Watercraft Activity Counselor

Dates: June 8 – August 11, 2024

Reports to: Activity Coordinator

Benefits:

Starting salary: $3,000, plus opportunities for bonuses with experience and certifications. Bring a friend and receive a bonus for that, too!

You can earn academic internship credit for this position! Our camp fosters an excellent work experience and fulfills most school’s internship requirements. We will build out a set of individualized learning objectives and specific goals for you to achieve throughout the summer. Our Directors will be happy to tailor these objectives individually to your course or Major of study!

Who we are:

Camp Chewonki is one of Maine’s most prestigious nature-based overnight camp and expedition-based youth leadership program for boys, girls, and non-binary children based on a 400-acre peninsula in mid-coast Maine. Since 1915, Chewonki has been changing the lives of children and staff- including yours! Overnight campers are aged 8-15 and spend 10 days or 3 weeks at camp. The overnight camp program focuses on building cabin community, building social emotional skills and knowledge in a core curriculum (including natural history, farm sciences, watercraft, the arts, and more!) and learning about backcountry travel on multi-day remote cabin trips.

Who you are:

Camp Chewonki Counselors are kind, empathetic, thoughtful, and fun adults who are responsible for caring for the health and well-being of all campers for the summer. They help campers adjust to camp life, build community, and develop the skills to be successful anywhere. Ideal candidates will have a passion for working with children, spending time in the outdoors, and a dedication to lifelong learning.

What you’ll do:

Watercraft Activity Counselors are responsible for preparing and facilitating lessons and keeping activity equipment and areas safe and well-maintained, teaching campers discipline-specific skills in partnership with the Outdoor Programs Department. Trip Leaders are responsible for preparing campers in the watercraft skills needed for trip, while the Watercraft Activity Counselor focuses on offering Watercraft as an optional activity, outside of that required for trip. 

While the Watercraft Activity Counselors’ primary responsibility is watercraft instruction, camp provides a dynamic workplace environment that requires creativity, flexibility and a team player approach. When not teaching or preparing their activity area, Watercraft Activity Counselors are expected to support cabin coverage and work with other staff in the planning and execution of camp-wide initiatives such as evening programs, special events, and off-campus day trips. Watercraft Activity Counselors will be assigned age groups to directly support outside of activity work. 

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Must complete fingerprinting requirements/pass criminal background check.
• Hold a valid driver’s license approved by Chewonki’s insurance carrier, preferred.
• Experience working in watercraft activity area and hold relevant certification such as those from American Canoe Association or the American Red Cross Small Craft Safety
• Experience working in educational spaces, preferred.
• Current Wilderness First Aid Certification required (Chewonki will offer course prior to camp season).
• Current Lifeguard Certification, required (offered by Chewonki).
• Attend required onboarding and training sessions.
• Must be able to lift up to 50 lb at a time.
• Must be able to work in an active, outdoor environment in a variety of weather conditions.
• Able to participate in games, sports, and physical activities including water-based games and activities.
• Able to maintain attention and a high level of energy or excitement for extended periods of time