Camp Counselor

Job Description

Summary

This position serves as a Camp Counselor of a summer camp for children and youth who are blind or who have low vision.  Camp Counselors must be 18 years old at the beginning of camp.  The main goal of the camp is to provide a fun, safe and educational setting which promotes independence and quality of life for children and adults who are blind or have low vision.  As Camp Counselor, this position is responsible, under the direction of the Camp Director, for the mental, emotional and physical health and well-being of every camper.  Counselors are the primary caregivers for each camper. Counselors are responsible for planning, teaching, coordinating, carrying out activities and guiding campers in their personal growth and daily living skills.  Counselors assist the Program Director in implementation of programming which will help campers and staff learn life skills, social skills, and other skills of independence in a fun encouraging environment. This position reports to the Camp Director.

Specific Responsibilities

  • Assist in the direction, supervision, and organization of campers in their living unit order to meet intended camper outcomes.
  • Apply basic youth development principles in working with campers through positive communication, relationship development, respect for diversity, involvement and empowerment of youth.
  • Assure campers are properly supervised at all times.
  • Be aware of and implement safety guidelines; follow camp rules.
  • Participate in the development and implementation of program activities for campers.
  • Lead and assist with the teaching of activities.
  • Maintain high standards of health and safety in all activities for campers and staff.
  • Provide for the daily care of each camper within your supervision including recognition of personal health and hygiene needs.  Pay attention to appropriate protection of camper and staff privacy.
  • Ensure that campers receive their medications as directed by the Camp Nurse.
  • Be alert to campers and staff needs and assist them with personal and/or health problems, and discuss with the Camp Nurse or Camp Director when appropriate.
  • Be alert to equipment and facilities to ensure utilization, proper care, and maintenance is adhered to; report repairs needed promptly to Camp Director.
  • Be a role model to campers and staff in your attitude and behavior.
  • Follow and uphold all safety and security rules and procedures.
  • Set a good example to campers and others in regard to general camp procedures and practices including sanitation, schedule, and sportsmanship.
  • Report damaged equipment, buildings or safety hazards promptly to Camp Director
  • At the end of each camp session, make sure facilities are cleaned and prepared for the next session
  • At the end of the season, submit an end-of-camp evaluation with recommendations for improvement.
  • At the end of camp season, make sure the facilities are clean, equipment is inventoried and stored, and other duties as assigned to close camp
  • Learn and follow through with safety regulations and emergency procedures
  • NO SMOKING, USE OF ALCOHOL, or ILLEGAL DRUGS is permitted during summer employment with Opportunities Unlimited for the Blind
  • Submit all required paperwork on time

Qualifications

This position requires a highly motivated person who is passionate about improving the quality of life for persons who are blind or have low vision.  Comfort with culture change and social change is a must for the person in this position.  Advocacy skills, excellent inter-personal skills, excellent communication skills, creativity, initiative and the ability to motivate others are important.

This position requires the following:

  • Must be at least 18 years of age
  • Preferred: at least 1 years progress toward a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Education or Special Education or other human services area, or Bachelor’s degree in another area and experience working with special needs populations.  Special consideration will be given to persons with Certification in Teaching, Orientation and Mobility, or Rehabilitation for the Blind and Visually Impaired or progress toward those degrees
  • 1 season experience in an organized camp setting prefered
  • In a physical condition that permits active participation in camp activities side-by-side with campers and staff, and able to physically respond in an emergency situation
  • Mature, capable person who willingly accepts guidance and supervision from supervisor
  • Work well with others
  • Willingness to live and work in an outdoor/camp setting
  • Ability to work independently
  • Current CPR and first aid training preferred
  • Life Saving certificate a plus (training and cost to be provided by OUB)
  • Ability to carry out established roles in enforcing camp safety regulations

Time Commitment

This is a 24-7 on-call position while camp is in session from June 3– July 25.  See camp schedule. Staff training is held from June 3 through June 12.

This job description may not list all the duties and responsibilities of the position. The employee will answer to the OUB Camp Director, and may be asked to perform other duties. OUB reserves the right to revise this job description at any time. The employee will be evaluated, in part, based upon the performance of the tasks listed in this job description.

This job description is not a contract for employment.