Music & Theater Program Director/Sr. Counselor - 4-H Camp Owahta - McGraw, NY

Cornell Cooperative Extension•New York, NY

5d•Onsite

About The Position

4-H Camp Owahta is seeking a Music & Theater Program Director/Sr. Counselor to create and lead engaging musical and theatrical programming for campers. This role combines program development with direct camper supervision, ensuring safety, adherence to regulations, and fostering a positive environment. The position is responsible for developing lesson plans, supervising staff, maintaining documentation, and ensuring compliance with health and safety standards. The Sr. Counselor aspect involves direct supervision of campers in cabins and during activities, contributing to a positive and inclusive camp experience.

Requirements

Must be 18 years of age.
Attend and participate in all of staff training; June 29-July 3, 2026.
Relevant education or equivalent experience in music, musical theater, acting, or a related field.
Ability to build positive, approachable relationships with youth, parents, and staff.
Desire, ability, and willingness to work and live in a camp community and to reside at 4-H Camp Owahta, McGraw, NY (including overnights) the entire duration of the camp season (July 5-August 14, 2026).
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Nice To Haves

Plays a musical instrument and/or singer.
Able to read music and write short musical numbers.
Ability to write and produce short theatrical performances.
Current CPR and First Aid certification(s) from courses approved by the NYS Department of Health (will certify if necessary).
Experience as a staff member at an overnight summer camp.
Interest in working with youth and young adults, primarily outdoors.
Receptiveness to guidance, supervision and feedback.
Ability to effectively teach skills to staff members and campers ages 5-16.
Ability to adapt and remain flexible in dynamic environments.
Experience working with youth of all ages.

Responsibilities

Creating, inspiring, and engaging musical and theatrical programming for campers.
Ensuring all programming is developmentally appropriate, mission-aligned, and engaging.
Providing guidance and supervision to counselor staff during music & theater program blocks.
Maintaining required program documentation and records.
Ensuring compliance with Department of Health (DOH), American Camp Association (ACA), and 4-H Camp Owahta safety regulations, policies, and procedures.
Assisting in leading camp activities.
Providing overnight supervision in a camper cabin.
Helping to set the tone for a positive, inclusive space.
Performing all duties outlined in the description and other assigned responsibilities.
Engaging fully and enthusiastically in all camp activities, including planning and facilitating activities as assigned.
Developing and leading camper-centered music and theater program activities for campers ages 5–15.
Creating a collection of lesson plans utilizing a variety of resources for campers ages 5–15.
Modeling a fun, encouraging, and enthusiastic approach to singing, acting, and performance.
Scaffolding all activities to meet campers needs and keep them engaged.
Actively participating and assisting in all program areas as assigned, outside of the music and theater program block.
Assisting in the direction, supervision, and organization of campers in the cabin, and throughout camp.
Ensuring campers are always supervised: during meals, free times, program times, transition times, overnight in the cabin, and all-camp activities.
Assisting campers in following the daily schedule.
Providing guidance, direction, and support to campers.
Being aware and proactive to camper and staff physical, emotional, and mental needs and assisting or communicating to camp leadership or camp nurse immediately.
Role modeling, enforcing, and following all safety procedures as per the NYS Department of Health and American Camp Association (ACA) regulations for overnight camp.
Completing NYS Department of Health reports and information when necessary or requested.
Ensuring campers receive their medications as directed by the camp nurse.
Abiding by and role modeling all 4-H Camp Owahta rules, policies, and procedures.
Serving as a positive role model for campers and staff.
Establishing and maintaining positive rapport with all campers, families, staff, volunteers, and camp visitors.
Guiding and overseeing assistant counselor staff during the music and theater program block.
Cooperating and actively engaging with directors, volunteers, and counselors in the development and implementation of all camp activities.
Keeping all coordinators, counselors, and directors updated with pertinent information.
Communicating, supporting, and collaborating on camper behavior management to camp leadership.
Maintaining and monitoring supplies for all music and theater activities and lessons and informing camp leadership of needed materials.
Maintaining the cleanliness and organization of all music and theater-related supplies.
Monitoring the condition of equipment and facilities to ensure utilization, proper care, and maintenance is adhered to; reporting repairs immediately.
Assisting in the overall evaluation of the summer camp and making suggestions for the next camping season.
Attending 4-H Camp Owahta staff training week, participating in staff meetings and required training events.
Jointly developing and pursuing a professional development plan.
Submitting all required or requested reports in a timely manner.
Performing other duties as assigned.
Supporting the Association to maintain a safe working environment.
Being familiar and striving to follow any applicable federal, state, local regulations, association health and safety policy/procedure/requirement and standard.
Acting proactively to prevent accidents/injuries and communicating hazards to supervisors when identified.