Job description

Counselor at Middle School 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 7-15. 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 locations spanning from NYC to California, Plato Learning uses actors, live-action role-play, and physically and mentally engaging activities to bring myths to life.

Camp Jupiter is where pre-teen and teenage campers face smarter, tougher challenges in a Roman-centered camp. They’ll build complex STEM projects, like artillery and take part in an action-packed live-action role-play. We are looking for team members with a compassion and understanding for the behavioral needs of middle schoolers–they are navigating and their relationship with the world, history, politics, gender, sexuality, and building their opinions and values.

The World Needs Legends! Will you answer the call?

Job Summary:

We are hiring energetic and creative leaders to serve as Camp Counselors at Camp Jupiter, the more grown-up version of Camp Half-Blood. Counselors are responsible for leading a group of 11 to 15-year-old camper ‘demigods’ on their weekly camp journey through the wild, magical 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 that culminates in a “Quest”. Counselors lead demigods during this simplified Live Action Roleplay, helping them to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills while interacting with monsters, gods, and mythic heroes.

What does that mean? (Job Responsibilities):

• Forge a Community of Heroes. Counselors mentor a group of 8-12 campers, which we call Cohorts. In these cohorts, counselors enthusiastically participate in all activities, while managing demigod behavior and ensuring their safety.
• Train your Demigods. In charge of games, classes, and electives like Forge, Potions, or Combat-Training, Counselors take an active role in preparing their demigods for the Quest ahead. They work off of time-tested lesson plans, while building their own lessons and modifications to make each activity reflect the week’s storyline at camp. When it is time to go on Quest, Counselors guide their Hometown with kindness and creative flair, as engaged in the storyline as their camper’s are.
• Build the World. At camp, we are all demigods, which means we have godly parents and have been gifted with special talents. Counselors embrace their demigod selves, upholding the world of Camp Half-Blood and are able to discuss matters like the politics of nymph houses, or a chance Cyclops encounter. Support Counselors also brush-up on 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 Leadership 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 heat of summer, or even when it is raining.
• Grow as an Adventurer. Working with the Camp Director, Counselors develop as compassionate mentors and 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, placing an emphasis on the ability to graciously handle the challenges and triumphs of Camp.
• Steel your Resolve. Our Camp is an energetic all-outdoor environment that requires staff and camper alike to embrace exciting new challenges. As Counselors 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, even during a heat wave.
• Underworld Procedures. Counselors help maintain the daily 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.

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 4-0 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
• Enthusiastic about world-building with campers, staff, and actors
• A compassion and understanding for the behavioral needs of middle schoolers–they are navigating and their relationship with the world, history, politics, gender, sexuality, and building their opinions and values.
• 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 strive to help team members grow with the company) but find their way to us from a variety of places, including: college students, after school programming, teaching artists, artists, coaches, museum workers, camp counseling, and grad school programs.

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, Maplewood, NJ; Washington, DC.
• Please review the following website for more details about the start and end dates for the summer season by camp location: https://camphalfbloodbklyn.com/camplocations/

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

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