Camp Counselor - Camp Site (Brussels)

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the general supervision of the Camp Wabansi Director, the Camp Counselor provides daily care, guidance, and leadership to campers ages 7–17 through a wide variety of engaging camp activities. This role works closely with the leadership team to ensure a positive, engaging, safe, valuable, and memorable camp experience for all participants while serving as a positive role model and first responder when needed. This role will begin and end each day at Camp Wabansi, located in Brussels, WI, to perform opening and closing duties and to provide supervision to campers who are transported to and from camp by their families. The Camp Counselor is a full-time seasonal frontline youth development position that unleashed the potential and joy in each camper by helping them build memories, skills, values, and lasting friendships.

• This position works Monday-Friday from the start of June through the middle of August, varying between the hours of 7:00am - 5:00pm with some Thursday overnights required.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Provide direct leadership and continuous supervision to an assigned group of campers by actively engaging in all daily activities to ensure safe, educational, and developmentally appropriate outdoor recreational experiences.
• Build positive and professional relationships with campers by modeling pro-social behavior and offering emotional support to ensure physical and emotional safety.
• Complete daily opening and closing duties before and after camp each day and/or supervise and engage with campers who are transported to and from camp each day by their families; documenting camper attendance, medication check in/out, and verifying identification.
• Lead daily program areas by preparing equipment, demonstrating activities, and guiding camper participation to ensure skill development, engagement, and program consistency.
• Enforce all camp rules, safety standards, and YMCA policies by monitoring camper behavior and providing timely redirection to ensure a safe and fair environment.
• Collaborate with the leadership team by communicating camper needs, using positive discipline strategies, and seeking support when necessary to ensure effective behavior management.
• Respond to emergencies as a first responder by following emergency action plans, documenting incidents, and notifying leadership to ensure timely and appropriate resolution.
• Serve as a lifeguard when assigned by monitoring water activities and enforcing waterfront rules to ensure a safe swimming environment.
• Accurately document and communicate daily records by completing attendance, medication logs, and incident reports to ensure compliance and consistent communication.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college coursework in child development, education, recreation, or a related field preferred.
• Previous experience in day camp, resident camp, childcare, youth development, or teaching preferred. General knowledge of outdoor recreation, waterfront, or adventure-based programming preferred.
• Minimum age requirement of 18 years old.
• Current First Aid and CPR certification required prior to the start of camp (training available). Lifeguard certification strongly preferred; all candidates must attempt lifeguard certification upon hire (course and paid training time provided).
• Strong leadership, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to understand, support, and manage youth behavior.
• Ability to think flexibly and adapt to the unpredictability of camp life.
• Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in emergencies or high-stress situations.
• Access to reliable transportation to travel to and from assigned work location on a daily basis.

COMPETENCIES:

• Accountability: Takes ownership of decisions, actions, and results. Follows through on commitments and accepts responsibility. Completes assigned tasks on time and accepts feedback without defensiveness. Adheres to established policies and procedures.
• Relationship Building: Builds friendly, respectful connections with campers, families, and coworkers by showing interest in others, listening well, and interacting in a welcoming, positive manner.
• Teamwork: Works cooperatively with peers and leadership by sharing responsibilities, offering help, and contributing to a positive team environment.
• Emotional Intelligence: Shows awareness of personal emotions and responds appropriately to the emotions of others by staying calm, supportive, and patient in a variety of situations.
• Communication: Shares information clearly and respectfully by using appropriate tone, listening actively, and asking questions to ensure understanding.
• Adaptability: Adjusts to schedule changes, weather conditions, camper needs, and unexpected challenges with flexibility and a positive attitude.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Work is performed primarily outdoors during the summer months and includes exposure to the elements with limited access to air conditioning.
• The role requires the ability to walk or stand for extended periods and actively participate in recreational activities across all program areas.
• The position may involve variable work hours including early mornings, late afternoons, and participation in a weekly overnight program on Thursdays based on camper enrollment and staffing needs.
• Physical demands include lifting program equipment, maintaining active supervision, and participating in physically engaging activities with campers.
• The position involves exposure to varying weather conditions, water environments, uneven terrain, outdoor equipment, and routine use of cleaning supplies.