Camp Counselor, School Break Camps, JCC

JCC Greater Boston • Newton Centre, MA

2d • $15 • Onsite

About The Position

Make a difference. Be a role model. Have fun! Do you love working with kids and bringing joy to their day? JCC Greater Boston is looking for enthusiastic, responsible Camp Counselors for our School Break Camps (December, February, Passover, and April school breaks). School Break Camp Counselors guide groups of campers (K-5th grade) through a fun, supportive day filled with sports, arts & crafts, swimming, games, and special events. Counselors are role models who create a warm, inclusive environment where campers can build confidence, make friends, and have a blast during their time off from school. What you will do each day: As a School Break Counselor, you’ll start your day greeting campers with energy and warmth, helping them feel excited for what’s ahead. You’ll guide your group through a variety of activities — one hour you might be cheering them on in a game of capture the flag, the next you’re diving into an arts & crafts project or encouraging hesitant swimmers in the pool. Lunch brings laughter, songs, and silly moments, and you’ll be right there helping campers feel included and connected. Throughout the day, you’ll be a role model — building relationships, keeping campers safe, and making sure every child feels supported. By the end of the day, you’ll leave camp tired but smiling, knowing you’ve helped kids create joyful memories. 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 what our Camp Counselors say are the best parts of working at JCC Camps: Bonding with the campers The activities Free swim Leadership opportunities Making close friends with co-counselors Available Dates: December Camp: December 24, 26, 28, 30, 31 and January 2 February Camp: February 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 Passover Camp: April 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 Spring Break Camp: April 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 Candidates do not need to commit to all dates. Staff are scheduled by the day and shift. Available Shifts Each Day: Full Day 8:30am – 4:30pm, 8 hours Morning Shift 7:30am – 3:30pm, 8 hours Afternoon Shift 10am - 6pm, 8 hours

Requirements

• 10th grade (or equivalent) and eligible for work permit
• 1+ season (summer camp, semester, babysitting, coaching, other) experience working with children
• Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC’s discretion to meet minimum criteria.
• Genuine enjoyment of working with children and helping them grow
• Strong safety awareness and communication skills
• Leadership qualities including patience, flexibility, teamwork, and creativity
• Positive attitude and ability to build meaningful relationships with campers and peers
• Proactive problem-solving and willingness to ask for guidance when needed
• Self-starter who takes 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
• Ability to interface with digital tools and mobile apps (enter hours worked into Paylocity, note camper attendance on digital attendance forms, etc.)
• Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities.
• 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).
• 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 at all times.
• Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

Responsibilities

• Ensure the safety and well-being of campers in structured and unstructured time
• Create a fun, joyful and inclusive group dynamic
• Work in partnership with co-counselors and camp leadership to deliver a happy, safe, and memorable experience
• Lead, co-lead and support activities with campers and co-counselors, including arts, sports, swimming and other camp activities
• Participate and support camper during swim times (must be able to access the pool and swim with the campers)
• Assist with set-up and clean-up of activities and spaces as needed
• Support campers’ social and emotional development throughout the day
• 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
• a supportive, vibrant in-person work environment
• Each seasonal employee is eligible for access to JCC Greater Boston's top class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton!
• Seasonal access to the JCC Fitness Center includes: Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman JCC during active seasonal employment
• Free or discounted enrollment for camp programs may be available for camp employees’ children based on availability.
• Benefits are subject to review and change by the Organization, and plan documents are the primary determinant.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees