Camp Counselor, School Break Camps, JCC
JCC Greater Boston, Newton Center, MA, United States
Make a difference. Be a role model. Have fun!
Do you love working with kids and bringing joy to their day? JCC Greater Boston is looking for enthusiastic, responsible Camp Counselors for our School Break Camps (December, February, Passover, and April school breaks).
School Break Camp Counselors guide groups of campers (K‑5th grade) through a fun, supportive day filled with sports, arts & crafts, swimming, games, and special events. Counselors are role models who create a warm, inclusive environment where campers can build confidence, make friends, and have a blast during their time off from school.
What You Will Do Each Day As a School Break Counselor, you’ll start your day greeting campers with energy and warmth, helping them feel excited for what’s ahead. You’ll guide your group through a variety of activities — one hour you might be cheering them on in a game of capture the flag, the next you’re diving into an arts & crafts project or encouraging hesitant swimmers in the pool. Lunch brings laughter, songs, and silly moments, and you’ll be right there helping campers feel included and connected. Throughout the day, you’ll be a role model — building relationships, keeping campers safe, and making sure every child feels supported. By the end of the day, you’ll leave camp tired but smiling, knowing you’ve helped kids create joyful memories.
Why work with us? At our camps, the best part of the day is simple: the campers. Our staff say their favorite moments are playing games, cheering campers on at swim, creating art together, and bonding over shared interests. Staff describe camp as fun, dynamic, and inclusive. Here, you’ll gain leadership skills, make lasting friendships, and create unforgettable experiences – for campers and yourself.
JCC Greater Boston is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston’s core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish.
What our Camp Counselors say are the best parts of working at JCC Camps:
Bonding with the campers
The activities
Free swim
Leadership opportunities
Making close friends with co‑counselors
Available Dates
December Camp: December 24, 26, 28, 30, 31 and January 2
February Camp: February 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Passover Camp: April 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Spring Break Camp: April 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Candidates do not need to commit to all dates. Staff are scheduled by the day and shift.
Available Shifts Each Day
Full Day 8:30am – 4:30pm, 8 hours
Morning Shift 7:30am – 3:30pm, 8 hours
Afternoon Shift 10am – 6pm, 8 hours
Primary Responsibilities
Ensure the safety and well‑being of campers in structured and unstructured time
Create a fun, joyful and inclusive group dynamic
Work in partnership with co‑counselors and camp leadership to deliver a happy, safe, and memorable experience
Lead, co‑lead and support activities with campers and co‑counselors, including arts, sports, swimming and other camp activities
Participate and support camper during swim times (must be able to access the pool and swim with the campers)
Assist with set‑up and clean‑up of activities and spaces as needed
Support campers’ social and emotional development throughout the day
Standard Staff Expectations
Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued and respected
Actively participate as an essential team member
Support JCC Greater Boston’s mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role‑modeling
Enthusiastically represent the organization, model excellence and achievement
Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned
Other duties as assigned
Skills Gained
Negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Ability to "think on your feet"
Social/emotional knowledge
Problem‑solving techniques
Project management skills
Leadership skills
Collaboration experience
Flexibility
Job Details This is an hourly position with a daily schedule of 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday. Offering great perks, including JCC Health & Fitness center access, a supportive, vibrant in‑person work environment, and a competitive starting pay rate of $15 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.
Requirements Education and Experience
10th grade (or equivalent) and eligible for work permit
1+ season (summer camp, semester, babysitting, coaching, other) experience working with children
Skills and Abilities
Genuine enjoyment of working with children and helping them grow
Strong safety awareness and communication skills
Leadership qualities including patience, flexibility, teamwork, and creativity
Positive attitude and ability to build meaningful relationships with campers and peers
Proactive problem‑solving and willingness to ask for guidance when needed
Self‑starter who takes initiative
Must be able to work well with others, building/sustaining collaborative solid relationships
Ability to manage situations effectively and diplomatically and ask for help, guidance, or clarification when needed
Commitment to build strong relationships with campers, co‑workers, and camp leadership
Ability to interface with digital tools and mobile apps (enter hours worked into Paylocity, note camper attendance on digital attendance forms, etc.)
