Camp Counselor, School Break Camps, JCC

Do you love working with kids and bringing joy to their day? JCC Greater Boston is looking for enthusiastic, responsible Camp Counselors for our School Break Camps. We offer camps Veteran's Day 11/11, December School Break 12/28-31, MLK Day 1/18, February School Break 2/15-19, April & Passover School Break 4/19, 4/20, 4/26 - 4/30. 

School Break Camp Counselors guide groups of campers (K-5th grade) through a fun, supportive day filled with sports, arts & crafts, swimming, games, and special events. Counselors are role models who create a warm, inclusive environment where campers can build confidence, make friends, and have a blast during their time off from school.

As a School Break Counselor, you’ll start your day greeting campers with energy and warmth, helping them feel excited for what’s ahead. You’ll guide your group through a variety of activities — one hour you might be cheering them on in a game of capture the flag, the next you’re diving into an arts & crafts project or encouraging hesitant swimmers in the pool. Lunch brings laughter, songs, and silly moments, and you’ll be right there helping campers feel included and connected. Throughout the day, you’ll be a role model — building relationships, keeping campers safe, and making sure every child feels supported. By the end of the day, you’ll leave camp tired but smiling, knowing you’ve helped kids create joyful memories.

• →Ensure the safety and well-being of campers in structured and unstructured time 
• →Create a fun, joyful and inclusive group dynamic  
• →Work in partnership with co-counselors and camp leadership to deliver a happy, safe, and memorable experience
• →Lead, co-lead and support activities with campers and co-counselors, including arts, sports, swimming and other camp activities
• →Participate and support camper during swim times (must be able to access the pool and swim with the campers)
• →Assist with set-up and clean-up of activities and spaces as needed
• →Support campers’ social and emotional development throughout the day

• Bonding with the campers
• The activities
• Free swim
• Leadership opportunities
• Making close friends with co-counselors

• Veteran's Day Camp: November 11
• December Camp: December 28, 29, 30, 31
• MLK Day Camp: January 18
• February Camp: February 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
• April & Passover Break Camp: April 19, 20, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30

Candidates do not need to commit to all dates. Staff are scheduled by the day and shift.

• Full Day 8:30am – 4:30pm, 8 hours
• Morning Shift 7:45am – 3:45pm, 8 hours
• Afternoon Shift 10am - 6pm, 8 hours

• Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued and respected
• Actively participate as an essential team member
• Support JCC Greater Boston’s mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role modeling
• Enthusiastically representing the organization, model excellence and achievement
• Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned
• Other duties as assigned

• Negotiation and conflict resolution skills
• Ability to "think on your feet"
• Social/emotional knowledge
• Problem-solving techniques
• Project management skills
• Leadership skills
• Collaboration experience
• Flexibility

About JCC Greater Boston

Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, diverse community by nurturing meaningful, lasting relationships. Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends.

JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. In our recent employee survey, staff rated their direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive. If you want to upgrade your working experience and have a better work-life balance, we encourage you to explore becoming part of the JCC team!

The JCC is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston's core values: Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation, which we hope resonate with all.

To learn more about what makes JCC Greater Boston a wonderful place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.bostonjcc.org/careers/

JCC Greater Boston is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.

• Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities.
• Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30-40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children’s backpacks, etc.
• Able to sit and kneel; getting down at eye level with children regularly. 
• Ability to swim and supervise children in pool (able to stand in pool).
• Ability to work in variety of weather conditions for extended periods of time in case of rain, heat, humidity, cold, or other environmental factors to ensure the supervision and safety of campers in our care at all times.

• 10th grade (or equivalent) and eligible for work permit 
• Must be 15 years or older to qualify as a Camp Counselor, per Department of Public Health Guidelines
• 1+ season (summer camp, semester, babysitting, coaching, other) experience working with children  

Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC’s discretion to meet minimum criteria.

• Genuine enjoyment of working with children and helping them grow
• Strong safety awareness and communication skills
• Leadership qualities including patience, flexibility, teamwork, and creativity
• Positive attitude and ability to build meaningful relationships with campers and peers
• Proactive problem-solving and willingness to ask for guidance when needed
• Self-starter who takes initiative
• Must be able to work well with others, building/sustaining collaborative solid relationships
• Ability to manage situations effectively and diplomatically and ask for help, guidance, or clarification when needed
• Commitment to build strong relationships with campers, co-workers, and camp leadership  
• Ability to interface with digital tools and mobile apps (enter hours worked into Paylocity, note camper attendance on digital attendance forms, etc.)