Head Counselor

Reports to: Camp Director
Oversees: Group Leaders, Counselors, Interns and Campers

  • Pre-camp training is Wednesday 5/29, Thursday 5/30, and Friday 5/31

  • 8 weeks of Camp

    • Week 1: June 3rd -June 7th

    • Week 2: June 10th - June 14th

    • Week 3. June 17th - June 21st

    • Week 4: June 24th - June 28th

    • Week 5: July 8th - July 12th

    • Week 6: July 15th - July 19th

    • Week 7: July 22nd - July 26th

    • Week 8: July 29th - August 2nd

  • 8:00 - 5:00 PM

Description:

The Camp Moon River Head Counselor will oversee the counselors, CITs, and campers to help ensure a safe and positive experience for all.

The CMR Head Counselor should: be responsible, a great listener, have positive outlook, be flexible and adaptable, have passion and patience, be organized, friendly, have a sense of what it means to lead by example, and possess the ability to communicate well and demonstrate kindness in all situations.

The Head Counselor ensures the counselors are doing all they need to support the health and wellness of all campers and intervenes as needed.

The Head Counselor will foster relationships with counselors, J/CITs, campers, and parents. S/he will spend time with bunks, helping to ensure that campers create lasting memories and friendships. Further duties include activity creation and supervision, J/CIT Program leadership, and creating special events for the entire camp community.

The head counselor will help create and manage the daily camp schedule, adapting to and problem-solving as needed when challenges arise.  S/he will manage any disciplinary issues facing campers and staff. S/he will ensure that staff and campers follow safety procedures during camp activities.  S/he will assist in managing and caring for the facilities and equipment in all program areas. The Head Counselor will help to assign staff for each week of camp and oversee and assist with the check-in and check-out process.

The Head Counselor will, in conjunction with the Camp Director, communicate with parents and provide appropriate feedback (both positive and constructive) about their children’s time at Camp Moon River.

Other Job Responsibilities:
Attend administrative staff meetings.  Lead morning meeting each day. Lead counselor/staff meetings. Maintain clear written and verbal communication with all camp staff and parents as needed.

Recommended:

  • Minimum 21 years of age

  • Enrollment or degree at a 4-year college majoring in Camping, Recreation, Education, or a related field preferred

  • At least 2 years of prior organized camp/camping experience is preferred.

  • Possess or get a Certification in First Aid and CPR.

  • Be familiar with and encourage staff to abide by the American Camp Association (ACA) Accreditation Standards.

  • 2 -The interview process and a successful background check are required.


Physical Aspects of the Position:

  • Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.

  • Ability to observe staff behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate management techniques.

  • Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.

  • Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess the strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.

  • Ability to address stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment.

Some physical requirements of this position are eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate program equipment and program activities.  It requires a normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, prepare, and communicate appropriate camper activities/programs. Additional requirements are endurance, including prolonged standing, some bending, stooping, walking, jogging or running, hiking, climbing, and stretching; requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate outdoor equipment and camp activities. It requires the ability to lift up to 50 lbs, the willingness to work irregular hours, and daily exposure to the sun, heat, and bugs.