Youth Leader Counselor (ages 11-14) - Camp Q (Wakefield)

The Youth Leader Counselor will assist students entering grades 6th through 8th on their skills as young leaders. The person in this role is also responsible for role modeling with younger campers, promoting social responsibility by collaborating with local businesses and organizations, using community outreach to gain exposure to real life working experiences, character building, and creating a positive overall camp experience.

Key Responsibilities

• Emphasizes personal safety and emotional well-being with campers, parents and other camp personnel at all times. Camper safety is a top priority.
• Interprets the quality of YMCA values to campers, CIT's, parents and staff. Must be a positive role model. Develops appropriate relationships with all campers in their care. Understands, establishes, and abides by appropriate boundaries.
• Plans and implements recreational and educational programs that emphasize group participation with an appropriate amount of choice.
• Uses positive, constructive methods of discipline/positive reinforcement, and ensures that all staff does the same.
• Communicates respectfully, openly and effectively with all staff, parents and children.
• Assists pool staff during daily swim instruction and aids lifeguards during free swim time.
• Keeps daily attendance records for assigned group. Stays alert to camper needs by practicing active listening.
• Reports all accidents and unusual incidents immediately to appropriate supervisors and completes necessary documentation.
• Communicates program information, problems, and concerns as they occur.
• Assists with planning and implementing of daily camp activities, camp special events and Family Night activities.
• Actively participates in all aspects of camp daily leadership schedule including openings, closings, and extended hours.
• Attends all staff meetings and training sessions. Becomes familiar with training materials and actively incorporates them in their day to day interactions and work with campers.
• Maintains and cares for all program areas and supplies. Ensures that campers treat all equipment, supplies, and camp property responsibly.
• Performs other duties as required by supervisor (remains flexible). Demonstrates a willingness to help where needed and actively seeks to develop oneself.
• Abides by the established YMCA/DPH/ACA day camp policies, procedures, regulations, and guidelines and asks when in doubt.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Must be at least 21 years of age and have a passion for working with and nurturing children.
• Experience working with children (youth programs, camp settings or related field); understand the needs of children.
• Must have the physical ability to lead and participate in all physical camp games and activities.
• Works in a busy indoor environment; leads outside activities as well.
• May be expected to be in the water during all swim periods.
• Must demonstrate cultural sensitivity and utilize effective communication skills.
• Possesses a knowledge of group process – collaborative style of working within a team.
• Must possess current First Aid, Oxygen, and CPR certifications and as required by the specific camp; or successfully complete YMCA provided First Aid, CPR, Child Abuse/Sexual Abuse Prevention Training upon hire.
• 7D license recommended to assist with transportation to and from camp and on field trips.
• Must be available up to 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday for a 9 hour shift with a one hour break between the hours of 8:00am-5:00pm.
• Must be available for overtime as necessary.