camp counselor

SUMMARY STATEMENT

Under general supervision of the Camp Director, the Camp Counselor handles daily camp activities for an assigned group of campers in accordance with the Camp Hubbard standards of safety and excellence. The Camp Counselor works with other camp counselors and is immediately responsible for the children's safety and participation. The Camp Counselor demonstrates leadership, management, and technical skills through effective collaboration, using team resources, progressive decision-making, and personal responsibility; demonstrates and fosters effective communication with other camp counselors, camp director and coaches, parents, and campers. The Camp Counselor is committed to fulfilling all duties with ethical conduct, community stewardship, individual initiative, and responsive service.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This is a generalized job description. It defines the general character and scope of responsibilities. It is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list every duty for a given position.

• Ensure customers and staff have an experience that exemplifies Camp Hubbard's mission and philosophy: Hubbard provides a safe, active environment to encourage physical, social, and emotional growth for a lifetime of success.
• Perform duties in a manner that exemplifies Camp Hubbard's Core Values – Everyone is Family, Do Small Things With Great Love, Whatever It Takes, and Embrace Learning. Display these qualities in life, and teach campers how to display those qualities in their lives.
• Know, understand, enforce, and follow all Camp Hubbard's Core Values, programs, systems, policies, rules, regulations, lesson techniques, safety guidelines, and emergency procedures associated with camp and all program areas. This includes but is not limited to being responsible for your campers' health, safety, and their whereabouts at all times.
• Demonstrate commitment to parents, campers, and staff being served through professional presentation of self, initiative, enthusiasm, personal attention, follow-through, detail orientation, and flexibility.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times, always following Camp Hubbard dress code.
• At camper check-in and departure, facilitate counselor-parent communication; document camper check-in and check-out times.
• Develop positive, supportive relationships with campers, providing motivational support and guidance; guarantee that each camper receives the optimal experience at camp.
• Communicate daily with the Camp Director regarding any camper, parent, staff, equipment, and/or facility issues.
• Communicate professionally and patiently with parents regarding their camper's experience, including any difficulties and/or concerns, using customers' names whenever possible and documenting inquiry/response when applicable and/or escalating the issue to the Camp Director.
• At all times be aware that you are a "model" to all campers and to other staff. Set a positive example in conversation, exercise, food selection, personal habits, and attitude.
• Promote good manners at mealtime and encourage common courtesy in serving and eating food.
• Help the campers with daily self-maintenance tasks: i.e., eating lunch together; helping your campers prepare for swimming; and being sure all personal belongings get home each night.
• Be aware of any medical needs of campers on site.
• Perform circle time forming a relationship with the campers in the opening and closing of camp each day.
• Keep camp supplies and equipment in good shape; organize and put away needed class equipment; report damaged equipment; ensure facilities are kept clean, organized, free of litter, and safe.
• Organize and lead a variety of small and large group activities each week. Activities include crafts, songs, games, swimming, archery, soccer, etc.
• Help all campers in the group experience success in any given camp activity; foster a positive group environment, observing and mediating camp relationships and behaviors.
• Thorough knowledge of daily curriculum provided in the counselor binder and daily schedule; enthusiastically participate in weekly themes, dressing up, and initiating ideas to engage the campers.
• Maintain accurate records regarding students' attendance, health issues, problems, injuries, etc.
• Observe each camper daily and check for cuts, bruises, rashes, or other indications of illness or injury.
• Actively monitor the pool deck and water; take responsibility for the safety of all campers in the pool area.
• During the bus ride, provide constant supervision, always aware of camper activities. Provide songs, games, and stories in addition to enforcing safety precautions during the trip.
• Work as a member of a team and accomplish tasks with little direct supervision.
• Swiftly and effectively identify, respond, and resolve camper behavior issues and/or disputes involving campers.
• Attend staff meetings and training, as scheduled.
• Learn continuously and move steadily and consistently toward 'expert status' in your specific job duties.
• Perform miscellaneous job-related duties.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Internally work directly with the Camp Director for direction and oversight; work regularly with other camp counselors.

Work externally with students and parents.

MINIMUM JOB REQUIREMENTS

Two years of high school. Must be able to work flexible hours with some evening work required. Emotional maturity. Enjoyment of sports and the outdoors. Genuine interest in character development of youth. Personal acceptance of the 4 core values of Camp Hubbard – Everyone is Family, Do Small Things with Great Love, Whatever It Takes, Embrace Learning. At least one year experience working with youth or education classes, experience in camp, youth programs, recreation, working with children or in a related field preferred. CPR/AED/FIRST AID Certification required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES REQUIRED

Skills you must have because we cannot teach them to you:

• Warmth and Humor: The ability to draw customers in from first contact and make them feel like they WANT to become a part of the Hubbard Family. The ability to make customers and staff laugh without offending them. Demonstrate a passion for excellence.

• Communication: The ability to communicate clearly and professionally both verbally and in writing. Professionally and patiently handle incoming requests from customers and ensure that issues are resolved both promptly and thoroughly.

• • Verbal Communication: The ability to quickly assess the needs and communication style of the customer/child and speak to them in their "language." The ability to make every customer believe they are the most important customer Hubbard has and that their issue or concern is of utmost importance.
• Problem Solving: The ability to look beyond the obvious and investigate to determine what things at a micro level need to be addressed, fixed, changed, or enhanced. This includes analyzing information and quickly drawing conclusions and finding solutions to resolve basic problems with ease and with minimal guidance from management. Continuously evaluate and identify opportunities to drive system improvements and recommend changes to existing methods and systems to increase the accuracy, efficiency, and responsiveness that positively impact the customer's/child's experience.
• Accountability: The ability to accept responsibility for what is yours, whether it is a heroic win or a mistake. The determination to find solutions rather than pointing blame at others. The ability to accept constructive feedback for improvement and positive feedback for recognition. Maintain a balance between company policy and customer benefit in decision-making. Handles issues in the best interest of both customer and company.
• Results Focused: The eagerness and drive to get things done without frequent reminders. Initiative. Able to establish priorities, organize resources, and get things done.
• Detail Oriented: The ability to achieve a high level of accuracy in regards to customer and staff communications, mentoring and management, daily camp operations including safety, lesson plans, time management, and creative play. Ensures each camper achieves personal success in a nurturing environment. All this with the ability to perform a variety of tasks simultaneously.
• High Integrity: The desire to act morally, ethically, and honestly, especially when no one else is looking. Exhibit high character always, both in good and hard/stressful times. Conduct yourself in a manner in which supervisors and coworkers can depend upon your word.
• Leadership: More than a title, it's a privilege and therefore a burden of the highest responsibility. To serve something greater than yourself; be part of the team. Recognizing qualities in others and bringing out the best in them. Promoting and training others for advancement at Camp Hubbard. Fostering a cooperative work environment. Think big, act bigger, and truly care for those whom you serve. Make life more enjoyable by helping supervisors and peers fulfill their responsibilities and generally make their jobs more rewarding and enjoyable.
• Prepares for customer inquiries by studying Camp Hubbard, services, and customer service processes.

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. This is a safety sensitive position. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk, hear, stand, walk, stoop, crouch and swim. The employee is frequently required to use hands to feel and reach. The employee must have the ability to work outside in extreme temperatures, including in the pool, for up to 7 hours per day. The employee must frequently lift, hold and/or move equipment or a small child up to 50 pounds. The employee must have the physical ability to operate bus emergency exits. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close, distance, and peripheral vision and the ability to adjust focus.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The environment involves exposure to extreme temperatures. The work environment involves working in and around a pool which requires following specified safety precautions.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

JOB TITLE: Camp Counselor

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