Overnight Camp Counselor

Department: Camp Programs

Dates of Employment: May 28, 2024 – August 17, 2024

Expected Schedule: 6+ days per week

Reports To: Program Managers; Assistant Managers

Housing Available: Yes (staff are required to live on campus)

Compensation: $550 per week base rate, 10% boost for Spanish speakers, 3% boost for returning camp staff.

About Keystone Science School 
With the outdoors as a backdrop for learning, Keystone Science School inspires curiosity and critical thinking through the lens of science to change lives and strengthen communities. KSS offers a variety of adventure and traditional camp activities within a structured environment designed to allow each camper and participant to understand their potential. In all programs, campers and participants will create lifelong friendships, explore and learn about the natural world, and gain leadership and wilderness skills.  For more information go to keystonescienceschool.org

With a staff that cares deeply about social justice and racial justice, we believe that diverse perspectives and backgrounds create a rich work environment and enhance our ability to pursue our mission. We are committed to building an organization with raised consciousness in order to impact how we work with clients, as well as how we work together as a team. 

Program Overview and Job Summary

KSS offers a range of programs that balance hands-on science activities, field-based exploration, and adventure programming. Curriculum themes include but are not limited to: environmental science (aquatic ecology, forest ecology, earth science, snow studies, winter ecology, weather and climate), leadership, community building, STEM, outdoor skills, and health. Keystone Science School’s Overnight Camp programs combine weekly curriculum themes with traditional summer activities like hiking, camping, songs, skits, archery, and more! Students stay overnight in dorms or canvas tents.

Discovery Camp Counselors work with the Overnight program. This position is responsible for teaching and facilitating a wide variety of summer program activities. This position is the primary caregiver for each child. They are also responsible for guiding children in their personal growth and daily living skills. It is the responsibility of Discovery Overnight Camp Counselors to be completely familiar with the daily schedule and their camper’s individual and group needs. Discovery Camp Counselors can expect to work long summer camp days that are 16 hours or longer. 

Main areas of focus:

• 90% Teaching and facilitation.
• 10% Support staff duties (e.g. facilitation of meals, setup/clean up, transportation, student free time).

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and teach age appropriate activities;
• Maintain quality programming;
• Oversee up to 13 children in a field group;
• Oversee up to 13 children on one overnight camping trip and challenge hike session;
• Oversee and support a wide variety of KSS programs and activities, which includes but is not limited to: camper choice activities/freeplay, evening programming, special events, the end of season celebration, etc.;
• Oversee and maintain high standards of health and safety, and follow Risk Management policies in all activities;
• Actively interact with and engage children during KSS programs;
• Participate as a mentor in the Counselor Assistant Program (CAP), by providing learning opportunities, constructive feedback and writing final letters and evaluations to each overseen CAP
• Provide an electronics-aware experience for all children and enforce an electronics-aware environment with counselors;
• Set up before children arrive and clean up after children depart from KSS campus;
• Maintain storage of all KSS equipment, including teaching materials, gear, keys, toys, etc.;
• Attend all staff meetings as assigned;
• Live with other counselors;
• Support overnight camping packing sessions;
• Support meetings and go over rules and guidelines of resident life in the cabins;
• Lead and support the “Candle Chat” program each night;
• Candidates age 20+ with a minimum of 4 years driving experience will be required to participate in and pass Van Driver Training, and they will be required to drive a 15-passenger van;
• Abide by and uphold the policies and procedures set forth by KSS;
• Other duties as assigned.

Professional Performance  

• Adhere to all Personnel Policies and Procedures for the organization.
• Maintain professional standards of performance, demeanor, and appearance at all times; act as a “role model” both at and away from the organization.
• Maintain a creative, team-building approach to job performance and seek to bring a constructive, problem-solving orientation to all tasks.
• Perform all tasks and responsibilities with attention to detail and in a complete and timely manner, complying with organization policies and standards and conforming to the scheduling requirements of the job and program.
• Maintain an awareness of the organization’s mission and work to promote the positive individual and social change goals it embodies.
• Exercise discretion and professional judgment at all times keeping with the responsibilities carried personally and by the organization for the care and welfare of the clients; act with honesty and integrity in all aspects of organization business.
• Actively strive to upgrade professional skills through engaging in appropriate professional training and experience.
• Actively strive to create and maintain a culturally sensitive, justice-centered and appropriate environment through communication and interaction that demonstrates respect for diversity, socio-economic and cultural differences and that fosters a work environment where people from all backgrounds are welcomed and valued.
• Other duties may be assigned