Job Description

Job Description

Chipinaw and Silver Lake are neighboring camps that share the same program and philosophy. A summer at Chipinaw is a seven-week experience. At Silver Lake, campers choose to be at camp for the first four weeks, the last three weeks, or all seven weeks. There are two waterski programs – one for Chipinaw campers and the other for Silver Lake. The tubing dock and tubing program are shared between the two camps.

Position dates are June 10th - August 15th. 

We will certify you in American Red Cross Lifeguarding course.

The camp program runs for six 50-minute periods each day, six days each week. Campers at every age (7-16 years old) have the opportunity to learn team and individual sports, swim in the pool and the lake, and have elective periods during which they choose from a broad array of activities in the arts, performing arts, adventure, athletics, digital media, and watersports. In the evenings, campers have a free-play hour and a wide variety of evening activities.

The Waterskiing and Tubing Program:

Waterskiing and tubing classes do not exceed 8 campers of the same age and gender. Often, a general counselor accompanies the campers as additional support. This counselor remains on the dock to watch the campers who are not on skis or in the boat. Each camper should have enough time to get up on skis and go around the lake twice. It is a good idea to have back up plans for teaching when the weather does not permit going out on the water.

Campers may choose from waterskis, wakeboards, or kneeboards when they are scheduled for waterskiing. At tubing, there are single tubes, double tubes, and a banana boat. Campers on the tubes or banana boat must wear protective headgear.

Each specialty area receives, at the start of the camp season, a curriculum binder with information about the camp program and the specialty area. In it is a schedule, the goals of the program, and ideas for activities. The curriculum binder is meant to be a guide; the planning and implementation of the program is the responsibility of the specialist with additional guidance provided by the area director. It is a good idea to have ideas about programming before arriving at camp.

At every area in camp, safety is a major concern. Of course, this is especially true with any programs that take place on the water. All campers participating in tubing and waterskiing must pass a deep water test and wear a life jacket while on the boat. The waterskiing and tubing programs share the lake with fishing and sailing boats as well as canoers and kayakers and large inflatable play structures. Campers should be encouraged, but never forced, to participate in waterskiing and tubing. The boat driver and the entire waterski staff must ensure that all of the rides are performed safely. Campers must be reminded to wear sunscreen and stay hydrated throughout the day.

All staff are expected to be role models for campers, and campers are expected to treat all staff with respect. Any camper or staff member behaving in an unsafe or disrespectful manner must be reported to the appropriate group leader or campus director.

The Waterskiing and Tubing Specialist:

Specialists receive a schedule at the start of the camp season identifying which groups are expected to register for the elective during which periods of the day. The waterskiing and tubing team must work together to ensure that each specialist gets a period off each day and that all of the classes are fully covered. Waterskiing is expected to run sessions during the campers’ free play hour (this time is called “7th period” at the docks) to accommodate campers who need extra help getting up on skis or who want extra practice time. The waterski director schedules these periods. The period off is a great time to get in touch with family, shower, or rest. It is imperative that counselors are prompt in returning to the campus or assigned specialty area at the start and end of each period.

Specialists receive a roster each morning with a list of which campers are expected in each class. On occasion, campers have not registered for a particular class. When this happens, specialists must speak with the group leader and campus director about being assigned to assist as a general counselor.

The waterskiing and tubing specialists are responsible for the general maintenance and upkeep of the boats, skis, and other equipment. Let the waterski director know of any significant maintenance issues or if anything needs repair or replacement. The boats must be properly secured each night with all equipment put away and locked up.

All counselors have six days off through the summer (for specialists, this is usually on Saturday).

Bunk Responsibilities:

Specialist counselors live in bunks with approximately 6-12 campers and at least one general counselor. Counselors are active participants in campers’ summer experiences – eating meals together and spending lots of unstructured time together. The campers in the bunk are the first priority at camp, so it is important to get to know them. Supervision is of primary importance. At no time should campers be in the bunk or on camp grounds without being supervised by a counselor.

Each morning, counselors ensure that campers are clean, have brushed their teeth hair, and are ready for the day. Before meals, counselors ensure that campers wash their hands. Before dinner, counselors assist with shower hour. Each camper must shower at least once each day. It is a good idea to arrive at camp with some transition games and activities to help manage less-structured moments. These are great times to get campers involved in something calming and fun and to get them to talk to each other and to their counselors.

Each counselor is given an on-duty assignment for the free play hour and for nighttime supervision and participates and supervises during evening activities.

At orientation, counselors read confidential forms about each camper. These forms are completed by parents and provide information about campers’ strengths, fears, medical and allergy issues, and activities they’d like to try. These forms, and other information about children, are confidential and should not be shared with campers under any circumstances or with other staff members unless the information would be useful to the staff member in working with the child.

Job Types: Full-time, Contract

Pay: $1,000.00 - $1,500.00 per month

COVID-19 considerations:
Pre camp testing, testing on arrival, testing 5 days into camp. Temp check, social distancing when possible.

Required Language

• English Required

Required Experience

• 1 year of waterski experience experience Required