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Camp Counselor

YMCA Alexandria | Alexandria, VA

Posted Date 2/20/2025
Description

FIND YOUR PLACE AT THE Y…  BE A CAMP COUNSELOR THIS SUMMER.

Summer camp…adventure, friends, and fun. The Y invites you to join us for an amazing summer that is so much more than a job.
 
Position: Camp Counselor          Salary: $14.00-15.50
 
The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is currently hiring Summer Camp Counselors. Working at the Y, you will create exciting and impactful experiences for campers, build connections with your peers and Y professionals, expand your leadership skills, and have fun! This is a seasonal position for the months of June through August 2025 with mandatory training starting May 2025. 
 
Some of the exciting things you will do as a Camp Counselor: 

  • Create a place for campers to have fun, learn, explore, and make new friends
  • Lead a group of campers in the Y camp program
  • Assist team members with planning events
  • Promote good personal relationships
  • Plan and lead activities 
  • Support a safe and healthy environment for all campers
  • Interact with the campers at all times, participating in activities alongside the campers
  • Assist with and participate in all camp-wide activities and special events
  • Support the program goals of the Y
  • Participate in staff trainings and meetings as required
What you need to be a Camp Counselor:
  • Be able to work from the week before camp begins for training to the end of the final week of the season
  • High school graduate
  • 18 years of age
  • Willing to participate in training to obtain CPR and First Aid Certification
  • Clear the local jurisdiction requirements for criminal background and/or fingerprinting
  • Meet the county/state licensing requirements
  • Prior experience in supervision of children or one season’s experience as a junior counselor or have completed the CIT program
  • Skilled in teaching a variety of crafts, songs, stories, games, sports, aquatics and related camp activities
  • Able to effectively communicate with children and parents
  • Understand and be committed to working with diverse population and to Y character development
Physical requirements:
  • Must be able to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time
  • Must be physically active to play games and sports with the children
  • Must be able to pick-up at least 35 pounds
  • Must have visual acuity to observe all children
  • Documentation of physical examination and TB skin test
We offer the following benefits: 
  • Competitive compensation
  • Free Y membership
  • 403(b) savings plan
  • Exciting and collaborative work environment
  • Ability to work with creative, talented and diverse individuals!

The YMCA of Metropolitan Washington is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. 

Basic Function and Scope of Responsibility: 

  • Provides leadership to a group of children in the day camp program 

 

Supervisory Responsibility: 

X No Supervisory responsibility   

¨ Provides guidance, leadership, or training to other employees (no direct supervision)  

¨ Directly responsible for supervising non-exempt, clerical, or office administration personnel 

¨ Directly responsible for supervising exempt, professional, or technical employees 

¨ Directly responsible for supervising supervisory/managerial employees 

 

Organizational Structure: 

Job title to which this position reports: Camp Director or Assistant Camp Director 

Job titles directly reporting to this position: None 

Job titles indirectly reporting to this position: None 

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:  

  • Assists other staff members with planning and carrying out activities with a particular small group 

  • Promotes good personal relationships, teaches planned activities, and stays alert to potential health or safety dangers to campers 

  • Supports the Camp Director in planning and leading camp activities  

  • Ensures all supplies and program needs are available at the time necessary for the campers and ensures that the camp site is clean and neat when activities are over 

  • Attends all staff trainings, staff meetings, and participates in family events and activities 

  • Responsible for the health and safety of the campers; conduct hourly head counts throughout the day and in accordance with the Day Care/Day Camp Policy 

  • Interacts with the children at all times, taking part in each activity in which the children are involved 

  • Assists and participates in all camp-wide activities and special events 

  • Encourages respect for personal property, camp equipment, and facilities 

  • Write and follow a weekly lesson plan that has been pre-approved by Camp Director 

  • Maintains good public relations with parents 

  • Supports the program goals of the YMCA as a whole and the branch in particular 

  • Other duties as required 

 

Customer Service Standards: 

Staff Engagement: 

  • I will greet all children with a smile and by name 

  • I will provide ongoing feedback on the child’s progress and development 

  • I will be proactive and responsive to parents needs when concerns occur with their child. 

Facility Excellence: 

  • I will provide a safe and clean environment for all kids 

  • I will be knowledgeable about the other service area programs and offerings. 

Show: 

  • I will be proactive and responsive to parents needs when concerns occur with their child 

  • I will build lasting positive relationships with parents and their kids 

 

Education, Certification, Skills, and Experience: 

  • High school diploma 

  • Must be 18 years of age 

  • Current CPR and First Aid Certification 

  • Documentation of physical examination and TB skin test 

  • Clear the local jurisdiction requirements for criminal background and/or fingerprinting 

  • Must meet the county/state licensing requirements 

  • Prior experience in supervision of children or one season’s experience as a junior counselor or have completed the CIT program 

  • Skilled in teaching a variety of crafts, songs, stories, games, sports, aquatics and related camp activities 

  • Must be able to effectively communicate with children and parents 

  • Must understand and be committed to working with diverse population and to YMCA character development 

  • Complete Training for: 

  • Blood Borne Pathogens 

  • Facility Orientation 

  • Child Care Policy/Prevention of child abuse 

  • Day Camp Policies 

  • Staff/Parent Handbook 

  • Camp Curriculum 

  • Emergency Procedures 

* The YMCA requires that all camp staff attend a minimum of 21 hours of training prior to the start of summer camp and that it be documented in personnel files. 

 

YMCA Leadership Certification: 

N/A 

 

Working Conditions: 

  • Must be able to work from the week before camp begins for training to the end of the final week of the season 

  • Must be able to stand or sit for prolonged periods of time 

  • Must be physically active to play games and sports with the children 

  • Must be able to pick-up at least 35 pounds 

  • Must have visual acuity to observe all children 
Salary14.00 - 15.50 Hour
Job Type
Seasonal

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