Head Camp Counselor

The 14th Street Y is a vibrant Jewish community center located in Downtown Manhattan. Each year, tens of thousands of New Yorkers of all ages, races, and ethnicities come to 14Y as members, visitors, or partners to experience our high quality and varied programs centered around arts and culture, early childhood education, summer camps, fitness and aquatics, Jewish life, and older adult services.

PROGRAM-About New Town Day Camp (NTDC) at the 14Y

New Town Day Camp (NTDC) at the 14th Street Y, a vibrant Jewish community center in the East Village, provides a fun and safe environment where children can celebrate summer, make new friends, and enjoy enriching activities. Our campers explore and play in the 14Y’s excellent facilities, including a heated indoor pool, gymnasium, and well-equipped, air-conditioned classrooms. A highlight of each day is time spent on our beautifully designed rooftop playground, featuring sprinklers and shaded areas for outdoor fun. To foster social connections, campers are grouped by age. Children ages 3-5 participate in swim activities with the support of their counselors, while those under three enjoy daily sprinkler play on the roof.

JOB PURPOSE  

Be responsible for the well-being and safety of campers at NTDC. Create a camp environment for the children that fosters inquiry, exploration, and respect. Inspire camper’s innate curiosity and facilitate a positive environment. Facilitate communication with camper’s families and document camper’s experiences. Collaborate with the camp team to create plans and projects that reflect the open-ended process-driven, child-led philosophy of the 14Y early childhood programs. 

SCOPE OF INFLUENCE 

• Lead campers through daily activities and plan classroom choice time.
• Communicate with families about the classroom happenings.
• Be fully engaged in all aspects from art to swimming: this includes getting in the pool with the camp team.
• Collaborate with staff and administration to create a meaningful camp experience.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES  

Planning, Preparation, and Safety

• Assume the responsibility for the health, safety, and well-being of campers. (Including a record of incident/illness and concerns.)
• Document camp activities and share daily with camper’s families.
• Plan weekly brief morning chats with your camp team to discuss concerns and plans.

Camp Environment 

• Plan a camp environment with inquiry, exploration, and respect in mind. 
• Create a warm, inclusive camp where children and families feel welcome. 
• Organize physical camp with materials in a way that is inviting and accessible for children.

Interactions with Children 

• Speak and listen to children with respect and mindfulness. 
• Manage the whole group while giving individual attention. 
• Manage transitions, routines, and support camp activities, led by experts in swim, soccer, art, music, and more. 
• Engage students in exploration in encouraging process, not product. 
• Coach children through understanding their feeling and creating space to problem solve conflicts with their peers. 

Relationships with Families 

• Build respectful and reciprocal relationships with families. 
• Communicate consistently with families with pictures and updates.  

Professional Responsibilities 

• Collaborate with staff and manage professional relationships with colleagues
• Mentor Associate and Assistant counselors
• Be reflective, asks questions, willingness to explore new options, and make mistakes 
• Show professionalism, including integrity, ethical conduct, and decision making 

Camp Extras 

• Participate in all camp activities, including swimming in the pool 
• Attend all days of staff orientation 
• Commit to all seven weeks of camp 

JOB REQUIREMENTS 

Required Knowledge  

• Pursuing or holding a MA in education or related  field and/or five years plus experience working full-time Preschool/School environment  
• Minimum 3 years of professional teaching experience in an early childhood setting 
• Strong oral and written communication with families, children, and co-workers 

Role Key Competencies 

• Building Trust
• Communication
• Energy/Positivity
• Adaptability
• Stress Tolerance

EEO Info 

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status. Educational Alliance takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.