Camp Counselor - NEW - Summer-Resident | YMCA Camp Seafarer

POSITION SUMMARY:

YMCA Camp Sea Gull and YMCA Camp Seafarer are premier overnight camps located on the coast of North Carolina. Since 1948, the camps have provided young people with opportunities to build confidence, develop independence, strengthen leadership skills, and create lifelong friendships through waterfront adventure, camp traditions, skill development, and community living.

Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer offer a wide variety of traditional camp experiences, including cabin life, sailing, powerboating, paddle sports, aquatics, outdoor recreation, leadership development, and specialty programs designed to help campers grow socially, emotionally, and physically. Through these experiences, campers develop resilience, character, and a sense of belonging while living the YMCA values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

Camp staff live and work alongside campers in a residential camp environment and play a critical role in creating a safe, inclusive, and memorable summer experience. Through their daily interactions, staff help campers build character, develop new skills, and grow in confidence while living the YMCA values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility.

Depending on assignment, staff may supervise campers, lead activities, support camp operations, provide childcare, deliver health services, or serve in leadership roles. Staff are responsible for creating a safe, fun, and inclusive environment while serving as positive role models for campers and fellow staff members.

Successful staff members demonstrate flexibility, teamwork, sound judgment, and a willingness to contribute to the overall success of the camp community. All staff are expected to actively support camper development, program quality, risk management practices, and the shared responsibilities of residential camp life.

EXAMPLES OF POSITIONS AVAILABLE:

Junior Counselor Supports cabin life, camper supervision, daily routines, and activity participation while developing leadership skills under the guidance of experienced staff.

Senior Counselor Provides direct supervision and mentorship to campers, builds positive cabin culture, supports camper growth and development, and assists with assigned program activities.

Senior-in-Charge Serves as the primary leader for a cabin or camper group by coordinating daily routines, supporting counselors, responding to camper needs, and maintaining safety and accountability.

Unit Administration Provides leadership for a camper unit, age group, or program area. Supports staff supervision, camper management, scheduling, communication, and daily camp operations.

Executive Team Provides camp-wide leadership and operational support. Responsibilities may include staff supervision, program oversight, risk management, logistics, camper support, and special projects.

Activity and Program Staff Teach and lead specialized programs including sailing, powerboating, aquatics, paddle sports, athletics, creative arts, golf, tennis, target sports, climbing, and other program areas based on certifications, experience, and camp needs.

Operations Team Supports dining services, camp store operations, transportation, facilities support, event logistics, equipment management, and other operational functions necessary to support daily camp life.

Nanny/Childcare staff (Sunfish Counselor)

Provide nurturing, developmentally appropriate care and supervision for children of designated camp leadership and health services staff.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Participate in all required staff training, orientation programs, and pre-camp preparation activities.

• Provide active supervision to ensure the safety, well-being, and positive development of campers.

• Serve as a positive role model and consistently demonstrate YMCA values.

• Build meaningful relationships with campers and staff while fostering an inclusive and welcoming community.

• Lead or support assigned activities, programs, events, and camper experiences.

• Follow all camp policies, child protection standards, emergency procedures, and risk management practices.

• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries and uphold camper privacy and confidentiality.

• Support campers' social, emotional, physical, and personal growth.

• Work cooperatively with staff members to create a positive camp experience.

• Assist with camp-wide responsibilities, meal service, evening programs, special events, setup, cleanup, and other operational needs.

• Maintain assigned facilities, equipment, and program areas.

• Adapt to changing schedules, staffing needs, weather conditions, and operational priorities.

• Complete all required annual trainings related to safety, compliance, and child protection as assigned.

• Perform all other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Must meet the minimum age requirement for the assigned position.

• Experience working with children, youth, groups, or outdoor programs preferred.

• Demonstrated ability to serve as a positive role model for youth.

• Strong interpersonal, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain professionalism in a residential camp environment.

• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.

• Ability to complete all required onboarding requirements, certifications, screenings, and training prior to employment.

• Current certifications, licenses, or credentials required for specific assignments, when applicable.

• Availability to work required camp dates. Preference may be given to applicants available for the full season.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those required to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Residential camp environment requiring staff to live and work within a close-knit community throughout the summer season.

• Work schedules may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, overnight responsibilities, and extended workdays.

• Frequent interaction with campers, families, volunteers, and staff in cabins, program areas, waterfront environments, dining facilities, offices, and outdoor spaces.

• Frequent work outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, wind, sun exposure, and insects.

• Frequent standing, walking, bending, reaching, climbing, lifting, carrying, and participation in physically active programs and activities.

• Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds.

• Ability to respond appropriately during emergencies and maintain composure in a fast-paced, high-energy environment.

• Regular exposure to waterfront environments, outdoor recreation spaces, uneven terrain, noise, and environmental elements.

• Cabin-based positions may reside in shared camper housing or other camp-provided accommodations.

• Regular use of camp equipment, vehicles, phones, computers, and other technology as required by assignment.

• Some positions require travel between camp facilities, program locations, medical facilities, airports, or off-site events.

• Staff assigned driving responsibilities must possess a valid driver's license, maintain an acceptable driving record, and meet all YMCA insurance and vehicle operation requirements.

• Personal phone use may be restricted during working hours and while supervising campers in accordance with camp policies.

• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.