Location and Job Title:

Hebrew Camp Counselor
Jewish Community Center of the East Bay
1414 Walnut St
Berkeley, CA 94709

Principal Responsibilities:

ABOUT CAMP AT THE JCC EAST BAY

Camp @ JCC East Bay offers an intimate day camp experience where campers can build healthy friendships with peers and counselors, try new things, develop new skills, test personal limits, and above all, learn how we come together to create an amazing community and an amazing experience in a fun and safe setting. For more information on Camp @ JCC East Bay, please visit our website.

Sababa!: Our Hebrew immersion day camp will bridge the gap between Israel and Berkeley. This pioneer year will feature one, three-week session offering all the fun of a traditional summer camp, but almost fully immersed in Hebrew language.

Sababa! will run from June 23 - July 11 for rising K-4th graders. There will be mandatory staff training the week of June 16th, where staff will learn about the pedagogy of language acquisition, and how it relates to camp. The summer camp schedule is Monday through Friday from 8:30am - 4:00pm. Counselors will attend daily check-ins with administration at the end of each camp day. Extended care in the morning and afternoon is available for additional hours.

POSITION SUMMARY

Camp counselors will engage kids in fun day-to-day programming and activities at camp, in a Hebrew rich environment. They will know each camper by name, and compassionately and thoughtfully resolve camper conflicts. They will work collaboratively with co-counselors and fellow camp staff to ensure that camp runs safely and smoothly. Camp Counselors will act as a positive and appropriate role model for fellow staff and campers, and support the goals and spirit of camp at the JCC East Bay.

Lesson/Activity Planning

• Develop lesson plans and activities that incorporate organizational philosophy and overall program vision.
• Supervise children, including planning, preparation and implementation of developmental programming for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
• Establish and communicate clear objectives for all camp activities.
• Ability to lead and supervise children in a variety of activities, both structured and unstructured.
• Engage children in Hebrew language acquisition in a dynamic way. Be able to ask descriptive questions in Hebrew, so children will answer as means to learn and speak Hebrew.

Student Support

• Mindful and aware of children's needs to promote growth and foster curiosity.
• Manage student behavior in the group by invoking approved disciplinary action when necessary.

General

• Act as a positive and appropriate role model for children and fellow staff.
• Contribute to overall program development; support the goals of the JCC East Bay.
• Maintain organization and cleanliness during programming; assist in keeping all spaces organized and operational.
• Communicate with administrative team when supplies are needed.
• Participate in weekly staff meetings.
• Assist with walking field trips to Live Oak Park and Codornices Park.
• Participate in active supervision at the King swimming pool - whether in the water with children, or actively engaged on the side with children in the pool.
• Consistent attendance as a camp counselor is required.
• Never be on cell phones while on the job (unless there is an emergency).
• Commitment to the mission of the JCC East Bay and knowledge of or commitment to learning about the Jewish community, values, and traditions.

Minimum Qualifications:

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Must speak fluent Hebrew.
• Must be a rising High School Senior or older.
• Childcare or equivalent experience with children K-4th.
• Must be able to be outside throughout the entirety of the camp day, regardless of weather conditions.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to organize tasks, and develop and implement plans to efficiently meet organizational goals.
• Ability to work in a team.
• Ability to push/pull and lift/carry objects weighing 50 pounds.
• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods of time.
• Ability to sit on floors and chairs, and to get up and down quickly.
• Ability to bend from knees and waist to help a child.
• Ability to maneuver in confined lavatories to aid children with toilet needs.
• Ability to respond without delay to needs of young children.

Salary:

$35,000 - $45,000

Agency Information:

The JCC East Bay is a welcoming home for people of all ages and life stages. Inspired by Jewish values, culture, and tradition, we build interpersonal relationships, foster learning and curiosity, and offer accessible pathways to Jewish life. The JCC's core programs include early childhood education and preschool; camp and afterschool programs; teen engagement; older adult activities; intergenerational Jewish holiday celebrations; and ongoing opportunities to connect with Jewish life and our richly diverse community. The JCC East Bay operates from four locations: our full-service building in Berkeley, afterschool programs at Joaquin Miller Elementary and Hintil Cuu Ca Preschool in Oakland, and administrative offices on our soon to be flagship campus in Oakland.