Join our team as the next Overnight Camp Unit Leader and support the work of the Y!
Camp Description
Do you live the camp life and have the passion for the outdoors? Are you a self-proclaimed S'mores master? Can you canoe faster that a speeding mallard? Do you feel like you are ready for that next step in your camp outdoor education career? Are you the cause-driven leader we have been looking for at YMCA Camp Carter? YMCA Camp Carter is a 360 acre outdoor adventure camp and conference center located just 7 miles from Downtown Fort Worth. We facilitate programs for various area school groups and other retreat groups throughout the year. We are the ultimate camp experience, providing high quality outdoor education programs that also include canoeing, archery, challenge course, horseback riding, rifles and so much more! Our outdoor education leadership staff will help support the work we do at the YMCA, by helping create a positive, nurturing environment for all of our participants and staff. They will also help each one reach their fullest potential and deepen their connections as part of their overall experience. All Candidates will exhibit the following qualities; Model our core values of Honesty, Caring, Respect and Responsibility. Have an attitude of service and be passionate about nurturing the potential of our youth. Be committed to upholding a high standard of integrity at work daily. Being a member of the team at YMCA Camp Carter can be extremely rewarding knowing each and every day you are making a difference. So are you ready to take the challenge and join us as we make a difference this year? If so, don't wait take charge of your adventure and apply today!
Job Description
YMCA Camp Carter serves over 1,400 campers each summer through its weeklong day and overnight camp sessions filled with fun and adventure. The Boys' and Girls' Overnight Camp Unit Leaders will report to the Assistant Program Directors and are the primary staff working with overnight camp counselors and overseeing around 100 overnight campers each week, Sunday through Saturdays. The Overnight Camp Unit Leaders are responsible for the organization of activities and programs, overnight camp cabin assignments, overnight camp staff management, and overnight camp schedules; assisting counselors with camper behavior management in partnership with the APD of Happiness; preparing for following weeks and any changes throughout the week; communicating with overnight camper families; and collaborating with Camp Carter's leadership teams. This position will also be closely involved in neutralizing child behavior situations.
Dates and Times: The Assistant Program Director of Fun must be available from May 13, 2024 through August 10, 2024. Day Camp Staff Training will be held May 13th - May 24th and attendance is mandatory; the Assistant Program Director of Fun will also participate in and assist in delivering the Overnight Camp Staff Training held June 3rd - June 14th.
Room and Board will be provided; the Overnight Camp Unit Leader must live on site for the duration of the summer.
This position pays $400/week before taxes.
Qualifications
- Must be 18 years of age or older
- Must have a High School Diploma or GED.
- Preferably have 2 years of experience working with youth in Day Camp or Education setting. Work in adjacent fields may be considered.
- Sincere interest in and ability to work with groups of campers ages 5-15, as well as parents and staff of diverse ethnic populations.
- Ability to lead campers in at least 4 of the following areas: recreational activities, drama, crafts, outdoor programs, songs, sports, aquatics, and team building.
- Ability to adequately observe participant activities, enforce safety regulations, and apply appropriate policies and procedures.
- Working at Camp does entail physical requirements that can include prolonged standing, hiking, walking long on uneven terrain and a variety of environments and weather, the ability to lift up to 40 pounds, and other physical activities.
- Must be willing to work with daily exposure to sun and heat. YMCA Camp Carter does have heat protocols for days of extreme heat.
- Adult, Child, and Infant CPR/AED and First Aid, certified within 30days of hire. Training provided by the YMCA.
Essential Functions
The Overnight Camp Unit Leaders' primary responsibility is to supervise and support the overnight camp cabin counselors. Each week, there will be 4-6 boy cabins and 4-6 girl cabins with 10 campers and 2 counselors in each cabin group. As part of t and in addition to that primary responsibility, the Overnight Camp Unit Leaders will also be responsible for the following:
Programming and Scheduling
- In partnership with the Assistant Program Director of Fun, the Overnight Camp Unit Leaders will contribute to planning and implementing daily camp programs in accordance with YMCA Camp Carter policies and American Camp Association standards under the direct supervision of the Camp Director and with the intent of creating an age appropriate learning environment, which allows for and fosters creativity and individuality in campers. This will include assisting in planning and coordinating the following:
- Sunday staff meetings
- Check-in procedures on Sundays
- Evening programs, including CRAZY campfire, closing campfire, evening embers, unit nights and activities, morning meeting, CREW nights/outpost/drawing, meal entertainment and music, magic moments for units, all camp games, afternoon activities, cabin and dining hall sets/transformations, sets/props and camp magic.
