Qualifications

  • College Degree or equivalent life experience.
  • Background in childhood development and previous experience in a camp or school setting is strongly preferred.
  • Experience in the activity area. Possess strong leadership skills.
  • Willing and able to instruct children ages 3 to 12 years. (Age range could vary depending on specialty area.)
  • Good health and physical stamina. Emotionally mature, responsible, and punctual.
  • Team player and willing to work hard.
  • Ability to take direction from Camp Directors, as well as act independently.
  • The desire and ability to motivate and excite campers in order to have a great time.
  • Ability to maintain a calm manner in stressful and/or emergency situations.
  • Additional qualifications/certifications and/or specialized training may be necessary depending on the specialty.
Activity Specialists develop and implement a dynamic activity. To be an Activity Specialist, you must be a college graduate, and possess a high level of experience/expertise in a particular area. An Activity Specialist’s skill set must include the ability to lead campers through a curriculum-based program by being prepared at all times with lesson plans and the appropriate equipment and materials. Bring lesson plans to life for campers through your participation, support, and guidance. Moreover, maintain a clean and well-organized activity area. Tenacre Activity Specialists are safe, nurturing, creative and positive in their approach to campers. Activity Specialists need to be able to encourage campers, involve the counseling staff, teach skills and create an inclusive and fun environment!

JOB SUMMARY:
Design and implement age appropriate, non-competitive activities for ages 3 to 12 years, including plans for rainy days when outdoor activities are relocated to tents or indoor areas. Be prepared at all times with lesson plans. Order/purchase all materials necessary for the activity, with the prior approval of the Director. Be prepared to assist with CHOICE activities for the older campers (entering 2nd – 6th grade). Incorporate counselors into the activity; Be prepared to give specific duties and/or responsibilities.
REPORT TO: Director of Summer Programs

RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Submit required paperwork: Application,3 Recommendations,Health History and Insurance Card,Emergency Info Card,Physician’s Form,Contract,W4,I9 w/ 2 form of ID,Disclosure Form,CORI,SORI,and Certifications.
  • Have a curriculum outline available for review.
  • Check-in each morning at 7:50 a.m., read the Morning Notes, and then participate in arrival if assigned, and with dismissal at 3:15 as assigned.
  • Lead approximately seven, 30 to 40 minute periods each day. Activities should encourage self esteem, teamwork, the ideals of fair play, good sportsmanship, and teach new skills.
  • Enforce all safety rules during instruction. Conduct daily check of the equipment/supplies for safety, cleanliness, and good repair.
  • Be available to work every day of the scheduled camp season or contracted weeks.
  • Promote camper participation in all activities. Work to ensure that each camper feels safe and included.
  • Manage camper behavior with the assistance of the group counselors.
  • Participate in staff training, and attend all other staff meetings as scheduled (usually once per week).
  • Read the Tenacre Staff Manual, and follow the policies and procedures outlined within.
  • Maintain a positive attitude while serving as a good role model to campers and staff in personal language, appearance, manners, and health habits.
  • If applicable, ensure that campers go home with their projects upon completion, or at the conclusion of each session. If necessary, forewarn the counselors and/or Camp Directors, before dismissal time, of projects that must go home. Plan for proper packaging (i.e. bags, boxes) to transport projects home securely.
  • Lunch time and snack time are break times. Snack is provided by the camp. Refrigeration is provided if you bring your own lunch, or you may purchase lunch at your own expense, from local sub shops that the Camp places orders with each day. Be sensitive to individual camper allergy issues. Tenacre Day Camp is a peanut/nut aware camp.
  • If applicable, turn off the air conditioner at the end of each day.
  • Be responsible for notifying the Director of Summer Programs about any problems or issues that may arise involving safety, behaviors, etc.
  • Properly store and care for all materials both during and at the close of camp.
  • Wear appropriate clothing, which includes staff ID tag, sneakers, socks, t-shirt with sleeves (no tank tops and must be long enough to cover midsection), and appropriate length shorts. All clothing must be in good repair (no rips or tears), and cannot advertise alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, or other inappropriate emblems, symbols or logos. Each staff member will be given a Tenacre t-shirt that must be worn on the first day of each week (MONDAYS), at the Family Evening, and at the June Meet & Greet.
  • If applicable, plan, prepare and implement choice activities that are offered to older campers.
  • Refer all camper and staff injuries, insect stings, or illnesses, no matter how seemingly minor, to the nurse immediately.
  • Be prepared to participate in all kinds of weather, wearing appropriate clothing. Plan, prepare and participate in age appropriate activities for rainy days.
SPECIAL DAYS:
  • Assist, participate, and/or lead activities during special event days that may include: July 3rd Cookout, Sports Tournament, Olympics Day, and Kids Wanna Rock.
  • Attend the scheduled Family Picnic evening. Meet and greet campers and their families, assist with the camp store, possibly help the Sports Activity Heads lead field games, and be willing to assist in other ways as needed.
  • Assist with camp clean up on the last day. Inventory sheets must be submitted to the Camp Office. Campers are dismissed at 12 noon, and all staff work together to pack up and move supplies to designated areas from 12:30 until 4pm. Lunch will be provided to the staff. 
CELL PHONE USAGE:
  • We have a “No Cell Phone” policy at Tenacre Day Camp. Staff are not allowed to use cell phones unless you are on a scheduled break and away from your campers. Talking and texting are prohibited. Your cell phone must be stowed away.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS:
 
The employee works in inside and outside weather conditions and may be exposed to wet and/or humid conditions, summer heat and environmental allergens. Most inside rooms are air conditioned. The noise level ranges from quiet to moderately loud. The employee must not have medical ailments that would interfere with performance of duty as described, and have the capacity to handle stressful situations. The employee may have to function in situations where campers might present atypical behaviors.
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