Camp Counselor - Camp Forge - Spring Grove YMCA

Spring Grove Camp is hiring Summer Camp Counselors for the 2026 season! This seasonal role (40 hours/week) is perfect for energetic, responsible individuals who enjoy working with children and helping create a fun, safe, and memorable camp experience. POSITION SUMMARY: This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Provides direct supervision of a group of children in a seasonal day camp. Creates positive, nurturing relationships with children, while building cooperative relationships with parents/caregivers. Promotes and supports the potential of all youth in programs and facilitates peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall camp experience.

OUR CULTURE: Our mission and core values are brought to life by our culture. In the Y, we strive to live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. We are welcoming: we are open to all. We are a place where you can belong and become. We are genuine: we value you and embrace your individuality. We are hopeful: we believe in you and your potential to become a catalyst in the world. We are nurturing: we support you in your journey to develop your full potential. We are determined: above all else, we are on a relentless quest to make our community stronger beginning with you.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Supports a friendly, warm and inclusive atmosphere for campers, families and camp community that encourages achievement, relationships, and belonging.

Availability to work throughout the camp season and has flexibility to work early morning to late evening hours in accordance with camp needs.

• Creates and implements purposeful activities within the established guidelines and is prepared in advance of each lesson/activity.

Supervises the campers, camp facility and all activities including ADA accommodations where appropriate. Provides active supervision/surveillance of campers at the pool to support lifeguards and respond to emergencies as needed.

• Ensures a safe, healthy environment and is knowledgeable on effectively enacting safety/emergency procedures.
• Builds authentic relationships with camp participants and their family while also providing connections with other YMCA staff and members to enhance membership.
• Responsible for the safety and supervision of campers in accordance with YMCA policies/procedures.
• Provides campers with clear expectations and positive descriptive feedback to prevent and redirect challenging behaviors.

Effectively communicates with supervisor(s), camp counselors and extended care team during shift changes/transitions. Ensures all necessary paperwork is accurately maintained and passed on. Keeps camp clean and organized through leading by example and holding campers accountable for cleaning up after activities.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:

· Engaging Community

· Innovation

· Inclusion

· Critical Thinking & Decision Making

QUALIFICATIONS:

Must have a high school diploma or GED. Attained or be pursuing a degree in education, recreation, sports management, human services or other youth related majors preferred. One year of experience working with children required, preferably in a camp setting. Obtain a State Police, Child Abuse, NSOR and/or FBI clearance in compliance with Child Protective Services Law and YMCA policy.

Must have or obtain Pediatric First Aide/CPR and AED certification.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Physical Requirements Light – exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to move objects. Body Position and Movement (Seldom-1-10%, Occasionally-10-30%, Frequently 30-60%, Continuously 60-100% of the time) o Stationary Position – Seldom

o Reaching - Occasionally

o Move/Traverse – Frequently

o Pulling/Pushing - Occasionally

o Position self to move about with agility (upright or lowered to the floor) - Occasionally

o Lifting – Frequently o Ascend/Descend - Occasionally

Visual Requirements Requires good color, depth and field of vision (with or without correction) to distinguish like objects from one another, detect and visually follow moving objects Auditory (Hearing) Requirements Ability to hear voices, understand and distinguish speech and other sounds to communicate, answer phones and respond to alarms/emergencies

Hazardous Conditions/Materials Exposure Continuous exposure to outdoor elements Obtain Criminal background check, Child Abuse Clearance, and FBI fingerprint clearance.