Cooking Instructor, Camp Kaleidoscope, Summer Day Camp

JCC Greater Boston • Newton, MA

9h • Onsite

About The Position

JCC Greater Boston is seeking enthusiastic Cooking Instructors to design and lead engaging culinary activities for children in grades 4–8 at their summer day camp in Newton, MA. Specialists act as role models, creating safe, inclusive, and fun program areas where children can explore, learn, and build confidence through hands-on cooking experiences. The role involves teaching basic cooking skills, guiding campers through recipes, exploring food science experiments, and helping them create dishes. The instructor will plan age-appropriate activities, adapt them to camper needs, and ensure a safe, engaging, and fun environment. Beyond the specialty, the instructor will also be part of the camp team, assisting with transitions, special events, and ensuring every camper feels included, supported, and inspired.

Requirements

• High school degree preferred
• College degree, concentration, certification, or equivalent experience in cooking, nutrition, or related field preferred
• 1+ season (summer camp, semester, other) instructor experience planning and leading activities for children
• Customer service experience preferred
• 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
• 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)
• Ability to work with a variety of cooking supplies and equipment
• Ability to work with allergy and dietary restrictions as needed
• Enjoy working with children and a strong desire to make a difference every day
• Safety awareness and ability to communicate any issues and concerns with supervisors
• Ability to ensure safety of participants when working with cooking supplies, tools and variety of ingredients and food
• Exhibits leadership skills, including teamwork, patience, flexibility, and diplomacy
• Demonstrates positive attitude at all times

Nice To Haves

• College degree, concentration, certification, or equivalent experience in cooking, nutrition, or related field
• 1+ season (summer camp, semester, other) instructor experience planning and leading cooking activities for children
• Customer service experience

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

• Access to JCC Greater Boston's fitness, recreation and wellness facility
• Free or discounted enrollment for camp programs for employees' children (based on availability)
• Competitive starting pay rate of $20 per hour

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED