Camp Counselor/Camp Lakewood/Ozarks at GATEWAY REGION YMCA in POTOSI, Missouri

Job Description:

POSITION SUMMARY:
This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The YMCA Camp Lakewood Cabin Counselor is probably the most integral position here at camp. They are responsible for the general welfare, safety, and supervision of the campers we serve. They monitor the camper's morning and evening activities, as well as instruct other campers throughout the day during clinics. Counselors are held accountable for acting as mentors and role models for the campers. They are to be the epitome of the four core principles of the YMCA; Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. Cabin Counselors must understand that we are molding the future of society. By that statement alone, it should be understood that the counselor should be focused on helping the camper make informed decisions that provide the optimal result in any given situation. We are trying to allow the campers to grow by letting them experience new things in an educational, safe, and positive environment. Your role is to assist the campers in making those choices, and coach the camper to help them improve.

OUR CULTURE:
Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.The Gateway Region YMCA strictly follows a zero tolerance policy regarding child abuse.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
OPENING DAY
1. Bus Counselors Meet assigned Support Staff member and Assistant Registrar in Camp Office at 7:30 a.m. or at the South County Y at 9:30 am. You will assist in check-in responsibilities given to you by the lead bus counselor. You need to sit with campers and spread yourself out from other counselors on the bus to monitor all campers.
2. Brunch- Lakewood Dining Hall at 11:30 a.m.
3. Staff meeting- Counselors should be back from their day off and in Lakewood Lounge at 12:00 p.m. in uniform.
4. Staff will spread out and do a basic trash pick-up at 12:30 p.m. and prepare for arriving campers.
5. Arriving bus One counselor from the cabin must greet campers arriving by bus at 1:00 p.m. Check your Cabin List to determine who is arriving by bus.
6. Greeting campers and parents Be in cabin and ready to greet campers and parents by 1:15 p.m. At a minimum, counselors must greet parents and campers with a warm smile and friendly handshake. Talk to the parents to gain information about the child, and make the child feel comfortable and at home. Help the camper select a bunk, and assist with luggage. After all campers have arrived, one counselor will play get to know games, while the other counselor takes the check in sheets to the office.
7. Head lice - Campers arriving by bus will be checked during bus check-in. Staff will check all other campers at check in at Lakewood Lodge. Any campers who are questionable throughout the week should be taken to the TLC immediately.
8. Names Counselor must know the camper's name by dinner the first day. Get to know you games are helpful during check in.
9. Tour Counselors must give campers a tour of the grounds after all campers have checked in. Tour must include Dining Hall, Chapel, Ranch, Archery, TLC, etc.
10. Lost camper and cabin meeting spot Choose a meeting spot during the tour that the campers can return to if they ever get separated from your cabin group. The only time a meeting spot is the middle flag pole, is if the camper is lost.
11. Swim Tests Be on time for swim tests as scheduled. Campers should have their towel and be prepared for the test. You should read through the rules of the waterfront and answer any questions. Assist with swim tests as required by the Waterfront Director.
12. Participate in Arena clinic sign up with your campers. Meet at the Chapel at scheduled time.
13. Dinner is at 6:00 p.m. Teach the campers about the pathway of silence and maintain an orderly manner when entering the dining hall. Sit with your cabin, and respect the "two people up from the table at a time" rule.
14. Unit gathering- Gather in Units at a predetermined location per your Unit Director to learn unit cheers and go over the general camp rules.
15. Opening Campfire - Come in units and sit as cabins. You need to participate by dressing zany, participating in songs and skits.

