School Break Camp Counselor

The Combined Jewish Philanthropies

The Combined Jewish Philanthropies

Legal
Newton, MA, USA
USD 15-15 / hour
Posted on Oct 15, 2025

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, responsible Camp Counselors for our School Break Camps (December, February, Passover, and April school breaks).

School Break Camp Counselors guide groups of campers (K-8th grade) through a fun, supportive day filled with sports, arts & crafts, swimming, games, and special events. Counselors are role models who create a warm, inclusive environment where campers can build confidence, make friends, and have a blast during their time off from school.

What you will do each day:

As a School Break Counselor, you’ll start your day greeting campers with energy and warmth, 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

Available Dates:

· December Camp: December 24, 26, 28, 30, 31 and January 2

· February Camp: February 16, 17, 18, 19, 20

· Passover Camp: April 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

· Spring Break Camp: April 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

Candidates do not need to commit to all dates. Staff are scheduled by the day and shift.

Available Shifts Each Day:

· Full Day 8:30am – 4:30pm, 8 hours

· Morning Shift 7:30am – 3:30pm, 8 hours

· Afternoon Shift 10am - 6pm, 8 hours

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, non-exempt position offering great perks, including JCC Health & Fitness center access during employment, a supportive, vibrant fully in-person work environment, and a competitive starting pay rate of $15 per hour. The pay rate offered will ultimately be determined by relevant qualifications, experience, and JCC's internal equity.

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.

JCCGB Perks! Each employee is eligible for a free individual access to JCC Greater Boston's top class fitness, recreation and wellness facility in Newton – offering virtual and in-person programs including indoor swimming, many fitness classes, and workout facilities, as well as discounts to many JCCGB events, classes, outdoor pool, and more, including:

· Use of the Fitness Center at Leventhal-Sidman

· Access to group fit classes, Arts & Culture adult programming at member rates,

· Discounts on a variety JCCGB's fitness/wellness programs and services

· Free wellness events!

Benefits are subject to review and change by the Organization, and plan documents are the primary determinant.

A Great Place to Work! JCC Greater Boston is consciously evolving as a great place to work! In our recent 2023 employee engagement survey, at least 88% of our staff gave us top ratings on:

· Supportive colleagues

· Team camaraderie

· How their managers treat them

· Individual autonomy

· Knowing what their work contributes to and how it impacts others

· Pride in working for the JCC

· Program and service quality

· Holding ourselves accountable

Our staff and leadership bring experience, excellence, and commitment to everything we offer and we are dedicated to a culture where all our employees may thrive. Our culture is built on our values, driven by our mission, and nurtured through the expert contributions of our professionals.