Weekend Respite Camp Counselor
The League For People with Disabilities
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Job summary
The League for People with Disabilities’ Camp Programs seeks a Weekend Respite Camp Counselor to provide direct, compassionate support to participants with disabilities during weekend respite and camp activities. You will create a safe, inclusive environment that promotes independence, social connections, and meaningful participation, while following all safety protocols and professional boundaries.
You will collaborate with the camp team, document required information, and maintain participant
Qualifications
- High school diploma or GED preferred.
- Equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.
- Previous experience in camp, respite, childcare, recreation, education, behavioral support, direct support, or human services preferred.
- Previous experience in a DDA-funded or disability-services environment is a plus.
Responsibilities
- Provide individualized support based on each participant's needs, abilities, preferences, and established service plans.
- Promote participant choice, independence, self-advocacy, and self-determination.
- Lead and participate in age-appropriate recreational, social, educational, arts, crafts, music, outdoor, and community-based activities.
- Adapt activities to accommodate varying abilities and support needs.
- Supervise participants during weekend respite activities, recreation, meals, structured programming, and free time.
- Maintain appropriate staff-to-participant ratios.
Skills
Education
Job description
Weekend Respite Camp Counselor
Salary: $500.00 per Weekend
The League for People with Disabilities – Camp Programs
The Weekend Respite Camp Counselor provides direct, compassionate, and person-centered support to children, youth, and/or adults with disabilities participating in The League for People with Disabilities' weekend respite and camp programming.
The Camp Counselor creates a safe, inclusive, engaging, and supportive environment where participants are encouraged to develop independence, build social connections, experience recreation, and participate in activities based on their individual interests, abilities, goals, and preferences.
This position supports participants with varying levels of physical, developmental, behavioral, communication, and adaptive needs while promoting dignity, choice, independence, self-determination, and community participation.
The Weekend Respite Camp Counselor is an active member of the camp team and serves as a positive role model while maintaining professional boundaries and following all League, camp, DDA, ADA, health, safety, and program requirements.
Provide individualized support based on each participant's needs, abilities, preferences, and established service plans.
Promote participant choice, independence, self-advocacy, and self-determination.
Encourage participants to make appropriate choices regarding activities, recreation, socialization, meals, and personal routines.
Support participants in achieving individual goals while maintaining dignity and respect.
Recognize and respect each participant's communication style and method of expression.
Provide encouragement and positive reinforcement.
Maintain appropriate professional boundaries with participants and families.
Supervise participants during weekend respite activities, recreation, meals, structured programming, and free time.
Lead and participate in age-appropriate recreational, social, educational, arts, crafts, music, outdoor, and community-based activities.
Adapt activities to accommodate varying abilities and support needs.
Encourage meaningful participation rather than focusing solely on task completion.
Assist with transitions between activities and locations.
Promote inclusion and meaningful peer relationships.
Help create a welcoming camp environment where every participant feels valued and included.
When assigned and trained to do so, assist participants with activities of daily living, which may include:
Toileting and personal hygiene.
Dressing and changing.
Grooming.
Eating and meal support.
Mobility and transfers.
Positioning.
Medication reminders or medication-related duties within the scope of training, authorization, and applicable policy.
Other personal care supports identified by the participant's approved plan and job assignment.
Employees will only perform personal care, medical, behavioral, transportation, or other specialized duties for which they have received appropriate training and authorization.
Maintain appropriate supervision of participants at all times.
Follow camp safety procedures, emergency procedures, incident reporting requirements, and participant-specific safety protocols.
Monitor participants for changes in behavior, health, emotional well-being, or safety.
Respond appropriately to emergencies and seek assistance when necessary.
Follow established procedures for emergencies, evacuations, severe weather, injuries, missing participants, and other safety concerns.
Maintain appropriate staff-to-participant ratios.
Immediately report suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or other safety concerns according to League policy and applicable reporting requirements.
Maintain a safe, clean, and organized program environment.
Implement participant-specific behavioral and support strategies as trained.
Use positive, respectful, trauma-informed, and non-punitive approaches.
Maintain participant dignity during behavioral or emotional situations.
Recognize potential triggers and early signs of distress.
Utilize approved de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques when trained and authorized.
Document significant behavioral incidents according to League policy.
Never use corporal punishment, humiliation, intimidation, or unauthorized restrictive practices.
Complete required daily documentation accurately and timely.
Document participant attendance, activities, incidents, significant observations, and services provided as required.
Communicate relevant participant concerns to the Camp Director or designated supervisor.
Maintain confidentiality of participant and employee information.
Follow HIPAA and other applicable privacy and confidentiality requirements.
Complete required incident and accident reports before the end of the assigned shift when applicable.
Work collaboratively with Camp Directors, supervisors, DSPs, counselors, nurses, clinicians, volunteers, and other program staff.
