Junior Counselor Position

The Junior Counselor (JC) plays an important part in creating a successful day camp experience for Living History Farms’ campers. The JC helps staff camp counselors as they work with groups of campers in a way that fosters a positive, inclusive, and rewarding experience for all.  The JC acts as a role model for the campers, encouraging them to explore history and nature in fun, responsible ways.

As they volunteer, JCs also develop personal leadership, communication, collaboration, and other job-related skills.

We will begin accepting applications for new Junior Counselors in March 2021. The deadline to apply is April 15, 2021.

Duties

• Assist staff camp counselors in activities related to the camp curriculum (lead games, assist with crafts and activities, help keep campers on task, etc.).
• With the staff counselor, reinforce a positive, respectful, inclusive learning environment, reminding campers of “camp appropriate” behavior.
• Be a role-model for your campers, and support your counselor in their expectations for campers.

Activities

• Leading games at camper check in and check out.
• Assist campers as needed when they are working on crafts and activities.
• Help counselors gather materials and prepare for crafts and activities, and then clean up after.
• Serve as support for transition times, such as when traveling between camp locations, and visiting different areas of the museum.
• Walk campers to restrooms, hand-washing stations, and water bottle refilling locations.
• Be a listening ear for the campers, and keep the staff counselor informed.

Expectations

• Through your actions, behaviors, and speech while volunteering at Living History Farms, abide by, uphold and support the museum’s Mission & Vision Statement, Museum Code of Conduct, Day Camp Program Goals, and Volunteer Program Statement.
• Respect the uniqueness and diversity of all. Be a good role model for campers.
• Observe and adhere to all museum and camp policies, including safety and security and dress codes.
• Complete orientation and training successfully.
• Be proactive in offering your help.
• Be dependable, including providing timely notification of absence or tardiness to the Education Director or Volunteer Program Manager.

Experience and qualifications

• The minimum age is 14 by the week(s) you choose to volunteer.
• You must enjoy working with children of all ages, and be comfortable around adults.
• You must be flexible, and able to adapt to changes.
• You should be energetic and have a desire to share in camper’s excitement.
• You must be on-time and dependable.
• You must be willing to be outside, in typical Iowa summer weather. Most activities are outside.
• You should be able to walk distances as you engage in activities throughout the property. You should be able to move or lift items as needed for camp.
• A teen that turns 18 years old before or during his/her volunteer experience will be subject to a criminal background check.

Shifts

• Summer Day Camp generally runs 9:00am-4:00pm, Monday-Friday, from June 7 through August 13, 2021.
• You will be scheduled to work Monday-Friday, 8:40-4:10 pm.
• There will be a required virtual orientation and in-person training sessions.
• Junior Counselors will be notified of their volunteer weeks after the interview/selection process.
• Cancelling: While rare, it is possible that a camp is cancelled due to low registration. When this occurs, if possible, the JC’s may be moved to another camp that same week, or their shift may also be cancelled.
• Junior Counselors will not be intentionally placed with friends.
• New Junior Counselors may only volunteer for a maximum of 3 weeks. Experienced Junior Counselors may volunteer more than 3 weeks.

Department: Education
Reports to: Education Director

Please contact us with questions at education@lhf.org.

Living History Farms’ Day Camp program is accredited by the American Camp Association (ACA), the only nationwide organization to accredit all kinds of organized camps.