OUTDOOR LIVING SKILLS PROGRAM COUNSELOR
Position Description
ORGANIZATIONAL MISSION: Our mission is to bring out the limitless potential in young leaders through extraordinary experiences and nurturing relationships.
PEAK VALUES & BELIEFS: At PEAK, we know that with the right support and access to quality programs and experiences, all young people are able to achieve at the highest level imaginable. Below are the core values that we operate under at PEAK. Staff are expected to embrace and exhibit these values toward each other, participants, caregivers, and all stakeholders.
- Every living being has inherent value.
We honor the unique identities of every person and uphold their right to a safe and fun environment where everyone belongs. We also treat our natural environment with care and respect.
- The community is better when everyone contributes.
We unite in sharing responsibilities, creating a strong community. We inspire one another to embrace our authentic selves, celebrating the diversity of perspectives and experiences we each bring forth.
- We can only grow when we are honest about our mistakes.
We accept accountability for our actions, look for ways to improve, and have opportunities to grow.
- Everyone has the power to change their world.
We all have the ability to influence and make a difference in our own lives and our communities around us.
POSITION SUMMARY: The Outdoor Living Skills Program Counselor provides opportunities for campers to learn and practice outdoor living skills and become more comfortable pursuing outdoor adventures in their personal lives. The main objective of the Outdoor Living Skills program (OLS) is to teach campers how to meet fundamental needs and to teach wilderness survival techniques and problem solving in the outdoors.
POSITION AVAILABILITY:
This role begins with a required orientation beginning sometime on the week of June 8 (exact start date TBD), ending on June 18. Camp session dates are as follows:
Session 1: June 21-July 2
Session 2: July 5-16
Session 3: July 19-30
Teen Camp and Camp Clean-up: August 2-7
BASIC FUNCTION AND RESPONSIBILITY
- Live in a cabin with a co-counselor and 8 campers, and provide active supervision and attention to the physical and emotional wellbeing of campers during all on-duty hours.
- Communicate and enforce all safety policies and procedures with staff and campers participating in OLS activities.
- Provide age and ability appropriate activities focusing on skills related to meeting fundamental needs in nature like food, shelter, water etc.
- Complete participation notes and attendance notes daily for all campers who attended OLS activities.
- Collaborate with the Expeditions Coordinator and Expeditions Instructors over use of Outdoor Living Center and its gear.
- Communicate with co-counselor and supervisor appropriately to balance responsibilities as a program instructor with responsibilities as a cabin counselor.
- Actively participate in camp programming outside of OLS activities including evening activities, camper choice time, theme days, bus duty, and more.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- This position is compensated at a rate of $700 per week, pre-tax.
- Summer seasonal staff are paid on a bi-weekly basis and are classified as exempt, seasonal employees.
- All meals are provided during camp sessions.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, & ABILITIES
- Ability to receive constructive feedback and coaching from supervisor and make necessary adjustments
- Ability to work collaboratively with co-workers to achieve program objectives.
- Ability to live with, support, and work with all camper age ranges at camp.
- Commitment to being punctual and adhering to a schedule provided by camp leadership.
- Possess strong communications skills and apply them with coworkers and supervisors, maintaining confidentiality of sensitive staff and camper information when necessary.
- Ability to perform job duties in a fast-paced environment and able to embrace change and be flexible.
- Experience doing outdoor recreation activities such as camping, fishing, orienteering, hiking, shelter building etc.
REQUIREMENTS & CERTIFICATIONS
- Must be at least 18 and/or have a high school diploma or GED to apply
REPORTING AND RELATIONSHIPS
- The Outdoor Living Skills Program Counselor reports to a Program Coordinator with direction from Assistant Director of Programs
- The Outdoor Living Skills Program Counselor may work closely with Expeditions Instructors
- The Outdoor Living Skills Program Counselor may receive feedback and support from the Expeditions Coordinator
PHYSICAL & MENTAL DEMANDS & WORKING CONDITIONS
The mental and physical requirements and work environment conditions described here are representative of those that must be met by an individual to successfully perform the essential functions of this position.
- Staff are required to actively participate in all camper activities, including water related activities.
- Staff must be ready for new experiences and maintain a consistent level of energy all summer long.
- Position requires standing, stooping, sitting, walking long distances on uneven terrain (5+ miles a day), and occasionally lifting up to 40 pounds with or without assistance.
- Camp activities are often loud, involving many people talking, yelling, cheering, etc., in indoor and outdoor settings.
- The camp environment is often hot, rainy, with bugs or other wildlife. Staff must be able to work outside in a nature setting for sustained periods of time without air conditioning.
- All PEAK Initiative properties, including Lake Valley Camp and the Milwaukee Program Center, are substance-free environments. Smoking, vaping, alcohol consumption, and the use of illicit drugs are strictly prohibited on all property regardless of whether or not staff are on break.
- Staff must be able to walk and perform activities in the dark in an outdoor, nature setting.
- Staff must be able to sleep in a tent outdoors.
- Staff must be able to eat in a dining hall setting with 100+ people. The dining hall will be very busy and very noisy during these times and staff are expected to supervise and sit with their cabins throughout the meals.
- Staff must be able to eat family style meals in a dining hall for 3 meals a day. Sample menus available upon request. With pre-summer notice, the kitchen can accommodate most medical or value-based dietary restrictions.
- Position requires working weekends and nights, with time off in between camp sessions. Camp days are often long and at times require late night camper support, especially for Leadership Team Members and Health Staff. Staff will have daily scheduled breaks. Staff will have a combination of work and on call hours for up to 22 hours a day for several consecutive days.
- Staff must be able to reside in shared housing on the LVC overnight camp property in Boscobel, WI starting with staff training in June and ending after the last camp program lets out in mid-August.
- Staff must be able to live and sleep in housing with campers. Cabins have electricity, but no plumbing. Staff and campers are required to use communal bath houses located within the village.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this job.
PEAK Initiative is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status.