Description
The Advocate Counselor provides 1:1 or 1:2 support to campers, ensuring their safety, well-being, and inclusion in all camp activities. They collaborate with the Community Life Coordinator to develop and implement individualized behavior plans, adapt group activities, and provide scaffolding tools to meet their campers' needs. Advocate Counselors actively promote inclusion, assist with swim activities, and facilitate small or alternative activities when necessary to support their campers. Additionally, they participate in staff training, maintain a clean and safe camp environment, and uphold Camp at the J's policies and procedures.
Dates and Hours
Training: May 30 and Week of June 2
Camp: June 9 - August 8, generally from 8:45-3:45
Regular Job Duties - Work with Advocate Coordinator to assist in the development of individualized behavior plans, consistently adjusting as the summer progresses
- Implement routines, schedules, and procedures for the operation of the camp; adjust according to your camper(s) needs and capabilities
- Provide scaffolding items to provide support for your camper (such as daily schedules, digital timers, fidgets, etc.)
- Be prepared to discretely pivot in the day at any given time; this may look like:
- Gaining approval from the Unit Head or Community Life Coordinator to join a different activity
- Organizing a smaller activity adjacent to the bunk activity (such as lanyards or friendship bracelets)
- Identifying a calming space and facilitating “cool down” activities
- Actively promote inclusion throughout the camp via small group discussions, role modeling, and intentional group planning
- Work with counselors to adapt group activities so that all children can be included
- Perform other duties as assigned
Qualifications
- 18 years of age or older, generally have worked as a counselor in prior summers at Camp at the J
- Secondary education and/or training in youth psychiatry, elementary education, family therapy, or related field
- Prior experience working with children, particularly those who may need additional adult support
- Prior experience designing and implementing program adjustments for children
- Actively utilizes empathy, patience, and intentional positivity in the workplace
- Ability to accept guidance, constructive feedback, and support from teammates
- Ability to sit, stand, kneel, and stretch for long periods of time
- Ability to work outside in high degree temperatures
- Ability to lift 50 lbs
