2026 Summer Sports Camp Counselor

Oak Lawn Park District • Oak Lawn, IL

107d • Onsite

About The Position

The Oak Lawn Park District is seeking mature individuals to serve as Sports Camp Counselors for Grades 3-8 at the Community Pavilion. Counselors will be responsible for assisting with daily games, sports, and tournaments, as well as helping with setup and cleanup. The role requires individuals to be 18 years or older and possess knowledge of various sports. Experience working with children in a sports setting is beneficial, along with strong leadership, communication skills, and a good work ethic.

Requirements

• Must be 18 years or older.
• Some knowledge of various sports including basketball, baseball, volleyball, hockey, soccer, etc.
• Must be a High School graduate.
• Ability to follow and give directions.
• Ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Possess time management and organization skills.
• Ability to make judgments with respect to confidentiality of information and problem solving.
• Must use good safety awareness and judgment in all aspects of this position.
• Must have a good sense of empathy, nurturing, patience, and fairness and be able to handle a multitude of situations as they come up, while keeping a positive and friendly attitude.
• Must be able to work closely with co-workers, including other counselors, your Sports Camp Director, Assistant Sports Camp Director, Athletic Supervisor, Bus drivers and others.
• Must be able to work well with general public.
• Must be able to work well under supervision and director of supervisor.
• Must be able to work well under stress of complaints and children’s issues.
• Must be able to work well under stress of daily day camp problems, while keeping a positive attitude.
• Must be able to work well with children and their parents.
• Employee is frequently required to stand, sit, see, hear, talk, walk, lift and carry up to 25 pounds.
• Employee is occasionally required to stoop, crouch or reach to retrieve supplies and assist campers.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and the ability to adjust focus.
• The job requires staff to be outdoors about 70% of the time.
• Must be able to perform job duties while dealing with the elements of the outdoors, including heat, sun exposure, wind, insects, etc.

Nice To Haves

• Experience working with kids in sports is a plus.
• A minimum of one (1) year working with children ages 3rd – 8th Grade in recreational, educational or related programs preferred.
• Preferably a college student or graduate pursuing a degree in Education, Physical Education, Recreation or another related field.
• Must become CPR and First Aid certified.

Responsibilities

• Meet with Sports Camp Asst. Director or Director daily to review the day’s activities and carry them out.
• Assist and initiate the planning and implementation of daily camp activities, organizing both sports and games.
• Provide instruction for various sports and games.
• Accurately fill out Accident/Incident Reports and submit them to the Sports Camp Director.
• Appropriately discipline campers according to the Oak Lawn Park District Sports Camp Discipline policy and communicate camper issues with the Sports Camp Asst. Director or Director.
• Provide close supervision of campers while at the pools and be in the pool with campers.
• Supervise campers closely while on buses.
• Provide excellent customer service to parents.
• Keep inventory of first aid supplies and be prepared to administer first aid to injured campers.
• Supervise campers during lunchtime.
• Attend all Park District mandatory training sessions and meetings.
• Become CPR and First Aid certified.
• Work closely with co-workers, including other counselors, Sports Camp Director, Assistant Sports Camp Director, Athletic Supervisor, and bus drivers.
• Work well with the general public, under supervision, and under the stress of complaints and children’s issues.
• Work well under the stress of daily day camp problems while maintaining a positive attitude.
• Work well with children and their parents.
• Be outdoors during daily outdoor play, visits, special events, and field trips.
• Follow and give directions.
• Effectively communicate verbally and in writing.
• Utilize time management and organization skills.
• Make judgments regarding confidentiality of information and problem-solving.
• Use good safety awareness and judgment.
• Demonstrate empathy, nurturing, patience, and fairness, handling multiple situations with a positive and friendly attitude.

Benefits

• Part-time employees receive 25% off general programs with the exception of PDNA, contracted, trips and private lessons.
• Opportunity to use 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