Cabin Counselor

Title: Cabin Counselor

Department: Camp Program 

Reports to: Bale Leader

Location: Camp located in Lake Hughes, CA

Organization Overview: The Painted Turtle is a non-profit camp program for children with serious medical conditions and their families. We seek to reach beyond illness, to inspire children with life-threatening diseases to become their greater selves. It is our mission to provide a year-round, life-changing environment for these children and their families – one that allows children to participate in an authentic camp experience by supporting their medical needs and offers their families care, education, and respite. Founded by Paul Newman and Page Adler in 1999 as the 6th SeriousFun Children’s Network camp in the world, The Painted Turtle is nestled in the desert hills of Lake Hughes, CA.  We offer 8 condition-specific residential summer camp sessions, as well as programs for campers and families during Family Weekend programs and day events in the fall and spring. In addition, The Painted Turtle Outpost, a mobile hospital program, transports the camp experience to hospitals, clinics, and medical community events throughout California. 

Qualifications:

• At least 19 years of age.
• Ability to accept supervision and guidance.
• Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior management techniques.
• Ability to physically and mentally assist in taking care of 8 to 10 campers 24 hours per day, when Camp is in session.
• Possess the emotional strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of and interaction with campers over the duration of employment, while remaining alert, friendly, and patient.
• Ability to creatively plan and facilitate an activity as assigned.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds.

Summary: 

Cabin Counselors are directly responsible for developing, coordinating, supervising, supporting and encouraging each child to participate fully in all aspects of Camp in order to achieve the mission of The Painted Turtle. This position reports directly to the Bale Leader.

Specific Responsibilities: 

• To Participate in all staff training.
• To live in the cabin with 8-10 campers serving as a leader, supervisor, and role model.
• To work and communicate with at least 4 other staff members and volunteers within the cabin.
• To model behavior for other staff, campers, leaders-in-training, and junior counselors.
• To have empathy, trust, and mutual respect for staff and campers alike.
• To take care of oneself in order to give the strongest job performance possible.
• To attend activities with the campers and help each camper abide by the camp rules
• To encourage each child to fully participate in the camp program:
  • To provide opportunities for campers to experience success during Camp.
  • To empower campers to problem solve on an individual and group basis.
  • To develop and enhance positive interaction between campers.
  • To clearly develop goals and expectations with campers and review these with campers on a regular basis.
• To provide supervision and assistance in all aspects of the camper’s daily life, including but not limited to:
  • Early morning activities
  • Meals/camper dietary needs
  • Cabin clean up
  • Camper hygiene
  • Prompt attendance at all activities and evening events
  • Rest hour
  • Taking of scheduled medications
  • Cabin Chat/bedtime activities
  • Lights out

• To help organize, lead, and take part in all cabin/Bale activities including, but not limited to Chill Time, Bale closings, Stage Night, banner painting, cheers, and songs.
• To maintain communication with program counselors.
• To adhere to and implement all American Camping Accreditation requirements in cabin life.
• To help in the maintenance of the cabin.
• To be responsible for knowing and adhering to the policies and procedures contained within the camp manual.
• To be responsible for the safety of all campers in the cabin environment.
• To be a mandated reporter if a camper discloses sexual, physical, or emotional abuse or neglect.
• To report all unusual incidents and occurrences to supervisors as soon as possible.
• To be responsible for the safety of all campers in the cabin environment.
• To attend all meeting(s) required for cabin counselors and all other obligations deemed necessary by the Camp Director.

Competency:

To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Self-Care - Maintains clear mind and appropriate level of enthusiasm to actively supervise 8-10 children for five consecutive days.
• Problem Solving - Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Develops alternative solutions; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.
• Interpersonal - Focuses on solving conflict, not blaming; Listens to others without interrupting; Keeps emotions under control.
• Oral Communication - Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Participates in meetings.
• Team Work - Balances team and individual responsibilities; Contributes to building a positive team spirit; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.
• Ethics - Treats people with respect; Inspires the trust of others; Works with integrity and ethically; Upholds organizational values.
• Organizational Support - Follows policies and procedures; Supports organization's goals and values.
• Attendance/Punctuality - Is consistently at work and on time; Arrives at meetings and appointments on time.
• Judgment - Displays willingness to make decisions; Exhibits sound and accurate judgment; Includes appropriate people in decision-making process; Makes timely decisions.
• Professionalism - Approaches others in a tactful manner; Reacts well under pressure; Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments.
• Safety and Security - Observes safety and security procedures; Reports potentially unsafe conditions.

Emotional/Mental Demands: The volunteer must cognitively be able to participate in the camp program without assistance. The volunteer is required to communicate and work with campers aged 7-18 and provide necessary instruction and information to campers and/or staff. The volunteer must be able to identify and communicate safety concerns and emergency situations and procedures to campers and staff. The volunteer must possess the mental and emotional strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of and interaction with campers throughout the duration of session while remaining alert, friendly, and patient.

Work Environment:  The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those a cabin counselor encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly exposed to outdoor weather conditions such as sun and heat. 

Physical Demands:  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to sit. The employee may occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.