Arlington Heights Summer Camp Counselor

FA is focused on growing a vibrant community that shares a passion for climbing and fitness. For more information, please visit www.faclimbing.com, or facebook.com/faclimbing.

Our mission at First Ascent Climbing and Fitness is to share our love of climbing, connect people through movement, and create welcoming, supportive spaces that strengthen minds, bodies, and communities. We offer indoor rock climbing, high-end fitness equipment, classes, personal training, and yoga at each of our locations. FA Climbing & Fitness is a growing company, and we are looking for people that will help us continually get better at what we do as we discover how to best serve our members and visitors. We will look to you to help us be creative, think outside the box, evaluate what works and what does not, and implement changes effectively—and have a blast in the process.

OVERVIEW

First Ascent Climbing & Fitness is seeking a highly motivated and energetic Summer Camp Counselor. First Ascent has a robust summer camp that operates inside of our Youth Recreation program. The program runs 5 days a week for 4 weeks in the summer from June 17-July 25th (no camp July 1-5), serving 20-30 campers ages 7-14. Counselors are responsible for their own group of 4-6 students throughout the camp day, ensuring that campers are safely and appropriately able to move through activities according to the camp schedule. Counselors provide support through daily activities (lunch, breaks, climb times, free times, arts & crafts, games, etc) as well as provide belay lessons, climbing feedback, and running large group games. Counselors are responsible for ensuring students are using best practices for climbing safety, and coordinating with the Head Counselor to ensure that day-to-day operations of summer camp are running smoothly. 

Counselors will arrive at the gym by 8:00am Monday through Friday in order to prepare for camp to begin at 8:30am. The camp day ends at 3:00pm, and counselors should plan to spend 15-30 minutes cleaning up each day. Counselors can expect to work 40 hours a week for the duration of camp. This position will report to the Program Manager. 

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

• Execute daily activities according to camp schedule 

• Ensure camper safety by following camp policies

• Implement creative and flexible changes when necessary to maintain camper engagement and adapt to the needs of the gym

• Report on needs and successes to the Head Counselor

• Independently run daily climbing lessons and activities

• Effectively communicate with co-counselors and head counselor

• Respond to physical and emotional needs of campers

• Assist in setting and cleaning up camp activities

REQUIREMENTS AND/OR EXPERIENCE:

• Applicants must be able to work a minimum of 1 full week of camp - preference will be given to applicants with more than 1 week of availability

• The ideal applicant will have previous experience teaching rock climbing to children

• 1 year of experience working with children, preferably in a camp setting, is preferred but not required

• 6 months or more of personal climbing experience is required

• Ability to pass First Ascent’s belay test at or before camp training days

• High level of energy to match the energy of kids who are always “climbing the walls!”

• Be safety focused and vigilant

• Possess good communication skills with both children and adults

• Be dependable and timely

• Upstanding reputation in the climbing community

PERKS & BENEFITS:

• Seasonal, full time, hourly role with competitive compensation

• Free membership to all First Ascent locations through September of the camp year

• Access to pro-deals

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• Split time between a climate controlled indoor environment and an outdoor environment

• Noise level ranges from moderate to loud

• Employee must be able to concentrate through distraction and communicate effectively

EEO STATEMENT:

FA Climbing and Fitness is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. FA does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, marital status, protective order status, military status, sexual orientation, citizenship status, genetic information, ancestry, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. FA prohibits harassment of any individual on any of the protected characteristics listed above.