Camp Counselor, Camp Kaleidoscope, Summer Day Camp

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, caring, and responsible Camp Counselors to join our team this summer.
Camp Counselors are the heart of camp life – guiding campers through activities, cheering them on at swim, joining them in arts & crafts, and making sure every camper feels included, safe, and valued. Counselors are role models who work closely with co-counselors and camp leadership to build strong group dynamics and create unforgettable summer experiences.
JCC Greater Boston offers free bus service for staff from Cambridge, Brookline, Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury, Wayland, Framingham, Natick, Needham, Newton and Wellesley during the summer season.
What you will do each day:
Each morning, you’ll welcome your campers with energy and enthusiasm, 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.
This is 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
Primary responsibilities include, and are not limited to:
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 include and are not limited to:
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 representing the organization, model excellence and achievement
Attend JCCGB meetings and trainings as assigned
Other duties as assigned
10 skills you gain while being a summer camp counselor:
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
This is a great chance to join JCC Greater Boston's respected and valued, people-orientated workplace of diverse community services providers, which is rapidly growing!
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 range between $15-$17 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.
This 8 week camp program is June 21 - August 20, including staff training. While we prefer candidates who are available all summer, we recognize that candidates may have other obligations and are happy to work with your schedule.
About JCC Greater Boston
Since opening its doors in 1983, JCC Greater Boston has been committed to creating a vibrant, inclusive, diverse community by nurturing meaningful, lasting relationships. Through our network of early learning centers, day camps, regional teen and family programs, health and wellness offerings, and adult arts and ideas classes, JCC Greater Boston provides highly valued connections, learning, and experiences for the Jewish community and friends.
JCC Greater Boston staff enjoy working in an innovative, friendly, and welcoming environment where their talents and contributions are appreciated. In our recent employee survey, staff rated their direct management and organizational alignment experiences close to 90% positive. If you want to upgrade your working experience and have a better work-life balance, we encourage you to explore becoming part of the JCC team!
The JCC 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 we hope resonate with all.
To learn more about what makes JCC Greater Boston a wonderful place to work, please visit our careers page at https://www.bostonjcc.org/careers/
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.
Requirements
Education and Experience:
10th grade (or equivalent) and eligible for work permit
Must be 15 years or older to qualify as a Camp Counselor, per Department of Public Health Guidelines
1+ season (summer camp, semester, babysitting, coaching, other) experience working with children
Equivalent combination of education and experience may be substituted at the JCC’s discretion to meet minimum criteria.
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; getting down at eye level with children regularly.
Ability to swim and supervise children in pool (able to stand in pool).
Ability to work in 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 demonst

Work arrangement
No