Winter Day Camp Counselor

YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids; Holland (MI); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Free YMCA Individual Membership

Retirement Savings – 12% employer

Paid Sick Time

Professional Growth

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

The YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids is seeking a Day Camp Counselor to lead engaging activities for kindergarten through 7th grade, promote safety, and support campers' growth in a supportive, inclusive environment. This seasonal role requires flexibility within 7:00 AM–6:00 PM schedules.

You will organize crafts, games, swimming, archery, canoeing, and more while following YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and inclusion.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Education classes or experiences in camp, youth programs, recreation, working with children, or in a related field.
• Ability to lead, organize, and implement program activities.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Must have the physical ability to lead and participate in camp activities (swimming, team building, etc.).

Responsibilities

• Lead a variety of activities for youth in small and large groups.
• Accompany campers and ensure safety and supervision.
• Identify and respond to camper behavior issues.
• Keep camp spaces clean and organized.
• Communicate with parents about participant experiences and concerns.
• Maintain program records (incident reports, attendance, logs).
• Know and follow all emergency and safety procedures.

Skills

Team leadership

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Activity planning

Education

Camp/youth program experience

Job description

Description

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Day Camp Counselor is responsible for leading and implementing engaging and fun activities for youth, grades kindergarten to 7th, in a small group setting. They will also be responsible for the general safety and development, growth, and skill achievement of the participants in his/her group. The Camp Counselor will provide high quality indoor/outdoor educational and recreational experiences for youth that focus on the YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, responsibility, and inclusion. This is a seasonal position with varying schedules based on programming needs. Day camp operates Monday through Friday, between 7:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Staff shifts will vary within these hours.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Organize and lead a variety of small and large group activities each week. Activities may include crafts, nature, songs, games, opening and closing ceremonies, swimming, archery, canoeing. This includes time spent on the bus.
• Accompany campers along with
• Identify and respond to camper behavior issues.
• Ensure that identified camp spaces are kept clean, organized, and free of litter.
• Communicate with parents about participant’s experiences and report concerns to camp leadership.
• Assist in maintaining accurate program records including incident reports, logbook documentation, and daily attendance.
• Know and understand ALL emergency procedures associated with the camp program.
• Know, enforce, and follow all safety guidelines associated with the camp and all program areas. This includes but is not limited to being responsible for your campers’ safety and their whereabouts at all times.

Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids Association

COMPENSATION

$15.21 - $19.01 ; Seasonal, Non Exempt (up to 40 hours/week)

BENEFITS

• Free YMCA Individual Membership – Enjoy full access to facilities.
• Retirement Savings – 12% employer retirement contribution, no match requirement (upon eligibility) and a 403(b) savings plan.
• Paid Sick Time – Earn paid sick leave so you can focus on feeling your best when it matters most.
• Professional Growth – Access to ongoing training, development programs, and career advancement opportunities.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Free, confidential resources and counseling for you and your family.

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be 18 years of age or older
• Education classes or experiences in camp, youth programs, recreation, working with children, or in a related field.
• Ability to lead, organize, and implement program activities.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and the ability to accomplish tasks with the little direct supervision.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Must have the physical ability to lead and participate in camp activities which include, but are not limited to swimming, team building initiatives, physical games, and activities.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (required)
• First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days
• AED-Oxygen Certification required within the first 60 days
• Blood Borne Pathogen training
• DHS clearance
• Fingerprinting
• State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT)

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

TRAVEL

0-5% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training