About The Camp
Camp O-AT-KA, founded in 1906, is a summer residential camp for boys ages 8-16. Our founder, the E.J. Dennen, believed that it is better to build strong boys than mend broken men. Camp O-AT-KA maintains this mission to this day. We seek to instill confidence and build character in a supportive, family environment. We welcome campers and staff from a wide variety of backgrounds and geographic locations, and O-AT-KA seeks to bring them together by furthering common interests, promoting a sense of community, achieving progress towards goals, and fostering the development of lifelong friendships.
About the Position
The Counselor in Training (CIT) Director provides leadership and guidance to the group of approximately 10 CIT campers under their charge, as they prepare to become future Camp O-AT-KA staff. The CIT Director, together with an assistant, help plan, organize, and execute the summer CIT schedule, and provide a key conduit of information for the Summer Director. Duties include planning and teaching the daily CIT training period, communicating with parents, overseeing the CIT evaluation process, meeting regularly with leadership team members, teaching craft activities, and managing any difficulties within the unit that may arise. The CIT Director reports to the Program Director, and attends the weekly department head staff meeting.
Key Attributes of a Successful CIT Director:
- At least 21 years of age and has a valid driver’s license
- Models exemplary behavior in word and deed
- Experience working with high-school-age children, preferably in a camp setting
- Can communicate well with campers, counselors, parents, and leadership team members
- Develops curriculum for the CIT training to prep participants in this program to be counselors/ staff
- Takes personal responsibility for himself and his unit
- Able to enforce boundaries
- Strong planner that is well-organized yet flexible
- Able to act as an advocate for the CIT’s when needed
- Knowledgeable about age-specific issues (boundaries, discipline, etc.)
- Anticipates, designates, evaluates behavior
- Able to teach and lead in several craft areas
This may be the hardest job that you’ll ever love. Camp staff members are busy every moment of the day, teaching, coaching, counseling, and helping boys make new friends, learn new skills, and grow stronger in body, mind, and spirit. Staff lead by example, and campers look up to them with admiration and respect. The best leaders have an aura of positive enthusiasm surrounding their attitude and actions. Camp staff must have a genuine love for children, a creative spirit, the ability to be flexible when needed, and lots of patience.
All full-time staff are expected to arrive at camp at the beginning of staff orientation on Sunday, June 17th and depart at the close of camp on Saturday, August 11th, unless special arrangements are made with the director in advance. This is a live-in position with all meals and lodging provided. Salary is negotiable. Camp O-AT-KA is an equal-opportunity employer. All staff must pass a thorough background check.
To apply, please email a resume, cover letter and three references to Charles Donovan (Summer Director) at program@campoatka.com. We will consider applications as they are received
