Summer Day Camp Senior Counselor (Flatbush YMCA)

Salary: $17.17 Hourly

The YMCA of Greater New York is here for all New Yorkers — to empower youth, improve health, and strengthen community. Founded in 1852, today the Y serves a diverse population of more than half a million New Yorkers who learn, grow, and thrive through programs and services at our 24 branches. Community is the cornerstone of the Y. Together, we connect active, engaged New Yorkers to build stronger communities.

To help fulfill our mission, we cultivate a culture of learning, leading, and collaboration to enhance community impact. Through our talented staff and “LEAP” career framework (Leadership, Empowerment, Accountability, Personal Growth), we are committed to a people-first approach that fosters trust, inclusion, growth, and development for all.

Summer Camp season is quickly approaching, and the Flatbush YMCA is currently accepting applications for Summer Day Camp Senior Counselors. Our camps are seeking the “best of the best” candidates to ensure that our campers have the best summer of their lives.

Y Summer Camp

There is an energy and magic to summer camp that cannot be replicated. Throughout the gyms, classrooms, playgrounds, campgrounds, buses, and trains, campers can be heard laughing, singing, playing, and learning. Y Camps provide an exciting camp experience in a safe and accepting environment and enhances campers’ self-confidence, self-esteem, and leadership skills.

Is this the job for you?

Do you want to work for an organization that continuously strives to make a positive impact in NYC? The Y is in all 5 boroughs. We serve 12,000 campers by providing fun, safe, and positive experiences for kids.

Who are we looking to hire?

We are looking for people who enjoy working with youth. People who are creative, have a passion for teaching youth new skills, are enthusiastic, and model our four core values: Caring, Honesty, Respect, and Responsibility. We are looking for people who can provide a safe and positive environment for school-age children to provide opportunities for learning, interaction, and academic/personal growth.

What’s in it for you?

Aside from being a part of a greater movement and actively playing a role in developing our next generation, the Y offers so much more:

• Build your resume with marketable skills that include teamwork, creativity, communication, and leadership.
• Receive 40 hours of training, which is great to list on your resume.
• Work for an organization that consistently raises the bar and always looks towards being innovative – did you know the Y invented basketball?
• Have fun – while this is a serious job and safety is our number one priority, we conduct our days with all things fun.
• Take advantage of discount offers to Broadway plays, movie theaters, sporting events, comedy clubs, and other special events throughout New York City via our “Plum Benefits” program.
• Get a Y membership. Our seasonal staff receive an individual adult membership for the time of their employment.

A Day in the Life of a Day Camp Senior Counselor

The Day Camp Senior Counselor plays a critical role in the successful operation of the Summer Day Camp program. The Day Camp Senior Counselor is responsible for providing a safe and positive environment for school-age children to provide opportunities for learning, interaction, and academic/personal growth.

Want more information on Camp? – click here.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensure the health, safety, and well-being of participants in the program by providing appropriate supervision at all times.
• Understand, maintain, and ensure that participants follow Risk Management and safety procedures.
• Keep the immediate supervisor informed daily of any concerns regarding participants, staff, or the facility.
• Plan and implement meaningful activities, lesson plans, and special events that are structured, age-appropriate, fun, exciting, challenging, and values-based in the areas of arts, STEM, character development, literacy, creative expression, community service, physical fitness, and nutrition.
• Perform specific scheduled assignments, including but not limited to arrival and departure and lunch duty.
• Prepare the learning environment, lessons, and necessary supplies for program activities. Assume responsibility for the cleanliness and organization of the camp room, program supplies, and activity space.
• Support the planning and implementation of all camp activities, including but not limited to summer learning initiatives, field trips, in-camp events, and culminating performances.
• Provide support to Activity Specialists with activity implementation.
• Work cooperatively with all program staff.
• Provide guidance and support to Counselor in Training (CITs), hold CITs accountable for program expectations, and complete and maintain all required CIT paperwork.
• Promote an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful environment that embraces the diversity of all staff and participants.
• Create and maintain a strength-based, youth-focused atmosphere that is consistent and sensitive to the needs of participants with learning, emotional, or behavioral differences.
• Serve as a positive role model for participants.
• Maintain accurate program documentation (attendance, sign-in/out forms, behavior reports, incident reports, and accident reports, as appropriate).
• Understand and communicate the YMCA’s core values and the goals of the Summer Day Camp program to staff, participants, and caregivers.
• Develop and maintain positive relationships with parents and guardians through regular communication about their child’s strengths and areas of growth. Take a leadership role in providing caregivers with regular updates (including Snapshots, behavior updates, success stories, etc.)
• Attend all required pre-camp trainings. Actively participate in training sessions, designated meetings, and special events.
• Ensure that groups are in ratio. Provide support and accountability to Day Camp Senior Counselors and ensure that they maintain all program standards, even in your absence.
• Adhere to all Department of Health, YMCA of Greater New York, and funder standards, expectations, and regulations.

Desired Skills & Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; college credits preferred.
• Minimum one year of experience working with youth.
• General knowledge of MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. 

Key Dates

The summer camp season begins on July 1st and ends on August 23rd. You must also attend, and successfully complete, 40 hours of pre-camp training.