Overnight Camp - Sr Counselor

YMCA Buffalo Niagara•Gainesville, NY

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Supervises a group of campers. Provides leadership and guidance and ensures the safety of campers. This is a residential position where food and lodging are provided during hours of work. The work week follows the camper session which begins each Sunday and ends on Friday with a 24 hour break in-between. Dates of employment include a week of training starting June 14, 2026, and concludes on August 15, 2026.

Requirements

Must be 18 years old or a high school graduate.
Minimum of one year experience as a Junior Counselor, Counselor in Training, or other equivalent.
Desire and ability to work with children in an outdoor setting.
Demonstrates the YMCA core values of caring, responsibility, honesty, and respect.
Able to successfully lead activities for children in a camp environment.

Responsibilities

Provide guidance to the camper group to successfully participate in all camp activities.
Ensure the health and safety of campers. Carry out established health and safety plans.
Develop activities for the camper group for cabin free choice, inclement weather, and devotional activities.
Supervise all assigned aspects of the campers’ day including reveille, cabin clean-up, mealtimes, rest hour, evening activities, getting ready for bed, after-hours duty, and the submission of all necessary paperwork.
Follow and implement all emergency procedures such as fire drills and emergency evacuation.
Develop and maintain positive relationships with campers, ensuring an outstanding camp experience.
Identify and resolve problems. Implement appropriate discipline techniques and procedures. Report difficult problems to the supervisor.
Follow and enforce department protocol to clean and disinfect commonly used surfaces. Ensure PPE compliance.
Maintain the cleanliness and organization of program/work areas.
Follow and enforce all camp rules and regulations such as those pertaining to smoking, use of alcoholic beverages, illegal use of controlled substances, and staff/camper fraternization.
Participate with campers in the pool during swim lessons and free swim.
Attend staff meetings and training sessions as scheduled.
Implements ongoing safety checks to ensure a healthy and safe camp environment. Implement emergency procedures when necessary.
Communicate effectively with parents of campers.
Always remain with assigned groups, and keep constant, visual track of all assigned campers unless relieved by a qualified staff person.
Perform additional duties as assigned.