Junior Camp Counselor - Resident Camp - LW

Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges•Blairstown, NJ

16h

About The Position

The Junior Camp Counselor assists Counselors and Senior Counselors in supervising, guiding, and directing campers in small and large groups. The role helps children adjust to camp rules and safety precautions and provides friendship, guidance, and positive redirection. The Junior Counselor supports the Camp Director, Specialist, Senior Counselors, and Counselors in all aspects of camp. The position helps supervise campers in dining and cabin settings, supports participation in camp activities, and contributes to a positive, nurturing environment that encourages youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. The Junior Counselor models the YMCA’s core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility; follows camp safety, attendance, aquatic, and supervision policies; and supports activities, events, trips, and bus supervision. The role requires regular staff meetings and completion of required training. The position requires being on one’s feet for extended periods and actively supervising children indoors and outdoors. Candidates must be able to bend, kneel, squat, lift 30 pounds, visually account for all children, hear whistles or alarms, and speak clearly to manage a group. The stated pay range is $16.25–$18 per hour.

Requirements

Basic understanding of youth development principles.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills for interacting with staff and parents.
Ability to be creative, innovative, flexible, and energetic.
Ability to problem-solve and take initiative in alignment with the YMCA’s purpose, mission, and goals.
Ability to relate to children and develop professional, positive relationships with youth.
1–3 years of experience leading and supervising group activities.
Ability to work as part of a team, serve as a role model, identify potential risk factors, and take steps to reduce them.
Must be capable of standing for long periods and actively supervising children in indoor and outdoor environments.
Must be capable of bending, kneeling, squatting, and lifting 30 pounds.
Must be able to visually account for all children, hear whistles or alarms, and speak clearly enough to manage a group.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge and expertise in horse care and riding, as applicable.
Knowledge of low and high ropes courses, teambuilding, and climbing, as applicable.
Knowledge of hiking, canoeing, biking, or other high-adventure activities, as applicable.
First Aid, CPR, and AED certification may be required.

Responsibilities

Maintain a professional demeanor as a YMCA representative and wear the camp T-shirt as required.
Supervise campers in dining hall and cabin settings.
Help campers stay focused and engaged in camp activities and respond to their needs.
Assist counselors during activity periods and help keep campers engaged.
Learn campers’ names and greet them warmly, treating them with respect and enthusiasm.
Build positive relationships with families and learn why they come to the YMCA.
Understand the Annual Campaign and its purpose.
Help carry out camp themes, special events, trips, and activities.
Encourage campers’ youth development progress.
Help groups maintain camp and cabin cleanliness.
Work cooperatively with camp staff to plan activities and perform responsibilities enthusiastically and with commitment.
Model and put the YMCA’s core values—Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility—into practice in camp activities.
Create a positive, nurturing learning environment that supports youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.
Follow sign-in and sign-out procedures and ensure attendance records are handled properly.
Attend scheduled staff meetings and complete required training.
Uphold camp safety standards, maintain constant face counts, and follow risk-management and disaster policies and procedures.
Help maintain group control and facilitate lunchtime activities.
Follow Association Aquatics Policy Guidelines and undertake designated aquatic assignments.
Help manage arrival and departure from swimming and boating areas.
Follow YMCA, ACA, and New Jersey licensing standards and procedures to support camp safety, quality, and ACA accreditation.
Complete and submit incident reports to the Camp Director and report immediate concerns to the Camp Director or nearest supervisor.
Follow bus counselor supervision and help ensure safety, efficient procedures, and enjoyable bus activities; lead songs, stories, and games.
Use redirection toward appropriate activities and positive reinforcement to commend good choices.