Summer Camp Unit Leader - Camp Harkness

Come join us at Camp Harkness for the most fun and fulfilling summer of your life! Everyone deserves the chance to create lasting memories and forever friendships at summer camp. Our program, Camp Harkness, gives people with disabilities a traditional overnight summer camp experience with swimming, crafts, sports, music, dances, campfires, and more, all by a gorgeous beach on the Connecticut shoreline. We have weeks for young adults (16-21) and for adults (all ages). We work closely as a team and train everyone at the beginning of the summer on how to care for our campers and help them have the best time.  

The Summer Camp Unit Leader at Oak Hill’s Waterford location works June 3rd to August 9th. Counselors are expected to stay at camp from Sunday morning – Friday evening for these weeks. This is a traditional, overnight summer camp.   

The Summer Camp Unit Leader supervises and supports the caregiving for each camper. They work with their team to assist campers with their activities of daily living (ADLs) and participation in camp activities. Unit Leaders provide physical, social, emotional, and recreational support to a group of campers and staff. As part of the Leadership Team, they assist with all camp supervision. 

Minimum Requirements:  

• At least age 18   
• High school diploma or equivalent  
• Willingness to learn how to provide personal care to campers of all ages and ability levels  
• Communication, organization, and leadership skills.  

Benefits:  

• Excellent Professional Development Opportunities; Career Pathways   
• Staff trips and end-of-summer banquet  
• Paid Training  

Staff are eligible for a $9,730 stipend for the entire program, paid bi-weekly throughout the summer camp season.  

Responsibilities:   

• Support Counselors by providing guidance with various counselor responsibilities, including personal care, participation in programs, program set up/breakdown, emotional/behavioral supports, and stocking cabins and program areas.
• Lead and mentor staff, provide guidance, and manage disciplinary issues. Supervise and evaluate Counselors.
• Work with the Leadership Team to facilitate Check-In and Check-Out days, general policies and procedures for staff and campers, assistance calls from staff, and coverage for other staff when necessary.
• Step in to fill counselor role should staff member(s) fall ill, quit, or be terminated until (and if) appropriate restructuring can take place.
• Use least intrusive methods during situations with a risk of injury such as the need for Physical and Psychological Management Training (PMT). 
• Exercise relevant safety measures during transportation. 
• Facilitate team meetings to help create an efficient and supportive team.
• Participate in Pre-Camp, Staff Orientation, Staff Cleanup and debrief, and Post-Camp.
• Assist with reviewing records and evaluations of staff. Aid in the preparation of an evaluation and summary of current camp season, including inventories, staff evaluations, incident and accident reports, and camper reports and recommendations for the following season.