Sports Camp Counselor

TITLE: Sports Camp Counselor

PERFORMANCE PROFILE SOURCE: Individual Contributor

DEPARTMENT: Operations Clubs

REPORTS TO: Sports Camp Coordinator

FLSA STATUS: Non-Exempt Hourly

WORKER CATEGORY: Seasonal / Part-Time

EMPLOYMENT FUNCTION: Professional


POSITION SUMMARY:

The Sports Camp Counselor supports the Sports Camp Director in delivering Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Florida's indoor summer sports camp experience, ensuring each session is safe, structured, and fun while promoting campers' physical wellness and social-emotional growth. This position works directly with summer camp youth in the gym and program spaces, actively leading games, drills, and recreational activities that build skills, sportsmanship, and teamwork. The Sports Camp Counselor maintains a positive, high-energy presence, models appropriate behavior and clear boundaries, and helps create an inclusive environment where all campers feel welcomed, encouraged, and supported.

The ideal candidate is reliable, energetic, and passionate about working with youth through sports, is comfortable managing groups in a fast-paced setting, and can follow direction while taking initiative to keep campers engaged and safe.

ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Delivery & Youth Engagement

• Lead and assist with daily sports and recreational activities (drills, games, warm-ups, cooperative activities) that emphasize fun, skill development, teamwork, and sportsmanship.
• Maintain an active, engaged presence on the court and in program areas, continually scanning the environment and interacting with campers to ensure safety and participation.
• Model and reinforce positive behavior, providing coaching, redirection, and encouragement consistent with Club expectations and youth development best practices.
• Support social-emotional learning by helping youth practice self-control, respect, conflict resolution, and teamwork during activities and transitions.
• Adapt games and activities for varying ages, skill levels, and abilities so all campers can participate successfully.

Program Operations & Safety

• Support daily camp routines, including camper check-in and check-out, group rotations, water and rest breaks, and equipment set-up and breakdown.
• Follow all safety, child protection, and staffing ratio guidelines as directed by the Sports Camp Director and Club policies.
• Monitor behavior and potential safety risks and promptly report concerns, incidents, or injuries to the Sports Camp Director according to established procedures.
• Help maintain a clean, organized, and safe gym and program environment, including daily set-up and clean-up of activity areas and equipment.
• Ensure child and Club safety guidelines are followed at all times, including supervision expectations, facility rules, and emergency procedures.

Administration & Communication

• Accurately support completion of attendance, sign-in/sign-out, and other basic program records as directed by the Sports Camp Director.
• Participate in required staff meetings, orientations, and training sessions to support consistent, high-quality camp delivery.
• Build positive, professional relationships with campers, colleagues, and parents/guardians by communicating respectfully, listening actively, and referring questions or concerns to the Sports Camp Director as appropriate.
• Assist in recognizing and celebrating camper effort, improvement, and achievements (e.g., daily shout-outs, awards, end-of-session celebrations).

Daily Program Support

• Ensure program areas are prepared before activities and reset/cleaned after use, including proper storage of equipment and supplies.
• Help provide campers with clear daily schedules, expectations, and transitions between activities.
• Stay flexible and responsive to changes in plans, schedules, and group needs throughout the camp day.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS: ( Knowledge, Education, Experience & Skills)

• High school diploma or GED required; some coursework or training in recreation, physical education, coaching, youth development, or a related field preferred.
• Prior experience working or volunteering with youth in sports, camp, school, or recreation settings preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to engage youth in age-appropriate activities, manage group behavior, and create a positive, inclusive environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to motivate and encourage youth, build rapport quickly, and serve as a positive role model.
• Ability to follow directions, implement daily schedules, and carry out planned activities with consistency and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrated reliability, punctuality, and professionalism, with the ability to work as part of a team and support the Sports Camp Director and Club staff.
• Comfort working with youth and families from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
• Basic comfort with completing simple forms, attendance records, and incident reports as needed.
• CPR and First Aid certification preferred; willingness to obtain certification within the first 90 days of employment if not already certified.

