Cabin Counsellor Role

What is a cabin group?

A cabin group is a group of 8-12 campers, who are roughly the same age and the same gender who stay in an accommodation room together, sit together at mealtimes,, do an activity together before dinner, are usually together during the evening special event and is where the closest friendships are usually made.

Each cabin counsellor looks after a cabin group for each week or two-week session. Each cabin group will have a cabin counsellor and activity specialist look after the group.

Why are cabin groups important?

Cabin groups give campers a place at Camp. They feel part of and connected to their cabin group and it is where friendships and memories are created. It ensures campers always have a place to sit in the dining hall and feel a connection to their closest friends. .

Cabin counsellors are responsible for ensuring the campers get to know each other, deal with any issues such as homesickness, recognise if your camper is having a hard day, run activities for the group, be a positive role model for them and ensure they have a special experience at Camp.

The Cabin Counsellor facilitates friendships, runs unique cabin activities and is responsible for the pastoral care, safety and well-being of their campers. 

Job Summary:

Under the guidance of the Head Counsellors and Camp Directors, provide the daily leadership and pastoral welfare of a group of eight to twelve campers, helping each camper adjust to Camp life and have a positive experience at Camp Cooper. Counsellors will lead programmes that provide campers with the opportunity to enjoy, explore, make friends, learn skills and grow from their experiences with other campers at Camp Cooper.

Cabin counsellors are responsible for the safety, care and management of their cabin group. They also make sure their group have an EPIC experience! Responsibilities include:

Qualifications:

• Is at least 18 years old by the end of staff training.
• Experience working with children

Key Responsibilities:

• Adhere to all health and safety regulations.
• Lead a cabin group as a sole counsellor or co-counsellor 
• Create and lead cabin activities designed to meet the needs of camper’s interests and ages.

General Responsibilities:

• Conduct him/herself in a way that is, at all times, consistent with Camp policies.
• Be informed of all emergency procedures and contact numbers.
• Read and understand the Staff Manual.
• Be present and punctual at routine gatherings (meals, flagpole, meetings, etc.).
• Greeting campers on the first day and making them feel welcome
• Running team-building and getting to know you games
• Ensuring the cabin group are bonded as a full group
• Accept time-off as scheduled by the Camp Director – 1 day off per week
• Assume the leadership of other cabin groups if another cabin group requires supervision due to the time-off schedule.
• Work with various age groups over the summer.
• Be ready and willing to accept duties assigned by the Camp Director
• Ensure that campers practise good personal hygiene and collect medication at the appropriate times.
• Attend meetings as scheduled by the Camp Director.
• Be attentive to and concerned with the specific needs of individual campers. 
• Keep Camp Directors well informed regarding camper welfare.
• Guide campers in participation in individual and Camp-wide activities.
• Develop meaningful and varied cabin activities.
• Ensure cabin clean-up is done on a daily basis
• Camper check-in during electronic time and ensure electronics are taken back in
• Ensure campers are in cabin or in assigned place during siesta
• Managing mealtimes and keeping an eye on whether the campers eat and drink enough
• Looking after campers who are having a difficult time, for example, homesickness 
• Ensuring cabin group have a magical experience 
• Making sure bedtimes are chilled out, fun and also involve a cabin chat 
• Ensuring risks are managed and the health and safety of the campers is paramount
• Ensuring your head counsellor is informed regarding any issues in the cabin group
• Run an elective activity if required

Some duties may be reassigned & additional duties may be assigned.

Physical Demands:

• Able to assist to lead and participate in camp activities which include, but are not limited to, hiking, swimming, building campfires, physical games and activities.
• Must have the ability to physically support children when needed for safety in general camp activities (child weighing 85 kg)
• Able to walk one mile in under 14 minutes without assistance.
• Able to lift a 14” X 18” X 36” trunk/luggage weighing 18kg to a height of 48”.
• Able to climb stairs, bend, stoop, kneel, twist, reach with hands, sit, stand for an extended period of time, walk, lift and/or move up to 18 kg, have finger dexterity, grasp, perform repetitive motions, talk, hear and have visual acuity.

Work Environment:

• Able to work outside and be in a natural environment that requires sitting on the ground and being outside in the rain.
• Able to sleep and live in a cabin, with minimal privacy, with other staff members

*other breaks will also be given throughout the day

About You

Candidates must demonstrate the following skills and characteristics:

Essential Experience:

• Experience working directly with groups of young people aged 7-17
• Must be able to solely look after a group of 8-12 campers on their own - counsellors need to be experienced and confident
• Willing to work with all age groups - 7 - 17-year-olds
• Fluent in English
• Ability to be a positive role model for young people
• Experience of working in a fast-paced and demanding environment
• Maturity to be responsible for the care, well-being and safety of young people
• Ability to facilitate friendships between campers
• Ability to run different activities such as art, sports, baking, swimming etc

Essential Personality & Skills:

• Kindness
• Caring
• Responsibility 
• Fun
• Confident
• Silly
• Patience

Beneficial:

• Experience of working in a residential youth environment 
• Experience of working with young people from a range of nationalities

• All applicants must successfully pass full background and reference checks 
• All successful applicants must be available to work the duration of the Camp, including staff training.
• Staff get 1 day off per week, scheduled by the Camp