Chingachgook Summer Staff Positions

YMCA Camp Chingachgook is part of the Capital District YMCA and offers a variety of positions during the summer. We are a community of dynamic outdoor leaders who foster youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We hire over 100 dedicated domestic and international staff to work with our summer programs and look for staff who have a passion for working with children and a love and appreciation of the outdoors. Our summer season starts in early to mid-June with training and ends in late August.

RESIDENT AND DAY CAMP POSITIONS

COUNSELOR OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE:

• Overnight Camp Counselor - $306.09/week
• Overnight Camp Assistant Counselor - $175.78/week

• Day Camp Counselor (optional summer housing provided) - $306.09/week
• Day Camp Assistant Counselor (optional summer housing provided) - $175.78/week
• An end-of-summer completion bonus and additional pay for current/valid lifeguarding and/or wilderness first aid certifications may apply and will be discussed in the interview

Overnight Camp Counselor & Assistant Counselor Requirements:

• Overnight Camp Counselors must be at least 18 years old by the start of camp.
• Assistant counselors must be at least 17 years old by the start of camp.
• Must have experience working with children, teaching and/or with camping. Appropriate certifications for activities (if applicable).
• Responsible for creating a safe cabin community for 8 - 10 campers and providing leadership/direction to a Counselor-In-Training (CIT). Teach skill classes in 2-3 camp activity areas (listed below) and lead all aspects of a three-day camping excursion. 
• Trained, or willing to be trained, in lifeguarding and/or wilderness first aid. 

Camp Activity Areas Include:

• Aquatics
• Athletics
• Archery
• Backpacking
• Arts & Crafts
• Canoeing
• Environmental Science
• Farm & Garden
• Fishing
• Music
• Dance
• Improv
• Rock Climbing & High Ropes
• Sailing
• Waterskiing
• Wake Surfing

Day Camp Counselor & Assistant Counselor Requirements:

• Day Camp Counselors must be at least 18 years old by the start of camp.
• Assistant counselors must be at least 17 years old by the start of camp.
• Must have experience working with children, teaching and/or with camping. Appropriate certifications for activities (if applicable).
• Responsible for creating a safe group community for 8 - 10 campers and providing leadership/direction to Counselors-In-Training (CITs). Follow activity plans, lead camp games and activities, and classes with groups of 5–10-year-old campers.
• Trained, or willing to be trained, in lifeguarding and/or wilderness first aid.
• Assist with overnight camp programs, including serving as a cabin counselor, leading wilderness trips, providing support to special events, and working holdover weekends as needed.

LEADERSHIP TEAM POSITIONS

Our Leadership Team is comprised of Specialist and Coordinator positions who promote and support the potential of all youth in programs, facilitate peer to peer connections and provide guidance and supervision to counselors to ensure the quality of the overall camp experience. These seasonal positions will be responsible to teach, guide, supervise and evaluate counselors, assistant counselors, CITs and campers. These positions are expected to help with all aspects of camp programming, including but not limited to special events, themes, motorboat operation (where applicable) and coverage in cabins or with camper groups as needed to maintain staff-to-camper rations. Must be organized, dependable, flexible and experienced in camp programming and/or supervision of others.

ACTIVITY SPECIALIST OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE: $419.10/week

• Aquatics Specialist: Supervise the Aquatics Program including YMCA swim lessons. Train and supervise 10 – 15 staff, develop curriculum for skill classes, order and maintain equipment and supplies. Assist waterfront director in managing and training lifeguards. Contribute to program team in the development of themes, skits, and evening programs. Previous swim lesson instructor experience required. Preferably trained in Lifeguard Instructor and/or WSI, or willing to be trained. Must be a certified lifeguard or willing to be trained. Must be willing to be trained in motorboat operation.

• Athletics Specialist: Supervise the athletics program including tennis, soccer, softball, archery, basketball, softball and junior sports zone. Train and supervise 10-15 staff, develop curriculum, order and maintain equipment and supplies. Contribute to program team in the development of themes, skits, and evening programs. Must have previous team sport or coaching experience.

• Climbing Specialist: Supervise the climbing program including high ropes elements, rock climbing, low ropes courses, bouldering, and teambuilding. Train and supervise 8-12 staff, develop curriculum, order and maintain equipment and supplies. Contribute to program team in the development of themes, skits, and evening programs. Must have previous climbing experience.
• Creative Arts Specialist: Supervise the art program including arts & crafts, makerspace, newspaper, painting, and woodworking. Train and supervise 10-15 staff, develop curriculum, order and maintain equipment and supplies. Contribute to program team in the development of themes, skits, and evening programs.  Must have previous Art experience.
• Day Camp Assistant Coordinator: Assist the director in all aspects of the day camp program including parent communication, daily schedule, equipment ordering, and supervision of campers and staff. The day camp program is a maximum of 50 campers and approximately 8 staff. Must be dependable, creative, have strong communication skills, and supervisory experience. 21+ years old preferred.
• Farm & Nature Specialist: Supervise the Farm Program including the care of the farm (chickens, pigs, goats & rabbits) and garden. Must have previous experience working with farm animals and gardening. Supervise the Nature Program including forever wild nature class, wilderness survival class and outdoor cooking. Train and supervise 5 – 10 staff, develop curriculum for skill classes, order and maintain equipment and supplies. Manage chores and upkeep in the garden and with animal care. Contribute to program team in the development of themes, skits, and evening programs.
• Performing Arts Specialist: Supervise the performing arts program including Dance, Theater, and Music. Train and supervise 5-10 staff, develop curriculum, order and maintain equipment and supplies. Contribute to program team in the development of themes, skits, and evening programs. Previous performing arts / musical experience is required.
• Photographer/Videographer: Produce high – quality unit photos for each camper group, shoot approximately 750 candids per session capturing a variety of ages and activities. Upload 100 photos per day to online registration system and social media daily. Capture video clips throughout summer and create weekly slideshows to show parents and families. Capture high quality video to be used for year-round marketing efforts. Must reliably meet deadlines, pay close attention to detail, be creative, flexible, and enthusiastic. Must have experience working with DSLR cameras.
• Sailing Specialist: Under the general direction of the Waterfront Direct, the Sailing specialist oversees the Camp's sailing program, including skill class lessons, free swim boating, and working with volunteers for our adaptive/handicap accessible sailing program for adults and teens. Must have previous experiences sailing, including rigging and de-rigging, knots, navigation, basic care and maintenance, and waterway etiquette.  Train and supervise 5-10 staff, develop curriculum for skill classes, order and maintain equipment and supplies. Work with the maintenance team on upkeeping the fleet of boats and ensuring all boating equipment is safe and operational. Lifeguarding certification or the ability to be trained at camp is required. Previous experience driving power boats with sail racing and/or certifications from US Sailing, is preferred.

