CCUSA Camp Counselor USA

  United States

New York

Length of Position: Summer 2009
Dates: 17/01/2009

Description: The programme is open to students and young people from Ireland only, age of 18, with experience in various fields, who are available to leave for the States during the month of June for approximately 9 weeks.

Camp Positions

There are a variety of jobs available at summer camp. You are welcome to find the position that will best suit you and your abilities.

Programme Staff: Head Staff, Specialists, General Counsellors

Cooks / Chefs
Support Staff: Maintenance, Laundry and Housekeeping

Programme staff

Head Staff
Head Staff in camp supervise the activity in their field. They manage, escort and direct the staff that works under their supervision. They build programmes for different age groups, from young campers with no experience, to older ones with talent, capabilities and experience in a specific area.

Requirements:
- Certifications and experience in their field (you will need to show certificates)
- Experience in teaching and supervising in these areas
- Ability to build programmes
- High level of English
- Experience working with children

Three references

- Specialists

Specialists teach, coach and instruct groups and individuals for 4-7 sessions a day. In some cases, the specialist will organize competitions, shows and special events in camp and/or with other camps. They will direct different activities for a variety of ages from young with no experience to older campers with talent, capabilities and experience. Specialists may be expected to live in cabins with children and serve as a general counsellor when not working within their specialty area.

Payment: USD 500 - USD 1500

Specialty fields:

Sports - Tennis, Basketball, Soccer, Sailing, Boating, Canoeing, Kayaking, Gymnastics, Swimming, Archery, Biking, Rollerblading, Hockey, Baseball, Waterfromt Sports, Athletics Life Guarding, Ropes and Challenge Courses.

Arts/Culture - Visual Arts, painting, Sculpting, Clay, Arts and Crafts, Photography, Video. Music, Singing, Dance (folk, Jazz, Modern, etc), stage arts, woodworking.

Outdoors - Nature, Outdoor Living skills, Hiking, Petting zoo, Navigation and more...

Requirements:

- Experience in instructing in these fields (Your role in camp will be defined according to your certifications and experience)
- Ability to build programmes
- High level of English
- Experience of working with children

Three References

General Counsellors
General Counsellors live in bunks with campers and act as general counsellors for their cabin and for the entire age group.? The position requires the general counsellor to escort and lead their campers throughout the days activities.

Payment: USD 500

Requirements:

- Experienced counsellors, graduates of youth movement or other informal education programmes that have dealt with youth and children.
- High level of English
- Experience working with children

Three References

Support Staff
Maintenance staff are a part of a team that responds to the Camp's requirements for standard maintenance, repair, delivery of supplies, cleaning and supplying support in all areas required for the success of the camp and for the health and safety of the camp environment. This may include landscaping, cleaning the grounds, garbage runs, transporting equipment and more.

This jobs requires good will, basic skills and a willingness to work hard outside for up to 10 hours a day. There is usually a camp maintenance director who supervises staff in this area.

This job requires the staff member to be available at all times when needed, usually during the daytime. There are usually American and International staff members on this team.

Payment: USD 700

Requirements:
- Good hands and a warm heart
- Willingness to work hard and be outside#
- Valid Driver's License including International driver's license
- Good conversational English

Three References

Laundry and Housekeeping
Cleaning and Organising rooms for camp guests. Cleaning various public buildings in camp, including bathrooms, camper cabins, meeting rooms, etc. and operating laundry services in camp.

Payment: USD 700

Requirements:
- Good will and a warm heart
- Willingness to work hard
- Good Conversational English

Three references

Chef/Kitchen Managers

The camp kitchen staff acts under the supervision of a Food Service Director or Kitchen Manager, in order to provide the campers and staff with tasty and nutritious food. The kitchen staff need to be able to work well in a team, and be patient and flexible, camp kitchens work on a schedule that requires flexibility and compromise.

The hours of work are decided by the kitchen manager and vary from day to day based on the meal schedule. However, the hours are long and the schedule runs throughout the day with each kitchen usually offering three meals and two snacks, from morning through early evening.? Depending on the size of camp, the kitchen can serve between 600 and 2,500 meals a day.

The kitchens are clean, modern, well equipped, and operate under the supervision of the Local Health Department.

