Do you love camping and being outside?  Are you looking for a fun interactive summer work environment working with youth and families?  The YMCA is looking to hire fun, energetic, leaders to facilitate our Challenge Course as a Challenge Course Lead Staff in a summer seasonal “full time” role.

As a Challenge Course Lead Staff you will enjoy a fun and interactive work environment, spending time on a ropes course and working with fun staff and campers.   At the YMCA Challenge Course Lead Staff have a passion for having a positive impact on children and families each summer with programming. 

As a Challenge Course Lead Staff you can get paid to play with the kids all summer and support camp counselors as a leader.  You will be facilitating programing on various challenge course elements such as a climbing tower, high ropes course and zip lines!

Our goal at the YMCA summer Camp program is to provide kids with a safe, fun space at the Y to thrive! As a Camp Lead you will interact with camper and parents from a diverse background.

1. Job Summary:

The Challenge Course Lead is responsible for overseeing the Challenge Course program area, facilitating group session on the courses, managing risk appropriately and mentoring camp counselors. The Challenge Course Lead Staff may support camp counselors as a unit lead as well as direct service to campers.  The incumbent provides high quality experiences for campers that focus on the YMCA care values: caring, equity, honesty, respect and responsibility.

2. Essential Functions:

• Oversee the setup, up-keep, and operation of challenge courses.
• Assist in training staff in using equipment and lesson planning for the program area.
• Prepare, lead, and evaluate programs which may include theme/special camp activities.
• Maintain and inventory all equipment necessary for the program area.
• Ensure that the site is kept clean and organized.
• Provide support to Camp Counselors as a Male Unit Lead or Female Unit Lead to coordinate programming among small groups.
• Help write and implement a weekly schedule for your camp group.
• Organize and lead a variety of small and large group activities. 
• Communicate with parents about participant’s experiences and report concerns to Camp Leadership.
• Assist in maintaining accurate program records including incident reports, logbook documentation, and daily attendance.
• Know and understand ALL emergency procedures associated with the camp program.
• Know, enforce, and follow all safety guidelines associated with the camp and all program areas.  This includes but is not limited to being responsible for your campers’ safety and their whereabouts at all times. 
• Prepare for and actively participate in staff training and meetings.
• Provide work direction to staff as needed.
• Help guide Junior Counselors and Camp Volunteers to have a deeper understanding of leadership and counseling skills.
• If applicable, maintain constant surveillance of the pool area/body of water, know/review all emergency procedures and respond to emergency situations immediately. Attend monthly in-service trainings.
• May help in other camp program areas as needed.

3. Relationships:

This position reports to the Camp Program Director who reports to Camp Executive.  The incumbent may take work direction from the Sr. Camp Program Coordinator/Camp Program Coordinator. The incumbent interacts regularly with camp staff, campers, and parents.  This position involves interaction with camp staff, campers and parents from a diverse background.

4. Qualifications:

• Minimum age of 18.
• Comfortable working at heights of up to 40ft.
• Upon hire, completion of YMCA provided First Aid and BLS certification.
• Minimum of one (1) season experience in camp, youth programs, recreation, working with children, or in a related field.
• Possess or acquire the required certifications for specific program areas.
• Demonstrated ability to keep accurate records and organize program area logistics.
• Demonstrated ability to work as a member of a team and the ability to accomplish tasks with little direct supervision.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• If applicable, current nationally accredited lifeguard certification (applicable for body of water being guarded).
• If applicable, Oxygen Administration certification (may not guard until certification is complete).

Preferred

• Experience working with Challenge Courses
• Upon hire, completion of YMCA provided Motor Vehicle and or Department of Transportation Insurance Training.

5. Work Conditions:

• Wearing appropriate safety equipment such as helmet and harness.
• Working at heights of up to 40ft.  
• Must have the physical ability to lead and participate in camp activities which may include, but are not limited to, hiking, canoeing, swimming, team building initiatives, building campfires, physical games, and activities. 
• Must have the ability to manage and physically support children when needed for safety in general camp activities (child weighing 50 – 200 pounds).
• May be required to lift up to 70 pounds depending upon specific work responsibility.
• Ability to perform a variety of tasks outdoor in different climate.
• If applicable, ability to pass lifeguard water test.
• If applicable, physically perform all skills required of a lifeguard.
• If applicable, hear noises and distress signals in the aquatic environment, including in the water and anywhere around the zone of responsibility, with or without reasonable accommodation.
• If applicable, remain alert with no lapses of consciousness.
• If applicable, see and observe all sections of an assigned zone of responsibility, with or without reasonable accommodation.

6. Additional Notes: 

This job description represents the major functions of the position but is not intended to be all-inclusive.  The incumbent is responsible for taking direction from the Camp Program Director or their representatives in completing projects or performing duties deemed necessary for the Branch or Association success.