LIFEGUARD at Special Needs Camp

LIFEGUARD for SPECIAL NEEDS CAMP

Swimming at camp, for our special campers, is an experience many do not have access to in their every day lives. As program directors for our pool, you'll be providing unique experiences to campers with a wide range of diagnoses. 

Camp Millhouse stands out as a unique nonprofit residential summer camp in South Bend, Indiana, dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering environment for children and adults with disabilities. Since its establishment in 1937, the camp has earned a stellar reputation for promoting independence, self-discovery, and personal growth through a diverse range of engaging activities tailored to meet the needs of all campers. Offering a traditional summer camp experience, Camp Millhouse provides specialized accommodations that ensure every camper can fully participate and enjoy their time. Activities include swimming, music, arts and crafts, adaptive sports, and a low ropes challenge course, all designed to inspire campers to explore their potential while having fun. Evening programs, campfire gatherings, and group activities foster a strong sense of community and belonging among participants and staff alike. Accredited by the American Camp Association, Camp Millhouse upholds high standards of safety and programming. The facility features 24-hour nursing staff, specialized medication and diet supervision, and fully accessible recreational and living spaces. The camp's mission is to inspire self-discovery in individuals with special needs through a safe, traditional camp experience.  Empowerment Independence Compassion.   MAKE MEMORIES. BUILD FRIENDSHIPS. CHANGE LIVES.  APPLY ONLINE AT: https://www.campmillhouse.org/join-our-team.html

JOB DESCRIPTION:

Position Purpose:

To further the mission of the camp by providing supervision and ensuring a safe environment at the camp’s pool activities. Assist in the management of the physical operation of the pool facilities and equipment.  Assist with camper care in a designated cabin while not leading activities

Essential Job Functions:

1. Supervise and guard all pool activities
2. Provide surveillance during aquatic activities to help prevent and to manage injuries. 
3. Provide rescues as needed.  
4. Utilize first aid and CPR and other emergency management services as needed.
5. Understand and implement appropriate response to changes in water conditions or weather conditions affecting the pool.
   • Evaluate aquatics abilities of campers and staff.
6. Assist cabin staff in the pool area and plan activities as needed
   • Ensure campers and staff follow safety procedures while in their program activity.
   • Act as reference in pool activities.
   • Assist in the delivery and supervision of all water activities and special events at the pool.
7. Assist in the management and care of the physical facilities and equipment in the pool area
   • Conduct daily check of area and equipment for safety, cleanliness, and good repair.
   • Clean pool area daily keeping it free of hazards and debris.

     8.  Maintain high standards of health and safety in all activities for campers

          and staff.

• Provide the daily care of each camper within your supervision including recognition of personal health needs.  Personal care may include: bathing, dressing, toileting/incontinence care, transfers, ambulation, hygiene tasks, repositioning and feeding.
• Ensure that campers receive their medications as directed by nursing staff.
• Be alert to campers and staff needs and assist them with personal and/or health problems, and discuss with camp nurse and/or camp director when appropriate.
• Be alert to equipment and facilities to ensure utilization, proper care, and maintenance is adhered to; report repairs needed promptly to camp director.

Other Job Duties:

• Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, planning and leading those as assigned.
• Participate as a member of the camp staff team to deliver and supervise evening programs, special events, and other all-camp activities as required.
• Assist in the planning of any special events on or near the pool.

Relationships:

The two lifeguards will work together to maintain the pool and ensure camper safety. Lifeguards oversee camper and staff safety in the pool.  Lifeguards work directly with Cabin Counselors and Assistant Counselors and instruct them as needed on ways to safely assist campers in the water. Lifeguards should follow direction from Cabin Counselors while in the cabin during morning and bedtime routines Lifeguards are members of the Program Director team and are required to actively work with other members to plan and facilitate evening programs. Lifeguards are immediately supervised by the Camp Director.   

Equipment Used:

• Lifeguards will be responsible for all pool equipment including pool heater, chlorinator, pressure gauges, etc.  Lifeguards will be use and properly store pool chairs, buoys, toys, noodles, tubes, stereo system, closing ceremony candles and pool chemicals. Pool chemicals should be locked in the pool storage room at all times.  Lifeguards are responsible for cleaning pool bathrooms.  
• Lifeguards will be trained and expected to work with adaptive and durable medical equipment throughout the summer including, but not limited to: shower chairs and benches, hoyer lifts, hospital beds, electric and manual wheelchairs, strollers, visual aids, hearing aids, basic g-tube equipment, electric razors, grabbers and adaptive program equipment. All equipment should be respected during use. 

Qualifications:  (Minimum qualifications and experience)

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Current certification in lifeguard training or equivalent.
• Current certification in first aid and CPR (Or Camp Millhouse can certify you). 
• Able to pass a skills test verifying skills required for certification. 
• Must be able to pass a criminal background check and have no record on the National Sex Offender Registry

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Training and experience in pool activities that are offered at the camp.
• Desire and ability to work with people with disabilities in the water and all other capacities at camp.

Physical Aspects of the Position:

• Ability to communicate and work with groups participating (age and skill levels) and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff.
• Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
• Ability to observe staff behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate management techniques.
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
• Ability to lift a minimum of 50 lbs. 
• Ability to ambulate independently for a reasonable distance and assist another individual while doing so if needed (including the ability to push a manual wheel chair).
• Ability to use hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate equipment in cabin and program areas to assist campers with personal care or activity tasks. 
• Willingness to work and live in a camp setting with daily exposure to sun, heat, insects and other outdoor elements.