2026 Day Camp Counselor

Oak Lawn Park District • Oak Lawn, IL

1d • Onsite

About The Position

To supervise, nurture, and run activities for groups of children ages 3-14 in a day camp setting. Counselors are responsible for the safety and well being of camper participants. Counselor’s main priority is to provide campers with a fun, happy, and nurturing experience in a safe and friendly environment. The Day Camp counselor job is a seasonal, part time position, starting in June and ending in August.
The Oak Lawn Park District, incorporated in 1944, has a long and proud history of serving the recreational needs of our 56,000 residents with a myriad of recreational programs and services. We operate under the state tax cap as a municipal corporation, meaning we are our own taxing body. Overseen by a Board of five elected officials, the District manages a combination of 34 parks and facilities which cover over 280 acres. In addition, we manage a Special Recreation Cooperative that offers recreational programs and services to individuals with disabilities in 9 municipalities. The Oak Lawn Park District is an equal opportunity employer. Equal access to programs, services and employment is available to all persons. Those applicants requiring accommodations to the application and/or interview process should contact a representative of the Personnel Department.

Requirements

• MUST BE 16 YEARS OF AGE BY JUNE 1ST, 2026
• Ability to lead, plan, organize, and implement program activities.
• Ability to work as a member of a team and the ability to accomplish tasks with little direct supervision.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with children ages 3-14 in recreational, educational or related programs preferred.
• High School graduate preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assist and initiate the planning and implementation of daily camp activities. Must organize both games and crafts.
• On a weekly basis, meet with site’s counselor staff and Site Director to review the week’s activities and plan the weekly planner. Each counselor is then responsible for creating a weekly day and rain day planner filled with activities, which will be submitted to your Site Director.
• Provide a safe and productive playground. Assist Site Director by providing playground inspection checks and filling out playground inspection forms. Watch groups at all times while at the playground. Limit playground play to 2-3 times a week at ½ hour increments. (1/4 hour for Preschool Camp Sunshine)
• Responsible for accurately filling out Accident/Incident Reports and submitting to Site Director.
• Responsible for disciplining campers appropriately, following the Oak Lawn Park District Day Camp Discipline policy. Communicate camper issues with Site Director. Must document and record camper issues and discipline matters.
• Counselors are responsible for the close supervision of campers while at the pools. Counselors are required to be in the pool with campers for close supervision.
• Supervise campers closely while on busses.
• Provide excellent customer service to parents
• Keep accurate records of personal camper forms. Review and keep accurate records of Healthy and Allergy information forms. Work with parent if child has special health or other needs.
• Keep accurate attendance records.
• Keep inventory of first aid supplies on you at all times. Be prepared to administer first aid on injured campers.
• Attend all Park District mandatory training sessions and meetings.
• Upon hire, completion of provided First Aid and CPR certification
• Staff must wear their day camp staff t-shirts. While swimming at camp, staff is to wear one-piece swim suits (Tankinis are allowed) or swim trunks.
• Counselors are evaluated on a bi-weekly basis. All counselors begin on two-week probation.

Benefits

• Part time employees receive 25% off general programs with the exception of PDNA, contracted, trips and private lessons.
• In order to encourage a healthy lifestyle for our staff members, the Park District provides all staff with the opportunity to use our fitness facilities at the Community Pavilion and the Racquet, Fitness and Gymnastics Center free of charge.

What This Job Offers

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