Job Summary:

The Counselor is responsible for all caregiving responsibilities of their assigned group of campers. Counselors are responsible for providing activity supervision throughout each day along with instruction at chosen program area. Counselors will work as a team with their co-counselors to ensure a fun and safe environment.

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities: (Additional duties as assigned)

• Assist in the direction, supervision, and organization of campers in their living unit, which includes participation in kapers, meals, flag, all-camp activities, unit time, hygiene maintenance, general camp activities, rest time and bedtime.
• Apply basic principles of youth development, connect with the campers and appreciate each camper as their own unique individual, and work with campers to create positive and meaningful relationships utilizing communication, respect and empowerment.
• Work with the campers and co-unit counselors to create a community living environment that is cohesive, positive and uplifting.
• Understanding and administration of lesson plans for any or all of the following activities: archery, canoeing, STEM, outdoor living skills, and arts & crafts. Ensure that activities are age appropriate, progressive, hands on and educational.
• Maintain knowledge about the archery range and its associated emergency action plan.
• Ensure proper safety procedures during all activities, and activate the emergency action plan when necessary.
• Assist lifeguards at the waterfront in the administration of swimming, boating and sailing.
• Provide supervision as assigned at specialized activities such as sailing and performing arts.
• Assist with weekly camp clean up, including sweeping, mopping, sanitizing, trash pick- up, etc.
• Utilize CPR and First Aid as necessary.
• Interact with campers’ parents in a consistently positive and welcoming manner, utilizing strong customer service skills and maintaining good rapport.
• Welcome campers to their session in a positive, inviting, outgoing and inclusive manner.
• Assist with check-in and check-out procedures.
• Assist with keeping cabin or tent unit and assigned bathroom area clean throughout each session.

• Act as a role model for campers utilizing positive affect and strong leadership skills, and by taking an active role in the camp community, participating enthusiastically in all aspects.
• Maintain campers’ overall health and safety while at camp, ensuring campers receive medication as needed, alerting the Camp Director and Health Supervisor of any issues, and ensuring each campers’ personal health and hygiene needs are met.
• Maintain a working knowledge of general camp safety and hazards, regularly employing the use of risk management tactics and constantly ensuring camper safety.
• Adhere to all COVID-19 protocols required by NYS Department of Health and GSNYPENN.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

The Counselor does not supervise employees, but does supervise the campers.

Minimum Qualification Standards:

• Be at least 17 years of age.
• Believe in the Girl Scout mission.
• Desire to work with children in the outdoors and to immerse one’s self in the outdoor environment.
• Already possess Archery and First Aid/CPR certification or willingness to obtain during camp training.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to manage multiple projects and details simultaneously.
• Possess good character, integrity, patience, sense of humor, enthusiasm, a high level of flexibility, and willingness to be a part of the camp community.
• Ability to work productively in a fast paced, stressful environment.

Physical and Mental Requirements:

Light mental and visual attention required for performing work where there is some variety but actions taken and decisions made are limited to few possibilities. Work requires some coordination with others.

Physical Exertion:

• Exerts up to 50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently or constantly to move objects.
• Walking on uneven terrain, up and down hills for distances up to mile
• Endurance to meet emergency needs
• Ability (and willingness) to live in a camp setting and work irregular hours