• Skill Class/HQ Manager: Oversee the skill class, and free swim schedule for 320 campers and 90 staff. Responsible for camp emergency coordination and camper skill class attendance. Must be organized, detail oriented, flexible, and comfortable speaking with parents. Must have experience or knowledge of database systems and/or Excel. Contribute to program team in the development of themes, skits, and evening programs. Organize and maintain Camp Headquarters including mail, care packages, lost and found, filing, and emergency announcements. Assist in managing day to day logistics and help coordinate subs for skill classes, drivers to/from pharmacy or urgent care and troubleshoot any other obstacles that may arise.

• Special Events Manager: Work closely with Program Coordinator in planning and implementing session themes, evening programs and special events. Must be detail oriented, strong ability to multitask, organized, and have strong verbal communication skills.
• Staff Experience Manager:Coordinate and manage all staff experience initiatives for approximately 150 summer staff. Lead the planning and execution of staff appreciation events, on-campus bonding opportunities, and off-camp trips for J-1 International participants. Serve as a van driver as needed for camper transportation, staff outings, supply runs, and other camp transportation needs. Must be organized, proactive, creative, and comfortable building community among a diverse staff team. Should have experience with scheduling, event coordination, and clear communication across departments. Contribute to leadership team in developing mentorship opportunities, ongoing staff trainings, and mid-summer development sessions. Maintain systems that support a positive staff culture, including managing staff spaces, helping communicate weekly staff activities, and assisting with day-to-day logistics or challenges that arise to ensure staff have the support they need to thrive. Must have a valid driver's license and be 21+ years old.

• Waterfront Specialist: Assist and support the waterfront in all areas and programs. Must have previous experience in at least one of the following areas: aquatics, sailing, water-skiing, wake surfing, paddle sports, boat repair or fishing. Must be a certified lifeguard or willing to be trained. Must be willing to be trained in motorboat operation. Contribute to program team in the development of themes, skits, and evening programs.

COORDINATOR OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDE: $486.86/week

• CIT Director (2 positions):  Counselors in Training (CITs) are graduate campers who are ready for additional responsibility through training. The Director is responsible for teaching CIT class, evaluating/mentoring CITs, helping CITs grow as responsible leaders and role models for campers and occasionally assist in operating powerboats. Experience in camp programming and working with youth/teens required. 21+ years old preferred.

• Day Camp Coordinator:  Assist in all aspects of day camp program programs including parent communication, daily schedule, equipment, supervision of campers and staff.  The day camp program is a maximum of 50 campers ages 5-10 years old. Day Camp Coordinator must be dependable, creative, strong communication skills, and have previous supervisory experience. Must be at least 21 years old.

• Program Coordinator:  Responsible for supervision of land programs and the program specialist team. Assist specialists in curriculum development, staff supervision, and overall program direction. Plan, organize, and facilitate camp themes, special events, and evening programs. Support the Summer Camp Director in the supervision of summer staff and management of day to day camp logistics. Must be high energy, organized, comfortable speaking in front of large groups, driven and creative. Must have at least four seasons of camp and supervisory experience. Must be at least 21 years old.

• Unit Director (4 positions):  Supervise, teach, guide, and evaluate counselors, assistant counselors, CITs, and campers. Oversee unit of campers and help counselors problem solve as needed. Be main point person for communicating in person and over the phone with camper families. Assign campers and staff  to cabin and hike groups. There is one Unit Director (UD) for each unit, juniors and seniors/boys and girls. Assist with all phases of camp program including motor boat operation.  Must be experienced in camp programming and supervision; and organized, dependable, and flexible. 21+ years old preferred.

• Waterfront Director:  The waterfront director will provide training, supervision and evaluation to staff & lifeguards leading waterfront activities during our summer camp Season. This position will supervise all waterfront operations including: program activities (sailing, swimming, canoeing, waterskiing), boat use needs for our adventure trips, the Y-Knot adaptive sailing program and work within budget to purchase and maintain equipment & supplies. Must maintain a high level of safety & proactively manage all risk while adhering to Dept. of Health and ACA standards. Must be familiar with sailing, motorboat operation and experience with lifeguard management or aquatics is a plus. Must have at least three seasons of experience working on a waterfront. Must be at least 21 years old and certified in WSI, lifeguarding, CPR, and Public Vessel motorboat licensed (or willing to be trained).

First Aid and CPR are required certifications for all positions within 30 days of hire - training available at Camp.