- Sunday Camp Activity Fairs, where campers will choose their activities for the week.
- Sunday swim test and paperwork.
- Camp activities including archery, challenge course, fishing, canoeing, hiking, arts & crafts, outdoor cooking, sports or recreational games, drama, specialty themed camps, singing, team building & more.
- Check-out procedures on Saturdays.
- Camp cleanup by staff.
- Work with senior lead counselors of the Boys and Girls Units throughout summer programs in cabins, during unit nights.
- Working with the APDs, coordinate, maintain, and implement activity, staff, and camper schedules; daily schedules; camper rosters; staff break schedules; and ACA skills verifications.
Supervision and Support of Counselors and Campers
- In partnership with the Assistant Program Director of Happiness, the Overnight Camp Unit Leaders will provide behavioral support and assistance to cabin counselors as necessary; provide support for staff of campers and assist in implementing and enforcing camper behavior policies; assist in coordinating and implementing breaks for staff; and encouraging and modeling positive reinforcement techniques for campers and staff.
- Work with the APD of Happiness to handle any camper or staff behavioral issues, including mediating any camper or staff conflicts.
- Provide support as needed in programs, including delivering programs or leading activities, and all cabins daily, checking in with each counselor and campers on a daily basis.
- As needed and when necessary, Unit Leaders will live in a cabin with campers and be responsible for managing and supervising a cabin unit. Unit Leaders are required to follow, model, and implement guidelines and responsibilities for camp counselors, including the following:
- Providing high quality recreational opportunities, lesson plans and programs for all participants.
- Supervising and engages with campers and ensuring their safety, development growth, skill development, achievements and well-being.
- Maintaining a schedule and roster for camp participants.
- Facilitating and creating lesson plans and programming for daily and evening activities.
- Organizing and leading various small and large group games, activities, programs and meal times.
- Ensuring cleanliness of camp, programs, cabins, activities, trash, unit areas, dining hall, rec hall and any other areas of camp.
- Provide consistent supervision and maintain ACA required ratios of staff to campers at all times. 100% Supervision, 100% of the time!
- Attend meal times as requested and ensure campers are adequately supervised; assist with dining hall procedures and staff engagement.
- In partnership with the Camp Health Coordinator, record and track camper allergies, medications and dietary restrictions as needed.
- Know, understand, and be prepared to follow and implement all safety guidelines and emergency procedures and protocols of YMCA Camp Carter.
Communication
- Serve as a line of communication between camp counselors and the camp leadership team; determining when an issue should be elevated to either APD.
- Report to the APD of Fun any needs related to program or activity supplies or scheduling.
- Ensure that campers are constantly supervised in accordance with the applicable ACA ratio guidelines.
- Effectively communicate with staff, campers, families and leadershiop.
- Coordinate with day camp unit leaders to support during day camp check in and check out daily as needed.
- Overall management and supervision of camp units.
- Camper and guest first mindset.
Cause-Driven Leadership Competencies
BENEFITS
- Work with your Friends - Text them the link to this pave now!
- Build Your Resume: Working at Camp develops skills that apply in any number of future career fields - learn leadership and decision-making skills; how to communicate with kids, parents, coworkers, and other of various backgrounds and life experiences, hard skills like how to shoot bullseyes with an arrow, tie-dye like a true artist, and run a zipline; or obtain certifications including lifeguarding. Camp Counselors achieve great things on and off camp - just ask former First Lady Michelle Obama and former Disney CEO Michael Eisner, who both served as camp counselors.
- Free Gym Membership with the YMCA of Metropolitan Fort Worth with access to other YMCA facilities.
- Opportunities for growth: In addition to personal growth through learning hard and soft skills, there are opportunities for continued employment with YMCA Camp Carter of the Fort Worth YMCA year-round.
- Community Involvement: YMCA Camp Carter has been a vital part of the community for over 75 years.