Counselor - Apachi Day Camp (Elaine Frank Apachi)

Apachi Day Camp offers a breathtaking array of classes, activities, field trips, and special days. But it’s our staff—cultivating cooperation, kindness, and friendship—who build the foundation of our community. As a team, we continue to challenge ourselves: how can we make each day unforgettable? How can we bring our campers closer together? We know we’ve done our job if our campers never want the day to end, never want the summer to be over and never want to lose the feeling they belong —just the way they are.

JCC Chicago is on the lookout for warm, enthusiastic, and patient individuals interested in being camp counselors. Junior and Senior counselors are individuals looking to develop career-building skills such as leadership, communication, problem-solving and relationship management abilities. If you are looking for a way to create exciting experiences and heartwarming memories that last a lifetime, gain valuable career-building skills and be able to spend your summer with 100 new best friends, JCC is the place for you!

Dates:

Employee Orientation: June 8-June 12, 2026

Camp Dates: June 15 - August 7, 2026 (no camp July 3)

Camp Hours: 8:45 – 3:45 daily weekdays

Key Essential Job Duties:

• Move around with children at their pace and be actively involved with children rather than just watching them.
• Supervise children, always keeping them in sight and sound.
• Be in a swimming pool up to one hour, observing and supervising children while in the water.
• Ability to assist in getting children on and off the bus and or cars.
• Able to ride on bus for a field trip and or bus route.
• Possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of children ages 3 – 12 years old.
• Clearly and effectively communicate in a manner that children understand.
• Plan and implement activities to meet the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social needs of the campers at camp..
• Consistently demonstrate and reinforce the values of caring, respect, honesty, and responsibility.
• Know the difference between appropriate and inappropriate behaviors. Prevent, circumvent, and deal with problem behaviors appropriately and effectively.
• Maintain a sense of calm and perspective with physical and mental alertness during stressful times.
• Ability to run up to 100 yards (in the case of an emergency).
• Able to lift/move children up to 45 lbs.
• Demonstrate physical stamina and agility required to be mobile for long periods throughout the day.
• Move from sitting (chair and floor) to standing position easily and quickly.
• Stand for long periods of time and be able to run and actively engage physically with children.
• Must be able to work outdoors in a variety of weather conditions.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• Staff must be 16 years of age or older.
• Some high school experience required.
• Must have a great attitude.
• Must enjoy working with children.

Compensation:

$2,704-$4,774 Range based on experience and total hours at camp.

JCC Chicago provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, sexual preference, gender identity or expression, marital status, apparent or non-apparent disability, veteran’s status, or unfavorable discharge from military service in accordance with state and federal laws.

Pay: $2,704.00 - $4,774.00 per year

Application Question(s):

• Please formally apply on our online application portal to move forward in the process: https://daycamp.jccchicago.org/work-at-apachi/#apply

Work Location: In person

Salary : $2,704 - $4,774