Great opportunity to work at the gorgeous YMCA Camp DeBoer on Lake of the Woods. Please apply online at:
https://ashlandymca.org/careers/
Job Title: YMCA Camp DeBoer – Waterfront Program Leader
Department: Overnight Camp
Reports To: Camp Program Director
Salary: $850-$975/Week
POSTION SUMMARY
If you enjoy connecting with kids, rocking silly songs at campfire, building forts for fairies,
capturing the flag, splashing in the lake, tie-dying socks, and supporting awesome staff this might
just be the gig for you!
As part of the leadership team, the Waterfront Program Leader supports the camp experience in
three major ways. They
1) Support and mentor cabin counselors by modeling positive and professional conduct and
providing direct skill coaching in the areas of youth management,
2) Organize and implement camp programs such as All-Camp-Games, campfires, and the variety
show.
3) Manage YMCA Camp DeBoer Waterfront: Develop and facilitate a robust and safe Waterfront
program including instruction in boating (kayaking, canoeing, SUPing); supervise and support
lifeguards to ensure effective waterfront safety and programming; collaborate with the leadership
team to create the staff and camper waterfront schedules.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Promote a positive environment that fosters fun, safety and our YMCA values, whilst
uphold, model, and enforce camp policies and code of conduct.
Connect with each camper quickly, and make campers feel welcome and included. Treat
every camper fairly and equally regardless of circumstances and abilities, making each feel
good about themselves and encouraging a fun environment.
Fully engage with activities; playing along with campers & staff, being visible throughout
the day, leading transition times and supervising campers.
Recognize individual and group situations and effectively resolve conflicts based on camp
values and procedures, helping those campers who need extra help.
Support staff in alignment with leadership team training and approach; provide coaching of
skills, model excellent staff behavior and attitude, reinforce camp expectations, assist with
difficult situations and correct camper and staff behavior that does not meet our camp
community expectations/agreements.
As part of the leadership team, establish, communicate and positively reinforce performance
standards for staff; contribute to mid-summer and end of summer evaluations.
Get to know staff as individuals: interests, working style, strengths, areas for improvement,
putting a conscious effort into ensuring that it is an impactful, enjoyable summer for staff
too.
In collaboration with the camp program director develop, model and enforce procedures for
waterfront safety and programming.
Facilitate daily programing and activities within your program area during activity and cabin
times, and all camp activities in the evenings. Add creativity and variety to the camp
program in collaboration with other staff.
Assume On-Duty responsibilities as assigned or as needed including but not limited to,
facilitating meal times, Line ups, make or distribute snack, lock/unlock facilitates and other
responsibilities as assigned by camp program director.
Provide staff supervision during one assigned weekend over the course of the summer
season.
Help create and facilitate staff training sessions during staff training week as needed.
Communicate with camp program director and other members of the leadership team to
ensure that feedback from campers and staff is shared and addressed in a timely manner.
QUALIFICATIONS
Two summers previous camp staff experience or equivalent preferred.
Specialized and practical knowledge of/ experience in: cabin leadership, child behavior, peer
leadership and supervision; staff management & motivation.
Specialized and practical knowledge and skill leading Waterfront programming such as
kayaking, canoeing, SUPing.
Integrity, patience, adaptability, sense of humor, enthusiasm, and a commitment to serve
youth.
Ability to train, motivate, support, share insights & ideas with, and supervise resident camp
staff; communicate openly with supervisor; organize, facilitate, and evaluate camp, unit, and
other activities; support and connect with campers; perform duties as specified in job
description and by supervisor; behave as an appropriate positive role model in all camp
activities.
Model camp core values and character traits of caring, honesty, responsibility, respect,
growth, courage, and optimism, and facilitate intentional and embedded practice of those
core values and character traits for staff & campers.
Show initiative in recognizing and meeting the needs of the community.
Current CPR, First Aid, AED certifications for duration of the season required. Online
trainings and Child Abuse prevention training provided by Ashland Family YMCA within 30
days of hire date.
Lifeguard certification required as this role is responsible for water oversight during all
program times. This training/certification may be available through the Ashland Family
YMCA at no cost to a contracted employee.
Must successfully pass a background check.
WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee
to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
Regularly required to talk or hear in a variety of settings including those with high ambient
noise. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, use hands, and reach with hands
and arms.
Occasionally required to sit, climb or balance, and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Must frequently lift or move up to 50 pounds and occasionally lift or move a higher amount.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision,
peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
Must participate in programming outdoors, which may include moderate smoke conditions
for limited periods of time.
May be required sleep and eat in group settings as part of supervision duties.
https://ashlandymca.org/careers/