Activity Instructor, School Break Camps

JCC Greater Boston•Newton, MA

63d•$17•Onsite

About The Position

Be a role model. Share your passion! Do you love cooking, sports, music, drama, arts & crafts, science, or other hands-on activities – and want to share that passion with campers? JCC Greater Boston is looking for enthusiastic Activity Specialists to lead engaging activities for children in grades K-5 at our School Break Camps (December, February, Passover, and April school breaks). Specialists are role models who create safe, inclusive, and fun program areas where kids can explore, grow and build confidence. What you will do each day: You’ll spend your day bringing your specialty area to life — whether that’s teaching new soccer skills, leading an improv game, experimenting with slime in science, or guiding kids through a cooking project. You’ll plan age-appropriate activities, adapt them to meet the needs of different campers, and keep things safe, engaging, and fun. Beyond your specialty, you’ll also be part of the camp team: helping with transitions, supporting special events, and ensuring campers feel included and connected. Why work with us? At our camps, the best part of the day is simple: the campers. Our staff say their favorite moments are playing games, cheering campers on at swim, creating art together, and bonding over shared interests. Staff describe camp as fun, dynamic, and inclusive. Here, you’ll gain leadership skills, make lasting friendships, and create unforgettable experiences – for campers and yourself. JCC Greater Boston is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston’s core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish. This is a great chance to join JCC Greater Boston's respected and valued, people-orientated workplace of diverse community services providers, which is rapidly growing! About JCC Greater Boston Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, diverse community by nurturing meaningful, lasting relationships. Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends. JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. In our recent employee survey, staff rated their direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive. If you want to upgrade your working experience and have a better work-life balance, we encourage you to explore becoming part of the JCC team! The JCC is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston's core values: Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all. To learn more about what makes JCC Greater Boston a wonderful place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.bostonjcc.org/careers/ JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.

Requirements

Genuine enjoyment of working with children and helping them grow
Passion and expertise in your specialty area (arts, sports, music, cooking, science, etc.)
Ability to plan and lead age-appropriate, engaging, and inclusive activities
Excellent group management skills
Strong communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills with campers and staff
Safety awareness and ability to manage risks during activities
Creativity, flexibility and patience to adapt activities for diverse camper needs
Positive, energetic attitude and commitment to fostering an inclusive, joyful camp environment
Proactive problem-solving and willingness to ask for guidance when needed
Self-starter who takes the initiative
Must be able to work well with others, building/sustaining collaborative solid relationships
Ability to manage situations effectively and diplomatically and ask for help, guidance, or clarification when needed
Commitment to build strong relationships with campers, co-workers, and camp leadership
Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities.
Ability to work in variety of weather conditions for extended periods of time in case of rain, heat, humidity, cold, or other environmental factors to ensure the supervision and safety of campers in our care.
Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30-40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children’s backpacks, etc.
Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly.
Ability to swim and supervise children in pool (able to stand in pool)
High school degree preferred
1+ season (summer camp, semester, other) instructor experience planning and leading activities for children

Nice To Haves

College degree, concentration, certification, or equivalent experience in specialty area preferred
Customer service experience preferred
Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC’s discretion to meet minimum criteria.

Responsibilities

Plan, prepare, and lead age-appropriate activities in your specialty area
Ensure the safety and well-being of campers during activities
Create a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment that encourages skill-building and exploration
Work in partnership with counselors and camp leadership to provide a cohesive, positive camper experience
Maintain, organize, and request necessary supplies and equipment
Adapt activities to meet the needs and abilities of diverse campers
Support camp-wide special events and large-group programming as assigned
Assist with overall camp operations as needed (drop-off/pick-up, transitions, lunch, supervision, etc.)
Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued and respected
Actively participate as an essential team member
Support JCC Greater Boston’s mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role modeling
Enthusiastically representing the organization, model excellence and achievement
Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned
Other duties as assigned

Benefits

JCC Health & Fitness center access during employment
a supportive, vibrant fully in-person work environment
a competitive starting pay rate of $17 per hour
Each employee is eligible for a free individual access to JCC Greater Boston's top class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton – offering virtual and in-person programs including indoor swimming, many fitness classes, and workout facilities, as well as discounts to many JCCGB events, classes, outdoor pool, and more, including:
Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman
Access to group fit classes, Arts & Culture adult programming at member rates,
Discounts on a variety JCCGB's fitness/wellness programs and services
Free wellness events!

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