Lead Summer Day Camp Counselor - Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center

Description

It’s an extraordinary day camp adventure at Camp Cathy located at the Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center in the heart of downtown Columbia, SC.  We’re seeking enthusiastic seasonal, summer Lead Counselor seeking to grow their leadership skills while delivering high-quality, girl-centered camp experiences over a 9-week period.  Lead engaging activities around Life Skills, Outdoors, STEM, and Entrepreneurship, giving girls opportunities to engage in rock wall climbing, aquatics fun, art, design, and so much more. 

Join us for a summer of meaningful work and adventure – as a Lead Counselor, you support and guide Counselors in daily program delivery, lead daily programs while maintaining a positive, safe camper-first culture that values individuality, growth, and fun!  

Being a great Lead Counselor looks like: 

• Being a team player and a positive role model for our girl campers, youth ages 5-17 years old.  
• Leading groups of girls in activities like singing camp songs, team building games, and silly camp programming such as water balloon games, talent show and scavenger hunts.  
• Making every session meaningful by bringing programs to life while building real connections with the campers in your group—cheering them on, getting to know them, and helping them grow along the way.  
• Helping campers and staff learn to thrive together, resolve conflict, and solve problems by modeling openness, clear communication, and investment in group outcomes.?  
• Demonstrating through your actions a respect for diversity, individuality, and empowerment of youth.  
• Assisting in creating a weekly schedule, including girl-driven choices.  
• Oversees girl camper engagement throughout the day—including lunch and daily cleanup—while helping girls build responsibility, teamwork, and pride through caring for their camp community. 
• Learning and implementing the crisis management plan, including emergency procedures; be aware of the ongoing medical needs of the campers in your group.  

Requirements

Your background and girl-led leadership passion includes: 

• No prior Girl Scout experience required to apply.  
• Must be at least 21 years old with a HS Diploma or equivalent required (advanced education or college preferred).  
• Must possess a valid driver’s license and vehicle insurance, meeting state requirements. 
• Minimum 2 years of relevant experience developing and facilitating progressive activities with youth ages 5 – 17 years old. ?  
• First Aid and CPR certification required (training provided during camp staff orientation).   
• Must hold personal membership in the Girl Scout organization and subscribe to the tenets of the Girl Scout Promise and Law.   

Environment / Physical requirements include: 

• Must be capable of being very active in various indoor/outdoor environments with inclement weather conditions to include summer sun, heat, and natural wildlife habitats exposure, including animals and/or insects.  
• Ability to be on “camper level” which may include the ability to stoop, kneel, bend, reach, stand, walk, push, pull, lift, work with fingers, grasp, feel, talk, hear, and perform repetitive motions.  
• Ability to perform light work exerting up to 40 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.  
• Ability to practice self-care by staying hydrated, getting enough rest, and asking for help when you need it.  

Your Seasonal Benefits include Skill Development & Professional Growth: 

• An interactive summer learning skills through a variety of activities and building leadership/facilitation skills necessary to teach others in a variety of contexts.  
• Leadership & Management develops strong abilities in guiding groups of children, delegating tasks, and managing people—highly valued professional skills. 
• Communication improves through public speaking moments like leading songs or activities, as well as constant interpersonal interaction with peers and campers. 
• Our unique environment provides a developmental setting that complements learning while fostering independence and social awareness. 
• Enhance your personal leadership skills through facilitating activities, leading groups of girls ages 5-17, participating in team building with other counselors, and practicing self-advocacy skills.  

An unforgettable, active and engaging summer with the chance to make lifelong friends and to positively impact camper’s lives. 

Summer Orientation / Work Schedule: 

Day camp spans 9 weeks in the summer with paid orientation session (required) to kick off summer camp. Schedules are 7am – 4:30pm or 8am – 5:30pm.   

Summer seasonal employment is a unique experience and falls under the seasonal exemption standard categorized as “seasonal amusement or recreational establishment” by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), the Department of Labor (DOL). This exempts the position from federal minimum and overtime wage requirements as we compensate a daily rate plus.  

The potential weekly earnings for this position are between $400-$425 depending on experience, availability, scheduling, and any related certifications.  

Seasonal staff may be eligible for a performance-based bonus that will be paid after the first 4 weeks of summer camp and at the end of summer camp.  Seasonal staff may qualify for a performance-based bonus and a stay-on bonus. Eligibility for each bonus is outlined below: 

• Performance Bonus – is paid to staff who meet or exceed weekly key metrics. The bonus is paid out mid- summer and at the end of camp in the final pay.  
• Stay-on Bonus - paid to staff who work all weeks committed through the end of camp. The bonus is paid out at the end of camp in the final pay.  

This is a seasonal position with no eligibility for benefits. 

Girl Scouts of South Carolina - Mountains to Midlands (GSSC-MM) is an equal employment opportunity employer. Candidates are considered for employment without regard to race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, ancestry, disability, veteran status, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. If you require special assistance or accommodation while seeking employment with GSSC-MM, please contact Human Resources at humanresources@gssc-mm.org . GSSC-MM reserves the right to defer or close a vacancy at any time.