Physical Requirements
Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities.
Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30‑40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children’s backpacks, etc.)
Able to sit and kneel; get down at eye level with children regularly.
Ability to swim and supervise children in pool (able to stand in pool).
Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions for extended periods of time in case of rain, heat, humidity, cold, or other environmental factors to ensure the supervision and safety of campers in our care at all times.
ADA Statement: Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.
Benefits In addition to offering rewarding work and great career opportunities within our mission‑driven, values‑driven, and family‑centric environment, JCC Greater Boston proudly offers employees the generous benefits listed below.
JCCGB Perks! Each Seasonal Employee is eligible for access to JCC Greater Boston's top‑class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton. Seasonal access to the JCC Fitness Center includes:
Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal‑Sidman JCC during active seasonal employment
Free or discounted enrollment for camp programs may be available for camp employees’ children based on availability.
A Great Place To Work JCC Greater Boston is consciously evolving as a great place to work. In our recent 2023 Employee Engagement Survey, at least 88% of our staff gave us top ratings on supportive colleagues, team camaraderie, managers, autonomy, purpose, pride, program quality, and accountability.
Our staff and leadership bring experience, excellence, and commitment to everything we offer and we are dedicated to a culture where all our employees may thrive. Our culture is built on our values, driven by our mission, and nurtured through the expert contributions of our professionals.
JCC Greater Boston is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.
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Do you love working with kids and bringing joy to their day? JCC Greater Boston is looking for enthusiastic, responsible Camp Counselors for our School Break Camps (December, February, Passover, and April school breaks).
School Break Camp Counselors guide groups of campers (K‑5th grade) through a fun, supportive day filled with sports, arts & crafts, swimming, games, and special events. Counselors are role models who create a warm, inclusive environment where campers can build confidence, make friends, and have a blast during their time off from school.
What You Will Do Each Day As a School Break Counselor, you’ll start your day greeting campers with energy and warmth, helping them feel excited for what’s ahead. You’ll guide your group through a variety of activities — one hour you might be cheering them on in a game of capture the flag, the next you’re diving into an arts & crafts project or encouraging hesitant swimmers in the pool. Lunch brings laughter, songs, and silly moments, and you’ll be right there helping campers feel included and connected. Throughout the day, you’ll be a role model — building relationships, keeping campers safe, and making sure every child feels supported. By the end of the day, you’ll leave camp tired but smiling, knowing you’ve helped kids create joyful memories.
Why work with us? At our camps, the best part of the day is simple: the campers. Our staff say their favorite moments are playing games, cheering campers on at swim, creating art together, and bonding over shared interests. Staff describe camp as fun, dynamic, and inclusive. Here, you’ll gain leadership skills, make lasting friendships, and create unforgettable experiences – for campers and yourself.
JCC Greater Boston is deeply committed to valuing and celebrating the uniqueness of each constituent. We welcome staff and participants from diverse backgrounds. While being proudly Jewish, we strive in every way to provide an open and welcoming setting for all, irrespective of personal practices, beliefs, or background. We are guided by JCC Greater Boston’s core values - Belonging, Joyfulness, Collaboration, and Transformation - which resonate with many who do not identify as Jewish.
What our Camp Counselors say are the best parts of working at JCC Camps:
Bonding with the campers
The activities
Free swim
Leadership opportunities
Making close friends with co‑counselors
Available Dates
December Camp: December 24, 26, 28, 30, 31 and January 2
February Camp: February 16, 17, 18, 19, 20
Passover Camp: April 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Spring Break Camp: April 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Candidates do not need to commit to all dates. Staff are scheduled by the day and shift.
