Summer Camp Counselor Position at Camp Birch Hill - Lakes Region, NH

"Birch Hill is a camp for the individual. Regimentation is avoided and the atmosphere is natural and friendly. The directors are ever mindful of the physical and general well-being of the campers." This quote from a 1941 camp brochure in our archives remains as relevant today as it was then, and is shown in every aspect of the classic New England camp experience that we provide to campers aged 6-16 each summer. The cheerful and supportive environment felt all over camp is cultivated by our energetic and passionate counselors, who enjoy being outside and expressing their creativity. Our counselors are primarily college students, recent graduates, and young educators who thrive in a team-oriented culture. Together, we are a diverse group of mature, dignified role models coming from all across the United States and abroad. Despite our different backgrounds, we are united by a common thread: the overwhelming sense of accomplishment we feel when we connect with, facilitate personal growth, and make a lasting positive impact in the lives of every camper. If you are looking for a truly rewarding and gratifying job, please consider applying to join our staff for summer 2024!

Responsibilities

• Live in a cabin with a co-counselor and a group of children of a specific age group. Provide direct care and supervision for your campers during cabin activities.
• Share evening/overnight cabin duty with a co-counselor. Monitor the personal care and hygiene of cabin group and living space. Lead routine practices of cabin upkeep and help cabin members become an independent and self-sufficient community.
• Establish a safe, nurturing, and wholesome cabin environment in which every camper feels comfortable being their authentic self.
• during the day, teach classes in a specific program area. Working alongside a co-teacher, create lesson plans for engaging, inclusive, and safe activities for classes with co-ed campers aged 6-16.
• Collaborate and communicate with co-counselors, supervisors, and other camp staff
• Encourage participation and enthusiasm in all camp activities. Help facilitate group process and decision making for campers.
• Live by the motto of "safety never takes a vacation" and work to ensure the safety of campers in all camp activities.

Desired Qualifications

• 19 years or older OR currently a student in college by employment start date
• Find interest and joy in working with kids in a wide variety of educational settings
• strong communication and interpersonal skills
• ability to work independently and as part of a team
• ability to approach challenges in a supportive and creative manner
• adaptability and flexibility in an ever-changing work environment

Benefits

• week-long professional development in program areas, safety, and general summer camp best practices. This orientation happens before camp begins.
• during the camp sessions, counselors have the opportunity to learn different activities for themselves, or to learn how to teach activities outside the program area they specialize in.
• work outside with other young, like-minded people in a beautiful environment in the lakes region of New Hampshire
• counselors receive every other evening off and are free to explore camp and the surrounding area with co-workers.
• additional 1-2.5 hours off during every activity day
• counselors receive 24 hours off on a 6-day cycle. Camp Birch Hill is 90 miles from Boston and at the foot of the White Mountains, giving the opportunity to explore all the natural beauty that New England has to offer
• counselor experience can be used as an internship for a college program if needed.