DAILY
1. Wake up Campers should be up at 7:00 a.m. or earlier if need be.
2. Clean cabin Cabin should be cleaned before campers go to morning flag. Assign and post daily rotation for cleaning assignments (i.e. bathroom, trash, sweeping, lounge, etc.)
3. Clean cabin Cabin will be considered clean when: lights are out, dirty shoes are on porch (neatly lined up), clean shoes are under camper's bed, dirty clothes are in laundry bag, clean clothes are in trunk or suitcase and lid is closed, beds are made neatly, towels are hung neatly to dry, floors are swept, bathroom is clean and dry, lounge is clean, porch is swept and clean, area around cabin is litter free.
4. Clinic preparation Be sure campers have everything they need for clinics. Remind campers they cannot go back to cabin until after lunch.
5. Medications It is the counselor's responsibility to assure campers go to the TLC as scheduled to receive their medications. Medications are typically given before meals, and sometimes before bed.
6. Flag raising/lowering Be on time (7:45 a.m. and 5:50 p.m.). Have campers in line and quiet for ceremony. Be participating, enthusiastic and creative during songs. This is the time to teach the entire camp new songs.
7. Monday flag raising One counselor should check schedule board for information on flags.
8. Hopping Assist campers with hopping before the meal if scheduled. Be on time, so meal can start on time. Assist the meal host in coordinating set ups, pick up of meal trays. Be enthusiastic and creative, yet keep dining room in control.
9. Meals Be on time. Assure that campers are quiet and show respect during grace, announcements and any time when someone is addressing the camp. Be an example at the table and in the dining hall. Teach campers manners that they can use at home and when dining out. Only one tray (and dessert) is allowed per table of 12 people or less. Two trays are required for 13 or more people at a table. Assist in helping campers follow all dining room procedures. Assure that only two campers are up from the table at one time during clean up and only one person back in the kitchen area at any other time. Table and floor around table should be left clean and ready for the next meal.
10. Pop Stop form Turn in form daily before the end of breakfast the next day or at dinner the first night.
11. Shared Responsibilities Assigned area should be checked and cleaned daily as needed or be creative and be helpful where you see the help is needed. This is an educational opportunity for your campers, so use this as a teachable moment.
12. Clinics Be on time and follow lesson plans. Take attendance and report absences immediately. Be enthusiastic each clinic class is the first time for the camper. Safety should be the first concern during all clinics. Do not leave early from clinics.
13. Siesta Encourage campers to write at least one letter home each week during rest hour. Campers should remain in the cabin on their bed during siesta, and may participate in quiet activities or rest. Make sure you get some rest! EXTENDED REST PERIODS ARE NOT ALLOWED FOR ANY REASON AND YOU SHOULD NOT BE SLEEPING.
14. Cabin Activities and Evening Activities Activities should be camp related and planned by the campers along with the counselor. Lesson plans must be turned into UD by noon Monday. Be on time for scheduled activities (i.e. caving, G swim, Trading Post, pop stop, World Service Carnival, etc.), with campers dressed properly for the activity. Scheduled activities, unit activities and all camp activities must be done as scheduled these are not negotiable. Be creative with cabin group and unit activities! Extended rest period is not a cabin activity.
15. Equipment Ensure that all equipment and supplies checked out from the Camping Center or kitchen is returned promptly and clean when finished.
16. Evenings Off Counselors should work together to determine evenings off. Each counselor should have one 6:00 pm until 12:00 am and one ROVE night. You may not take your 6:00 pm -12:00 am on an overnight night unless special permission has been given. Counselors may not leave until after grace has been said. Sign out in the Lakewood office, no earlier than 6:05 p.m., and sign in no later than 11:45 p.m. Counselors must be back in the cabin by 12:00 a.m. Drinking is not allowed during evenings off.
17. Camper Health and Hygiene Have campers take showers in the evening, and make sure they use soap and shampoo. Teeth should be brushed morning and evening. Make sure campers wear clean clothes daily. Campers should not be allowed to use each other combs or brushes, wear each other's hats, or lay on one another's bed. Campers should sleep head to foot, never head to head. Campers should carry water bottles at all times, but should not be allowed to share water bottles. Campers should wear shoes and shirt at all times. Encourage campers to use sunblock at waterfront. Report all health problems to the Camp Nurse. Report all safety hazards to the Program Director or Camp Director.
18. Counselor Health and Hygiene Maintain good hygienic habits for you and maintain personal schedule to insure good health and sufficient energy. Ensure living areas and personal belongings are kept clean and in good repair. Camp safety rules for campers apply to the entire staff.
19. Bed Time Have campers in bed as scheduled. Counselor should say good night to each camper, and make sure they are asleep before counselor turns in. Watch for campers trying to sneak out at night.

