, staffing and campers
• Present a strong, positive model for kids and fellow staff members
• Possess excellent communication skills and group facilitation skills
• Be a strong leader and work well with a team of others
• Be able to multitask and handle pressure well

Responsibilities

• Supervise and care for campers in loco parentis from the time the first camper arrives at Frost Valley to the time the last camper leaves Frost Valley.
• Create a safe and fun environment for campers participating in summer camp programs
• Design and implement programming for campers participating in summer camp programs.
• Be an active member of a small community, including, but not limited to, giving your opinion in an appropriate manner, taking on delegated responsibilities and helping to maintain the physical, emotional and mental health of each team member.
• Maintain a friendly, cooperative, and professional relationship with your co-counselors, Village Chief, director and any other staff members or outfitters.
• Complete and submit all required documentation including, but not limited to, Daily Reports, accident reports, vehicle logs, etc. in a timely manner.
• Assist in inventorying and maintaining equipment, including, but not limited to, cleaning equipment in a timely fashion, returning equipment within a reasonable time after use.
• Be a good role model for fellow staff and campers at all times. This includes modeling acceptable behavior, language, Frost Valley’s core values and outdoor standards.
• Ensure that Frost Valley Summer Camps achieves the highest standard and meets the mission and goals of both the Summer Camp Department and Frost Valley YMCA, as well as expectations of customers.
• Attend staff meetings.
• Offer help and assist with any other duties as assigned for the success of Frost Valley.
• Embrace the Frost Valley YMCA’s character values

Job description

Description

The Junior Counselor will supervise and care for campers in loco parentis. Overseeing children’s day to day needs and providing safe, fun entertainment and wholesome activities are an essential part of the job. Counselors run programming for campers in a specified age group from the time the children wake up in the morning to the time they go to bed in the evening. During the evening and night, counselors are expected to continue to ensure the safety and emotional wellbeing of the campers, even if it means providing care during the overnight period. The successful candidate truly enjoys working with children of various Frost Valley programs. Junior Counselors will never be alone with campers.

Requirements

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Supervise and care for campers in loco parentis from the time the first camper arrives at Frost Valley to the time the last camper leaves Frost Valley.
• Create a safe and fun environment for campers participating in summer camp programs
• Design and implement programming for campers participating in summer camp programs.
• Be an active member of a small community, including, but not limited to, giving your opinion in an appropriate manner, taking on delegated responsibilities and helping to maintain the physical, emotional and mental health of each team member.
• Maintain a friendly, cooperative, and professional relationship with your co-counselors, Village Chief, director and any other staff members or outfitters.
• Complete and submit all required documentation including, but not limited to, Daily Reports, accident reports, vehicle logs, etc. in a timely manner.
• Assist in inventorying and maintaining equipment, including, but not limited to, cleaning equipment in a timely fashion, returning equipment within a reasonable time after use.
• Be a good role model for fellow staff and campers at all times. This includes modeling acceptable behavior, language, Frost Valley’s core values and outdoor standards.
• Ensure that Frost Valley Summer Camps achieves the highest standard and meets the mission and goals of both the Summer Camp Department and Frost Valley YMCA, as well as expectations of customers.
• Attend staff meetings.
• Offer help and assist with any other duties as assigned for the success of Frost Valley.
• Embrace the Frost Valley YMCA’s character values

QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum 17 years of age by start of employment
• Experience working with youth & teens in an outdoor setting or desire to gain experience in such an environment
• Ability to work long hours, including evening and late night programs under stress is a must
• Ability to be flexible to sudden changes in schedule, staffing and campers
• Present a strong, positive model for kids and fellow staff members
• Possess excellent communication skills and group facilitation skills
• Be a strong leader and work well with a team of others
• Be able to multitask and handle pressure well

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• The employee frequently is required to traverse rough terrain.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

FROST VALLEY IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS STATEMENT:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.