POSITION DESCRIPTION: COUNSELOR, for seasonal summer camp 

Reports to: Program Director (GBN, GSS or GVV)

Position Purpose: 

Counselors are the primary caregivers for each camper. The Counselor is responsible for planning, teaching, coordinating, and carrying out activities and guiding campers in their personal growth and daily living skills.

Qualifications: (Minimum Education and Experience) 

• Must be 18 years of age and a high school graduate.
• Must be able to obtain or become certified in First Aid/CPR.
• Must complete mandatory health history record and examination application will not be  considered complete until submitted)
• Ability to interact with all age levels.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Latvian language proficiency suitable for work with campers and students
• Understand the (developmental) needs of children and adolescents (program specific)
• Ability to relate to youth and adults in a positive manner.
• Ability to contribute to implementation of program activities

Job benefits:  

• Room and board and salary.
• Resume builder and strong reference for colleges and future jobs
• Learn leadership skills in real life situations, hands-on experiences and responsibilities
• Free consultation session with a College admissions consultant.
• Professional development and certifications that carry over to future jobs

Essential Job Functions: 

1. Assist in the direction, supervision, and organization of campers in their living unit, within activities and throughout the camp in order to meet the intended camper  outcomes.
2. Apply basic youth development principles in working with campers through  communication, relationship development, and respect for diversity, involvement and empowerment of youth.
3. Assure campers are properly supervised at all times.
4. Be aware of and implement safety guidelines.
5. Participate in the development and implementation of program activities for campers within the mission and outcomes.
6. Responsible for leading and assisting with the teaching of activities.
7. Actively participate in all program areas as assigned.
8. Provide for the progression of activities within the framework of individual and  group interests and abilities.
9. Assist in program areas such as waterfront, nature, all camp activities, arts and  crafts as directed.
10. Maintain high standards of health and safety in all activities for campers and staff.
11. Provide the daily care of each camper within your supervision including  recognition of personal health needs in alignment with the directives of our  health services director/ camp nurse.
12. Ensure that campers receive their medications as directed by the health services director/camp nurse.
13. Be alert to campers and staff needs and assist them with personal and/or health problems, and discuss with health services director/camp nurse or resident camp director when appropriate.
14. Be alert to equipment and facilities to ensure utilization, proper care, and maintenance is adhered to; report repairs needed promptly to the program director.
15. Be a role model to campers and staff in your attitude, behavior and dress.
16. Follow and uphold all safety and security rules and procedures as outlined in the Summer Employee manual.
17. Practices and procedures including sanitation, schedule, and sportsmanship.
18. Functions unique to each program (see particular description, in the program handbook)

Other Job Duties:

• Mandatory participation in counselor and staff orientation.
• Contribute to verbal and written evaluations and communication as requested.
• Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, planning, and leading those as assigned.
• Participate as a member of the camp staff team to deliver and supervise evening  programs, special events, overnights, and other all-camp activities and camp functions.
• Assist in the planning of any special events on or near the waterfront.
• Identify other tasks or duties that this position may be expected to perform but are not necessarily the primary focus of this position. 

Teamwork and communication: 

Counselors generally have daily interactions with office and kitchen staff, program specialists, and maintenance staff. It is helpful to identify the expectations of the communication between these groups of staff members.

Equipment Used: 

Counselors may be asked to use fire protection equipment, washers and dryers, and specialty program equipment. Some may be asked to drive camp vehicles or watercraft. 

Physical Aspects of the Job: 

• Ability to communicate and work with participant groups of various age and skill levels  and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff.
• Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate  safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior management techniques.
• Ability to observe staff behavior, assess its appropriateness, and help enforce  appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures. – assist in remediation of  unsafe or inappropriate situations.
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.

Physical requirements: 

Physical ability to respond to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in  an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.

Some physical requirements of a Children’s Program Counselor position could be endurance  including prolonged standing, some bending, stooping, walking long distances, hiking, climbing, and stretching; requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate outdoor equipment and camp activities; requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record,  prepare, and communicate appropriate camper activities/programs and the ability to lift up to  50 lbs; willing to live in a camp setting and work irregular hours with limited or simple equipment and facilities; and with daily exposure to the sun, heat, and animals such as bugs, snakes, bats, mice, etc.