Description

Seasonal Resident Camp Counselor: $475+/week plus room and board.  

Dates: June 17th 2025, to July 31st, 2025

Functions: 

To directly supervise the basic cabin group, encourage campers to participate in all activities and be a  general guide and example to all other campers at camp. 

Broad Responsibilities: 

1. To understand and help implement the goals and mission of Turning Rivers. 2. To help each camper have a quality, safe, inspirational, and enjoyable camping experience. 3. To effectively manage cabin and activity groups by emphasizing cooperation, support, and  problem solving. 

4. To represent camp in a mature and respectful manner. 

5. Follow all aspects of the signed contact including dates and understanding of the job (which  includes being present during staff training and partnership camps and summer camp). 

Specific Responsibilities: 

A. Assume full responsibility for all the campers in your cabin 24 hours a day, besides from  assigned time off. 

1. Teach campers to live with each other and to respect each other’s property: a. Have set cabin expectations and rules at during cabin time at the beginning of camp b. Provide “Get to Know You” games during cabin time.  

c. Provide a tour of camp

d. Provide teambuilding activities that encourage communication, building team and community throughout the cabin, and provide debriefing that reintroduce cabin  expectations 

2. Set an example of promptness (be on time) to activities and meals: 

a. Plan and coordinate with co-counselor and campers to remain on schedule by providing  preview of times and communicate before transition times (5 minutes before we have  to leave, 3 minutes, 1 minute).  

3. Set an example of politeness and manners: 

a. Lead by example anywhere on camp (through meals, activities, and other times).  b. Take time for teachable moments. 

4. Watch each camper carefully for deviations from good health and sanitary practices: a. Instruct campers to brush teeth, to wash hands before meals and after using the  bathroom and to take daily showers. 

b. Instruct and watch for campers to put on bug spray and sun-screen during the morning,  afternoon, and night.  

c. Make sure camper is changing clothes, underwear and pants/shorts.  

5. Make daily inspections of camper clothing and bedding: 

a. Do not embarrass a child for bed wetting since it is often symbolic of an emotional  problem.  

b. Take immediate steps to change sheets or air out sleeping bag. 

c. Communicate with Unit Director that bedding and clothes are in a bag in foyer of cabin. 6. Report all major accidents and medical problems to Camp Nurse and Summer Camp  Director or Unit Director: 

a. Help alleviate camper discomfort whenever possible (putting on a band-aid or getting  ice for a bruise).  

7. Maintain a firm but loving discipline over campers:  

a. Offer praise and encouragement as recognition for good behavior. 

b. For poor behavior discuss ways to improve or stop.  

i. Document behavior 

ii. Communicate with Unit Director or Summer Camp Director about behavior iii. Provide feedback to camper and the results of which behavior will do 

c. Review behavior contract with camper(s) 

8. Avoid late hours and have a positive enthusiastic attitude: 

a. Be enthusiastic for all activities from camp-fires to meal times.  

b. Be responsible for oneself and understand your needs to go at 100% the next day c. Fake it to you make it!  

d. Provide feedback to the Program Director or Unit Director and NOT other counselors  that

would affect the daily life of camp negatively. (Always speak to Program Director or  Unit 

Director with any issues that arise). 

B. Assume responsibility of your cabin and camp property: 

 1. Be alert to conserving energy whenever possible: 

 a. Turn off lights, fans, A/C, and etc. after you leave the room or building 

 2. Conduct a “reflections period” just before bed: 

a. Provide excellent reflections at the evening that provide a reflective thought for the  evening. 

 3. Turn in camp paperwork on schedule: 

 a. Turn in Cabin Letter and Cabin Activities on the first day at breakfast. 

 b. Turn in Camp Evaluations on Friday morning. 

 4. Thoroughly clean and inspect you cabin daily: 

a. Make sure living quarters of cabin, bathrooms, and showers are properly clean and  “inspection clean” before morning flagpole.  

 5. Teach campers to respect and protect the environment: 

 a. Make sure that campers respect cabin and other facilities. 

b. Teach campers to be responsible for nature by following “brown, down, and on the  ground” it is okay to use and “you see it, you own it.” That includes for activity areas, cabin  areas, garbage on the ground and etc.  

c. Show campers the importance of how nature is important and can provide many things  to us. 

C. Assume full responsibility with help of all staff to provide A-quality activities for campers.  1. When given assigned activities, plan and implement activities with co-counselor: a. Plan and implement affective activities with co-counselor through communication and  careful planning. 

2. When planning for activities, plan for progression for campers: 

a. Include that activities are different on a daily basis that give campers the opportunity to  provide improve on the certain activity. 

3. Keep in mind that all learners may not learn the same way, therefore plan on teaching using  different methods (visual, auditory, or kinesthetic approaches): 

a. Give clear explanations that show campers which include modeling, guided practice and  assessment on how the camper is doing in a certain activity.  

b. Provide feedback to the camper can improve on activity. 

4. Be active and willing to provide assistance in the Healing Hearts Center/Cabins during “support”  sessions.

5. Take responsibility of letting the Camp Director know when supplies are broken, missing, or  need more of something. 

a. After each activity is over, make sure that all equipment gets back to the correct place. b. If equipment is missing or low, please notify either the following: Turning Rivers Program Director or Unit Director

Requirements

Qualifications: 

- Should be considering degree or higher in the following: Education, Human Services, Nursing,  and Criminal Justice or other fields. 

- Must be 17 years or older of age. 

- A mature, capable, organized, and responsible person. 

- Positive role model for campers, staff, and other volunteers. 

- Must be able to work with kids from diverse backgrounds through our different camps that are  specific to “trauma-related,” experiences (family violence, loss of a loved one, parental  incarceration) and families from diverse backgrounds.  

- Must be willing to be trained in the following: Lifeguard Certification, Belay Certification, Attend  a 12-day staff training (Lifeguard/Belay Certification will be paid by Turning Rivers). 

It is our vision for Turning Rivers to provide the very best experience for our campers