Job Title: Specialist—Drama
Location: San Bernardino National Forest, Angelus Oaks, California
Position Type: Seasonal
Supervised by: Assistant Program Director and/or Program Director
Supervises: Campers at the Drama specialty area and in their assigned cabins.
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 is seeking enthusiastic and dedicated individuals to join our team as a Seasonal Drama Specialist— for the summer season. As a Drama Specialist, you will play a pivotal role in creating a positive, inclusive, and fun camp environment for our campers and staff while ensuring their safety and well-being. This position is an excellent opportunity for individuals who are passionate about theatre and the dramatic arts working with children, promoting personal growth, and fostering a strong sense of community. You will supervise and manage the campers who come to your area as well.
Qualifications/Certifications:
- Minimum age requirement: 18+
- Has prior experience in acting, directing, and participating in theatre productions; participating in theatre clubs; teaching theater and skill development training, or in a leadership role.
- Strong background and experience in camping, education, and/or related fields.
- Desires and ability to teach drama and work with children and young adults in a camp setting.
- Ability to promote teamwork and inclusion of all campers.
- Ability to creatively plan and schedule programs and activities, and to maximize the skills and the talents of campers under your direct and indirect supervision.
- Ability to communicate with, relate to, and serve as an example to all campers and staff.
- Willingness and ability to take full responsibility for the safety and security of campers.
- Ability to accept guidance, constructive feedback, and support.
- CPR and First Aid Certification (Training can be provided if needed).
Job Responsibilities:
1. Camper Supervision and Safety:
- Always maintain a high level of safety for all campers throughout the day, at drama, and during theatre-related programming.
- Build a strong and positive relationship with all campers.
- Responsible for the health, safety, and happiness of campers always.
- Attend and actively participate in camp-wide safety and emergency response training sessions and protocols.
- Shmira (camper supervision) at night as assigned.
2. Mentoring and Role Modeling for Campers:
- Serve as a positive role model for campers, promoting CMC’s mission and values.
- Act as a role model for the entire CMC community.
- Help every camper make friends, become acclimated to camp life, and grow toward their potential.
- Facilitate age-appropriate activities in the drama specialty area that promote skill development and 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:
- Ensure that the drama specialty area is conducted safely and in accordance with ACA guidelines.
- Responsible for planning sessions, preparation, and implementation of all cabin activity periods and Chugim (elective) programs relating to the activity area.
- Responsible for planning, producing, managing, and executing the session camper plays.
- Lead day-to-day operations of the drama specialty area.
- Assist with the setup and tear down of drama specialty area programming (including play practice) after each activity period.
- Assist with properly storing all drama-related program supplies at the end of the day behind the stage and/or in our programming closet.
- Follow the Program Director and or Director's instructions on which activities you will lead and when your hour off will take place.
- Participate regularly and enthusiastically in all camp programs (Banquets, Chai’dol, CMC Games, Maccabiah, and Embassy).
- Participate regularly and enthusiastically in all Judaic programming, including Shabbat services, Choose Your Own Tefillah, and Havdalah.
4. Group Dynamics:
- Foster a sense of belonging and inclusivity among campers in the drama specialty area.
- Build a strong and positive relationship with every camper who comes to the teatron (amphitheater) for Drama.
- Help every camper make friends, become acclimated to camp life, grow towards his/her/their potential, and become part of the community.
- Assist with resolving conflicts and create a supportive, respectful, and positive atmosphere within the group.
- Create a safe space for campers to try new things and participate in drama.
- Participate in and help plan unit evening and all-camp programs as needed.
5. Health and Wellness:
- Provide basic first aid when necessary, following camp health and safety policies.
- Responsible for the cleanliness of the drama specialty area, including pre- and post-camp inventory.
- Notify the Program Director and the Directors immediately of any incidents or issues so they can fill out an accident/injury report.
- Document and report any incidents or issues ASAP by filling out accident/injury reports.
- 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, campers and staff belongings are organized, and that there is empty floor space to promote cabin bonding activities).
6. Communication:
- Maintain open and effective communication with the CMC full-time team, summer Leadership team, Program Director, and fellow staff members.
- Able and willing to work with a variety of campers and staff members in a calm, always collected manner.
- Attend walkie-talkie training so that you know how to use one.
- Charge the walkie-talking nightly to ensure that if the Leadership team needs to communicate, they can.
- Immediately communicate with the Assistant Director if you need program supplies or replacement equipment for your specialty area.
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).
- Ensuring 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.
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 camp community.
- Participate in the mandatory pre-summer meeting with the Assistant Director, Specialist orientation, and staff week.
- Participate regularly and enthusiastically in all camp day-to-day programs and special events.
- Attend regular supervisory meetings (one-on-ones) with the Program Director, Assistant Program Director, and/or Directors.
- Attend unit staff meetings and weekly all-staff meetings as assigned.
- Directly responsible for the cleanliness and care of living space, including pre- and post-camp inventory of the cabin.
- When not at the drama specialty area, you will act as a counselor during mealtimes, menucha (rest hour), shower hour, and evening programs. We ask you to be a super-specialist, build relationships with the campers in your cabin, and be engaged. It makes a difference!
- Assist with the closing down of camp at the end of each session and summer.
- Assist with end-of-summer inventory for the drama specialty area by organizing theater props in the programming closet and storage bins located in additional areas at camp.
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 on rugged terrain for extended periods, often while leading campers on hikes, nature walks, and in your specialty area.
- 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 a variety of environments, including indoors, outdoors, and in confined spaces, such as tents, cabins, and camp buses.
- The ability to work in a variety of 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.
- Spend most of the time outdoors and tolerate a variety of weather conditions, including heat, humidity, and insects.
- 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.