Village Leader and Department Head

Directly responsible to: Program Directors & Assistant Director

Part of Bishopswood’s Leadership Team.

A Village Leader is responsible for the smooth running of her or his village. A village consists of a group of girls’ cabins and a group of boys’ cabins. A Village Leader builds this group of counselors into a team who support each other in their work. The Village Leader makes sure that counselors form their campers into an effective group. The Village Leader also helps counselors to understand the details of their jobs and see that they perform them. The Village Leader helps them evaluate their performance and makes suggestions for improvements. The Village Leader is sensitive to the needs of counselors, and is available for counselors to talk to as concerns arise.

Village Leaders prepare for their job during Leadership Training. During Staff Week they are responsible for planning and leading numerous village meetings. The Village Leader is also responsible for weekly unit meetings throughout the summer. Village Leaders meet on a weekly basis with the Camp Director and/or Assistant Director.

Specific responsibilities include:

• Help Cabin Groups with cookout meals.
• Support counselors and help them plan meaningful morning and evening devotions.
• Plan Village Times which includes games, songs, and fun.
• Have daily contact with counselors in the village to check on progress.
• Meet individually with counselors throughout the summer for evaluation purposes.
• Enforces rules, policies, and values of Bishopswood.
• Support in the planning implementation of ACA programs and camp wide games.
• Hold weekly meetings with unit to discuss past and upcoming weeks.
• Accept responsibility for driving camp passenger and service vehicles as assigned.
• Get to know all campers.
• Lead ACGN when appropriate.
• Communicate with parents when appropriate.
• Office duty.
• Responsible for positive experience of all campers and counselors in their village while at Bishopswood.
• Create a meaningful program within the general goals of the camp for their particular department. An
  outline for this program should be submitted to Camp by POOP Week.
• Effectively train a staff to carry out this program.
• Consult with the Camp Director on matters concerning the department (i.e. staff, facilities, program, and
  purchases).
• Insuring that proper care is used concerning the department facilities and equipment.
• Consult with the Director in ordering supplies before the season begins.
• Prepare a written evaluation of department at the end of the season which includes an inventory and
  suggestions for future purchases.
• Personally teach some classes each week — as a role model for counselors and as a means of maintaining
  contact with campers.
• Keep department very clean.