What are the responsibilities and job description for the Camp Counselor position at YWCA York?
Position Summary
The Camp Counselor is responsible for providing a safe, engaging, and supportive camp experience for all campers. Counselors supervise and actively participate in daily activities, promote positive behavior, and serve as role models while ensuring children's physical and emotional well-being. This role requires enthusiasm, responsibility, and the ability to foster inclusion, teamwork, and personal growth in a structured camp environment.
All YWCA York employees are expected to commit to fostering a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and mission-aligned workplace culture that supports the YWCA’s values of eliminating racism and empowering women.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinates daily activities for the assigned group and the weekly Camper’s Choice group.
- Maintains lesson plans aligned with camp themes and the curriculum.
- Plan individual and group activities to stimulate growth in language, social, and motor skills, such as learning to follow instructions, playing with others, and using play equipment, in accordance with the policies and philosophy of the YWCA. Use developmentally appropriate practices consistent with the expectations of the National After School Association (NAA).
- Participates with and supervises children at all times.
- Alternates periods of strenuous activity with periods of rest or light activity to avoid overstimulation and fatigue.
- Conducts a daily health check of each child; instructs children in practices of personal cleanliness, dressing, and self-care.
- Helps children develop habits of caring for their own clothing and belongings and of picking up and putting away toys and supplies.
- Provides children with experiences that build self-esteem, encourage self-reliance, and help each child function cooperatively in a group.
- Provides children with experiences that build a sense of curiosity, an appreciation of the natural world, and respect for the environment around us.
- Confers with and maintains a positive relationship with parents, and communicates necessary information professionally.
- Confers with and maintains a positive relationship with other staff members, and communicates necessary information professionally.
- Serves meals and refreshments to children under Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) regulations.
- Submits timely reports, timesheets, and statistics.
- Keeps camp environment interesting, safe, and clean. Reports maintenance and safety concerns to the Director, as needed.
- Performs general housekeeping tasks.
- Attends parent meetings, special events, and all staff meetings.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Education & Experience
- Must be at least 18 years old
- A high school diploma or a general educational development certificate
- Ability to provide documented 2,500 hours of child care experience
- Preference given to college students studying in the education field, individuals with experience working with children, and persons who have or are willing to obtain Lifeguard certification.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Strong interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills
- High level of discretion, confidentiality, and cultural competency
- Ability to manage multiple priorities
- Complete the following trainings: Fire Safety Training; Emergency Safety Training; Food Program Training; and Water Safety Training
- Maintain current CPR and First Aid certification
YWCA York Requirements
- Must support the YWCA mission to eliminate racism and empower women
- Clearances required: PA Criminal Background Check, Child Abuse Clearance, FBI Fingerprinting (or waiver affidavit)
- Completion of Mandated Reporter Training within 90 days of hire
- Work well with staff and volunteers.
- Work scheduled hours every day.
Work Environment & Physical Demands
- This position operates in a professional environment
- Occasionally may need to lift supplies up to 20 pounds
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive salary commensurate with experience
- Medical, dental, vision, and retirement plan options
- Paid time off, paid holidays, and family-friendly workplace practices
- Professional development and training opportunities
YWCA York is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). We celebrate diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and seek employees who represent the clients and community we serve. Therefore, we strongly encourage women, people of color, multilingual individuals, LGBTQIA individuals, people with disabilities, members of ethnic minorities, foreign-born residents, and veterans to apply.