Summer Camp Counselor needed at YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin in Michigan

OUR CULTURE

Guiding Principles describe our behaviors to support our organization’s work throughout its life in all circumstances, irrespective of changes in goals, strategies, and leadership. Our Guiding Principles are as follows: We CULTIVATE-We grow staff and volunteer leaders who will be stewards of the Y mission, resources, and opportunities. We OWN-We think long-term and act on behalf of the organization, beyond our own team. We WELCOME-We are inclusive of all people and all communities. We SERVE-We provide timely and excellent service to members, volunteers, community, and each other. We LEARN-We are never done learning and always seek to improve. We are curious about new possibilities and act to explore them. We UNITE-We work together to achieve big goals and speak as one voice. We RESPECT-We treat others with kindness and speak positively about other people in all situations. We PLAY-We celebrate, appreciate, and have fun!

The YMCA of Great Grand Rapids utilizes a Membership By Design framework, which is a member involvement and community building model for YMCAs across the country. All staff members—front-line, management, full- and part-time—and volunteers have a role to play in member engagement. These responsibilities can be broken into six steps:

Enrollment: Staff and volunteers encourage potential members to enroll in programs and activities that meet their needs.

Satisfaction: Staff and volunteers ask members continually about their satisfaction with a program or activity, track responses, listen to suggestions, and respond promptly in a manner consistent with the values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

Relationship Building: Staff and volunteers are open, friendly, and approachable to all YMCA members and participants. Staff and volunteers initiate interaction with and between members.

Education and Conversion: Staff and volunteers know about and share their knowledge of the YMCA, its programs, its policies, its mission, its values, and how it benefits members and the community.

Volunteerism and Leadership: Staff and volunteers create opportunities for members to volunteer in their areas of interest, and they ask members to do so whenever appropriate.

Ownership: Staff and volunteers encourage members to “own” the YMCA, using words such as “we,” “us,” and “our association” (and actions that match those words) to include members as well as staff and volunteers.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Camp Counselor provides direct supervision of a group of up to 10 children in a summer camp outdoor setting. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: direct supervision of campers in either the Day Camp or Overnight Camp setting, leading activities focusing on values and 21st century life skills each day, fully participate within the guidelines of all YMCA Camp Manitou-Lin programs, and provides a quality experience to children and parents focused on YMCA core values: caring, honesty, respect, responsibility and inclusion. Camp sessions run from Sunday afternoon until Friday evening. All staff receive daily scheduled breaks and have weekends off from Friday evening until Sunday afternoon. Day-to-day hours and schedule varies depending on program.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

Identify and meet camper needs:

• Learn the likes/dislikes of each participant
• Be a positive role model for all campers and fellow staff
• Recognize and respond to opportunities for problem solving in the group
• Develop opportunities for interaction between campers and staff
• Provide opportunities for the group so that each individual experiences success during camp
• Help each participant meet the goals established by the camp for camper development
• May be required to teach and lead activities based on certification or skill level in that area (lifeguarding, boating, adventure, skating)

Carry Out Camp Programs:

• Guide cabin or trail groups in participating successfully in all aspects of camp activities
• Carry out established roles for supervising camper health
• Carry out established roles in enforcing camp safety regulations
• Trained in basic first aid and CPR
• Lifeguard certified counselors are trained in O2
• Develop cabin or trail group activity plans with participation where appropriate
• Supervise all assigned aspects of the campers’ day, including morning reveille, cabin clean-up, camptivities, activities, meal times, rest hour, evening activities, getting ready for bed, and after-hours duties as assigned
• Instruct campers in emergency procedures such as fire drills, evacuating the cabin, etc.
• Help campers plan their participation in unit-wide or camp-wide programs, special events, and activities
• Lead or assist in leading skills based activities with a focus on values and life skills, as assigned

Administrative:

• Prepare for and actively participate in staff training, meetings, and supervisory conferences if appropriate.
• Set a good example for campers and others including cleanliness, punctuality, sharing clean-up and chores, sportsmanship, and table manners.
• Follow camp rules and policies on prohibited actions such as but not limited to smoking, use of alcoholic beverages, and the use of drugs, and cellular phones
• Encourage respect for personal property, camp equipment, and facilities.
• Manage personal time off in accordance with camp policy.
• Keep updated documentation on camper/staff situations in documentation booklet.
• Maintain good public relations with campers’ parents during opening and closing day activities and any parent functions on camp.
• Submit all required reports on time.

Performs any other functions necessary for the smooth and efficient operation of Camp Manitou-Lin and the YMCA of Greater Grand Rapids.

COMPENSATION

This position runs June-August and pays $40/day; Room and Board may be provided.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• At least 18 years of age and high school graduate or equivalent.
• Documented experience working with children.
• Desire and ability to work with children outdoors.
• Ability to relate to one’s peer group.
• Ability to accept supervision and guidance.
• Ability to assist and/or teach an activity.
• Ability to teach and role model the Core Values of the YMCA and use of 21st century life skills
• Good character and ability to adapt to camp setting; enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience, and self-control.
• Lifeguard certification and/or adventure and land skills certification preferred
• Ability to administer basic CPR, First Aid, and basic health care to all guests of Camp Manitou-Lin.
• First aid and CPR certifications required (Training available at Camp Manitou-Lin)

Ideal candidates must:

– Engage participants in character and collaborative leadership development.

– Have a healthy personal philosophy.

– Maintain a positive self-identity and be resourceful.

– Relate effectively to diverse groups of people.

– Possess knowledge of group skills and a willingness to work closely with peers and campers.

– Show a proven ability to work with youth, and a desire to positively influence their development.

– Be adaptable and open to new experiences

– Enjoy hard work and long, but fulfilling hours, and seek personal development.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATION

• Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) (required)
• First Aid Certification required within the first 60 days
• AED-Oxygen Certification required within the first 60 days
• Blood Borne Pathogen training
• State of Michigan criminal background clearance (ICHAT)

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

• Functional Expertise
• Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills to do the job at a high level of accomplishment.
• Uses best practices, guidelines, and industry standards as a framework to improve performance.

Developing Self & Others

• Supports members, participants, or project teams in achieving their goals.
• Reflects on and learns from successes and mistakes.
• Proactively shares information, experiences, lessons learned, and suggestions to help others be more successful.
• Volunteers for challenging tasks or projects in an effort to grow and develop.
• Solicits and is open to informal learning opportunities to gain insight (e.g., performance feedback, coaching, and stretch assignments).

Inclusion

• Embraces all dimensions of diversity (i.e., ability, age, culture, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender identity, income, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, etc.) by treating all people with dignity, compassion, and respect.
• Creates a safe environment in which others feel welcome and respected.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The work environment and 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.

• Ability to read and interpret documents such as operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Ability to speak effectively over the phone and in person with customers, board members, and employees.
• Ability to calculate figures and amounts such as discounts, interest, commissions, proportions, and percentages.
• Ability to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form.
• Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations.
• Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the floor) for long periods of time.
• Must be able to lift and carry food and supplies weighing up to 20 pounds.
• Ability to stand or sit while maintaining alertness for several hours at a time.
• Position may require bending, leaning, kneeling, and walking.
• Ability to speak concisely and effectively communicate.

TRAVEL
0-5% of local travel within the state of Michigan; occasional out-of-state travel may be required for educational conferences or training.

To apply, click link below and complete application:

https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Apply/436543/YMCA-of-Greater-Grand-Rapids/Summer-Camp-Counselor-YMCA-Camp-Manitou-Lin-Seasonal

Visit website here: https://www.grymca.org/