Summer Day Camp Counselor 2025

Ymcachicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a dynamic team as a Summer Camp Counselor at a leading community organization. This role is perfect for those who love working with kids and want to make a difference in their lives. You'll lead fun activities, promote healthy behaviors, and create unforgettable experiences for campers. If you're passionate, creative, and ready to embrace the outdoors, this position offers a fantastic opportunity to develop your leadership skills while enjoying a supportive and engaging environment. Be part of a mission-driven organization that values diversity and inclusivity, and help shape the future of our youth this summer!

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older and passionate about working with diverse youth.
• Excellent verbal communication skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead recreational activities and ensure camper safety and engagement.
• Promote YMCA values and provide excellent customer service.

Skills

Leadership Skills

Communication Skills

Positive Reinforcement

Recreational Activity Leadership

Adaptability

Education

Experience in Camping, Childcare, or Recreation

Job description

Crown Family YMCA
1030 W. Van Buren
Chicago, IL 60607, USA

Lead the Fun, Shape the Future: Be a Summer Camp Counselor! Join us for the experience of a lifetime - the YMCA is hiring Summer Day Camp Counselors for 2025!

At the Y, we create an exciting, safe camp environment for kids and staff to have an unforgettable summer. While campers are taking part in unique experiences and adventures, our Summer Day Camp Counselors are developing leadership skills and confidence while making lasting friendships and memories.

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

Locations:

• New Field Elementary School (1707 W Morse Ave., Chicago, IL 60626)
• Peterson Elementary School (5510 N Christiana Ave., Chicago, IL 60625)

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

As a Summer Day 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 arts and crafts, sports, social recreation, nature hikes, archery, and other games and hobbies.
• Instruct campers using various teaching methods and modify 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 schedules.
• Support camp activities as assigned by supervisor, including any specialty camp activities.
• Ensure 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.
• Ensure compliance with established rules and regulations to ensure safety.
• Monitor campers and counselors and provide corrective coaching and intervention as necessary.
• Set up facilities and/or equipment for activities and store equipment appropriately after use, working to keep camp facilities clean at all times.

What do you need to be a Summer Day Camp Counselor?

• A commitment to and a passion for working with diverse youth.
• Enjoy being outdoors, are creative, and are not afraid to work and play hard.
• Your experience in camping, childcare, education, recreation, sports, or related fields is a plus but not required.
• You will be 18 years of age or older by the start of camp.
• 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 the 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.
• Meets physical qualifications required as outlined in the job description.
• The YMCA will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities.

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 violations of policy and procedures to your supervisor.
• Completing all child abuse prevention training as required.