General Counselor Job Description 

Minimum Qualifications

Responsible To
Head counselor and/ or camp director

Camp Goals
This job description should include specific responsibilities that reflect the goals of the camp and the goals of camper development. 

General Responsibility
To identify and meet camper needs.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Learn the likes/ dislikes of each participant.
2. Recognize and respond to opportunities for problem solving in the group.
3. Develop opportunities for interaction between campers and staff.
4. Provide opportunities for the group so that each individual experiences success during camp.
5. Provide opportunities for discussion of individual or group problems or concerns.
6. Help each participant meet the goals established by the camp for camper development.

General Responsibility
To carry out camp programs.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Guide cabin or unit groups and individual campers in participating successfully in all aspects of camp activities.
2. Carry out established roles for supervising camper health. 
3. Carry out established roles in enforcing camp safety regulations.
4. Develop cabin or unit activity plans with participants as appropriate.
5. Supervise all assigned aspects of the campers' day including morning reveille, cabin clean-up, meal times, rest hour, evening activities, getting ready for bed, and after-hours duty as assigned.
6. Instruct campers in emergency procedures such as fire drills, evacuating the cabin, etc.
7. Help campers plan their participation in unit-wide or camp-wide programs, special events, and activities.
8. Assist in teaching or leading an activity, as assigned.

General Responsibility
To fulfill other staff administrative roles.

Specific Responsibilities

1. Prepare for and actively participate in staff training, meetings, and supervisory conferences.
2. Set a good example for campers and others including cleanliness, punctuality, sharing clean-up and chores, sportsmanship, and table manners.
3. Follow camp rules and regulations pertaining to smoking, use of alcoholic beverages, and use of drugs.
4. Encourage respect for personal property, camp equipment, and facilities.
5. Manage personal time off in accordance with camp policy. 
6. Maintain good public relations with campers' parents.
7. Submit all required reports on time.
8. These are not the only duties to be performed. Some duties may be reassigned and other duties may be assigned as required.

Essential Functions
This job description should also identify the essential functions of the job, including any physical, cognitive, visual, auditory, and other abilities essential to fulfilling the job. 

Additional Duties for Day and Resident Camp Counselors
In "customizing" this job description to your day or resident camp, be aware of the following kinds of duties which may be unique to the duration of your camp day.
       Day camp counselors may be required to drive vehicles for picking up and dropping off campers at their homes. This may entail using their own vehicles, participating in driver training sessions, or acquiring a special kind of drivers' license. In addition, day camp counselors will often supervise the arrival and departure of campers where there are important safety considerations. These transportation responsibilities may result in more frequent contact with campers' parents, bringing the opportunity to share information about the camper's progress and being a good ambassador for the camp.
        In addition to those responsibilities listed above, resident camp counselors often supervise daily cabin or camp-wide clean-up chores, and have a shared responsibility to supervise the unit or cabin area after hours. They also have the responsibility to see that campers wear clean clothing and are appropriately dressed for the weather and activities of the day. Counselors may also be asked to see to it that campers write home. They bear a heavy responsibility for being aware of the health and well-being of their assigned campers.

Source: It's My Job: Job Descriptions for Over 30 Camp Jobs. Edie Klein, CCD. 1992. Martinsville, IN. American Camping Association. 765-342-8456. Reprinted by permission of the publisher

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