Payment: USD 2,000 and up

Requirements:

- Men and women who have official certification and experience as cook. Field experience is an advantage.
- Recommendation from previous employers
- Willingness to work long hours and often in a hot environment
- Understanding of American food tastes and different types of food
- Good conversational English and Ability to read it

Three References

Summer Camps have a wide range of facilities and buildings. Indoor facilities may include cabins for sleeping, large, well equipped dining rooms and kitchens and medical facilities and staff to accommodate the camp community.

There are often indoor gymnasiums, art studios and gathering places for the whole community that serve as theatres and game rooms. For staff, there is usually a special area set aside for relaxing and late night activities after the campers have gone to sleep that may include internet and the like. Outdoor areas include recreation facilities for soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis, rope courses, swimming areas with swimming pools and/or lakes, some of which offer sailing, water skiing, canoeing and other water sports.

Camp Activities

Camps host a myriad of nature activities, such as overnight camping and river walks. There are staff members who help teach youngsters to look at the stars and identify flora and fauna. A camper can learn to play the guitar, dance (folk, modern, jazz and more), paint, mold clay, sing in a chorus and act in a play. There are activities galore and staff members to teach and lead them.

Most of all, Camp is about building a community. It is about establishing relationships with the campers and staff, as well as learning to have confidence and building your self-esteem. Camp is about role models. It is learning about different cultures and experiences. Camp is a healthy, safe and most of all, fun environment.

Every staff member works hard, but the work is fun and very rewarding and the satisfaction is great. Camp is not for everyone. But it is for someone who wants to have the adventure of a lifetime, to learn a lot and make a contribution with whatever they have to give.

Highlights: Application Process
1. Enrollment
2. Personal Interview with Cara International
3. Phone Interview with employer
4. Paperwork Completion
5. Visa Application
6. Orientation Seminar
7. Summer Camp

Our screening process is a simple process that allows us to learn about the candidates abilities in order for us to find the most suitable camp for the candidate and his/her specific abilities.

1. Enrollment:? Fill our Application Form with preliminary contact information. (Downloadable PDF Form) Please forward your application form to our office with ¬199 Application fee. (Fee will be refunded at camp if you are accepted onto programme)

2. Personal Interview with Cara International. During this interview we will determine if we can place you with an American Summer Camp, look at possible suitable positions and determine the next stages of the screening process.

3. Phone Interview with Employer: At this stage the employer in the US will have the opportunity to speak with the candidate to determine his/her abilities and specialities. For this stage, you will be asked to prepare a CV, 3 reference letters and a photo.

4. Paperwork completion: Once you successfully pass the screening, you are asked to sign an agreement and Guarantee Contract with Cara International, and pay the acceptance fee. Only after you complete all the required materials, will we be able to start the process of matching you with a camp.

5. Visa Application: Completing a Visa Application and requesting J1 Cultural Exchange Visitor Visa Our Sponsor, CCs, is an approved sponsor of the J1 Cultural Exchange Visitor Programme of The US department of State.? This allows our sponsor to invite staff from other countries to work in American Summer Camps for the Summer Season. The Programme allows those who participate to travel in the US after camp is over in accordance with the Visa regulations as stated in agreement. CCS will provide the Visa request forms (DS-2019) and will assist with completion and submission to the American authorities.

Interview at the US Embassy the US Embassy will assign you a date for an interview at the US Embassy in your country. For this interview, each candidate must pay the Visa fees (USD 100). We will pay the additional SEVIS fee and our sponsor will provide a letter and authorization that you are participating in the cultural exchange programme.

6. Orientation Seminar: A mandatory seminar will take place in late May or during the month of June, depending on your position or the needs of camp. Your contract is for approximately 9 weeks and may include pre- and/or post camp work.

Qualifications: Good with children and a background in sports or other activities that can be used with children

Salary / Pay: Contact us for 2010 salary rates

Experience Required: yes

With children

This Program is open to European Participants.

Participants Travel to United States Independently

Typically Participants Work in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Disciplinary Clearance Form
• Essay
• In-Person Interview Required
• Letters of Reference
• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Physical Exam/Health Records

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Cara International's Mission Statement: Opening doors Seo do Sheans is a Gaelic word meaning here is your change. Our mission is to offer safe secure placements in Ireland and world wide for student and persons looking for exciting and interesting work ,volunteer and language programs.

Year Founded: 2001