Camper Goals Supervisor - Special Needs Camp Leadership Staff

Looking for a paid summer internship that transforms the lives of young people?

If you have a heart for creating meaningful connections and want to work in a beautiful outdoor setting, this is the opportunity for you!

About Us:

Camp Starfish is on a mission to create a transformative summer experience for children with emotional, learning, and behavioral challenges. As a Camper Goals Specialist, or Camper Services Administrator, you'll play a vital role in our team, making lasting impressions on campers and fostering a supportive and inclusive community.

Responsibilities:

• Desire and ability to work with children outdoors, in a mission-focused, not-for-profit organization dedicated to fostering the success and growth of children with emotional, learning and behavioral problems by providing individualized attention as part of structured, nurturing and fun group programs
• Live alongside other members of the leadership team, supervising campers and staff, providing 24-hour supervision and helping them to adjust to camp life and group living.
• Creating a physically and emotionally safe environment for staff and campers.
• Nurture each camper's development, self-esteem, and personal goals.
• Fully immerse yourself in camp life to learn skills like facilitating, high-level behavior management strategies, and effective communication.
• Engage in outdoor activities like sports, hiking, high ropes, campfires, boating, and swimming, rain or shine.
• Oversee the camper Goals program, including goal charting/documentation, implementing a nightly all-camp Goals Meeting, and verifying camper entry into goal point-based activities.
• Remaining organized and working as a team to ensure materials are ready for designated times.
• Manage the Goals Milestone program 
• Work with all Administrators & Directors to provide overall behavioral support for campers and staff working with campers in difficult situations.
• Become well-versed in supervisory techniques, including but not limited to goal setting, constructive feedback, staff appreciation, active listening, support, mentoring, managing crucial conversations, and delegation; timely completion of all requirements of the formalized feedback program for staff supervised.

Qualifications:

• Ideal candidate is a college student majoring in psychology, sociology, social work, or a related field.
• Strong mental resilience and the ability to handle challenging yet rewarding scenarios with empathy and composure. Being able to compartmentalize in the moment. Possess good character, integrity, adaptability, flexibility, enthusiasm, sense of humor, patience & self-control.
• Ability to work the entirety of the season including Administrator training dates.
• Pass all background and reference checks as required for seasonal employees of an organization working with vulnerable youth populations.
• At least 19 years old with one year of college/work/life experience outside of high school; At least one summer of work experience at Camp Starfish or in a similar program preferred.

Skills:

• Exceptional interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to diversity and inclusion, and being prepared for restorative conversations with campers and staff.
• Physical capability for outdoor activities in the heat of summer and specific environmental realities (humidity, wind, bugs, lake water) for extended hours.
• Capable of implementing behavior management techniques to assist campers in navigating escalated and crisis situations, fostering the development of their social and therapeutic coping skills.
• Organization, communication, and accountability.

Development and Fellowship Opportunities:

• Course credit in psychology, social work, education, and more.
• Over 140 hours of hands-on training for working with diverse children.
• Paid internship with 15-month Fellowship eligibility for further professional development.
• Weekly seminars covering Core Values, Self-Regulation, and Restorative Justice.

Internship Includes:

• Beautiful, immersive nature experience.
• Room and board included.
• Laundry service provided.
• Paid time off.
• Travel stipend for staff members traveling over 250 miles.
• Forge lifelong friendships in a supportive community.

How to Apply:

Ready to make a difference? Apply now through our easy application process to be part of a summer filled with growth, learning, and creating positive memories for campers. 

Camp Starfish is an equal opportunity employer. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. Join us in making this summer unforgettable for campers who need it the most!