Unit Leader

Camp DeWitt (day camp in Hillsborough Township, NJ), The OVAL (day camp in Maplewood, NJ), or Camp Hoover (sleepaway camp in Newton, NJ).

• Preferably 21+ years of age, but at least 18 years old.
• The role of the Unit Leader is to lead and supervise a group of campers and unit staff within a unit/program area. They are responsible for developing, implementing, reviewing, and evaluating a weekly activity plan for a group of girls to provide a diverse camp program experience.
• Guide activities and experiences in the unit through girl-adult planning, with an emphasis on session and program theme, and the Girl Scout program.
• Develop, implement, and review weekly activity plan for unit, coordinate unit activities with other camp units.
• Supervise and guide all aspects of the unit’s activities at camp and on off-site trips while ensuring girl/adult supervisory ratios are maintained at all times.
• Supervise unit staff, directing and guiding them in their work, and conduct unit staff performance reviews.
• Act as a role model, lead, guide, and participate with a positive outlook, interact with campers and promote participation.
• Actively engage campers in activities, including hikes, games, skits, songs, etc., as part of the camp experience.
• Assume initial responsibility for health and safety of campers, report all accidents/illnesses to Health Supervisor/Assistant.
• Keep accurate records, ensures the health and safety of campers and ensure camper’s allergy plans are followed.
• Enforce safety rules, programming standards, and personnel policies when necessary and appropriate.
• Report appropriate concerns and/or problems to the administrative staff.
• Actively work to promote team building with all staff, provide support and encouragement, and help to staff to develop their leadership style.

For all positions, applicants must have:

• Emotional resiliency (handles stressful situations appropriately) and cognitive abilities(mental skills necessary) to carry out job responsibilities.
• Capacity to work a variety of situations, including and not limited to, loud, large group setting, with high energy, both indoors and outdoors.
• Ability to establish and maintain appropriate professional relationships.
• Ability to maintain the privacy of information that may be shared with them regarding the campers in their care.
• Interpersonal skills (skills used to reduce stress, reduce conflict, improve communication, increase understanding, and promote happiness) to interact effectively with individuals and groups respecting social and cultural diversity and to maintain appropriate boundaries.
• Physical endurance to be on one’s feet walking, bending, twisting, reaching above head, carrying items, in other words, being physically active for 4 continuous hours, the ability to walk up hills, and the ability to run or walk fast 1/8 of a mile without stopping.
• Ability to read, write, understand and follow printed instructions in English.
• Ability to work in a variety of outside weather conditions – heat, cold, humidity, wind, precipitation, lake and/or pool water, wooded areas and environmental factors associated with the out of doors.
• Personal skills, certifications, and experience to perform responsibilities in position(s) applied and/or hired for.
• Ability to work as part of a team.
• Attentiveness to details to equipment and facilities to ensure utilization, proper care, and maintenance is adhered to.
• Ability to lift and carry at least 20 pounds.

Understanding that other duties will be assigned as required, which may include but is not limited to:

• Overall cleaning, daily kapers, organization of supplies, cleaning of bathrooms/latrines/port-a-johns, movement of equipment/supplies.
• Clerical or office work, including but not limited to record keeping and inventory.
• Duties that benefit the overall camp program before, during and after the season.
• Duties with the overall goal of leaving the site better than found.

For all Unit Leaders, Counselors, Program Specialists, Lifeguards, and Assistants applicants must have:

• Ability to assist campers and staff in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, injury).
• Possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.
• Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
• Possess visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the camp program/program area.
• Ability to communicate with parents as needed.
• Ability to physically demonstrate techniques in camp program/activity/program area assigned.
• Ability to stand, stoop, kneel, crouch, walk, reach, use hands/fingers (dexterity) and lift up to 10 pounds.
• Ability to work in heat and frequently lift up to 25 pounds.
• Dexterity and coordination to operate program, sport, janitorial, and/or kitchen equipment safely.