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Lead Camp Counselor (Summer 2025)

Living History Farms, Urbandale, Iowa
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JOB SUMMARY: 

Program staff, including day camp counselors, assist Living History Farms in achieving its mission: to educate and connect all people to the many stories of Midwestern rural life heritage.

You will lead camp participants, primarily kindergarten aged, in the museum’s incredibly popular summer day camps.  Your efforts will create a safe, fun, inclusive, respectful learning environment that inspires campers to learn from the past and from nature, while developing and practicing life skills that they will use long after camp is over.   You will be responsible for instructing the campers as they participate in theme-related activities, crafts, games, nature and creek walks, and visits to the historic areas of Living History Farms. 

Specifically, you will fulfil these vital roles: 

  • Lead Camp Counselor for either morning or afternoon camps for kindergarten-age youth.
  • Supervise campers either during Early Drop Off (before camp) or Late Pick-Up (after camp). 
  • Substitute counselor, filling in when another counselor is absent. 

Living History Farms’ Day Camp Program is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA).

Specific Duties (Lead Camp Counselor): 

  • Provide exciting, exceptional programming weekly for groups of 6 – 12 camp participants, by teaching crafts, skills, games, and activities that relate to the camp’s theme. 
  • Perform appropriate work, indoors and outdoors, in conditions consistent with the museum’s historical time periods and the day camp activities, and within the variation of Iowa’s climate. 
  • Always maintain a professional demeanor, including during interactions with campers, parents/guardians, co-workers, volunteers, and the museum’s guests. 
  • Prepare activity and craft supplies before camp begins daily, and clean up areas daily after camp 
  • Be responsible for the safety of all camp participants. 
  • Communicate proactively and productively as needed with campers’ parents/guardians, via telephone, email, and in person. 
  • Read all required manuals, resources, and training materials. 
  • Attend all required orientation and training sessions and staff meetings.  Participate actively and productively during these sessions. 
  • Assist with the set-up and daily clean-up of day camp locations. 
  • Assist with developing, modifying, evaluating, and/or implementing changes to camp programming as needed and directed by the camp supervisor. 
  • Update camp manuals and procedures as needed and directed by the camp supervisor. 
  • Other duties as assigned. 

Specific Duties (Early Drop Off / Late Pick Up Supervisor): 

  • Supervise up to 12 youth, ages 5 – 13, during leisure time activities prior to, or following, camp.
  • Maintain a positive, respectful environment. 
  • Daily prep and clean-up of area.
  • Be responsible for the safety of participants.
  • Communicate with the youths’ parents/guardians as needed.

Supervisory responsibility:          Junior Camp Counselors (high-school aged volunteers)

QUALIFICATIONS: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.  Consistent attendance is an essential function of the position. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and SKILLS:              

Education

  • Experience and a love of working with youth in an informal educational setting, such as, but not limited to tutoring; working at other summer camps; babysitting; leading church camps; working in classrooms as part of an education class; etc.
  • High school diploma or GED required; preference if currently enrolled in, or graduated from, a college or university with a major in education, family and consumer science, human development, history, science, or related field. 
  • A valid driver’s license.
  • At least 18 years of age by May 1, 2025.

Skills

  • Understand the developmental needs of youth, with a working knowledge of child development and educational theory.  
  • Exceptional customer service skills, with a “can do” mentality; able to present a professional image over the telephone, via email, and in person.
  • Self-management skills, self-confidence, and a strong work ethic.
  • Dependable, reliable, punctual, trustworthy- your campers and co-workers are counting on you!
  • Exemplary communication skills, both verbal and written, and including active listening/listening to understand.
  • Interpersonal relationship and team building skills.
  • Love working in a dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented workplace. 
  • Attention to detail, with a flexible mindset, and the ability to multi-task
  • Creative, analytical, and problem-solving skills that allow for last-minute changes
  • Computer experience, especially with the Microsoft Office software package
  • First aid and CPR certification are preferred, but the museum will provide training if needed

Work Environment

  • Able to perform work outdoors, sometimes in adverse conditions (heat, rain)
  • Able to perform physical tasks such as walking long distances over uneven ground and through a creek, retrieving camp supplies from storage shelving, lifting up to 30 pounds, standing for long periods of time, etc.
  • Successfully pass a background criminal check 

 

POSITION HOURS and SCHEDULE             

  • Two positions are available, each averaging 30-40 hours per week, usually Monday to Friday.
    • Position 1: 7:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. Covers early drop off and morning kindergarten camp. Afternoon hours available as needed.
    • Position 2: 11:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Covers afternoon kindergarten camp and late pick-up.  Morning hours available as needed. 
  • Summer Day Camp training occurs between May 16 and 31, 2025. No training on Monday, May 26, 2025 (Memorial Day).
  • Camp runs from June 2 – August 8, 2025.
  • Must attend the mandatory “End of Camp” day on Sat., August 9, 2025. 
  • While rare, the schedule may also include working Saturdays or evenings, which will be scheduled well in advance.
  • No camp on Friday, July 4 (Independence Day Holiday).