KEY ROLE COMPETENCIES:

Builds Positive Relationships

• Establishes strong, trusting connections with youth by being approachable, fair, and consistent; maintains professional, respectful relationships with staff, parents, and volunteers.

Drives Engagement

• Creates a fun, energetic environment where campers are encouraged to participate, try new skills, and support one another.

Situational Adaptability

• Adjusts activities, instructions, and tone in real time based on group energy, behavior, and safety needs in a dynamic gym environment.

Ensures Accountability

• Follows and reinforces safety rules, program expectations, and staff directions; takes responsibility for assigned groups, areas, and tasks.

Plans and Aligns

• Prepares materials and equipment in advance, helps keep groups on schedule, and supports the Director in meeting daily camp goals.

ADDITIONAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

ENVIRONMENTAL AND WORKING CONDITIONS:

• The position requires working in both indoor and outdoor environments of an office or club setting, which may involve exposure to varying weather conditions.
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating instructions, and policy manuals.
• Required to operate a motor vehicle.
• Work in environments frequented by children and families, requiring adherence to safety and conduct standards that ensure a child-friendly and family-oriented atmosphere.
• This role will have a standard and predictable seasonal work schedule. However, all staff must be adaptable to a dynamic work schedule, including evenings to support club activities and events.

PHYSICAL AND MENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Physically capable of performing programming and camp duties on-site, including lifting up to 50 pounds; pushing, pulling, and carrying equipment and supplies; reaching and working above the shoulder; and frequent walking, standing, sitting, stooping, kneeling, twisting, repeated bending, and climbing as required by daily camp activities.
• Ability to maintain a high energy level for leading sports clinics, games, and activities throughout the day.
• Demonstrates sufficient physical dexterity and fine motor skills to safely operate motor vehicles as assigned, perform tasks requiring simple grasping and fine finger manipulation (e.g., typing, handling small equipment), and reach, grasp, and manipulate sports equipment, program supplies, and other tools necessary for camp operations.
• Visual and auditory acuity to monitor the gym and program spaces, ensure safety standards are maintained, and respond immediately to safety or behavior concerns.
• Cognitive alertness to move safely around the gym and Club environment, monitor youth activities, prepare materials, and respond promptly to member needs.
• Operates a computer and other office productivity equipment such as a copy machine, phone, printer, and tablet; requires the ability to work on a computer for extended periods, including performing tasks that involve repetitive motion, visual focus, and fine motor skills.
• Maintains equipment and supplies in diverse youth program settings, including gyms and indoor program areas; manages inventory and keeps accurate records of program supplies.
• Mental resilience and the ability to stay focused, calm, and effective in a busy, sometimes noisy environment with frequent interruptions.
• Capacity to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, prioritize effectively, and adapt to changing daily plans and priorities with a positive and solutions-focused response.
• Ability to survey the environment and respond to safety or behavioral concerns in the moment, demonstrating situational awareness and sound, timely decision-making.
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact positively with youth, family members, volunteers, community members, and other staff.
• Ability to take and follow verbal directions effectively and to communicate clearly and professionally with youth, supervisors, and colleagues.
• Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in response to changing situations, schedules, and program requirements.
• Occasional exposure to outdoor weather conditions (e.g., transitions, special events, or outdoor activities as scheduled).

Pre-Employment and Ongoing Compliance Requirements:

• Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screening.
• Continued employment is contingent upon passing randomized drug screenings as part of our commitment to maintaining a drug-free work environment.
• Continued employment is also contingent on the Florida State Department of Children and Families' employment designation of "eligible for employment" as a state-licensed youth-serving organization.

Disclaimer:

The information presented in this job description is intended to illustrate the nature and level of work expected of employees in this classification. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and objectives required of employees assigned to this job. Job responsibilities and requirements are subject to change based on the direction of the organization & CEO.


Department of Children and Families Level II Background Check:

Please see the link below to the new Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse Education and Awareness website. This site was implemented under the directive of House Bill 531 (2025).