Summer Camp Seasonal Counselor

Do you love working with kids and bringing joy to their day? JCC Greater Boston is looking for enthusiastic, caring, and responsible Camp Counselors to join our team this summer.

Counselors are role models who work closely with co-counselors and camp leadership to build strong group dynamics and create unforgettable summer experiences.

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.

Each morning, you’ll welcome your campers with energy and enthusiasm, helping them feel excited for what’s ahead. You’ll guide your group through a variety of activities — one hour you might be cheering them on in a game of capture the flag, the next you’re diving into an arts & crafts project or encouraging hesitant swimmers in the pool. Lunch brings laughter, songs, and silly moments, and you’ll be right there helping campers feel included and connected. Throughout the day, you’ll be a role model — building relationships, keeping campers safe, and making sure every child feels supported. By the end of the day, you’ll leave camp tired but smiling, knowing you’ve helped kids create joyful memories.

Our staff say their favorite moments are playing games, cheering campers on at swim, creating art together, and bonding over shared interests. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston’s core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish.

This is what our Camp Counselors say are the best parts of working at JCC Camps:

Ensure the safety and well-being of campers in structured and unstructured time

Work in partnership with co-counselors and camp leadership to deliver a happy, safe, and memorable experience

Support JCC Greater Boston’s mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role modeling

10 skills you gain while being a summer camp counselor:

Project management skills

This is a great chance to join JCC Greater Boston's respected and valued, people-orientated workplace of diverse community services providers, which is rapidly growing!

This is an hourly position with a daily schedule of 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday. Offering great perks, including JCC Health & Fitness center access, a supportive, vibrant in-person work environment, and a competitive starting pay rate range between $15-$17 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.

This 8 week camp program is June 21 - August 20, 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.

Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, diverse community by nurturing meaningful, lasting relationships. Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends.

In our recent employee survey, staff rated their direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive. If you want to upgrade your working experience and have a better work-life balance, we encourage you to explore becoming part of the JCC team!

While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all.

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.

10th grade (or equivalent)and eligible for work permit

Must be 15 years or older to qualify as a Camp Counselor, per Department of Public Health Guidelines

1+ season (summer camp, semester, babysitting, coaching, other) experience working with children

Genuine enjoyment of working with children and helping them grow

Leadership qualities including patience, flexibility, teamwork, and creativity

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

Ability to interface with digital tools and mobile apps (enter hours worked into Paylocity, note camper attendance on digital attendance forms, etc.)

Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30-40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children’s backpacks, etc.

getting down at eye level with children regularly.

Ability to swim and supervise children in pool (able to stand in pool).

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 at all times.

Each seasonal employee is eligible for access to JCC Greater Boston's top class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton! Seasonal access to the JCC Fitness Center includes:

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.

Benefits are subject to review and change by the Organization, and plan documents are the primary determinant.

In our recent 2023 employee engagement survey, at least 88% of our staff gave us top ratings on:

Program and service quality