Senior Camp Counselor

Organization:  Gorman Heritage Farm, 10052 Reading Rd. Evendale, OH
Duration: May 25—August 7, 2020, All staff have OFF the week of June 29-July 3.
Hours:  40 hours per week; 8:00am – 4:00pm M-F. (On aftercare day, hours will be 8:30-4:30pm.)
Compensation: $2,000 stipend (includes free lodging, if interested)
Responsible to:Camp Coordinator, Education Coordinator & Director of Education

 Purpose:Serves as lead counselor for groups of campers age 3-13 during farm-based summer day camp, facilitating camp activities, safely managing groups of children in a farm setting, and demonstrating leadership to Junior Counselors and Counselors-in-Training. Supports the GHF mission, promotes membership and acts as an advocate for GHF.

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Guide a group of 6—11 campers safely around the farm, knowing the location of all of your campers during camp hours
  • Lead small and large group activities, supervising campers’ participation in activities, and being an active part of all activities (i.e. animal interactions, lunchtime games, egg collecting, produce harvesting)
  • Interact appropriately with and model professional behavior for campers and staff in a variety of situations using positive behavior-management techniques, including: enthusiasm, a positive attitude, patience, sensitivity, a sense of humor, and self-control
  • Supervise, guide and mentor Junior Counselors (16-18 years old) and Counselors-in-Training (13-15 years old) within your camp group
  • Work with other camp staff to complete morning set-up and afternoon clean-up of camp areas
  • With junior counselor, work at least one day of camp aftercare each week, managing group of 10 campers.
  • Attend all required, scheduled training and workshop sessions and camp staff meetings
  • Plan and execute at least one themed camp, in collaboration with camp staff

Environmental Education Experience:

  • Counselors will gain valuable experience in farm-based environmental education as a leader and planner of summer camps for children from a variety of backgrounds and ages (3—13 years).  Counselors will also hone their public speaking skills while leading farm tours, and gain new skills while working in our gardens and with animals in our farmyard.
  • Counselors will receive training and then guide campers through activities focused on daily farm and garden chores, farm animal care, hands-on nature exploration, farm ecology, cooking and food preparation, and camp favorites like songs, games, and crafts.
  • Counselors will participate in workshops and projects with other counselors to gain a better understanding of life on a working farm, environmental education, and nature interpretation skills.
  • Counselors will gain experience working in a cooperative, supportive, and educational working environment.  They will also practice mentorship, leadership and management skills working with Junior Counselors (ages 16—18) and Counselors-in-Training (ages 13—15).
  • Counselors will have the opportunity to work with our gardeners, farmers and volunteers to grow, harvest, and market produce using organic methods, as well as produce eggs and meat using family-scale methods.
  • Counselors receive one full week of paid training. Camp Training Week is May 25th through May 29th 2020. This includes the Memorial Day holiday.

Desired Qualifications and Experience:

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age (required)
  • Previous experience working with children or education, preferably in a day camp setting
  • Preferred applicants will have completed at least one year of college
  • An ability to plan programs, conduct activities, and accept feedback
  • An ability to work as a member of a team and also work independently, with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, creativity, open-mindedness, and flexibility
  • Demonstrated interest or special skills in environmental education, agriculture, sustainability, gardening, animal care, cooking, arts and crafts.
  • Current certifications in standard first aid and community CPR are a plus

Online Application: https://form.jotform.com/73204630492148 or click button below.  All applicants will need to upload a resume.