Job Title: General Counselor
Location: San Bernardino National Forest, Angelus Oaks, California
Position Type: Seasonal
Supervised by: Assigned Unit Head
About Camp Mountain Chai:
Camp Mountain Chai is a premier Jewish summer camp nestled in the scenic beauty of the San Bernardino National Forest in Angelus Oaks, California. Our mission is to provide a vibrant, safe, and inclusive community where campers can grow, learn, and create lasting memories while embracing Jewish values and traditions. We are committed to upholding the highest standards in camp management and operations set forth by the American Camp Association (ACA).
Position Summary:
Camp Mountain Chai hires enthusiastic and dedicated individuals as Seasonal Camp Counselors for the Summer season. Counselors play a pivotal role in creating a positive, inclusive, and fun camp environment for our campers while ensuring their safety and well-being. This position is an excellent opportunity for individuals who are passionate about working with children, promoting personal growth, and fostering a strong sense of community.
Qualifications/Certifications:
- Must be a High School graduate or equivalent.
- Prior work experience with children in a camp, school, or recreational setting is preferred.
- Strong commitment to the values and mission of Camp Mountain Chai.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Desire and ability to work with children and young adults in a camp setting.
- Appreciation for the nature/outdoors.
- Ability to work with a variety of staff members in a calm, always collected manner.
- CPR and First Aid Certification (Training can be provided if needed).
Job Responsibilities
1. Camper Supervision and Safety:
- Maintain a high level of safety for all campers throughout the day, at program areas, during mealtimes, and when living in a cabin with kids.
- Adhere to the ACA standards for camper-to-counselors ratios and supervision.
- Attend and actively participate in camp-wide safety and emergency response training sessions and protocols.
- Be able to adapt to stressful situations appropriately in a fast-paced, interactive environment required.
2. Mentoring and Role Modeling for Campers:
- Serve as a positive role model for campers, promoting CMC’s mission and values.
- Facilitate age-appropriate activities and experiences that encourage personal growth, self-esteem, and character development.
- Ability to accept guidance, constructive feedback, and support.
- Ability to ask for help when needed.
3. Program Activity Leadership:
- Assist in the delivery of various camp activities such as arts and crafts, sports, outdoor adventures, and more.
- Ensure that participation in specialty area activities is conducted safely and in accordance with ACA guidelines.
- Participate in and help plan unit, divisional, and all-camp programs as needed.
- Participate regularly and enthusiastically in all Judaic programming, including Shabbat services and Pe’ulah.
- Teach, assist, and participate in Chugim (electives) and Shabb’options as assigned by the programming team.
- Develop and execute evening programs each session for campers in their assigned unit.
4. Group Dynamics:
- Foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity within camper groups.
- Build a strong and positive relationship with every camper assigned to their cabin group and be a role model to all campers.
- Help every camper make friends, become acclimated to camp life, grow towards his/her/their potential, and become part of the community.
- Create a supportive, respectful, and positive atmosphere within the group and help resolve conflict as needed.
5. Health and Wellness:
- Provide basic first aid when necessary, following camp health and safety policies.
- Promote good hygiene practices and encourage campers to stay hydrated, eat nutritious meals, shower, change their clothes regularly, etc.
- Promote good cabin hygiene (making sure that cabins stay clean, camper and staff belongings are organized, and that there is an empty floor space to promote cabin bonding activities).
- Responsible for the cleanliness and care of living space, including pre-and post-camp inventory of the cabin.
- Communicate effectively with medical staff, RN, and/or Doctor about any potential medical situations or need for assistance.
- Adhere to all medical protocols (medication distribution, sick call, etc.) as outlined in the CMC medical policies.
6. Communication:
- Maintain open and effective communication with the CMC full-time team, summer Leadership team, Unit Heads, and fellow staff members.
- Document and report any incidents or issues promptly in Cabin Wellness binders and through filling out accident/injury reports.
- Adhere to social media, phone, and walkie-talkie policy.
7. Environmental Stewardship:
- Instill in campers and staff respect for nature and the environment. Lead by example in eco-friendly practices (picking up trash around camp, keeping CMC clean, recycling paper and/or soda cans, putting lost items in the lost and found bin).
- Ensure that campers and staff do not leave their mark by adding graffiti to camp property. This includes the inside and outside of cabins and all buildings.
- Emphasize/maintain clean spaces (dining hall, cabins, program areas)
8. Responsibilities as Staff at Camp Mountain Chai:
- Adhere to the goals, mission, and camp rules set by Camp Mountain Chai.
- Act as a role model in camp for the entire community.
- Participate in the mandatory pre-summer staff orientation and ongoing staff development throughout the summer.
- Review confidential camper profiles during staff orientation week and before each session.
- Participate regularly and enthusiastically in all camp day-to-day programs and special events.
- Participate in out-of-camp trips as assigned (unit overnights, service trips, camping trips).
- Provide supervision to campers and cabin groups during mealtimes.
- Attend regular supervisory meetings (one-on-ones) with Unit Leader.
- Attend nightly staff meetings and weekly all-staff meetings as assigned.
- Follow CMC’s Shmira (camper supervision) during Menucha, Shower Hour, and at night as assigned by the Unit Head.
- Participate in evaluations at the end of each session/summer.
- Assist with closing camp at the end of each session and summer.
- Assist with end-of-summer inventory for related camp locations and areas.
Physical Demands:
- The ability to lift and carry objects weighing up to 35 pounds, such as coolers, program equipment, and camping supplies.
- The ability to frequently stoop, kneel, bend, crouch, and crawl, especially when assisting campers with various activities.
- The ability to stand and walk for extended periods, often while leading campers on hikes, nature walks, and field trips.
- The ability to sit for extended periods, especially when instructing campers in arts and crafts, storytelling, and other sedentary activities.
- The ability to operate machinery and equipment, such as camp grills, canoes, and archery equipment, with proper training and safety precautions.
- The ability to work in various environments, including indoors, outdoors, and confined spaces, such as tents, cabins, and camp buses.
- The ability to work in various weather conditions, including heat, cold, rain, and sun exposure.
- Swim and/or pass a swim test to ensure the safety of campers during water activities.
- Maintain attention and high levels of energy or excitement for extended periods to keep campers engaged and entertained.
- Be able to bend, stretch, twist, or reach out to assist campers with various activities, such as tying shoelaces, helping with bathroom needs, and participating in physical games.
Camp Mountain Chai is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We value diversity in our workforce and encourage applications from all qualified individuals.
Please note that this job description is not all-encompassing. Other duties may be assigned, and the requirements of this position may change at any time.