Job Title: Section Head
Reports To: Counselling Director/Counselling Coordinator-Parent Communications Representative
Number of Positions Available: 7
Section Heads take on the responsibilities of camp counsellors, in addition they also supervise counsellors in their section and creatively assist in developing programming (section activities/theme days) for the section. Each section consists of 20-40 campers and 3-5 counsellors.
Counsellors and Section Heads are staff members who work most closely with our campers and supervise them while in camp, at meals, during activities and each evening in their cabins, as part of a Section Team. Being a Section Head requires many different personal and professional skills, which determine their best fit with an age group at camp. Section Heads responsible for young children require a high level of maturity and “parent-like” sensibilities allowing them to deal with such matters as homesickness at bedtime. Staff are required to facilitate one-on-one attention and are required to find creative solutions for keeping campers engaged and smiling. Section Heads who are responsible for older children require strong communication and discipline skills. A strong understanding of the camper’s interests and preferred activities is crucial to ensuring the camper has a fun and productive time at camp. Section Head's close relationships with campers often require them to help provide personal support to individual campers, (bedwetting, brushing teeth, etc).
As part of the Section Team, Section Heads will also provide program instruction to campers in their section, based on an outlined program curriculum. Standards are developed on skills-based progressions through an established awards system already in place at HOC. Instructors are expected to teach classes that are age-appropriate, productive, and fun. This includes being prepared to teach in a variety of weather conditions (rainy day programs). Every week Section Heads are also responsible for writing personal evaluations on each camper they teach during the week. Section Heads are responsible for teaching campers the safety requirements of each program ensuring that all participants use equipment properly and follow safety standards.
Section Heads have long but rewarding work days with their campers. Therefore, Section Heads and counsellors have the largest impact on individual campers and their camp experience. To maintain a high standard of care the Section Head is responsible for teaching and enforcing the HOC Principles of Respect to campers including safety expectations of camp and general activities. Section Heads also ensure that both campers and staff in the group follow proper equipment use and safety regulations. Section Heads provide care to our campers that reflects the standards and guidelines of HOC's Child Care Practices and fundamental principles of Community, Leadership, Accountability, and Performance.
DAILY / WEEKLY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide supervision to campers while at camp during meals, activities, free time, evening, and overnight.
- Lead and mentor a Section Team of 3-5 staff.
- Provide clear goals and means of achievement for counsellor development.
- Provide one-on-one support to staff & campers.
- Work with Counselling Director and Counselling Coordinator-PCR to provide monthly formal written evaluations of their staff team.
- Designate staff for various supervision tasks throughout the week ( out-trips, activity assists, etc).
- Help plan and execute camp-wide activities with campers.
- Be responsible for and know the section's head count at all times, and ensure the transfer of the head count is made to all appropriate staff (hockey, bus, etc).
- Lead and instruct two activity classes daily (2 hours, or as required).
- Prepare weekly camper evaluations for instructed activity classes.
- If not instructing, assist activity instructors with supervision and instruction daily (2 hours).
- Complete daily attendance sheets and headcounts for each class.
- Preparation of alternative "Rainy Day" programs.
- Directly supervise a single cabin group of 4-12 campers and cooperatively an entire section of 20-40 campers.
ALL STAFF RESPONSIBILITIES
- All Section Heads are required to attend the Spring Section Head Training Weekend.
- All staff are required to deliver every day our Brand Promise “Best Summer Of Your Life” in each camper and staff interaction. Guided by our four core principles, Community, Leadership, Accountability, and Performance.
- All staff are expected to abide by and enforce camp guidelines of respect. These are the rules and expectations of behaviour implemented to maintain a fun and safe camp environment.
- All staff are responsible for the safety and security of each camper in their care. Staff are to follow prescribed program standards and lesson plans in order to ensure the highest level of care and instruction.
- Attendance for all staff to the June orientation week training is mandatory. This training period is where each staff will receive essential employment information and training for a successful summer experience.
- Participation in camp-wide special events (Evening Programs, All Camp Activities, Campfires, and Friday Finale) and weekly meetings are an expectation of all staff members.
- The dynamic nature of summer camp demands each staff understand that additional duties may be assigned as required.
SUMMER BENEFITS AND TIME OFF
- Room & Board Provided.
- Weekly Staff Hockey (schedule dependent) & Water Skiing.
- Staff working a full eight-week contract period are entitled to one weekend off (Friday after daily duties to Sunday evening programs).
- Time off weekly - Tuesday or Wednesday evening (in-house) & Saturday evening.
- Time off daily - depending on section schedules.
- Access to program and recreation equipment.
- The chance to work in a close knit supportive community that values staff health and wellness, creativity, and employee success.
- The opportunity to develop life skills, applicable to multi-faceted career opportunities.
- An experience that will last a lifetime.
EMPLOYMENT PERIOD
Mandatory Staff Orientation / Training: TBD
Employment Period: June 29, 2025 – August 23, 2025
Optional Employment: Week #9 August 24 – 30, 2025
Wages: Summer wages vary depending on age, qualifications and experience of applicants. Room and board are included.
RECOMMENDED QUALIFICATIONS
- A minimum of 18 years old.
- At least two summers of counselling experience.
- Must possess a genuine interest in working with children and leading people.
- Extensive experience teaching and communicating to children of varied ages in a children’s summer camp environment.
- Minimum of a Bronze Cross swimming qualification (NL preferred).
- Current certificate of Emergency First Aid and CPR.
- Respect in Sport certifcation.
- Must be enthusiastic, energetic, creative, and spontaneous.
- Must possess strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Must be willing to take part in camp related activities outside the defined job description.