Camp Counsellor

**REPORTING TO**:Counsellor Supervisor

**JOB TYPE**:Fixed Term Contract, Non - Bargaining (Seasonal)

**LOCATION**:Camp Towhee - Haliburton

**COMPENSATION**: Camp Towhee provides a competitive total salary of $4,550. Starting at a base salary of $2800, plus a special completion bonus of $1750 at the end of the contract. Room & board are also included.

**ABOUT CHILD DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE**
CDI is a leading children’s mental health agency in the City of Toronto offering a range of services to approximately 3,500 children ages 0‐12, youth ages 13-18 and their families each year. Our mission is to promote and support the healthy development of children and to strengthen the families and communities in which they live. We provide four streams of service to families in need: early intervention, family violence, healthy child development and specialized mental health services for children and youth with learning disabilities.

**ABOUT TOWHEE**
Camp Towhee/Towhee Summer Therapeutic Program treats youth with Mental Health issues complicated by
Learning Disabilities. Located in Haliburton, Ontario, Towhee positively changes the trajectory of kids and staffs lives. This will be one of the most rewarding, magical and hardest places you will ever work. We provide 10 days of training covering behaviour management, counselling skills, CPI, mental health and learning disabilities.

If you are interested in a career in the social services, psychology or teaching and/or want to play a pivotal role in supporting children and youth in feeling safe enough to be their genuine amazing selves - Towhee is the place for you to get real experience, skill building, and be part of that change.

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**DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES**

1. Work in a team of three to act as the primary caregivers for a cabin of 6-8 campers throughout their time at Camp Towhee

2. Accompany your cabin throughout the camp day, from wake-up to bedtime, while providing emotional, social, and behaviour support

3. Work as part of the overall staff team by participating in the planning and implementation of special, camp-wide theme programs and activities

4. Assist campers in reaching their previously identified therapeutic goals
5. Reassure and empowering campers during moments of anxiety and difficulty
6. Intervene in moments of conflict and challenging behaviour to deescalate, understand, collaborate and repair
7. Promote social interactions, connections, friendships, and program engagement
8. Facilitate the development of greater social awareness, skills, and successes
9. Adhere to and interpret to other staff and campers the policies, practices and procedures of Camp Towhee.

**MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS**
▪ Two (2) or more years in a post-secondary degree or equivalent experience
▪ Previous professional experience working within a camp environment, strongly preferred
▪ Experience working with children and/or youth

▪ Personal, professional, or educational experiences in a related field (education, recreation, social work, psychology, etc.)

▪ Ability to assume responsibility and exercise good judgment in making decisions within the scope of authority of the position

▪ Must have/acquire a current and valid police records check with vulnerable sector screening
▪ Must have/acquire Standard First Aid with CPR C
▪ Demonstrated ability to work in a respectful and aware manner with groups from diverse background and experiences

**WORKING CONDITIONS**

▪ Fast-paced work environment
▪ Interacts with campers, other staff, supervisors/directors, family members, and visitors as required
▪ As needed requirement to lift children (up to 45 lbs.), in addition to bending, stooping, stretching, squatting, pushing, pulling, sitting, walking, and climbing stairs
▪ Participation in a 3-5 day canoe trip (possibility of a 10 day trip), involving paddling, portaging, hiking, swimming, carrying equipment, and sleeping in tents
▪ Noise level can be moderate to loud
▪ Frequent physical activity including sitting, standing, walking, running, lifting and generally supporting campers and staff in camp activities and games.

**DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION**:
▪ _First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples, and all other Indigenous peoples; _
▪ _members of groups that commonly experience discrimination due to race, ancestry, colour, religion and/or spiritual beliefs, or place of origin; _
▪ _persons with visible and/or invisible (physical and/or mental) disabilities; and _
▪ _persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions._
- We recognize that many of these identities intersect and that therefore, equity, diversity and inclusion can be complex. We value the contributions that each person brings, and are committed to ensuring full and equal participation for all in our community._

**ACCOMMODATION**:

- Child Development Institute is committed to creating an accessible and inclusive organization. In accordance