Cabin Counselor

Position Description

Cabin counselors are volunteer staff members assigned to a specific cabin of 7-10 campers, usually with a second staff member. The primary focus of cabin counselors is on campers and their needs. This includes facilitating the cabin group, creating and maintaining a cabin contract (outlining expected conduct), modeling and enforcing cabin etiquette and mutual respect, and, where appropriate, escalating needs of campers or self to the Health Center, Mental Health Support, or Directors.

A non-exhaustive list of responsibilities includes:

• Live with, facilitate, and be a core part of a cabin community.

• Ensure campers are awake and prepared at the start of days and in bed at the end of days, and accompany walking groups of campers during getting ready and transition periods.

• Model preparedness and etiquette appropriate for shared sleeping arrangements and the camp lifestyle.

• Attend meals with campers and monitor eating habits for possible health center or mental health referrals

• Prepare and lead daily cabin bonding activities and supervise a designated rest period

• Note hygiene habits and help make sure all campers take showers and brush teeth on a regular basis and, when applicable, takes binder breaks

• Conduct ongoing check-ins with every camper in the cabin to ensure a positive experience, daily and as necessary

• Give and get support through regular check ins with other cabin counselors

• Communicate and advocate for the needs of the campers, and escalate issues when necessary

• Communicate effectively and compassionately with coworkers and campers

• Perform all duties considerate of a range of experiences and needs, with a focus on creating an accessible environment and experience for all.

For an outline of a typical day at camp, see this webpage. 

As an example, your day might look something like this:

Campers Cabin Staff

Wake Up Wake up

Getting Ready Supervising campers

Breakfast Eating with campers

Activity 1  Assisting with an activity

Activity 2  Break

Lunch Eating with campers

Rest Time Break (supervising campers)

Cabin Time               Leading a cabin activity

Activity 3  Assisting with an activity

Free time Break

Dinner Eating with campers

Evening Program Assisting with activity

Getting Ready Supervising campers

Lights out Getting campers to bed

Things you’re likely to encounter as a Cabin Counselor in a typical camp week

• teenagers

• insects, arachnids, and other wildlife

• animals such as frogs, raccoons, deer, and bats

• muddy or uneven ground

• inclement weather including high temperatures, humidity, and thunderstorms

• unexpected situations like power outages

• well water

• dorm-style showers

• overwhelmed, overstimulated, and/or homesick campers, as well as campers with sensory needs

• open air sleeping conditions (without air conditioning or immediate access to power)

• a range of unpreventable medical events including injury, illness (see also: Infectious Disease Policy), affecting you or others

• meaningful connections and new friendships

• trans joy

  
  

As staff, you will provide a good example for interacting with the environment of camp. Many of the listed items, while maybe stressful, uncomfortable, or unfamiliar, are not inherently unsafe. Being in new situations can be an opportunity for growth and learning for both you and our campers and you are expected to provide a role model for campers in experiencing new situations with a positive attitude.