Summer Aquatics Day Camp Counselor

Ymcachicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 24,659 - 25,416; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive health insurance

Generous PTO

403(b) plan with company contributions

Continuous learning opportunities

Job summary

A community-focused organization in Chicago is seeking a Summer Aquatics Camp Counselor to serve as a professional role model and lead campers through engaging recreational activities. Responsibilities include promoting the YMCA, ensuring camper safety, and providing a high-quality experience. Ideal candidates are at least 16 years old, enthusiastic about outdoor activities, and passionate about working with diverse youth. A competitive salary and perks are included, offering great opportunities for personal growth.

Qualifications

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• Commitment to working with diverse youth.
• Experience in childcare, education, or recreation is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Promote the YMCA and create an outstanding camper experience.
• Lead recreational activities with campers.
• Ensure the physical and emotional safety of campers.

Skills

Excellent verbal communication skills

Ability to establish constructive relationships

Creative and enjoy being outdoors

Passion for working with diverse youth

Job description

• Pay or shift range: $17.90 USD to $18.45 USD

Description

The Summer Aquatics 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 Summer Aquatics Camp Counselor ensures that each youth has adequate supervision including ensuring that no youth is unsupervised at any time.

Pay starts at $17.90 per hour, Monday-Friday schedule

Summer Aquatics Camp Counselors receive comprehensive training, a Monday thru Friday work schedule that leaves your weekends free, field trips to cool places, the chance to meet and work with amazing co‑workers, and a free Y membership!!

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:

• Competitive salariesreflecting your skills and experience.
• Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurancefor eligible employees, plus wellness programs, mental health resources, and a family gym membership.
• Generous PTOand paid holidays, with flexible work hours for work‑life balance.
• 403(b) planwith company contributions for eligible employees after 2 years of service.
• Continuous learning opportunitiesthrough workshops and training programs.
• Supportive work environment valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Discounts on programs, employee assistance programs, and company-sponsored events.

As a Summer Aquatics Camp Counselor, you are responsible to:

• Promote the YMCA, provide excellent customer service and create an outstanding camper experience for children, parents, and families.
• Lead recreational activities with campers, including but not limited to aquatics, social recreation, other games and hobbies.
• Instruct campers using various teaching methods and modifies activities as needed to ensure that campers of all ages and experience levels are engaged.
• Teach socially acceptable behaviors to campers by serving as a role model and by using age‑appropriate positive reinforcement and behavior management strategies.
• Communicate consistently with supervisors, team leaders, unit leaders, 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.
• 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.
• Set-up facilities and/or equipment for activities and store equipment appropriately after use and work to keep camp facilities clean at all times.

Minimum Requirements & Preferred Qualifications:

• Must be at least 16 years of age.
• A commitment to and a passion for working with diverse youth.
• Enjoy being outdoors, are creative, and not afraid to work and play hard.
• Your experience in camping, childcare, education, recreation, sports, or related is a plus but not required.
• 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 high-quality 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.

Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:

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

Preferred Attributes

• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group.
• Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them.
• Enthusiastic: Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest.
• Self‑Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help.
• Flexibility: Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals.
• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization.

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.