Attend required staff meetings, orientations, training, and in-service programs.
Accept coaching and performance feedback professionally.
Maintain reliable attendance and punctuality.
Follow the League's dress code, workplace policies, safety requirements, and professional standards.
Maintain respectful communication with participants, families, coworkers, and community partners.
Serve as a positive representative of The League for People with Disabilities.
The League for People with Disabilities is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining an inclusive workplace.
This position is designed to support the organization's commitment to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) requirements.
The employee will:
Support participants without discrimination based on disability or other protected characteristics.
Promote dignity, inclusion, independence, self-determination, and participant choice.
Provide reasonable accommodations and adaptive supports consistent with approved plans and organizational procedures.
Respect participant rights and individual preferences.
Follow applicable DDA regulations, Medicaid requirements, licensing standards, and League policies.
Protect participant privacy and confidentiality.
Report concerns involving participant rights, health, safety, abuse, neglect, exploitation, or discrimination according to required procedures.
Reasonable accommodations may be available to qualified employees with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the position, consistent with applicable law.
High school diploma or GED preferred.
Equivalent combination of education, training, and relevant experience may be considered.
Previous experience working with children, youth, adults, or individuals with disabilities preferred.
Experience in camp, respite, childcare, recreation, education, behavioral support, direct support, or human services preferred.
Previous experience in a DDA-funded or disability-services environment is a plus.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
Ability to interact respectfully with individuals with varying abilities and communication styles.
Ability to remain calm and professional in challenging situations.
Ability to follow individualized instructions and established safety procedures.
Ability to work effectively as part of a team.
Dependability, punctuality, patience, flexibility, and sound judgment.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Commitment to person-centered services and participant rights.
The physical requirements of this position may include:
Standing and walking for extended periods.
Sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, reaching, and moving throughout camp facilities.
Participating in recreational and outdoor activities.
Assisting participants with mobility, positioning, transfers, and activities of daily living when assigned and appropriately trained.
Ability to respond quickly to participant safety needs.
Ability to lift, push, pull, or assist with equipment or supplies within established safety guidelines.
The physical requirements listed above describe potential job functions and are not intended to exclude qualified individuals with disabilities. Reasonable accommodations may be considered to enable a qualified individual to perform essential job functions.
The position may involve working in:
Indoor and outdoor camp environments.
Recreation areas.
Community-based settings.
Dining areas.
Activity rooms.
Swimming/water-based environments when applicable and appropriately trained.
Various weather conditions.
Environments involving participants with varying sensory, behavioral, communication, and physical support needs.
The employee must be comfortable working in an active environment where schedules and participant needs may change throughout the day.
Employees may be required to successfully complete and maintain:
New Hire Orientation.
DDA-required training.
Mandt or approved behavioral/crisis intervention training, as applicable.
CPR/AED certification.
First Aid certification.
Medication administration training, if required for the assignment.
Abuse, neglect, and exploitation prevention/reporting training.
HIPAA and confidentiality training.
Emergency preparedness and safety training.
Bloodborne pathogens and infection-control training.
Participant rights training.
Person-centered planning training.
Other League, camp, licensing, or regulatory training applicable to the position.
Employment and continued assignment may be contingent upon successful completion of required background checks, fingerprinting, employment screening, health requirements and mandatory training.
The successful Weekend Respite Camp Counselor demonstrates:
Participant Focus
Places participant needs, preferences, dignity, rights, and quality of life at the center of service delivery.
Accountability
Takes responsibility for attendance, documentation, safety, communication, and assigned responsibilities.
Mutual Respect
Treats participants, families, coworkers, and community members with dignity and professionalism.
Independence
Encourages participants to develop skills and make choices rather than unnecessarily doing tasks for them.
Quality
Provides consistent, safe, compassionate, and high-quality support.
Teamwork
Communicates effectively and works collaboratively with the entire camp team.
Adaptability
Adjusts activities and support strategies based on participant needs and changing program circumstances.
A successful Weekend Respite Camp Counselor will:
Create a safe and welcoming environment.
Build positive relationships with participants.
Promote independence and meaningful choice.
Encourage participation and social connection.
Follow participant-specific plans and safety procedures.
Communicate effectively with the camp team.
Complete documentation accurately.
Maintain professional boundaries.
Demonstrate reliability and accountability.
Serve as a positive role model for participants.
Help every participant experience a meaningful, inclusive, and enjoyable respite experience.
The League for People with Disabilities offers individuals opportunities to gain independence, increase self-sufficiency, and improve their quality of life.
Every Camp Counselor contributes to this mission by helping participants experience belonging, choice, independence, friendship, recreation, and personal growth.
The League for People with Disabilities is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to legally protected characteristics in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.
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