Camp Counselor

Bay Cliff Health Camp

Camp Counselors are responsible for the overall 24-hour care, safety, and well-being of the children in their cabin/unit.  The number of campers assigned to a Cabin Counselor will vary, depending on the needs of the campers.  Roving Counselors support all campers in the unit and are assigned to a cabin group within the unit when a Cabin Counselor has the day off, or as the need arises.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Must be:

• at least 18 years of age.
• dependable and mature.
• positive, enthusiastic, and patient.
• able to work independently.
• able to work as a member of a team.
• an effective problem solver.
• adaptable and flexible.
• attentive to details.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

Ability to:

• carry out all physical requirements for Bay Cliff Health Camp Safety Plan.
• move safely across uneven surfaces.
• sit/stand for long periods of time.
• transport light to moderate objects short distances.
• lift light objects from one level to another.
• make healthy decisions to promote physical and emotional stamina.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Guide campers in participating safely and successfully in all aspects of camp activities from morning to evening and through the night.
• Learning and understanding different forms of communication (verbal, non-verbal, and AAC devices)
• Provide a positive, nurturing cabin environment that encourages & motivates children to work toward therapy and social/behavioral goals.
• Guide campers in maintaining appropriate hygiene, manners, social behavior and interpersonal behavior in relationships with peers and adults.
• Accompany campers to and from all meals and sit with them to encourage healthy eating habits (appropriate portion sizes, manners, etc.), facilitate conversation, and be responsible for their behavior at the table.
• Accompany campers to and from all scheduled therapy sessions.
• Accompany your group to, and assist with, daily activity classes (Nature, Arts and Crafts, Performing Arts, Recreation, and Aquatics).
• Organize and supervise daily cabin clean-up. The counselor is responsible for the appearance of his/her cabin at all times.
• Plan and organize alternative recreational and leisure time activities to structure your campers’ free time when they are not in therapy or activities.
• Provide supervision during assigned Rest Counsel; these duties are assigned on a rotation basis.
• Accompany and participate with your group to the planned evening activities.
• Keep weekly logs with descriptive notes of campers' behavior.
• Support the Unit Leader and other counselors in forming and maintaining a cohesive unit.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Counselors are invited to periodically visit their camper's therapy sessions and work with therapists to provide “carry-over” activities where appropriate.
• Set reasonable short-term goals with each camper. These could be social, behavioral, educational, personal care, or therapy-related goals.
• Attend and contribute, by invitation, to camper problem-solving meetings if/when your campers are involved.
• Write mid-camp and end-of-camp reports on each camper, under the direction of the Unit Leader and Children’s Services Director (Roving counselors do not write camper reports).
• Participate in campouts and cookouts with your campers.
• Share responsibility for all unit activities, including campouts, the unit show, special events, and all other camp functions.
• Other duties as assigned by the Unit Leader, or camp administration.