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 specialty area.
  • Possess strong leadership skills.
  • Willing and able to instruct children in the age group that is assigned to the specialty program. (Age range varies 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.
Specialty Instructors develop and implement a dynamic specialty program. To be a Specialty Instructor, you must be a college graduate, and possess a high level of experience/expertise in the specialty area. An Specialty Instructor’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 room space. Tenacre instructors are safe, nurturing, creative and positive in their approach to campers. Specialty Instructors need to be able to encourage campers, involve the counseling staff, teach skills and create an inclusive and fun environment!

A 2-hour training will be required for all Specialty Instructors. This will be held during the evening on a weekday in June. Attendance is required.

JOB SUMMARY: 
  • Assist the Director and Specialty Coordinator with the development of all aspects of the Specialty Program.
  • Design and implement age appropriate activities for the camper ages, including plans for rainy days when outdoor play time is 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. Incorporate the specialty 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 7:50AM, read the Morning Notes, and then participate in arrival by greeting and supervising your campers at the “post” (meeting spot), and sit with your campers at dismissal.
  • Stay with your campers at the morning camp rally from 8:30AM – 8:45AM, and then take your campers to the assigned room and give attendance to the Director by 9AM.
  • Lead activities that encourage self esteem, teamwork, and teach new skills.
  • Use effective classroom management skills to lead the activities and effectively create an inclusive, fun environment.
  • 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 specialty week or contracted days.
  • Promote camper participation in all activities. Work to ensure that each camper feels safe and included.
  • Manage camper behavior with the assistance of the specialty counselor(s).
  • Participate in the scheduled training.
  • 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 week. If necessary, forewarn the group counselors and/or Camp Directors, before dismissal time, of projects that must go home, as some half day specialty campers join a day camp group in the afternoon. Plan for proper packaging (i.e. bags, boxes) to transport projects home securely.
  • 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. Half Day Campers that leave at 12PM do NOT eat lunch.
  • If applicable, turn off the air conditioner at the end of each day.
  • Be responsible for notifying the Director of Summer Programs or Specialty Coordinator 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 at the beginning of the camp season that must be worn on the first day of each week (MONDAYS), at the Family Evening, and at the June Meet & Greet.
  • 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.
Preparing Activities and Planning the Program Schedule
  • Specialty Instructors are expected to prepare the activities, lesson plans and schedule ahead of time. These hours are not compensated.
FRIDAY PRESENTATIONS:
  • The week concludes with a presentation for parents/guardians on Friday morning from approximately 8:35AM – 9:00AM. After the parents leave, the campers remain. Be prepared with activities on Friday that engage the campers until 12PM.
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.
 
BREAK TIME (for full day programs):
Specialty Instructors that work a full day will have a 30-minute break each day before 2pm.
 
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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