Counselor Job Description

Position Title: Counselor

Supervisor: Summer Camp Director

Location: Camp Dickenson, Fries, VA

Minimum Qualifications:

  • Current first aid and CPR certification (or willingness to obtain)

  • Be at least 18 years of age and one year out of high school or be at least 19 years of age.

  • Be a Christian and an active, participating church member.

  • Enjoy working with children and youth and have the ability to care for them 24-hours a day during camp.

  • Have a desire to and enjoy participating in outdoor programs.

Purpose and General Description of Job:

To keep campers safe, responsibly supervised, treated with respect, encouraged in participation of camp life, and nurtured spiritually.

The camp counselor/camper relationship is a professional relationship between a supervisor-caregiver and a child. While it is a friendly, loving, encouraging, helping, teaching, caring, mentoring, and close relationship, it is a professional relationship of supervision. It is not a peer relationship. It is very important that counselors understand this. On occasions, campers do not understand this. Campers may desire to be in a peer relationship with their counselor. They may not understand appropriate boundaries. The counselor is the responsible party. Counselors are responsible for understanding and maintaining the boundaries.

Counselors are responsible for the care of their campers from the time campers arrive at camp until they depart. This care includes all aspects of the camper’s physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.  

Counselors will be assigned a specific group of campers each week. Standard age level ratios will determine the number of campers.  

Counselors will be paired with a co-counselor to provide leadership and guidance for a group of eight to twelve campers. Camper groups are generally co-ed groups

Specific Duties:

  • Before Camp Begins:

  • Familiarize yourself with camp curriculum materials, policies, job descriptions, schedules, and resource materials.

  • Attend training sessions offered.

  • Prepare spiritually through prayer, meditation, Bible reading, and church attendance.

  • Prepare physically by walking, running, eating well, and resting properly.

  • During Camp:

  • Greet campers and parents/guardians at the opening of each session with a warm welcome and personal attention that eases fears and fosters confidence in your care.

  • Wake up with campers (if it is time to get up; otherwise, ensure quiet in the cabin until it’s time to get up), ensure they dress and prepare properly for the day’s activities, and go with campers to the dining hall for breakfast.

  • Eat all meals with your campers, being sure there are two counselors at each table and that meals are conducted according to camp policies.

  • Assist campers in daily chores and activities.

  • Assist campers in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the group’s activities and life together. Participate in all activities with campers.

  • Attend rest periods with campers, abiding by camp policies.

  • In the evening, go to the cabin with campers, and prepare for bed. Conduct cabin devotions. Stay in the cabin with campers every night to ensure campers are rested and provided for.

  • Provide training for campers in all areas indicated in camp standards, including emergency procedures and safe and proper use of the group’s equipment.

  • Make campers aware of camp rules and policies and implement policies. 

  • Facilitate the spiritual growth of campers:

  • Participate in group worship times such as vespers and morning watch with campers.

  • Carry out a daily Bible study related to the camp theme (using curriculum materials).

  • Use natural events during the day to promote discussion of Christian concepts.

  • Encourage campers to use their Bibles while they are at camp for personal devotions and use the Bible as a relevant resource in group discussions.

  • Use your camper group as a teaching example of what a Christian community might be like.

  • Make campers aware of Christian stewardship in their use of the campsite and resources.

  • The counselor should not belittle a camper for any reason. Great care needs to be exercised when diverse belief systems are encountered. Every person at camp is to be treated with respect. Spiritual and theological beliefs are to be defended through acts of loving kindness, not debate, belittlement, or harassment.

  • Be a positive role model of joyful Christian living for campers. Be a positive example of Christian love, valuing all the campers in the group as much as possible.

  • Attend all staff meetings as directed.

  • After Camp:

  • Participate in an evaluation process.

  • Participate in clean-up and put-away process.

These are not the only responsibilities assigned to this position. Other responsibilities may be assigned, and the above list may be altered.