Camp Guidance Counselor / Social Worker

Job Title: Camp Guidance Counselor

Reports to: The guidance counselor reports to the Head Counselor and the Directors

Position Purpose:

• To work as a part of the upper staff team to address the personal, social, and developmental needs of campers in our program

• To act as the liaison between the campers and the parents

• To provide a safe, supportive, and growth-promoting environment for all camp

• To teach and empower children in skills such as mediation and conflict resolution, goal setting, active listening, organization, and friendship

Essential Job Functions:

1. Primary day to day functions and responsibilities:

   • General availability and presence throughout camp

     • Be available any time during day and night for camper concerns and emergencies

     • Maintain a general presence and feeling of availability throughout camp:

       1. Attend all meals

       2. Walk around camp and observe activities, camper interactions

       3. Make frequent visits to bunks to check on campers and observe cleanliness of campers and their living areas

       4. Intervene when you see a situation that you feel is inappropriate

   • Liaison with parents

   • Review Camper Daily Logs on a daily basis

     • Speak to campers/staff when necessary.

     • Share pertinent information with head counselor/directors if necessary

   • Attend daily meetings

     • Inform head counselor and division leader of any concerns and a recommended course of action.

   • Gain trust and confidence with both staff and campers

   • Check in with Health Center on a daily basis for updates on ill campers and other health related issues.

   • Conduct one-on-on intervention meetings with campers who are having issues and when necessary conduct a “bunk meeting” to discuss issues.

2. Responsibilities prior to the summer (off-season and staff orientation)

   • Review Camper Confidential Forms prior to the summer.

     • Meet with head counselor/division leaders during staff orientation to review pertinent information about campers.

     • Prepare handouts to give to division leaders for any issues with their campers.

   • Lead a session during staff orientation

     • topics could include home sickness, bullying, etc

   • Attend upper staff meeting, reunions and open houses

3. Communicate with parents:

   • You are the liaison between the camper and the parents (children do not call home)

   • Return phone calls with-in 12 hours to any parents who calls the office regarding their child.

   • Understand when to get assistance from Directors

4. Extension Responsibilities (from time to time campers extend their stay at camp):

   • Identify which campers are interested in extending their stay at camp

   • Communicate with parents about their child’s desire to stay and help facilitate the extension with the office.

Other Job Duties:

• Participate enthusiastically in all in and out of camp activities, assist with planning, setting up, and leading as assigned to you.

• Participate as a member of the camp upper staff team to be present at evening programs, special events, evening responsibilities (OD), as well as other all-camp activities and camp functions.

• Accept constructive feedback from supervisors from time to time

• Attend Senior Administrative Staff (SAS) meetings and be prepared to give status updates on campers as well as a general state of affairs in camp

• Like all other upper staff, get involved and volunteer to be part of evening activities (i.e.: serve as a judge for a talent show, participate in staff talent shows, help out at ice cream sundae bar)

• Serve as a Super-Duper OD on a rotating basis

• Be ready to enjoy a fun summer at camp