CAMP COUNSELOR

Description:

Job Title: Camp Counselor Status: Seasonal (6/1/25-8/22/25) Hours: 40 hours per week Wage: $14.88/hr+ DOE

• Reports to: Department Camp Director

Revision Date: 03/2026 Probation: subject to Montana 12-month introductory (probationary) period

POSITION SUMMARY:

YMCA Camp Counselors are responsible for leading age appropriate activities for the YMCA’s Summer Camps. Counselors are responsible for the well being, health, and safety of all campers under their care, as well as overseeing the smooth operation of day camp. This includes leading activities and games, creating a positive camp culture, conflict resolution, behavior management, and more. Counselors must be comfortable working with children ages 4-14; co-workers; and communicating clearly with camper parents/guardians and camp supervisors. Y-Camp Counselors are viewed as healthy role models in camp and in the community, and should always model the Y core values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. Counselors must be able to thrive in an environment with the unique challenges of a non-profit and community service organization, and have the flexibility to work in a constantly changing environment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

In preparation for summer season: Attend YMCA Camp Training in early June to meld into camp community and learn YMCA practices & procedures.

During the summer season:

First and foremost – responsible for the health and safety of the children in the program Embrace your role as a positive role model: Leading planned activities; actively engaging with campers and modelling YMCA core values; managing camper behaviors proactively with consistent expectations and positive redirection; knowing the names of parents and campers, building genuine relationships and making yourself known and available to them.

• Following YMCA practices and procedures: documenting attendance, behaviors, and incidents; ensuring camps are operating on schedule; adhering to transportation practices and emergency procedures; serving healthy snacks and meals; knowing, educating, and enforcing rules and policies to campers and parents.

As a YMCA employee: Attend staff trainings and meetings; know and follow schedule; accurately complete time-keeping; communicate effectively with your supervisor, program participants and their families, the YMCA Welcome Center, and community partners; maintain the safety and cleanliness of camp areas including Y facilities, buses, public sites, rented spaces, and CampLand.

Complete required child abuse training, comply with legal and ethical obligation as a mandatory reporter of suspected child abuse and cooperate fully with any investigation of such abuse.

Requirements:

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education:

Preferred – High school diploma or equivalent Preferred – Secondary education classes focused on Elementary Education or a related field Required – Minimum one year of high school attendance

Experience:

Required – Certification in CPR, First Aid, Child Abuse Training – can be obtained at the YMCA Preferred – Prior experience working in camps, other YMCA departments, or a classroom setting Required – Satisfactory background check required to be eligible to work with children

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Must be able to meet minimum requirements and perform functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation Must be able to communicate clearly to all children, parents, members, and company personnel Ability to attend all trainings and meetings as required even if scheduled outside normal working or regular scheduled hours

Wear a staff shirt and name tag daily, present a clean, well-groomed appearance Ability to walk, stand, and sit (including on the floor) for long periods of time Exposure to communicable diseases and bodily fluids Occasionally must be able to lift and carry supplies and equipment weighing up to 75 pounds

Frequently may require bending, leaning, kneeling, lifting and walking

YMCA LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

Mission Advancement: Adheres to the Mission of the Missoula YMCA at all times and implements the Y Core Values of Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility into the Summer Camp program Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work, and actively participates in meetings. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

This job description is not to be used as the only reference for the position. It is to be used as a base guideline for defining ones role. Position requirements and responsibilities are constantly evolving and changing. Performance reviews and regular discussions will outline further expectations and goals of the position. My signature indicates that I have received a copy of this job description, understand what the YMCA’s requirements and positions expectations, and meet the QUALIFICATIONS, PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS and REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES LISTED

EXAMPLE OF ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SEASONAL EMPLOYMENT:

__________________________________ will be employed as a seasonal employee working in YMCA Summer (Employee Name) Camps from _________________________ to _________________________. Completion of this contract may (Start Date) (End Date)

• lead to additional full-time, part-time, and seasonal employment opportunities. Failure to complete the terms of this contract will diminish the employee’s eligibility for future employment, and will nullify eligibility for the employee to receive a merit-based increase in the subsequent season of summer camp, should they return.

All seasonal camp staff are encouraged to take one week off during the summer for their own personal wellbeing. This time off must be approved in advance, and will be determined by the ability of the YMCA to staff camps appropriately. Submit all time off requests early to increase likelihood of approval. Requests are determined on a first-come-first-served basis.