Job Title: Camp Counsellor
Reports To: Section Head/Counselling Coordinator-PR/Counselling Director
Number of Positions Available: 14
Counsellors are staff members who work most closely with our campers and supervise them while in camp, at meals, during activities and each evening in their cabins, as part of a Section Team.
Being a part of a Section Team requires many different personal and professional skills. Staff responsible for young children require a high level of maturity and “parent-like” sensibilities allowing them to deal with such matters as homesickness at bedtime. Counsellors who are responsible for older children require strong communication and discipline skills. A strong understanding of the camper’s interests and preferred activities is crucial to ensuring the camper has a fun and productive time at camp. All counselling staff are required to facilitate one-on-one attention and are required to find creative solutions for keeping campers engaged and enjoying the camp experience. Counsellor's close relationships with campers and often require Counsellors to help provide personal support to individual campers (bedwetting, brushing teeth, etc).
As part of the Section Team, Counsellors will also provide program instruction to campers in their section, based on an outlined program curriculum. Standards are developed on skills-based progressions through an established awards system already in place at HOC. Instructors are expected to teach classes that are age-appropriate, productive, and fun. This includes being prepared to teach in a variety of weather conditions (rainy day programs). Every week Counsellors are also responsible for writing personal evaluations on each camper they teach during the week. Counsellors are responsible for teaching campers the safety requirements of each program ensuring that all participants use equipment properly and follow safety standards.
Counsellors have long but rewarding work days with their campers. Therefore, Counsellors have the largest impact on individual campers and their camp experience. To maintain a high standard of care Counsellors are responsible for teaching and enforcing the HOC Principles of Respect to campers including safety expectations of camp and camp activities.
DAILY / WEEKLY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide supervision to campers while at camp during meals, activities, free time, evening, and overnight.
- Provide one-on-one support to campers.
- Help plan and execute camp-wide activities with campers.
- Additional camper supervision when scheduled (bus supervision, out-trips, etc).
- Assist activity instructors with supervision and instruction daily (2 hours).
- Directly supervise a single cabin group of 8-12 campers and cooperatively an entire section of 20-40 campers.
ALL STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
- All staff are required to deliver every day our Brand Promise “Best Summer Of Your Life” in each camper and staff interaction. Guided by our four core principles, Community, Leadership, Accountability, and Performance.
- All staff are expected to abide by and enforce camp guidelines of respect. These are the rules and expectations of behaviour implemented to maintain a fun and safe camp environment.
- All staff are responsible for the safety and security of each camper in their care. Staff are to follow prescribed program standards and lesson plans in order to ensure the highest level of care and instruction.
- Attendance for all staff to the June orientation week training is mandatory. This training period is where each staff will receive essential employment information and training for a successful summer experience.
- Participation in camp-wide special events (Evening Programs, All Camp Activities, Campfires, and Friday Finale) and weekly meetings are an expectation of all staff members.
- The dynamic nature of summer camp demands each staff understand that additional duties may be assigned as required.
SUMMER BENEFITS AND TIME OFF
- Room & Board Provided.
- Weekly Staff Hockey (schedule dependent) & Water Skiing.
- Staff working a full eight-week contract period are entitled to one weekend off (Friday after daily duties to Sunday evening programs).
- Time off weekly - Tuesday or Wednesday evening (in-house) & Saturday evening (2 in-house Staff Socials + 4 opportunities to sign-out and leave camp property).
- Time off daily - depending on section schedules.
- Access to program and recreation equipment.
- The chance to work in a close knit supportive community that values staff health and wellness, creativity, and employee success.
The opportunity to develop life skills, applicable to multi-faceted career opportunities. - An experience that will last a lifetime.
EMPLOYMENT PERIOD
Staff Orientation / Training: TBD
Employment Period: July 2, 2023 – August 26, 2023
Optional Employment: Week #9 August 27 – September 2, 2023
Wages: Summer wages vary depending on age, qualifications and experience of applicants. Room and board are included.
RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS
- A minimum of 16 years of age and currently enrolled in Grade 11 or higher.
- Genuine interest in working with children.
- Experience teaching and communicating to children of varied ages. Specific camp experience an asset.
- Minimum of Bronze Cross swimming qualification (NL preferred).
- Current certificate of Emergency First Aid and CPR.
- Respect in Sport certification.
- Must be enthusiastic, energetic, and positive.
- Must be willing to take part in camp related activities outside the defined job description.