Summer Program Counselor - South Hadley

Holyoke-YMCA; Holyoke (MA); On-site; USD 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Holyoke-YMCA is looking for a Program Counselor in Holyoke, MA. This role involves supervising, creating, and implementing engaging activities for children, while ensuring a safe and inclusive environment.

The ideal candidate will have experience with children, strong interpersonal skills, and a commitment to YMCA's core values. CPR/First Aid certification is preferred, and candidates must be able to adapt to various environments and actively participate in camp activities.

Qualifications

• Experience working with children in camp, school, or recreational settings preferred.
• Must meet minimum age requirements (typically 16+ or 18+, depending on position).
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
• CPR/First Aid/AED Certification (or willingness to obtain prior to camp start).
• Ability to respond to safety and emergency situations.
• Ability to adapt to various outdoor/indoor environments and remain active throughout the day.
• Commitment to YMCA core values and a positive role model for youth.

Responsibilities

• Supervises and engages a group of children in daily program activities.
• Ensures safety by following all YMCA policies and procedures.
• Creates and implements engaging activities aligned with YMCA values.
• Maintains communication with parents/caregivers and updates on camper progress.
• Attends pre-camp orientation and staff training.

Skills

Communication & Influence

Inclusion

Critical Thinking & Decision Making

Functional Expertise

Innovation

Program/Project Management

Job description

Description

This listing is for our South Hadley, MA location.

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit charitable organization committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Program Counselor creates a safe, engaging, and inclusive experience for all participants, helping them build relationships, develop confidence, and create lasting memories.

OUR CULTURE:

Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing and we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger, beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

1. Supervises and actively engages a group of children in daily program activities including swimming, field trips, sports, arts, nature, and team-building games.
2. Ensure safety by following all YMCA and summer program policies, procedures, and emergency protocols.
3. Creates and implements engaging, developmentally appropriate, and culturally relevant activities aligned with the Y’s values.
4. Builds positive, respectful relationships with all participants, modeling YMCA core values and behavior expectations.
5. Encourages youth to participate, lead, and make choices that foster independence and problem-solving skills.
6. Maintains communication with parents/caregivers and provides updates on camper progress and experiences.
7. Attends and contributes to pre-camp orientation, daily check-ins, staff training, and end-of-season wrap-up.
8. Maintains the cleanliness and organization of camp areas, supplies, and equipment.
9. Performs additional duties as assigned.

Requirements

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• Communication & Influence: Listens and expresses self effectively and in a way that engages, inspires, and builds commitment to the Y’s cause.
• Inclusion: Values all people for their unique talents and takes an active role in promoting practices that support diversity, inclusion, and global work, as well as cultural competence.
• Critical Thinking & Decision Making: Makes informed decisions based on logic, data, and sound judgment.
• Functional Expertise: Executes superior technical skills for the role.
• Innovation: Creates and implements new and relevant approaches and activities that improve and expand the Y’s work and impact in the community.
• Program/Project Management: Ensures program or project goals are met and intended impact occurs.
• Developing Self & Others: Develops self and supports others (e.g., staff, volunteers, members, program participants), both formally and informally, to achieve their highest potential.
• Emotional Maturity: Demonstrates ability to understand and manage emotions effectively in all situations.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience working with children in camp, school, or recreational settings preferred.
• Must meet minimum age requirements (typically 16+ or 18+, depending on position)
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team-oriented environment.
• CPR/First Aid/AED Certification (or willingness to obtain prior to camp start)
• Ability to respond to safety and emergency situations.
• Ability to adapt to various outdoor/indoor environments and remain active throughout the day
• Commitment to YMCA core values and a positive role model for youth

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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Must be able to lead, actively participate in, and demonstrate camp activities in both indoor and outdoor environments.
• Ability to work in summer heat, move quickly, life supplies (up to 25 lbs), and respond to emergencies