At Camp High Rocks, we have many roles our staff members take on. With these roles come responsibilities and expectations.
All of our staff positions have the opportunity to serve the community at High Rocks and the growth of campers. There is a lot of hard work involved, but the joy felt from helping a child grow and mature is unmatched.
Cabin Counselors live in a cabin with five to seven boys, ages 7 – 16. They act not only as teachers, but as friends, role models, and at times, parents. These counselors provide a home base for their campers. They lead a daily evening cabin meeting that offers a reflection on the camp experience and campers’ growth. In addition to cabin responsibilities, a cabin counselor also instructs in one or two of our activity areas.
Program staff instruct in activity areas and have additional duties in place of cabin coverage. Our program offers instruction that caters to each camper’s level. Campers choose their activities and progress at their own pace. Counselors provide basic to advanced instruction in one or two of our 16 activity areas.
Support Staff at camp offer their talents and hard work to keep camp running smoothly. They fill positions in several different areas of camp including our kitchen, maintenance department, office, and health center. Throughout camp, they are positive role models and a support system to the community at High Rocks.
Many male staff will have the primary responsibility of a cabin counselor as well as an activity instructor. As a cabin counselor, you will be charged with the safety and well-being of the campers in your cabin. Each “Age Group” of 4-6 cabins will have an Age Group Head. This person will be the primary person you report to regarding your campers and cabin life.
Staff will teach in one or two activities during the day. You will report to your activity head for this part of your job. Your activity will be determined by your ability and prior experience along with our needs for different areas. Our main activities are listed here. Counselors can also expect other activities that include running, swimming, driving, Disc Golf, trail hiking, and similar events you would expect to see at a boys’ summer camp.
At a minimum, our staff have completed their first year of college and/or are at least 18 years of age. All of our staff are required to have a minimum of First Aid and CPR certification. Our backcountry staff are required to have at least Wilderness First Aid, but Wilderness First Responder is preferred and required for the trip leader. These wilderness medicine courses are typically available through camp before the season at a free or discounted rate. Many of the specialized activities may require certifications or previously demonstrated skills including teaching or mastery of certain levels.
Many of our staff will be selected to drive as part of their job. This can include a car, minivan, or 15-passenger van. Staff will be selected, evaluated, trained, and oriented for these duties as needed.
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a counselor to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the counselor is regularly required to stand, walk, run, and sit for prolonged periods on uneven terrain in a mountaintop environment. The counselor is also required to use hands to handle or feel and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The counselor may occasionally have to move or lift a minimum of 25 pounds.
Communication skills are a very important part of the job as a summer camp counselor. Here are some of the details:
It is also important to have the mental ability to handle the needs of the campers you are charged with supervising. Staff need to be able to supervise, reason, and mentor a wide range of young men from the age of 7 to 16. This includes getting them oriented, guiding them through rough patches, being a resource, and even helping them with their general hygiene.
This job description has excluded the marginal function of the positions that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and requirements are essential job functions. All requirements are subject to possible modifications to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the counselor occupying this position. Counselors will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor. Minimum requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills, and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently.
