Camp Unit Counselor - Arizona

If you enjoy working with children, making a positive difference in the lives of others, challenging yourself with new experiences, and working in a supportive team; a position at one of our camps could be a great fit! You’ll work with experienced camp professionals who will guide and support you as you promote growth and confidence in campers.

Summary/Objective:

Under moderate supervision, provide an effective hybrid, mini resident, and resident camp program by supervising and supporting campers. Unit Counselors coordinate and develop program for a unit of 20-40 girls, ensuring active involvement in all aspects of camp. Supports and encourages self-growth and camper growth and actively promote and support the camps’ mission and goals through the Girl Scout Leadership Experience.

Reports to: Unit Leader

FLSA Status: Seasonal- Exempt

Essential Functions:

Program

• Supervise 10-40 girls each session with fellow counselors, providing timely feedback and support.
• Lead in the planning, coordination, and delivery of camp program specific to your assigned unit.
• Assist in implementation of “All Camp” events, campfires, and other multi-age group activities.
• Ensure the active involvement of campers and staff in the overall camp program.
• Maintain safety procedures as they pertain to the facilities.
• Ensure the proper care, use, and maintenance of equipment or materials used for camper activities.
• Participate in pre and post camp, inventory, and general clean-up as assigned.
• Lead fun and meaningful activities for campers; model constructive and enthusiastic participation in all program areas.
• Oversee dining hall operation at assigned times to ensure procedures are followed and foster an environment of consistent order for campers and staff.

Staff / Camper Support

• Complete detailed and thoughtful Camper Highlights forms for each camper in conjunction with the Unit Counselors, Program Instructors and Unit Leaders of your assigned unit.
• Maintain positive, professional relationships with camper and staff.
• Place needs of girls and camp above personal desires.
• Supervise all assigned aspects of the campers’ day including morning wake-up, cabin clean-up, unit program, mealtimes, rest hour, evening activities, getting ready for bed and after-hours duty.
• Understand and know staff and campers - help them to respect the faiths of others and to appreciate differences and similarities so that campers get the most out of their stay at camp.

Health & Safety

• Ensure that unit activities are carried out in accordance with safety standards.
• Observe camper and staff behavior and apply appropriate behavior management techniques.
• Maintain the cleanliness of the living unit throughout the day and week; including by not limited to camp staff living areas, the bathroom, restocking of necessary supplies, garbage/recycling and campfire areas.
• Ensure camper health needs are met. This includes and is not limited to: medications being taken on time, allergies and dietary restrictions being managed and respected, monitoring campers’ water intake and use of sunscreen.
• Be familiar with and instruct others in the council emergency action plan and procedures.

Systems / Communication

• Maintain strict confidentiality and professionalism when handling sensitive information regarding campers or staff members.
• Instruct staff and campers in established emergency procedures such as fire drills, evacuations, etc. and understand your role in crisis management.
• Adhere to established routines, schedules and procedures for camp operation.
• Maintain clear and positive verbal communication with all campers, co-workers, and parent/guardians.
• Collect camper stories for camp social media purposes.

Positive Relationships

• Honor diversity by ensuring that all materials, activities, and programs are sensitive to and reflective of the interest, values, and needs of people of all campers.
• Provide a high level of customer service with caregivers, staff, community and vendors.
• Recognize and respond to opportunities for problem solving within the staff and camper groups.
• Address conflicts between staff and/or campers and communicate with administrative staff daily.
• Support and promote campers and fellow staff to take risks and seek challenges.

Competencies:

• Desire and ability to teach, work and relate successfully with children and staff.
• Ability to effectively supervise the coordination of a variety of program activities in a camp setting.
• Ability to work with persons of diverse backgrounds and abilities.
• Leadership / Followership skills.
• Ability to learn and willingness to develop skills in a variety of program activities.
• Ability to think and act calmly in a crisis.
• Demonstrate compliance with all Camps rules, policies, and procedures in a positive manner.
• Demonstrated maturity, sound judgment, integrity and flexibility.
• Demonstrated enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience and self- control.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Minimum 18 years of age.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification (onsite training provided).
• Ability to function as part of a camp staff team, sharing concerns readily with supervisor.
• Ability to communicate with and provide direction to, staff and campers of varying age and skill levels.
• Cognitive and communicative ability to manage multiple areas of camp program and operations.
• Knowledge of common camper illnesses and proper sanitation in group living communities.
• Ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to camper supervision.
• Ability to keep accurate, legible records.
• Possess mental and physical strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.

Physical Demands:

• Ability to share living quarters with other staff in the outdoors which may include, but not limited to directly on the ground, primitive camping, rustic cabins, or dormitory cabins.
• Must possess strength and endurance, and emotional well-being required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
• Ability to go without personal electronic devices for a number of days at a time while on duty.
• Prolonged standing, some bending, stooping, walking long distances, hiking, climbing, and stretching; requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate outdoor equipment and camp activities; requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate camper activities/programs and the ability to lift up to 20 lbs.; with daily exposure to the sun, heat, and animals such as bugs, snakes, bats, etc.