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Camper Support Specialist

Boston Children's Museum
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The Explore It camp counselors are dedicated to providing fun programs and experiences for Boston Children’s Museum’s “Explore It” summer campers. The Camper Support Specialist is one of the camp counselors, who, as a team, are responsible for maintaining a safe and joyful environment for all campers ages 5 to 7 to play, learn, and grow together. The Camper Support Specialist will work with all children in the camp, with a special focus on supporting children with a variety of types of disabilities and other special needs to reach their fullest potential, both developmentally and interpersonally. 

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, hands-on programs, supervising lunch and snacks with campers, as well as play and supervise campers in Martin’s Park (outside the Museum), and more. The wider Explore It Camp team consists of all camp counselors, Museum educators, and the Camp Director. All counselors may be asked to lead groups 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, 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.
  • 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, instructing, and 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.

QUALIFICATIONS 

  • 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. 
  • Energetic, friendly, outgoing, with a professional and approachable attitude.
  • Experience working directly with and caring for elementary school-age children is required. Previous camp experience or experience in a group or recreational setting is a plus. 
  • Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with diverse audiences.
  • 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 Spanish is a plus.
  • Experience developing and implementing educational experiences is a plus.
     

REQUIREMENTS

  • Must be available to attend the required camp orientation: June 26-28 and July 1-2 2024, 30-35 hours, full schedule TBD.
  • Must be available to work camp schedule: July 8 to August 16, 2024, 40hrs. /wk., Monday to Friday from 8am-4:30 pm or 8:30-5 pm.
  • Must be available to work post-camp schedule: August 19-21, 2024 from 9 am-5 pm.
  • Must complete all virtual and in-person training, including (but not limited to) 51A Mandated Reporter Training and CPR/First-Aid Training.
  • Must have a successful pre-employment screening, including an up-to-date immunization record and recent physician’s report.
  • Must be willing to adhere to any updated Covid-19-related protocols that align with local, state, and CDC guidelines.  
     

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 performed routinely within the Museum setting, both indoors and outdoors (on the Museum boardwalk, outside in the courtyard, or Martin’s Park).

Other Factors:  Required dress code.