 SWIFT NATURE CAMP 630-654-8036 |
Are you willing to be an OOMPA LOOMPA ? |
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Swift
Nature Camp -----Qualities of a
Counselor. Being Intentional- We have all heard of
the "magic" of summer camp. But that is only a part
of the story, more importantly there is the
intentionality of camp. It is more than just
letting our camp days happen. It is a knowing and
imagining what we want from our campers, fellow
staff and ourselves. Camp provide a safe haven for
working through real life situations: resolving
conflict, making choices, and interacting with
others all with a positive outcome. Life is a choice-We must realize that
everything we do is intentional and each and every
one of our decisions has a consequence. All of our
life is a choosing. We can choose to ignore a
camper's unacceptable behavior and chances are it
will persist or we can choose to counsel the child
in an effort to guide them down a more fertile
path. Generosity- Being an SNC Counselor is all
about giving. Giving of yourself, your time, your
energy. These are all gifts that you must be
willing to freely give 24/7 to your children. Dedicated- When things get tough do you
give up? Do you take the easy route? Camp is a
place where we need to go back to the drawing board
and figure out why it's not working. What we need
to do to mold our campers into a positively
motivated team, that respect and listen to each
other. Fun- Fun and smiles is what makes the
world a happier place. No matter how difficult a
day might be a smile seems to make it better. Share
a smile and brighten someone's day. FUN begins as
an attitude and becomes a way of life. There is
nothing more rewarding than a happy child. Caring- When you look into a child's face
can you remember your days as a youth? Can you
remember how that special someone listened to what
you had to say, how they made you feel important?
Can you do the same? Can you do it everyday for 10
weeks? Counseling- That's more than just a title
for your job, it's really what your position is at
camp. It's not yelling, ordering, demanding or
punishing. It's taking time to listen to a child
then helping them look at the options and pick the
best option open to him or her. This takes time and
energy and is much harder than just saying do this,
but that's what counseling is all about. Servitude- Being a staff member at Camp
is all about doing things for others. It requires
losing yourself and becoming part of the camp team.
When we think of our needs and wants we loose site
of our purpose "the children". When all campers and
staff alike says "how can I help" it makes
everyone's load a little easier. Many committed
hands make for light work. Age appropriateness- As we grow and
develop we learn new things, some of which do not
necessarily make us better people ( swearing, sex,
meanness, sarcasm, etc.). It is important that we
as staff and role models work with children and
have good clean fun. Respect- As we give respect to other
staff and the campers it will be returned 10
fold. Grace- We are dedicated to each camper
and staff for their individual abilities and
contributions to camp. We all have talents that we
can share. Can you see the positives in others? Can
you reward them for making a good choice? Is it
easier for you to say good things rather than bad?
There is no room at camp for keeping score. Responsibility- The awesome
responsibility is not just the 10 or so children
that you will need to keep safe. Responsibility is
for yourself and doing the right thing. Its being
responsible to your supervisors and respecting
their authority. Growth- We are all on our own personal
journey. For campers, camp is a place where we
support others, where we help others up rather than
tear them down to make ourselves look better. The
physical, mental and spiritual growth of every
person is very important at SNC. We want everyone
to leave Swift with more esteem for others and
themselves, to feel more confident in their
abilities to be accepted and understood as part of
humanity and to feel positively challenged to work
and plan for a successful life. Our program and
facilities have been designed with the positive
growth of people in mind. Reflection- We encourage physical
activity and new challenges throughout our daily
schedule, allowing time to rest and reflect on the
day's events. Are you willing to help a child
process their day? Do you feel comfortable sitting
on each child's bed at night and asking every child
in your cabin, What made you happy, What made you
sad and what would you like to see happen
tomorrow. Job Description Qualifications: ~At least 18 years of age ~High school diploma required, one or more years of college preferred ~Experience as a camper, or working with children as a leader or assistant leader ~A basic understanding of children and the ability to develop an up-beat and positive relationship with them ~A current Red Cross CPR and First Aid Card. (training will be provided if needed) Responsibilities: 1)Lives in a cabin with one other counselor and a total of 10 campers 2)Assumes responsibility for leadership and guidance to those campers in daily living skills, with special attention to: ~Personal hygiene, safety & manners 3) Participates in the planning and participation of camp activities including games, sing alongs, skits, vespers and campfires 4) Assumes responsibility for leading and assisting as an activity specialist during programmed cabin activities, and teaches outdoor living skills during canoe, backpack or bike trips. 5) Takes responsibility for living by the camp rules while enforcing the rules, policies, and traditions of the camp 6)Maintains a positive attitude while serves as a good role model to campers in personal language, appearance, manners and health habits 7) Puts campers needs before their own, making each camper feel like the most important child in the world 8) Assumes total responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of the campers entrusted  Terms & Salary Counselor employment begins at 9am on June 7th, 2008 and continues until August 11, 2008 at 3pm. Counselors without current Red Cross CPR and First aid cards are required to be at camp June 4th at 9am. Life guard training begins June 1st at 9am all are invited to participate. A special staff training workshop is held May 31st in LaCross, Wi. we ask all to attend. During this 9 weeks of employment, time off, salary payment and other employment specifics are outlined in the Swift Nature Camp Counselors guide. Salary amounts are gross wages before all taxes and are based on experience and qualifications. Base Salary with travel stipend $1490.00* Room and Board Value $500.00 not a cash payment Lifeguard bonus $75.00 (come with accreditation or we teach you to be a Red Cross lifeguard) At camp you will need very little cash, so most staff go home with their full check. *EXPERIENCE AND TEACHING BONUSES MAY INCREASE YOUR STARTING SALARY *TEACHING & RECREATION MAJORS ASK ABOUT INTERNSHIPS!
Time Off 3 Days off (2pm-2pm) before each session 2 Days off (11am-11pm) 3 Half Day off (3pm-11pm) 3 Evenings (6pm-11pm) |
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