Camp Specialist - Summer Discovery in Maplewood, New Jersey at Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges Inc

Are you patient, positive, and passionate about helping kids succeed? Do you know how to support behavior while building trust and confidence? Can you support staff while helping campers thrive socially and emotionally? You’ll play a key role in creating a safe and supportive camp experience for every child.

This position will support the Camp Director in working with children that need accommodations to have a successful summer at camp.

This position supports the work of the Y, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Provides direct supervision of a group of children in a seasonal day camp. The Camp Specialist will support the Camp Director in creating an inclusive environment for all children to thrive. He or she will work with other counselors to bring about quality programming in that specialty area. Activities should nurture creativity, cooperation, skill and self-esteem and support the potential of all youth in programs and facilitates peer-to-peer connections as part of the overall camp experience.

1. Help deliver a variety of activities within specialty area that are age specific and that keep children’s interests high.
2. Instruct Counselors on how to teach activities within an inclusive lens.
3. Help lead activities with assistance from Counselors and help keep campers focused on the activity.
4. Assist in controlling supply inventory. Assist Camp Director with ordering supplies. Keep the supply storage area neat and organized.
5. Assist the Camp Director in carrying out themes and special events, general camp activities.
6. Greet campers with a smile and treat them with enthusiasm.
7. Learn camper’s names. Respond to campers' needs.
8. Encourage camper’s youth development progress. As a leader, set a good example for the children. Teach campers how to solve problems and maintain basic discipline and group control.
9. Ensure that all volunteers have a great experience to help our association increase volunteer participation.
10. Develop positive relationships with member families and learn why they come to our Y.
11. Help group maintain camp cleanliness.
12. Perform all responsibilities in an enthusiastic and committed manner.
13. Take the initiative to be actively participatory in all activities

Safety:

1. Must attend and complete all required training.
2. At all times, uphold camp safety standards. Maintain constant face counts. Will understand and practice risk management and disaster policies and procedures.
3. Help maintain group control and facilitate lunchtime activities.
4. Follow all YMCA, ACA, and NJ Licensing standards and procedures to ensure the safest and best quality camp and to help maintain ACA accreditation.
5. Secure and submit all accident reports, special plans, schedule changes, and evaluations to Camp Director when appropriate.
6. Report all immediate concerns to the Camp Director or nearest supervisor.
7. Use two methods of discipline with campers to include redirection to appropriate activities and using positive reinforcement to commend good choices.

1. Always maintain a professional demeanor, as you are a representative of the YMCA.
2. Wear a Camp T-shirt daily.
3. Maintain a positive attitude, responsibility and self-motivation. Be punctual and reliable.
4. Create a positive and nurturing learning environment to instill youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility.

Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Ys values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.

Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.