Overview

The Brooklyn Cultural Adventures Program (BCAP) is seeking hard-working, self-directed, team-players with energy and enthusiasm who love working with children, and who are interested in one or more of the following: education, culture, the arts, the outdoors, animals, plants, nature, literature, history, science, technology, or recreation; and having fun! BCAP Summer Camp is a national award-winning day camp serving youth ages 7– 12, based on a collaboration of six neighboring cultural institutions: Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn Children’s Museum, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Public Library, Prospect Park Alliance, and Prospect Park Zoo. BCAP Interns work alongside a team of counselors in supervising and engaging campers during our six-week summer program. Each day, groups take two trips where they take part in fun, hands-on activities with educators at the partner institutions. Qualified applicants who have graduated from high school by June 2024 are invited to apply.

Responsibilities

• Work in a team of 4-5 experienced staff: Head Counselor (HC), Senior Group Counselor, Group Counselor, and you:
  • Lead by example with energy and enthusiasm, using best practices
  • Work with counselors to identify strengths, build skills and experience, and take on responsibilities
  • Promote a positive community, high morale, and family-like environment for the whole staff
  • Take an active role in making a smooth-operating and supportive team
• Help lead and supervise your group of 23 children
  • Ensure physical and emotional health and safety of campers
  • Build and maintain a positive, fun learning community for all campers
  • Promote and model friendship, inclusion, and tolerance; curiosity and love of learning
  • Take an active role in all aspects of the camp day, including: activity periods; bathroom and drink breaks; AM, lunch, and PM activities; transitions and traveling; special activity periods and events; and everything in between
  • Help keep your group on schedule
  • Individualize your approach to each unique camper
  • Take an active role in group management, using positive and preventative management strategies, and consistent discipline procedures, following the lead of your Head Counselor
• Contribute to the positive experience of the whole family by greeting parents and campers warmly, and impressing all those who see our camp
• Communicate regularly with your HC about your experiences and progress towards your goals; Seek support from your HC or the Directors with questions and concerns
• Actively engage in camp activities at the partner institutions. (E.g. Lead small groups during activities, help distribute materials, show interest and enthusiasm in the material, provide positive reinforcement, model behavior, lead discussions, ask campers questions.)
• Utilize free time productively with fun games and meaningful activities that enhance the summer experience and nurture unity; Help campers make connections between, and meaning from, their learning experiences
• Help supervise during Stay and Play after-camp one evening a week from 3:45-6pm
• Prep, lead, and clean up an activity station each morning from 8:00-8:45.
• Retrieve and distribute snacks each afternoon at 3:00.
• Co-plan and co-lead a 90-minute “counselor’s choice” activity period on the BCAP campus with support from team. Repeat once per session (3 times).
• Help implement camper and parent surveys and record the resulting data.
• Model behavior consistent with BCAP standards and camp culture at all times

Qualifications

• Enthusiasm for working with children and community/cultural institutions
• Must be 18 years of age or older with high school diploma, or have graduated from high school by June 2024
• Related college/career interest preferred (e.g. education, youth, cultural institutions, etc.)
• Experience working with children
• Must enjoy working in a team
• Able to maintain a high energy level and positive attitude on a daily basis over a long term period
• Be punctual and self-directed; able to jump in and find roles and tasks without being asked; eager to help out
• Able to address group needs, and solve problems that arise on the fly
• Able to model positive communication and foster understanding among diverse audience served by camp
• Friendly and considerate of all people and places around you, such as parents, museum staff, public visitors
• Creative, flexible, patient, enthusiastic, eager to learn
• Balance of fun and approachable, and responsible and authoritative
• Able to travel up to 2.5 miles a day on the BCAP campus; Lift and carry camp supplies short distances
• Pre-employment background check required (provided by BPL)

This is a seasonal/temporary position from June 24 - August 9, 2024

(Monday - Friday) 40 hour per week, $16/hr.