Day Camp Counselor

Position Summary:

This position shares a love of learning with the museum’s summer day camp participants! This position creates a safe, fun, inclusive, respectful learning environment that inspires campers to learn from the past and from nature, while developing practical life skills. This position is responsible for instructing campers as they participate in theme-related activities, crafts, games, nature and creek walks, and visits to the historic areas of Living History Farms. This position works primarily outdoors.

Essential Duties:

• Leads programming weekly for up to 12 campers weekly; teaching crafts, skills, games, and activities that relate to the camp theme.
• Maintains a professional demeanor while interacting with campers, parents/guardians, co-workers, volunteers, and museum’s guests.
• Prepares daily activity, craft supplies and camp set up before camp begins and cleans up areas after camp.
• Ensures the safety of campers.
• Communicates proactively with camp participants’ parents/guardians, in person and via email or phone.
• Participates actively and productively in required camp meetings.
• Assist with developing, modifying, evaluating, and/or implementing changes to camp programming as directed.
• Maintains excellent attendance.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

Camp Junior Counselors (high – school aged volunteers)

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment:

• Able to work in a variety of environments, both indoors and outdoors, consistent with Iowa’s climate.
• This position regularly works outdoors in adverse conditions (heat, rain, cold). Work may be performed in dusty, outdoor environments; in poorly lit areas; and near open campfires. The noise level in the workplace varies. Most buildings this position works in are not climate controlled. This is a dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented workplace.

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Essential duties include working sitting, standing, walking, bending over or kneeling; involves some lifting and moving of objects; standing for extended periods; climbing stairs and ladders. Must be able to lift 50 pounds.

• Education/Skills:
• A high school diploma or GED, minimum; preference if currently enrolled in a college or university with a major in education, family and consumer science, human development, history, science, or related field.
• A valid driver’s license.
• First aid and CPR certification are preferred.
• Possesses experience and a love of working with youth in an informal educational setting (i.e. babysitting; tutoring; other camps; working in classrooms as part of an education class; etc.).
• Understands the developmental needs of youth, with a working knowledge of educational theory and child development theory.
• Self-management skills, self-confidence, and a strong work ethic.
• Dependable, reliable, punctual, trustworthy- your campers and co-workers count on you!
• Demonstrates exemplary communication skills, both verbal and written, and including active listening/listening for understanding.
• Provides feedback to volunteer junior counselors focusing on interpersonal relationship and team building.
• Exceptional customer service skills, with a “can do” mentality.
• Attention to detail, with a flexible mindset, and the ability to multi-task with last minute changes.
• Approaches situations with creative, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to learn and grow.
• Enjoys working in a dynamic, fast-paced, team-oriented workplace.
• Has experience with the Microsoft Office suite of programs.
• Performs work outdoors, even in adverse conditions (heat, rain).
• Performs physical tasks such as walking long distances over uneven ground and through a creek, retrieving camp supplies from storage shelving above their head, lifting up to 30 pounds, and standing for extended period of times.
• Presents a professional image over the telephone, via email, and in person.
• Successfully passes a criminal background check.

Position Hours/Schedule:

• Runs from late May through August 8, 2026.
• The weekly schedule is based on program registrations and museum needs.
• Must attend the mandatory “End of Camp” day on Saturday, August 8, 2026.

Note: This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.

Job Types: Full-time, Temporary

Pay: $14.00 - $14.25 per hour

Work Location: In person