Camper Care Specialist, Camp Kaleidoscope, Summer Day Camp

Laughter. Fun. Making a difference every day. Camp Kaleidoscope, the JCC summer day camp in Newton, draws creative campers interested in the arts, science, and the outdoors. Camp Counselors and activity specialists guide campers in drama, art, science, sports, swimming, and much more as they develop and build self-confidence. The energy of the camp is lively, playful, and warm as campers and staff develop lifelong friendships. JCC Greater Boston offers free bus service for staff from Cambridge, Brookline, Framingham, Sudbury, and Wayland during the season, making it possible for staff to receive transportation from their home communities if needed.

Camp Kaleidoscope’s Camper Care Specialist is an integral part of the camp team, providing additional support to counselors and staff when a variety of behavioral challenges occur. Typical behavioral challenges range from anxiety and trouble with transitions to ongoing social challenges and various special needs. This role works with the Camp Leadership Team to ensure all campers and staff have the support they need to have an enjoyable summer. A typical day is dynamic and fun and will involve coaching and mentoring counselors, as well as intervening when additional support is needed.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Meet with camper families and communicate as needed
• Plan and lead staff orientation activities
• Support campers ages 5 – 16 daily
• Facilitate staff meetings; attend daily staff check-ins and partner on a daily basis with Camp Leadership
• Create a fun/joyful dynamic
• Work in partnership with peers and Camp Leadership to provide a happy, safe, and memorable summer for the children
• Contribute, as needed, to camp special events and initiatives
• Oversee the development of ICPs (Individual Camper Plans) to outline accommodations required to include campers in our camp program fully
• Oversee the facilitation of ICP’s, ensuring Camp Counselors, Unit Heads, and Specialists/Instructors are mindful and proactive in regard to specific camper needs

About Camp Kaleidoscope

Camp Kaleidoscope is a co-ed day camp where campers and staff forge lifelong friendships within an immersive program grounded in building self-confidence and social skills through various activities, including arts and sciences, sports, swimming, outdoor adventure, and more. The camp serves over 220 youth weekly (grades K-10), supervised by approximately 80 seasonal staff members and three full-time, year-round supervisory staff. Each summer, we serve approximately 40 to 50 campers with diagnosed special needs, including social/emotional challenges, physical or visual impairments, as well as behavioral and developmental needs.

Inclusion at Camp Kaleidoscope

Camp Kaleidoscope is located at the Leventhal-Siedman Jewish Community Center and is committed to making camp an inclusive environment for all campers, staff, families, and guests. We recognize the intersectionality of various learning and sensory differences, medical considerations, gender identities, cultural differences, and other special needs. We aim to create a culture of inclusion proactively.

Schedule

Full-time seasonal: June 17 through August 16. 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Mondays through Fridays

Requirements

• Have a college degree, graduate degree, or significant experience in education, special education, social work, counseling, or related field

• Have 2+ years of experience teaching and/or counseling school-age children

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

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent group management skills
• Flexibility in plans and a positive attitude
• Able to build strong relationships with children, staff, and parents  
• Capable of working in a fast-paced environment and thinking on their feet
• Adaptive to change
• Enjoy working with children and a strong desire to make a difference every day
• Ability to multitask and to manage situations effectively and diplomatically
• Ability and commitment to build strong relationships with campers, parents, co-workers, and camp leadership

Physical Requirements: Able to work in person. 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.

ADA Statement: Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.

 Organization Information

Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to its mission of creating a vibrant, inclusive, and diverse community by nurturing meaningful and 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 gave a rating of close to 90% positive for their experiences in direct management and organizational alignment. If you are interested in upgrading your working experience and/or having 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.

Benefits

In addition to a rewarding position where you care for a community, the JCC Greater Boston provides competitive benefits, including:

• A competitive salary
• A fun, active work culture and community
• Complimentary summer access to the JCC Greater Boston facility in Newton – offering indoor swimming and workout facilities
• Parents working full time may have their child attend camp for free for the weeks they are working
• Outstanding working environment, including convenient, free parking
• Camp Kaleidoscope offers free camp bus service from Cambridge, Brookline, Framingham, Sudbury, and Wayland.

Benefits are subject to review and change by the Organization.