Job Title: Teammate Support Counsellor
Reports To: Counselling Director/Counselling Coordinator- PCR
Number of Positions Available: 2
The Teammate Support Counsellor plays an essential role in providing an inclusive and unforgettable camp experience for campers who require additional support during their time at HOC. These campers attend through HOC’s Teammate Support Program, which is dedicated to ensuring all youth can thrive in our summer camp environment.
This role is ideal for individuals with an interest or background in working with youth with special needs. The Teammate Support Counsellor is responsible for ensuring a safe, engaging, and positive camp experience for their assigned camper(s) while promoting independence, confidence, and participation in all aspects of camp life.
As with all Counsellors, this position requires a wide range of personal and professional skills — including strong communication, empathy, and adaptability. Supporting a camper who requires additional assistance calls for a heightened level of patience, attention to detail, and responsibility, particularly in areas such as health, safety, personal care, and social integration.
The Teammate Support Counsellor also models and reinforces HOC’s Principles of Respect, helping their camper understand and follow camp expectations and safety guidelines. This includes promoting positive peer interactions, proper equipment use, and active participation in daily activities.
Through compassion, creativity, and leadership, the Teammate Support Counsellor helps ensure that every camper feels included, supported, and capable of making meaningful connections and memories at HOC.
DAILY / WEEKLY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Read and understand each camper’s needs profile before arrival and during the camp session to identify and plan for each camper’s needs and the level of support required.
- Meet with parents/guardians upon arrival to camp, to further discuss any concerns and needs of the camper(s).
- Create a weekly schedule/support plan per camper, according to their individual needs and level of support required.
- Collaborate with campers to ensure they are a part of the decision-making process.
- Assist fellow Counsellors & Section Heads in implementing each camper's plan.
- Complete check-in phone call for all assigned Teammate campers during their week (Tuesday evening).
- Work with assigned campers throughout the week, to ensure their camp experience is a positive one, providing support where and when necessary.
- Adapt games and activities, where needed, to ensure full camper participation and encourage camp staff and cabin group input whenever possible.
- Take proper care of any adaptive equipment provided by HOC.
- Encourage social interactions between campers in the section and within camp implementing co-operative activities and games to facilitate this process.
- Act as a contributing member of each Section (when assigned to the section), addressing other camper behaviour and negative actions when required.
- Provide additional supervision to campers when necessary (could include meals, evening programs, activities, and overnight).
- Adhere to HOC’s privacy and confidentiality policy.
- Use person-first language, emphasizing discussion of similarities rather than differences.
- Refrain from discussions of the camper in front of them or in the presence of other campers.
- Assist the Parent Representative in communicating openly and positively with parents, including on check-in day, and at various times throughout the week.
- Deal immediately and effectively with teasing, bullying and the use of negative words, etc.
- Be open to feedback and follow suggestions from HOC Staff regarding participation, integration and inclusion concerns.
- Report and document all incidents and/or accidents involving campers supported through a Daily Behaviour Log.
- This position may be adjusted to a Cabin Counsellor role as needed, based on enrollment.
- May be required to complete additional online job-specific training.
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 the 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 to ensure the highest level of care and instruction.
- Attendance for all staff at the June orientation week training is mandatory. This training period is where each staff member will receive essential employment information and training for a successful summer experience.
- Participation in camp-wide special events (All Camps, Friday Finale, Evening Programs) and weekly meetings is an expectation of all staff members.
- The dynamic nature of summer camp demands that each staff member 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 Discover HOC).
- Time off weekly - Tuesday or Wednesday evening (in-house) & Saturday evening.
- 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: June 28, 2026 – August 22, 2026
Optional Employment: Week #9 August 23 – 29, 2026
Wages: Summer wages vary depending on age, qualifications and experience of applicants. Room and board are included.
QUALIFICATIONS/CERTIFICATIONS
Qualifications:
- Minimum 18 years of age.
- Strong interest in working with children with special needs.
- Experience engaging and communicating with children of varied ages and abilities (camp experience an asset).
- Enthusiastic, energetic, positive, and able to work both independently and as part of a team.
- Willingness to participate in activities beyond primary responsibilities.
Certifications:
- Bronze Cross (NL preferred).
- Emergency First Aid and CPR.
- Respect in Sport certification.