CLOSING DAY
1. Packing Get campers up earlier, pack and have campers put luggage on porch. Luggage must be packed TIGHT!
2. Checkout sheets - Make sure each parent signs, if camper is stayover or riding the bus you need to indicate this where the parent should sign. If you do not get a signature you will be calling the parent to ensure they have their camper.
3. Bus Counselors You will assist in check-out responsibilities given to you by the lead bus counselor. You need to sit with campers and spread yourself out from other counselors on the bus to monitor all campers. Checkout sheet procedures apply here as well. You also need to hand out medication to parents.
4. Medications - TLC staff will distribute medicine bags at breakfast for camp pick-ups. You are responsible for giving the medicine to parents, not campers. Counselors will be responsible for packaging and mailing back forgotten medications.
5. Lost and Found Make sure all articles of clothing and personal items in your cabin are claimed by campers. Your goal should be zero lost and found. Only counselor personal items should remain in cabin between sessions. Have campers stop at lost & found when returning to cabin after breakfast.
6. Camper Riding Bus Take to bus no later than 8:45 a.m. Place luggage at the roundabout in the morning before flag. Make sure camper packs their envelope in their bag.
7. Parents Arriving at Cabin All parents must sign out camper. Greet parents with the same enthusiasm as when they first arrived. Speak highly of their child and make the parent feel that camp was the right decision for their child. Sign out sheets must be turned into the Lakewood office prior to departure. Remind parents that the Trading Post is open for final purchases.
8. Staff Meeting Be on time for staff meeting at 10:30. Bring campers who have not yet been picked up with you.
9. Late Parents - Stayover counselors are required to remain with campers until last camper is picked up.
10. Staff Sign out Sign out in Lakewood Office prior to departure.
11. Speed Limits Obey speed limits on the way out of camp.

MISCELLANEOUS
1. Self Esteem Offer regular encouragement to campers to enhance and build self esteem. Spend at least a half-hour with each individual camper every session to assess his or her needs and interests.
2. Discipline Discipline campers when necessary in a supportive way, pointing out and correcting inappropriate behavior without attacking camper's personality. Counselor should NEVER use ridicule, shame or sarcasm.
3. Uniform Issued staff shirt, khakis, and nametag are worn on check in and checkout days.
4. Safety and Emergencies Be thoroughly familiar with camp emergency procedures. Be familiar with and uphold all safety regulations at camp. A safe atmosphere is the first consideration at all times.
5. Overnights Go on at least one overnight each session.
6. Counselor Notes Write and submit counselor notes as scheduled. They should have correct grammar, punctuation, be legible, and be thoughtful of the camper.
7. Communication Meet regularly with your Unit Director to keep him/her informed of your cabin problems and successes.
8. Attitude Maintain a professional attitude toward staff, campers, parents and supervisors. Enthusiastically contribute to camper and staff morale throughout the summer. Strive to use proper motivational techniques and language in all dealings with staff and campers.
9. Programs Assist enthusiastically and participate actively in all camp activities, giving leadership when it is required.
10. You Strive to work at your highest potential. You are prepared mentally each day with a positive enthusiastic attitude.
11. Training and Meetings Attend all staff training sessions and required staff meetings.
12. Public Relations Represent the camp in such a way as to bring honor and credit to you, the camp and the entire staff.
13. Ongoing Evaluation Contribute suggestions to improve the camp environment and overall program.
14. Equipment and Property Cares for and maintains camp equipment and property used by the cabin group. Must also strive to insure the preservation of the natural environment of the camp setting.
15. Reports Accident and Workman's Comp reports are completed and submitted to the TLC and Program Director within 1 hour of incident.
16. Emergencies and First Aid - You are allowed and expected to treat for minor first aid and respond to all emergencies. All cases of first aid that have been treated need to be documented and campers need to be sent to the TLC. See staff manual for further details.
17. Direct influence on the personal and character development of campers, staff and guests.
18. Sound and effective administration of the area of responsibility, evident in purposeful and coordinated programs, accurate records, good public relations, and sound financial position.
19. Increased visibility and credibility of Camp Lakewood summer programs.
20. The exercise of good judgement and competence in the implementation of policy and standards which will result in increased public regard toward the Y.

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