counselor Washington, DC
Job description
Counselor at Outdoor Adventure and Mythology Summer Day Camp
Title: Counselor
Employment Status: Exempt/Seasonal
Company Summary:
Plato Learning operates outdoor mythology-based day camps for kids ages 6-15. We create a world where monsters, myth, and magic transport kids out of the mortal realm into one where they are empowered to develop new skills, take risks, solve problems, and ultimately become Heroes. With sixteen camp programs spanning from NYC to California, Plato Learning uses actors, live-action role-play, and physically and mentally engaging activities to bring myths to life.
Are you ready to join the team and accept our call to adventure?
Job Summary:
We are hiring energetic and creative leaders to serve as Camp Counselors at all camp locations. Counselors are responsible for leading a group of 7-14 year-old camper ‘demigods’ on their weekly camp journey through the world of mythology, and for developing them into the heroes they were destined to become. Plato’s immersive storytelling weaves a mythology-inspired adventure throughout the camp week, culminating in an action-packed “Quest”. Counselors lead demigods on Quest within their parks, helping them to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills, while interacting with actors playing monsters and heroes alike.
Job Responsibilities
Forge a Community of Heroes. Mentor a group of 8-12 campers, which we call Hometowns (Athens, Sparta, Ithaca, etc.), and enthusiastically lead and participate in all activities, while managing camper’s behavior, group dynamics, and safety policies.
Train your Demigods. In charge of activities like Forge, Potions, or Foam Combat-Training, take an active role in preparing their demigods for the Quest ahead. Work off of time-tested activity plans, while building activities and modifications to make each activity reflect the week’s storyline at camp. When it is time to go on Quest, guide Hometowns with kindness and creative flair, as engaged in the storyline as the campers are.
Build the World. Embrace your demigod persona, to uphold the world of Camp Half-Blood and discuss matters like a chance Cyclops encounter. Research and prepare for each week’s storyline, and enthusiastically commit to an active belief in its magic. A story is only powerful for young Demigods when it is wholeheartedly believed by their leaders.
Steel your Resolve. We are looking for courageous individuals who can lean into the challenges presented by our energetic all-outdoor environment. As Staff are the first people our Demigods look to in times of challenge and uncertainty, we are looking for courageous individuals excited by the discomfort in adventure, and who do not shy away from responsibility, in the rain or heat of summer.
Rise to the Challenge. We believe counselors prove their leadership through action and are prepared to handle challenging situations with kindness and readiness to help. Whether being patient with a difficult camper, or staying positive during challenging weather, we look to those who uplift.
Grow as an Adventurer. Working with the Camp Director, develop as compassionate mentors/teaching artists. We encourage Counselors to grow as collaborative team-builders, effective communicators, adept problem-solvers, and agile creative-thinkers. Above all, we foster resilience in our Counselors, and emphasize the ability to graciously handle the challenges and triumphs of Camp.
Support Camp Operations. Help maintain the operations of camp, whether it's helping with camp set-up/break-down, talking with parents during camper drop-off/pick-up, or maintaining safety procedures Counselors are critical to keep camp running.
The Hours.
- Approx 4-6 hours of self-paced Training
- Attend a 30-40 hour In-Person Training week, the week before each program’s start date
- 35-40 hours/week in-person at your camp location (our programs run between 4-9 weeks)
- Monday-Friday; 7:45am-4:15pm with a ½ hour lunch break (Campers present 8:45-4:10)
- Camp does not operate on June 19th, or the week of July 4th, but Camp Directors may run 1-2 training days TBD that week (not the 4th)
What skills are we looking for?
- Experience working with children K-8
- Enthusiasm for world-building with campers, staff, and performers
- Excitement about working in an outdoor fast-paced environment in the summer
- Passion about any of the following: literature, literacy, drama, theater arts, storytelling, music, visual arts, science & nature studies, fencing, combat, martial arts
- Age 18 and above by the start of the summer camp season
- In a team, able to lift 25-50 lbs of camp materials without injury
- Camp experience is a bonus, though not required
- Courageous Commitment; we find that Counselors benefit from a 2 year relationship with Plato Learning (at minimum). We find our Counselors from a variety of fields (college students, after school programming, teaching artists, artists, coaches, museum workers, camp counseling, and grad school)
Plato Learning would like to put forth this statistic: While men apply to jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the requirements, women and other underrepresented people often only apply when they match all criteria. Even if you don't meet every checkbox in the job description, but you think you have what it takes, we encourage you to apply.
Benefits and Compensation:
- Compensation. Counselors earn between $3000 - $6000 over the camp season depending on the duration and size of the camp program.
- Pre-Season Training and Staff Training Week- Paid at $15/hour (approx 40 hours)
- In-Season- A weekly stipend of $635/week (35-40 hours per week )
- Any absences or sick days are unpaid.
- Opportunity for Advancement.As Plato Learning grows, we’re continually looking within our talented seasonal staff to fill leadership positions at Camp, and full-time positions within the company.
- Community. Containing hundreds of creative-minded heroes, the Plato Learning network carries authors, podcasters, performers, dungeon masters, and many others ready to chat and create.
Available Summer Camp Locations:
- Brooklyn, NY; Manhattan, NY; Queens, NY; Maplewood, NJ; Philadelphia, PA; Washington, DC; Richmond, VA; Raleigh, NC; Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA
- Please review the following website for more details about the start and end dates for the summer season by camp location: https://camphalfbloodbklyn.com/careers/
COVID-19 Notice: Our COVID-19 Policies and Procedures will be updated periodically to reflect all mandated state and federal health & safety regulations. All camps operated successfully in 2020, 2021, 2022 and will operate in-person in 2023. We do highly encourage staff to be up to date on their COVID Vaccinations.
Ready to Send an Application via Iris Message?:
Please visit https://camphalfbloodbklyn.com/careers/to fill out an application. Only candidates selected for an interview will be notified of next steps.
Hesitation of Hermes:
Not ready to apply? Connect with usfor future consideration
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary
Pay: $635.00 per week
Benefits:
- Referral program
Schedule:
- Monday to Friday
Ability to commute/relocate:
- Washington, DC: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)
Experience:
- Childcare: 1 year (Preferred)
License/Certification:
- First Aid Certification (Preferred)
- CPR Certification (Preferred)
Work Location: In person
About Plato Learning
Revenue: Unknown / Non-Applicable
Size: 1 to 50 Employees
Type: Company - Private
Website: www.plato-learning.com
