17100 Quaker Lane
Sandy Spring, MD 20860
301-774-7663
brian@bymcamps.org
Summer Camp Counselors
Job Responsibilities Include
Leading Others
Lead activities:
- Work collaboratively to organize and lead a variety of small and large group activities each session.
- Activities may include crafts, art, nature, singing, games, swimming, rock climbing, hiking, canoeing, etc.
- Plan and carry out safe, challenging and invigorating multi-day wilderness backpacking or canoeing trips.
- Demonstrate creativity and innovation in designing and developing camp activities.
- Be on time for meals, meetings, returning from days off, etc.
- Lead chores with enthusiasm and fun.
Modeling behavior:
- Cultivate a camper’s spirit and a love of play—within yourself and others.
- Provide space and encouragement to let campers be leaders.
- Model flexibility and resilience when plans shift due to unforeseen circumstances.
Communication and Teamwork:
- Communicate regularly and clearly with campers, co-counselors, director, and other camp staff.
- Work with Quaker process and business practice to make collective decisions in regular staff meetings for planning, logistics, and community support.
- Solve problems proactively and collaboratively.
- Give and take constructive criticism.
Safety and Wellness
Physical Safety of Campers:
- Knowing and understanding all emergency procedures associated with the camp program; knowing, enforcing, and following all safety guidelines associated with the camp and all program areas.
- Being responsible for campers’ safety and their whereabouts at all times and providing a safe place and source of protection for children.
Health and Hygiene:
- Be attentive to the health and hygiene of the campers.
- Ensure that the site is kept clean and organized.
Emotional Wellness:
- Identify and respond to camper emotional and behavioral issues.
- Be aware of and take care of your own needs.
Creating Community
Respect and Sensitivity to Others:
- Demonstrate inclusiveness and respect for diversity.
- Empower each other (staff) and campers to express their individuality within the structure of the community.
- Be flexible in leadership style, tailoring to fit individual camper needs.
Actively Engage:
- Assume responsibility for the community by actively engaging in solving problems.
- Demonstrate enthusiasm for camp activities by playing, working, and creating with campers (rather than only supervising) and encourage others to join activities.
- Engaging with other adults in the community such as camper’s family members, as well as kitchen, medical, and maintenance staff.
Promote an Eco-Centric Environment:
- Demonstrate and encourage interest in nature, sustainability, and care for the environment.
- Embrace and celebrate an “unplugged” culture that centers around human interactions and the wonder of nature rather than focusing on technology.
Provide Opportunities for Growth:
- Maintain a youth-centric attitude that allows each camper to feel loved, supported, encouraged, and celebrated.
- Help challenge each member of the community physically, mentally and emotionally. Push or respect boundaries, as appropriate.
- Be open to personal growth.
Demonstrate Emotional and Self-Awareness:
- Set and maintain clear, appropriate boundaries with campers.
- Seek emotional and physical support from other staff members, not campers.
- Be open to learning about yourself, cultivating your own spiritual growth, as well as teaching and guiding others.
- Ask for and accept help.
Required Qualifications
- Enthusiasm to lead, plan, organize, and implement engaging program activities
- Ability to work as a member of a team and the ability to accomplish tasks with little direct supervision
- Respect for and appreciation of young people
- Commitment to abide by and enforce camp regulations including policies on youth safety, drug, alcohol and tobacco use
- Upon hire, completion of First Aid and CPR certification (training provided by program)
- Good judgment
- Willingness to take direction from Directors and Administrative Staff as necessary in fulfillment of job duties
- Sense of adventure and ability to live rustically
Desired Skills and Experiences
- Education classes or experience in camp, youth programs, recreation, working with children, or in a related field
- Strong organizational and communication skills
- Interest and experience with wilderness skills, games, music, and arts activities (visual, theater, etc.
- Experience engaging in community with people from a wide variety of backgrounds
Physical Demands
- Counselors lead and participate in camp activities which include, but are not limited to, hiking, canoeing, swimming, team building initiatives, physical games, and activities.
Reports to:
- The Camp Director(s)