Available Shifts Each Day
Full Day 8:30am – 4:30pm, 8 hours
Morning Shift 7:30am – 3:30pm, 8 hours
Afternoon Shift 10am – 6pm, 8 hours
Primary Responsibilities
Ensure the safety and well‑being of campers in structured and unstructured time
Create a fun, joyful and inclusive group dynamic
Work in partnership with co‑counselors and camp leadership to deliver a happy, safe, and memorable experience
Lead, co‑lead and support activities with campers and co‑counselors, including arts, sports, swimming and other camp activities
Participate and support camper during swim times (must be able to access the pool and swim with the campers)
Assist with set‑up and clean‑up of activities and spaces as needed
Support campers’ social and emotional development throughout the day
Standard Staff Expectations
Actively create a welcoming dynamic that contributes to an environment where each individual is valued and respected
Actively participate as an essential team member
Support JCC Greater Boston’s mission, vision, and values of belonging, joyfulness, collaboration, and transformation, including through role‑modeling
Enthusiastically represent the organization, model excellence and achievement
Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned
Other duties as assigned
Skills Gained
Negotiation and conflict resolution skills
Ability to "think on your feet"
Social/emotional knowledge
Problem‑solving techniques
Project management skills
Leadership skills
Collaboration experience
Flexibility
Job Details This is an hourly position with a daily schedule of 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday. Offering great perks, including JCC Health & Fitness center access, a supportive, vibrant in‑person work environment, and a competitive starting pay rate of $15 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.
Requirements Education and Experience
10th grade (or equivalent) and eligible for work permit
1+ season (summer camp, semester, babysitting, coaching, other) experience working with children
Skills and Abilities
Genuine enjoyment of working with children and helping them grow
Strong safety awareness and communication skills
Leadership qualities including patience, flexibility, teamwork, and creativity
Positive attitude and ability to build meaningful relationships with campers and peers
Proactive problem‑solving and willingness to ask for guidance when needed
Self‑starter who takes initiative
Must be able to work well with others, building/sustaining collaborative solid relationships
Ability to manage situations effectively and diplomatically and ask for help, guidance, or clarification when needed
Commitment to build strong relationships with campers, co‑workers, and camp leadership
Ability to interface with digital tools and mobile apps (enter hours worked into Paylocity, note camper attendance on digital attendance forms, etc.)
Physical Requirements
Able to work well in a busy, dynamic, and sometimes noisy environment involving multiple tasks and priorities.
Able to lift and carry objects weighing 30‑40 pounds (boxes of supplies, children’s backpacks, etc.)
Able to sit and kneel; get down at eye level with children regularly.
Ability to swim and supervise children in pool (able to stand in pool).
Ability to work in a variety of weather conditions for extended periods of time in case of rain, heat, humidity, cold, or other environmental factors to ensure the supervision and safety of campers in our care at all times.
ADA Statement: Individuals must possess these criteria for knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation and using some other combination of skills and abilities.
Benefits In addition to offering rewarding work and great career opportunities within our mission‑driven, values‑driven, and family‑centric environment, JCC Greater Boston proudly offers employees the generous benefits listed below.
JCCGB Perks! Each Seasonal Employee is eligible for access to JCC Greater Boston's top‑class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton. Seasonal access to the JCC Fitness Center includes:
Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal‑Sidman JCC during active seasonal employment
Free or discounted enrollment for camp programs may be available for camp employees’ children based on availability.
A Great Place To Work JCC Greater Boston is consciously evolving as a great place to work. In our recent 2023 Employee Engagement Survey, at least 88% of our staff gave us top ratings on supportive colleagues, team camaraderie, managers, autonomy, purpose, pride, program quality, and accountability.
Our staff and leadership bring experience, excellence, and commitment to everything we offer and we are dedicated to a culture where all our employees may thrive. Our culture is built on our values, driven by our mission, and nurtured through the expert contributions of our professionals.
JCC Greater Boston is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any individual or group on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or disability. In a continuing effort to maintain and enrich a diverse environment, we actively encourage applications from women and members of underrepresented groups.
#J-18808-Ljbffr