Summer Camp Counselor

Share your love of performance and group song with children this summer! The Camp Song Leader serves as the performer and MC for daily performances, leading Jewish and other songs as well as bringing campers to the stage to share their talents. In addition, the Song Leader teaches classes and leads activities, including musical direction or coaching for fully staged productions. JCC Greater Boston offers free bus service for staff from Cambridge, Brookline, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Wayland, Framingham, Natick, Needham, Newton and Wellesley during the summer season. What you will do each day: Lead daily performances, encouraging campers to share their talents. Lead camper singing with Jewish and other songs. Create a fun/joyful dynamic. Lead or co‑lead classes and activities. Work in partnership with peers and camp leadership to provide a happy, safe, and memorable summer for the children. Contribute as needed to camp special events and initiatives. Primary Responsibilities: Plan, prepare, and lead age‑appropriate activities in your specialty area. Ensure the safety and well‑being of campers during activities. Create a fun, inclusive, and supportive environment that encourages skill‑building and exploration. Work in partnership with counselors and camp leadership to provide a cohesive, positive camper experience. Maintain, organize, and request necessary supplies and equipment. Adapt activities to meet the needs and abilities of diverse campers. Support camp‑wide special events and large‑group programming as assigned. Assist with overall camp operations as needed (drop‑off/pick‑up, transitions, lunch, supervision, etc.). Standard Staff Expectations: Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued and respected. Actively participate as an essential team member. Support JCC Greater Boston’s mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role modeling. Enthusiastically represent the organization, model excellence and achievement. Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned. Other duties as assigned. Education and Experience: High school degree preferred. 1+ season (summer camp, semester, other) instructor experience planning and leading activities for children. Music performance experience required. Customer service experience preferred. Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC’s discretion to meet minimum criteria. Skills and Abilities: Genuine enjoyment of working with children and helping them grow. Passion and expertise in your specialty area (arts, sports, music, cooking, science, etc.). Ability to plan and lead age‑appropriate, engaging, and inclusive activities. Excellent group management skills. Strong communication, teamwork, and collaboration skills with campers and staff. Safety awareness and ability to manage risks during activities. Creativity, flexibility and patience to adapt activities for diverse camper needs. Positive, energetic attitude and commitment to fostering an inclusive, joyful camp environment. Proactive problem‑solving and willingness to ask for guidance when needed. Self‑starter who takes the initiative. Must be able to work well with others, building/sustaining collaborative solid relationships. Ability to manage situations effectively and diplomatically and ask for help, guidance, or clarification when needed. Commitment to build strong relationships with campers, co‑workers, and camp leadership. Physical Requirements: Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities. Ability to work in variety of weather conditions for extended periods of time in case of rain, heat, humidity, cold, or other environmental factors to ensure the supervision and safety of campers in our care. Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30–40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children’s backpacks, etc.). Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly. ADA Statement: Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities. Job Details: Hourly position with a daily schedule of 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday – Friday. Offering great perks, including JCC Health & Fitness Center access, a supportive, vibrant in‑person work environment, and a competitive starting pay rate of $17 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC’s internal equity. 8 week camp program is June 22 – August 21, including staff training. While we prefer candidates who are available all summer, we recognize that candidates may have other obligations and are happy to work with your schedule. Benefits: Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal‑Sidman JCC during active seasonal employment. Free or discounted enrollment for camp programs may be available for camp employees’ children based on availability. EEO Statement: JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups. #J-18808-Ljbffr