Ridgewood YMCA

Camp Counselor Job Description

JOB TITLE: Camp Counselor
BRANCH: Oak Street
LOCATION: Ridgewood, NJ
REPORTS TO: Director of Childcare + Camp
DURATION: Seasonal-Summer
SALARY: $15.92-16.50 Hourly

OUR CULTURE:

At the Ridgewood Y, our mission and core values come to life through our culture. Guided by our four pillars—caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility—we live our cause of strengthening communities with purpose and intentionality every day. As a nonprofit charitable organization, we have been committed to serving youth, adults, and families across Northern New Jersey and the Camp Bernie area since 1902, as part of the worldwide YMCA movement. Through programs focused on youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility, we create meaningful connections that build spirit, mind, and body for all. Our team is dependable, hardworking, and always ready to roll up our sleeves to get the job done. We believe in the power of diversity, collaboration, and showing up for one another—because together, we are stronger. If you’re looking to make a difference and be part of a mission-driven team, the Ridgewood Y is the place for you! The Ridgewood YMCA is an equal opportunity employer. We believe our strength lies in our diversity and are committed to being an inclusive organization. We welcome applicants from any and all walks of life.

BENEFITS:

  • Complimentary membership to the Ridgewood YMCA for you, or discounted membership for your immediate family, including access to pools, fitness centers, and group fitness classes
  • 25% discount on programming and events
  • Flexible work schedule
  • Retirement Savings & 403(b) Smart Account after eligibility requirements are met

 

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position supports the mission of the YMCA, a leading nonprofit committed to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. As a Camp Counselor at the Ridgewood YMCA, you will foster a welcoming, inclusive environment that values every individual, nurtures the potential of all youth, and delivers a high-quality experience for both children and their families.

JOB FUNCTION:

  • Supervision & Engagement-Supervise and actively engage a group of children in all camp activities, ensuring full participation and fostering a positive group dynamic.Build strong relationships with campers to identify individual needs and interests, ensuring program goals are met.
  • Safety & Risk Management-Enforce all safety and health protocols, understand emergency procedures, and model appropriate behavior to minimize risks. Monitor campers’ physical well-being, participate in weekly safety programs, respond to injuries according to policy, and report all incidents. Promote a clean, safe, and ninclusive environment and make ADA accommodations as needed.
  • Purposeful Programming– Lead developmentally appropriate, culturally relevant activities aligned with YMCA values that support program outcomes and nurture each child’s growth.

JOB DESCRIPTION:

  • Positive Communication-Maintain clear and effective communication with directors regarding camper activities, progress, and well-being. Help ensure families feel confident in the care and supervision provided.
  • Youth Empowerment-Create opportunities for campers to lead, make decisions, and reflect on their experiences, promoting growth in confidence and responsibility.
  • Child Protection-Ensure the safety and well-being of all children under Ridgewood YMCA care, including recognizing and reporting signs or suspicions of abuse to the appropriate state agency.
  • Perform other duties as assigned to support camp operations and the camper experience.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Integrity and ability to work independently with attention to detail required.
  • Demonstrated leadership and dependability.
  • Ability to relate effectively to diverse groups of people from all social and economic segments of the community
  • CPR and First Aid preferred.
  • Prior experience working with children preferred.
  • Other duties as assigned.

WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:

  • Must remain alert at all times, with a strong awareness of safety protocols and the surrounding environment.
  • Must have adequate hearing and vision to effectively monitor both the environment and the well-being of children.
  • Must be able to lift and carry up to 50 lbs. in a variety of situations.
  • May be required to sit, stand, walk, or engage in physical activity for extended periods, particularly in outdoor settings.
  • Must be physically capable of and actively participate in play and sports activities.
APPLY HERE