Staff seem genuinely happy to be here with my kids. That’s tough to find!
– SLC Parent
See Jobs & Apply!
We’re always looking to hire new, talented team members. If you love kids, love connecting with nature, and are excited about sharing your enthusiasm, we want to hear from you!
Senior summer staff often include teachers and other professionals with summer availability. Our counselors are predominantly college students, although some are gifted high school graduates with special skills or training, and some are college graduates.
All staff go through a thorough interview process. After your interview, we will speak to at least two references and run a standard criminal background check. Once hired, you’ll join the rest of the staff for a required eight-day orientation prior to the arrival of the campers.
Here are current employment opportunities for this upcoming summer:
Unit Supervisors
All positions are residential and are hired for the duration of our summer program. The time commitment is mid-June to late August, and includes full room and board.
Job Requirements
- 21 years of age
- Physically and mentally capable to handle the care of campers and staff.
- Previous camping, education and/or childcare experience preferred.
- Previous leadership experience.
- Strong organizational, communication, and teamwork skills.
- Desire and ability to work with children of all ages.
- Ability to sit, stand, or maintain physical activity for extended periods of time.
- Must exhibit patience and understanding.
- Capable of working under pressure and staying flexible in an ever-changing, sometimes hectic environment.
- Ability to work up to 60 hours weekly.
Responsibilities
- The unit supervisor is directly responsible to the Head Counselor and/or Division Head.
- Review and become familiar with the job responsibilities of counselors.
- Collaborate with key staff to create a positive environment of communication, support and inclusivity.
- Work closely with counselors regarding roles and responsibilities within the unit.
- Support the planning and implementation of group, unit and all-camp programming with other staff.
- Organize time off for all unit staff and ensure that all staff are taking appropriate time off.
- Work closely with counselors to provide camper behavioral interventions, and communicate all relevant information to Head Counselor and/or parents as needed.
- Clearly review with each counselor in the unit their personal goals, objectives and progress throughout the summer. Provide frequent feedback through scheduled check-ins, and written evaluations at end-of-summer.
- Make sure all camper-related notes and/or parent communications are logged in Campminder.
- Compose weekly e-mails to families, summarizing the unit’s experience, and sharing special moments, milestones, etc.
- Make sure all camper reports, staff evaluations, etc. are completed and submitted at the end of each session.
- Monitor and distribute trip money, monitor letter-writing, and conduct daily inspections of cabins in unit, checking for cleanliness, safety hazards, proper hygiene, etc.
- Be willing to request help, advice, and feedback from peers or support staff.
- Serve as a role model and provide support to campers when needed.
- Fully participate in general staff orientation and all staff meetings.
- Be responsible for knowing and adhering to camp policies, procedures, safety, and emergency policies.
- Report all suspicions of child abuse, bullying, or rule-breaking to proper authorities
- Report injuries or behavioral issue to the supervisor
- Review and comment on camper reports at end of each session.
- Serve as Rosh Shmira (AOD) on assigned nights.
- Participate in and supervise final clean up at end of summer.
- Participate in end-of-summer supervisors debrief meeting.
- Be consistent. Remember that you, too, are worthy of rest and renewal. Take care of yourself.
Counselors
The position begins in mid-June and lasts through the third week in August, and includes full room and board.
Job requirements
- Must be at least 17 years of age and a High School graduate
- Must have experience working with children
- Must attend orientation training sessions
- Must be able to demonstrate some critical knowledge, skills, and physical abilities
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
- Desire and ability to work with children of all ages
- Demonstrated responsibility and dependability
- Ability to sit, stand, or maintain physical activity for extended periods of time
- Must exhibit patience and understanding.
- Ability to receive and follow detailed instruction
- Maintain a high level of alertness, keeping safety in mind at all times
- Capable of working under pressure and staying flexible in an ever-changing, sometimes hectic environment
- Ability to work up to 60 hours weekly
Responsibilities
- Supervised by Unit Supervisor, Division Head, and Head Counselor
- Ensure children are aware of rules and daily routines
- Provide a safe and healthy environment, both physically and mentally
- Mediate camper problems and offer productive solutions (asking for help when needed)
- Actively participate in all programs, activities, and special events, supporting the people leading them; this includes but is not limited to hikes, overnights, Jewish programming and Shabbat services, sports, music/singing, etc.
- Plan and implement daily activities that fit the camper’s needs and interests, especially evening and rainy-day activities
- Direct or assist in the daily maintenance of both camper and staff cabins, ensuring safety and cleanliness
- Ensure that all activities are mission supportive
- Establish a relationship with each child, learning their likes and dislikes
- Put the needs of children first and treat each child with respect and dignity
- Take responsibility camp supplies, equipment, and materials – signing out and returning items to their proper place
- Actively supervise and provide structured activities during rest hour
- Serve as a role model and provide support to campers when needed.
- Fully participate in general staff orientation and all staff meetings.
- Be willing to request help, advice, and feedback from peers and/or supervisors.
- Be responsible for knowing and adhering to camp policies, procedures, safety, and emergency policies.
- Report all suspicions of child abuse, bullying, or rule-breaking to proper authorities
- Report injuries or behavioral issue to the supervisor
- Complete all written camper evaluations at end of each session
- Serve in shmira (OD) rotation
- Help prepare camp for opening at beginning of summer and final clean up at end of summer
- Be consistent. Remember that you, too, are worthy of rest and renewal. Take care of yourself.
Soccer Coach
Positions are residential and include room and board and are for the duration of the summer program, although qualified local applicants/commuters may be considered. The time commitment is mid-June to late August.
