Junior Counselor Position

Day Camp Jr Counselors 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.

Fill out a Junior Counselor Application

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.