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Camp Program Counselor

Title: Program Counselor - Woodshop, Arts & Crafts, Waterfront, Adventure Team, Creative Arts, or Discovery

Department: Camp Program

Reports to: Activity Leader and Program Support Team Supervisor

Location: Camp located in Lake Hughes, CA (Housing and Meals are provided for the duration of your employment with The Painted Turtle)

Organization Overview: The Painted Turtle is a non-profit camp program for children with serious medical conditions and their families. We seek to reach beyond illness, to inspire children with life-threatening diseases to become their greater selves. It is our mission to provide a year-round, life-changing environment for these children and their families – one that allows children to participate in an authentic camp experience by supporting their medical needs and offers their families care, education, and respite. Founded by Paul Newman and Page Adler in 1999 as the 6th SeriousFun Children’s Network camp in the world, The Painted Turtle is nestled in the desert hills of Lake Hughes, CA. We offer 8 condition-specific residential summer camp sessions, as well as programs for campers and families during Family Weekend programs and day events in the fall and spring. In addition, The Painted Turtle Outpost, a mobile hospital program, transports the camp experience to hospitals, clinics, and medical community events throughout California.

Qualifications:

At least 19 years of age.
Ability to accept supervision and guidance.
Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior management techniques.
Ability to physically and mentally assist in taking care of 8 to 10 campers 24 hours per day, when Camp is in session.
Possess the emotional strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of and interaction with campers over the duration of employment, while remaining alert, friendly, and patient.
Ability to creatively plan and facilitate an activity as assigned.
Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Summary:

A Program Leader is responsible for supporting and encouraging each camper to participate fully in programming by performing the following duties.

Specific Responsibilities:

To Participate in all staff training.
To be responsible for the care and safety of all campers and staff in the activity area.
To assist in providing activities that are educational, enjoyable, appropriate for each camper session, and meet the goals, objectives, and outcomes set forth by The Painted Turtle.
To assist the Activity Leader in maintaining and managing all aspects of the activity area.
To live in the cabin with 8-10 campers serving as a leader, supervisor, and role model.
To work and communicate with at least 4 other staff members and volunteers within the cabin.
To assist in organizing the orientation program for all activities.
To assist in composing, posting, and enforcing the rules of procedures and behavior as they pertain to the activity area.
To assist in formulating and keeping on file various projects or activities suitable for each age group of campers.
To assist in interrelating the activity area with all other phases of the camp program, keeping in mind any special camper needs and equipment.
To assist in documenting and managing all aspects of health and safety and risk management aspects of the activity area.
To work closely with the Activity Leader, counselors, Bale (unit) leaders and medical staff regarding all aspects of activity development and management.
To work with other activity areas in developing and implementing rainy day and or extreme heat activity plans. Provide substitute activities for days when the weather is inclement.
To assist in preparing the activity area for the opening and closing of each session. This includes cleaning and organizing the area before and after the session.
To actively participate in and help facilitate all other day and evening programs as required by the Program Support Team Supervisors.
To assist in the opening and closing seasonal equipment inventories.
To assist in the evaluation of the current season and make recommendations for equipment, supplies and activity for the following season.
To adhere to and implement all American Camp Association standards as they relate to the activity area.
To ensure cabins, living spaces, and communal spaces are clean and tidy at all times, including prior to volunteer arrival.
To be an active member of your Bale so that you may participate in the richness of camp life. All meals should be taken with your assigned cabin. Whenever you are not engaged in an activity or in planning, you should join in the activities of your Bale.
To be responsible for knowing and adhering to the policies and procedures contained within the camp manual.
To attend all staff meetings and perform any other duties as deemed necessary by the Camp Director.

Competency:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Self-Care - Maintains clear mind and appropriate level of enthusiasm to actively supervise 8-10 children for five consecutive days.
Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Develops alternative solutions; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control.
Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Participates in meetings.
Team Work - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
Ethics - Treats people with respect; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Supports organization's goals and values.
Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions.

Emotional/Mental Demands: The staff member must cognitively be able to participate in the camp program without assistance. The staff member is required to communicate and work with campers aged 7-18 and provide necessary instruction and information to campers and/or other staff. The staff member must be able to identify and communicate safety concerns and emergency situations and procedures to campers and other staff. The staff member must possess the mental and emotional strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of and interaction with campers throughout the duration of session while remaining alert, friendly, and patient.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a staff member encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions such as sun and heat.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee may occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.