Job Requirements
- Minimum of 21 years of age.
- Previous soccer coaching experience at the elementary or high school levels.
- Strong organizational, communication and teamwork skills.
- Commitment to foster a community that celebrates inclusivity and camp’s values.
- Be flexible with the changing needs of the program.
Responsibilities
- The Soccer Coach is directly supervised by the Sports Supervisor.
- Instruct and coach campers ranging from 7-15 years of age.
- Create program outlines for campers with a wide range of ability levels.
- Create program outlines that include time for instruction as well as playing.
- Work with teams to prepare for intercamp/intracamp games and / or tournaments.
- Facilitate staff intercamp/intracamp games and / or tournaments.
- Serve as a role model and provide support to campers when needed.
- Fully participate in general staff orientation and all staff meetings.
- Be willing to request help, advice, and feedback from peers and/or supervisors.
- Be responsible for knowing and adhering to camp policies, procedures, safety, and emergency policies.
- Report all suspicions of child abuse, bullying, or rule-breaking to proper authorities.
- Report injuries or behavioral issue to the supervisor.
- Complete all written camper evaluations at end of each session.
- Serve in shmira (OD) rotation.
- Help prepare camp for opening at beginning of summer and final clean up at end of summer.
- Be consistent. Remember that you, too, are worthy of rest and renewal. Take care of yourself.
Lifeguards
The position begins in mid-June and lasts through the third week in August, and includes full room and board.
Job requirements:
- Must be at least 17 years of age.
- Must have current American Red Cross Waterfront Lifeguarding certification or acceptable equivalent
- Must have American Red Cross CPR or CPR for the Professional Rescuer or acceptable equivalent
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Commitment to foster a community that celebrates inclusivity and camp’s values.
- Be flexible with the changing needs of the program.
Responsibilities:
- Lifeguards are directly supervised by and responsible to the Waterfront Director and Division Head.
- Assist with maintenance of waterfronts and equipment.
- Maintain waterfront safety standards throughout camp.
- Supervise waterfront during general swims and assign counselors to posts as per direction from the Waterfront Director.
- Teach campers during instructional swims as per current guidelines of the American Red Cross.
- Serve in rotation of boat patrol.
- Rake beach as needed.
- Assist with boat dock as needed.
- Participate in waterfront drills.
- Assist Waterfront Director in maintaining waterfront records.
- Serve as relief counselors when waterfront is not in use and during Trip Break.
- Attend all meals and assist with Dining Room supervision where assigned.
- Participate in camper programs when waterfront is closed.
- Serve in waterfront OD (on duty) rotation.
- Assist in setting up and dismantling waterfront facilities and equipment during pre-season as indicated by contract.
- Help with luggage loading, unloading and distribution both in city and at camp.
- Report to supervisor for re-assignment if an activity period is cancelled.
- Serve as a role model and provide support to campers when needed.
- Fully participate in general staff orientation and all staff meetings.
- Be willing to request help, advice, and feedback from peers and/or supervisors.
- Be responsible for knowing and adhering to camp policies, procedures, safety, and emergency policies.
- Report all suspicions of child abuse, bullying, or rule-breaking to proper authorities.
- Report injuries or behavioral issue to the supervisor.
- Serve in shmira (OD) rotation.
- Help prepare camp for opening at beginning of summer and final clean up at end of summer.
- Be consistent. Remember that you, too, are worthy of rest and renewal. Take care of yourself.
Nurses
We are seeking Registered Nurses, ideally with significant experience in pediatric nursing, school nursing and / or camp nursing, as part of our summer camp team. The position begins in mid-June and lasts through the third week in August. The position includes full room and board as well as the possibility for your children to attend camp at a reduced tuition.
Job responsibilities:
- Supervised by and responsible to Health Director/Head Nurse.
- Review camper medical forms and set up camper folders.
- Perform initial screening for campers and staff.
- Examine campers and staff during clinic hours.
- Distribute medication to outpatients in accordance with standing orders of physician.
- Provide emergency care to outpatients and nursing services to inpatients.
- Participate in day shifts and night coverage at Health Center.
- Help supervise Health Center aides.
- Attend Health Center staff meetings and general staff meetings as needed.
- Remain on call when not in Health Center.
- Accompany patients to doctors’ offices and hospitals as needed.
- Conduct accident investigations and complete accident investigation forms.
- Help maintain Health Center facilities, equipment and supplies.
Qualifications:
- A valid NYS nursing license (or ability to get one).
- Experience working in a camp or comparable setting.
- Excellent communications skills.
- Excellent organizational skills.
To apply
Serious candidates should contact Sheryl Kirschenbaum, Surprise Lake Camp’s Director, at [email protected]. To download a copy of the job description, click here.
Specialists
Love a particular activity? Have special skills and training? We hire specialists (ages 17+) for activities including: Archery, Arts & Crafts, Adventure (low ropes, high ropes, zip line, climbing tower and group-building activities), Digital Photography, Drama, Golf, Israeli Culture, Jewish Culture, Physical Fitness, Songleader, Sports, Tennis, Video and Teva (nature, including overnight camping). A Specialist or Area Supervisor provides guidance. Specialists live in camper units and assist counselors when not running activities. Positions include full room and board.
Support Staff (Maintenance, Health Center, and more)
Take on a great job in a beautiful location, with full room and board included. Our Support Staff works behind the scenes to create the special experience of camp. Positions are available in the office, maintenance, housekeeping, and Health Center.
