2026 Camp Counselor - NY & NJ J

Kids in the Game • New York, NY

3d • $450 - $550 • Onsite

About The Position

TURN YOUR SUMMER INTO SOMETHING EXTRAORDINARY – BECOME A SEASONAL CAMP COUNSELOR WITH KIDS IN THE GAME! Empower Staff, Inspire Campers, and Build a Summer That Matters. Kids in the Game provides unforgettable day camp experiences for hundreds of New York children across Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and now Westchester & Jersey City! When you join the Kids in the Game summer camp leadership cohort, you’ll be part of a dynamic team of Camp Directors, Assistant Directors, and 275+ coaches running outstanding programming at our 13 summer day camps. THE KIDS IN THE GAME SUMMER CAMP EXPERIENCE Kids in the Game camps are where sports, creativity, and community come together to shape confident, compassionate, and connected kids. Every summer, our camps across New York City, Westchester & Jersey City bring together diverse groups of children to explore new sports, build friendships, develop positive social skills, and learn how to be part of a team. Our camps offer kids a uniquely designed blend of sports and games, arts and crafts, STEM enrichment, field trips, swim activities, theme weeks, and all-camp special events to make every week the highlight of a child's summer. Each day is fueled by energy, laughter, and belonging. Our team of camp leaders, specialists, and counselors create an environment where every child feels seen, supported, and inspired to try something new. We believe camp is more than a summer activity — it’s a place where kids discover who they are and who they can become. As a Certified B Corporation, we're also on a mission to positively impact the lives of all of our stakeholders - campers, families, staff, community members, and our partners. We’re looking for Camp Counselors who want to be positive role models, build emotional intelligence, boost confidence, create inclusive communities, and help bring high-quality camp experiences to kids across NYC, Westchester and Jersey City.. Your Leadership Can Change the Game — Join Kids in the Game This Summer. Camp Counselor ROLE & KEY TASKS As a Camp Counselor, you will report to your Division Leader and Camp Leadership Team and work closely with fellow counselors and specialists to supervise campers and deliver engaging daily programming. You are responsible for creating a safe, supportive, and high-energy environment for your assigned group of campers while actively participating in and facilitating camp activities. This role is rooted in youth development, teamwork, and hands-on engagement. Camp Counselors lead activities, support camper social-emotional growth, manage group dynamics, and model positive behavior throughout the camp day. You are a consistent presence for campers—helping them feel included, confident, and excited to come to camp each morning. Camp Counselors are expected to be active participants in camp life, jumping into games, supporting transitions, collaborating with staff, and contributing to a positive camp culture grounded in Kids in the Game’s mission and values. You must be able to arrive by 7:45am daily via public transportation or personal transportation (car) and stay on-site until 4:15pm daily (and until 5:30pm twice per week to support after care activities).

Requirements

• Is amazing with children and passionate about youth development
• Can build positive relationships with campers, families, and staff
• Communicates clearly and professionally
• Demonstrates strong problem-solving and teamwork skills
• Is able to pass required background checks and provide medical clearance

Nice To Haves

• Has experience working with children in camp, school, sports, or recreational settings (preferred)
• CPR, First Aid, and AED certification preferred (or willingness to obtain)

Responsibilities

• Positivity: As a Camp Counselor, you bring energy, enthusiasm, and optimism to each day, regardless of weather, schedule changes, or unexpected challenges. You encourage campers through praise, motivation, and growth-focused language, helping them build confidence and resilience. By showing up with a positive attitude and a willingness to engage, you help create a fun, upbeat camp culture where campers and staff feel excited, supported, and proud to participate.
• Empathy: Camp Counselors demonstrate patience, understanding, and compassion when working with campers of different ages, backgrounds, and needs. You listen actively to campers’ concerns and respond with care, respect, and emotional awareness. By supporting campers’ emotional development and social learning alongside physical activity and play, you help create an environment where children feel safe, understood, and valued.
• Commitment: Camp Counselors show up prepared, punctual, and reliable for all scheduled shifts, trainings, and responsibilities. You fully commit to required pre-summer training sessions, both virtual and on-site, and maintain consistency in behavior expectations, camper supervision, and group management throughout the season.
• Ambition: Camp Counselors seek opportunities to grow as leaders, mentors, and youth development professionals. You are open to feedback, coaching, and guidance from Camp Directors and Leadership, and you take initiative in planning activities, solving problems, and supporting team needs. With a mindset of continuous improvement, you strive to make each day at camp better than the last for both campers and staff.
• Inclusivity: Camp Counselors create a welcoming environment where all campers feel safe, respected, and included. You celebrate differences in ability, identity, background, and experience, and adapt activities to ensure equitable participation and access for all campers. By modeling inclusive language, behavior, and teamwork, you help foster a camp community where every child feels they belong.
• Provide active supervision of campers at all times, including during activities, transitions, meals, field trips, swimming days, and aftercare
• Build positive relationships with campers and support their social-emotional growth
• Help campers navigate conflict, homesickness, frustration, and peer interactions with care and empathy
• Encourage campers to try new activities, practice teamwork, and celebrate effort and improvement
• Support sports, games, and physical activities appropriate for campers ages Pre-K through middle school
• Facilitate age-appropriate team time activities aligned with weekly themes
• Adapt activities to meet different skill levels, learning styles, and comfort levels
• Actively participate in all activities—modeling enthusiasm, sportsmanship, and positive behavior
• Work collaboratively with fellow counselors, specialists, Division Leaders, and Camp Directors
• Communicate clearly and professionally with camp leadership regarding camper needs, incidents, or concerns
• Support specialists and leadership during special events, theme days, and all-camp programming
• Contribute positively to staff culture and team morale
• Follow all Department of Health regulations and camp safety protocols
• Maintain proper supervision ratios and safety standards at all times
• Respond calmly and effectively to behavioral, medical, or environmental incidents
• Assist with incident documentation and reporting as directed by leadership
• Support a culture of both physical and emotional safety for campers and staff

Benefits

• At Kids in the Game, you can expect to be welcomed into an engaging and spirited environment that emphasizes the importance of teamwork, open communication, and collaboration. We are proud to foster an inclusive environment where our team members feel respected by and connected to one another. We value the unique experiences, perspectives, and passions of our employees, and we look forward to adding dynamic personalities to our team. We are AMBITIOUS. POSITIVE, COMMITTED, INCLUSIVE, and EMPATHETIC.
• We are committed to creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment for all of our interns and employees. We recruit candidates from across the city, state, and country, from all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. We have developed partnerships with organizations that allow us to target our hiring practices to include chronically discriminated against or low-income groups, and improve their access to high-quality employment opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees