Respite Counselor
Qualifications:
- At least 18 years old. Most first year counselors have at least one year of college.
- Sincere and genuine interest in working with individuals with intellectual and/or physical disabilities.
- Emotional maturity and integrity.
- Enjoyment and appreciation of nature.
- Experience with individuals with disabilities preferred.
- Mandatory Reporter certification or in-house course within 30 days.
- Current Standard First Aid and CPR certification. Can be obtained through Nursing Department
- Willing to complete additional in-house trainings as required.
Position Overview:
Counselors are responsible for supervising their campers and providing for their care, safety and well-being. Counselors must be aware of and follow all the established safety rules and emergency procedures. Developing a good rapport with campers enhances the experience for all.
A counselor must also:
- Interact and communicate effectively with all staff to ensure campers an enjoyable and worthwhile camping experience.
- Weekend activities are pre-scheduled. Communicate the daily schedule as the weekend progresses
- Supervise and participate in all experiences with the assigned camper group, encouraging full participation. Provide a safe experience for each camper.
Position Responsibilities: Respite Counselor
- Participate in staff orientation.
- Familiarize yourself as much as possible with campers’ individual backgrounds and needs by reading camper applications before they arrive.
- Prepare cabins for camper arrival by:
- Labeling bed and personal item containers.
- Arrange beds according to specific camper considerations.
- Greet campers and introduce them to their new environment. Assist in unpacking personal belongings. Mark items for easy identification.
- Familiarize yourself with each camper’s needs and/or wants regarding program activities and expectations during their stay at camp.
- Arrive at the cabin at 7:30 a.m. each morning and 2:15 pm in the afternoon
- Contact Program Director or Assistant Program Director if you are too ill to work.
- Do assigned rest hour and night cabin duties. Assist campers as needed. Remain in assigned area to provide proper supervision.
- Attend staff meeting on Friday evening:
- Work as a team with all staff to ensure quality care and programming.
- Review the weekend schedule, keeping in mind camper’s interests and capabilities.
- Review special needs list thoroughly. Ask any questions you have about campers.
- Assist and supervise campers in personal care as needed. For example, dressing, eating, toileting, brushing teeth, showering, personal needs, etc.
- When assisting campers with person care needs at least two staff must be present.
- Make sure campers are on time for:
- Medication
- Meals
- Activities
- Participate fully with campers in each activity, evening program, or special event.
- Promptly report to the Nursing Staff:
- Any unusual physical symptoms
- Change in dietary pattern
- Unusual appearance or lack of bowel movements.
- Incidents of injury, damage or loss of property.
- Seizure activity.
- Ensure that campers are appropriately dressed for weather conditions and planned activities.
- With co-counselor complete Online Counselor Reports during Respite Weekends by 1:30pm on Sundays. These include activities attended throughout the weekend as well as personal care and behavioral needs.