Summer Camp Mental Health Counselor

Description
Fry Family YMCA is hiring Summer Day Camp Counselors for Summer 2026!

At the Y, we create an exciting, safe camp environment for kids and staff to have an unforgettable summer. While campers are taking part in unique experiences and adventures, our Summer Day Camp Counselors are developing leadership skills and confidence while making lasting friendships and memories.

Pay starts at $17.90 per hour, Monday-Friday schedule

The Summer Day Camp Counselor serves as a professional role model for our campers by leading through example and guiding campers through recreational activities that teach life skills, encourage healthy and safe behaviors and create a positive camper experience. The Summer Camp Counselor ensures that each youth has adequate supervision including ensuring that no youth is unsupervised at any time.

Our staff is the Y's greatest asset. Our teams provide valuable skills, knowledge, and passion that is essential to the contribution and positive impact in our communities, which is why we offer Y employees numerous perks and benefits, including:

Competitive salaries reflecting your skills and experience.

Comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance for eligible employees, plus wellness programs, mental health resources, and a family gym membership.

Generous PTO and paid holidays, with flexible work hours for work-life balance.

403(b) plan with company contributions for eligible employees after 2 years of service.

Continuous learning opportunities through workshops and training programs.

Supportive work environment valuing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Discounts on programs , employee assistance programs, and company-sponsored events.

As a Summer Day Camp Counselor, you are responsible to:

Promote the YMCA, provide excellent customer service and create an outstanding camper experience for children, parents and families.

Lead recreational activities with campers, including but not limited to arts and crafts, sports, social recreation, nature hikes, archery, and other games and hobbies

Instruct campers using various teaching methods and modifies activities as needed to ensure that campers of all ages and experience levels are engaged

Teach socially acceptable behaviors to campers by serving as a role model and by using age-appropriate positive reinforcement and behavior management strategies

Communicate consistently with supervisors, team leaders, unit leaders and other team members to ensure everyone is kept abreast of camp activities and schedule

Supports camp activities as assigned by supervisor, including any specialty camp activities

Ensures the physical and emotional health and safety of campers by being safety conscious, following all established YMCA standards and critically evaluating situations for potential risks

Ensures compliance with established rules and regulations to ensure safety

Monitors campers and counselors and provides corrective coaching and intervention as necessary

Set-up facilities and/or equipment for activities and stores equipment appropriately after use and work to keep camp facilities clean at all times

What do you need to be a Summer Day Camp Counselor?

A commitment to and a passion for working with diverse youth

Enjoy being outdoors, are creative and not afraid to work and play hard

Your experience in camping, childcare, education, recreation, sports or related is a plus but not required

You will be 18 years of age or older by the start of camp

Excellent verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly and concisely present ideas and concepts and tailor communication to multiple audiences

Passion for working with diverse youth and ability to provide a high-quality of instruction using age-appropriate practices

Proven ability to establish constructive relationships and interact as a positive role model

Continuous learner who leverages opportunities for learning and applies new knowledge and skills

Meets physical qualifications required as outlined in job description

The YMCA will provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities

Child Abuse Prevention - Supports the YMCA’s commitment to child abuse prevention by:

Reporting any items that may provide a health or safety hazard to staff, members or guests to your supervisor

Following all policies and procedures related to keeping children safe in our facilities and programs, including those related to the monitoring and supervision of children

Reporting any suspicious behavior and violation of policy and procedures to your supervisor

Completing all child abuse prevention training as required

Qualifications
Skills
Behaviors
Preferred
Team Player
Team Player :

Works well as a member of a group

Leader
Leader :

Inspires teammates to follow them

Enthusiastic
Enthusiastic :

Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Motivations
Preferred
Self-Starter :

Inspired to perform without outside help

Flexibility
Flexibility :

Inspired to perform well when granted the ability to set your own schedule and goals

Ability to Make an Impact
Ability to Make an Impact :

Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Education , Experience , Licenses & Certifications

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

#J-18808-Ljbffr Ymcachicago