Head Counselor
HEAD COUNSELOR
The Neil Klatskin Day Camp is seeking a Head Counselor for the summer.
Neil Klatskin Day Camp is located at the Kaplen JCC on the Palisades in Tenafly, New Jersey. It is a place for a child to have fun while growing and maturing through his or her interaction with others. We create a "communal group" where campers and staff participate together. Camp provides experiences that challenge the body, mind and imagination of each individual. Cooperation and communication within a highly supervised group setting ensures the most meaningful and exciting camp experience for each child. It is also at the Neil Klatskin Day Camp that children strengthen their Jewish identity. Staff members consider themselves partners in helping children increase their self-awareness, self-esteem and positive attitude toward adapting to the ever-changing world around us. The Neil Klatskin Day Camp invites staff and campers to share in a warm, accepting and positive manner and to maintain our high standards and goals. NKDC is ACA accredited.
Minimum Qualifications
- Desire and ability to work with children
- Must have preschool or elementary teaching certification and prior camp experience
- Good character, integrity, and adaptability
- Solid communication skills in order to communicate with parents, other counselors, campers
- Ability to relate to one’s peer group
- Ability to accept supervision and guidance
- Ability to assist in teaching activities
- Enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience and self- control
Responsible to
- Camp Director
Schedule
- Eight weeks of camp, 8:30 am-4:30 pm, plus staff orientation
- Extended nights and additional programs as needed
General Responsibilities
- To identify and meet campers’ needs
- To supervise campers throughout all camp programs
- To carry out camp programs and goals
- To oversee other counselors in group
- Other responsibilities as assigned
Specific Responsibilities
- Learn likes and dislikes of each camper in group
- Recognize and respond to opportunities for problem solving in the group
- Provide opportunities for the group so that each individual experiences success during camp
- Guide group and campers in participating successfully in all aspects of camp activities
- Working with co counselors to decorate the classroom and keeping it consistent with the theme of the summer
- Carry out established roles for supervising camper health and safety regulation
- Instruct campers in emergency procedures
- Set a good example for campers and others including cleanliness, punctuality, sharing clean-up, and chores, sportsmanship, and manners
- Follow camp rules and regulations
- Encourage respect for personal property, camp equipment, and facilities
- Maintain good public relations with campers’ parents
- Work with unit head to ensure proper group scheduling
- Plan and lead group activities during “open periods”
- Develop group activity plans with participants as appropriate
- Assist and participate appropriately when group is at a specialty
- Help campers plan their participation in unit-wide or camp-wide programs and special events
- Aid in the growth and development of co-counselors and CITs
- Submit all camp-o-grams and reports on time
Qualified candidates should send their resume and cover letter to: rkaufman@jccotp.org