Day Camp Counselor
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
On-site
Kentucky, United States
Position: Day Camp Counselor
Status: Part-Time, Hourly (seasonal)
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (SVPH) is on a mission to inspire generations through DISCOVERY, by sharing the legacies of the Kentucky Shakers. SVPH is committed to bridging historic preservation, land conservation, engaged learning and warm hospitality to present an unrivaled destination experience.
Home to the Shaker community of Pleasant Hill from 1805 until 1923, SVPH manages the country’s largest private collection of original nineteenth-century buildings and is the largest National Historic Landmark in Kentucky. Onsite amenities at SVPH include overnight accommodations, dining and catering services, retail shops, event and meeting venues, historical exhibitions and tours, farm and garden area, nature preserve, multi-use trail system, equestrian stable and an extensive calendar of special programs, activities and events.
Shaker Village Program Department
The Program Department supports the mission of Shaker Village by inspiring our guests through stories, activities and exhibits across the SVPH landscape that connect to our heritage, community and the environment while expanding our understanding of the legacy of the Pleasant Hill Shakers.
Day Camp Counselor
This position will be responsible for the primary care and engagement of Shaker Village’s summer day campers. This includes children (ages 6-12) enrolled in Explorer Camp, as well as teens enrolled in Teen Service Leadership (ages 13-14) and Leaders in Training (aged 15-16). SVPH’s summer camps operate on a Monday – Friday schedule, from 7:30 am - 5:30 pm daily with a Friday overnight campout. Day Camp Counselors will be expected to commit to one week of training (June 2-6), and seven weeks of camp (Monday-Friday, June 9-July 25).
Responsibilities
- Ensure the safety and health of all campers in accordance with applicable Kentucky Department of Health requirements
- Implement and monitor camp activities including archery, arts/crafts, hikes, and farm- and environmental-based programming
- Communicate positively and enthusiastically with campers, their guardians, camp personnel and other SV staff
- Treat each child with dignity and respect
- Engage with campers and adapt activities to age and ability and to weather conditions
- Maintain all equipment and property, minimizing damage and communicating any needs or issues with superiors
- Ensure cleanliness of facilities and property
- Report all accidents and incidents involving self, participants, guests or other employees
- Prepare for, and implement as needed, emergency procedures
- Be familiar with the history of the Shakers in general and Pleasant Hill in particular
- Perform other duties as assigned
Skills and Qualifications:
- Must be at least 18 years of age
- Must attend onsite training to receive certification in 1st Aid, CPR, AED and Epi-Pen administration
- Must be a self-motivator and willing to learn new skills
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Positive attitude, problem solving, and flexibility
- Ability to engage and educate children through experiential programs
- Ability to work in a collaborative team structure
- Show flexibility and creativity in support of all Shaker Village activities
Education and Experience:
- High school diploma required
- Bachelor's Degree (or current enrollment in a degree-bearing program) in a related field with relevant professional experience preferred
- Experience working with children under age 12
- Knowledge of outdoor and environmental education, crafts, group games and sports, or other relevant topics relating to youth programming
Mental and Physical Requirements:
- Ability to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell
- Ability to sit, stand and walk for considerable lengths of time (must be able to lead hikes/walking programs on Preserve trails)
- Must be able to ascend and descend stairs on a frequent basis
- Specific vision ability required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus
- Regularly lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. and lift and/or move heavier loads with a team as needed.
Working Environment and Conditions:
- Regularly exposed to wet and/or humid conditions
- Frequently exposed to outside weather conditions
- This position requires working some evenings; counselors may be expected to work an afternoon/evening shift on several Fridays throughout the summer
- This position requires working near farm animals
- This position requires leading programming in a variety of locales, including hiking trails on the Preserve, Shaker Village’s Farm/garden, within historic structures/museum exhibits, and near the Kentucky River or Shawnee Run Creek
- This position is subject to a background check and drug testing