CAMPER SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Camp teams will consist of Museum educators and other counselors, as well as the Camp Director. All camp counselors, including the Camper Support Specialist, report directly to the Camp Director. They are responsible for supporting daily camp operations, which may include interacting with families during drop-off and pick-up, supervising Museum exploration in small groups, participating in camp games/songs/dances, facilitating hands-on programs, supervising lunch and snacks with campers, as well as playing with and supervising campers in Martin’s Park (located next door to the Museum), and more. All counselors may be asked to lead groups and/or programs at any time during camp activities. Counselors will also be responsible for handling confidential information regarding the campers in their group (i.e., medical, emergency contacts and restrictions, etc.)
The Camper Support Specialist, with the support of the Museum’s Senior Educator of Child Development and Accessibility, will work with the camp team to create and support the delivery of child-centered, playful learning experiences. The Camper Support Specialist will bring a strengths-based approach to assessing each child’s unique camp needs, adapting activities, and implementing support strategies while enforcing rules, safety, and socially appropriate behaviors.
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES OF ALL COUNSELORS, INCLUDING CAMPER SUPPORT SPECIALIST:
- Supervise and care for campers throughout the camp day–which includes drop-off, snack and lunch, educator-led activities, Museum exploration time, and pick-up.
- Learn, lead, support, and participate in hands-on programs, games, and activities.
- Observe campers–report concerns and be knowledgeable/aware of medical concerns regarding campers assigned to your group (asthma, allergies, etc.).
- Attend daily check-in team meetings (meeting times may vary).
- Maintain standards of safety and participate in required training sessions.
- Communicate with caregivers as required.
- Other duties as assigned.
Additional Responsibilities as Required (Specific to Camper Support Specialist):
- Assess each child’s unique camp needs, and work with other counselors to set realistic expectations that respect the group dynamic.
- Use a strengths-based approach to support each child’s inclusion in the camp experience, adapting activities as needed, communicating in ways that work for the child, and coming up with (and adapting) tools and strategies.
- Observe each child’s unique behaviors and implement strategies for support, including enforcing rules and preventing challenging behaviors before they happen, re-directing, and de-escalating as needed.
- Work with other counselors to ensure each child’s participation while respecting the child’s own pace and helping the child to have a positive camp experience.
- Must be 18 years or older.
- A degree (or pursuit of a degree) in the fields of Therapeutic Recreation, Social Work, Counseling, Behavioral Therapy, Special Education, Psychology, Child Life, or similar.
- Familiarity with a variety of types of disabilities and other special needs, including, but not limited to, ASD and ADHD, is required.
- Experience with supporting children with disabilities and other special needs using flexible, positive strategies is required.
- Experience working directly with and caring for early elementary school-age children is required.
- Experience developing and implementing educational experiences is a plus.
- Previous camp experience or experience in a group or recreational setting is a plus.
- Be energetic, friendly, and outgoing with a professional and approachable attitude.
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with diverse, intergenerational audiences, and work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
- Proven ability to problem solve and think flexibly, and learn and grow from the experience.
- Excellent communication and organizational skills.
- Fluency or proficiency in languages other than English, especially Spanish or Chinese, is a plus.
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be available to attend the required camp orientation: Tentative dates June 25-July 1 (excluding weekend). Full schedule TBD.
- Must be available to work camp schedule: July 7 to August 15, 2025, 40hrs./wk., Monday to Friday from 8:00 am-4:30 pm.
- Must be available to work post-camp clean-up schedule: Monday, August 18 to Wednesday, August 20, 2025,from 9 am-5 pm.
- Must complete all virtual and in-person training, including (but not limited to) 51A Mandated Reporter Training.
- Must have a successful pre-employment screening, including an up-to-date immunization record, and recent physician’s report.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Physical Demands: Participate in activities (occasionally messy), run, climb, or support the weight of children. Frequently stand, walk, sit (occasionally on the ground), kneel and stoop. Lift, pull, and push up to 25-40lbs.
Work Environment: A lively, often noisy, and sometimes crowded environment. Work is routinely performed within the Museum settings and outdoors on the Museum’s boardwalk and Martin Richard’s Park located next door to the Museum.
Other Factors: Dress code, orientation and mandatory camp training required. Available Monday-Friday during the months of July-August 2025.
