Junior Counselors
THE 2010 JUNIOR COUNSELOR APPLICATION IS NOW AVAILABLE (Due April 2):
In order to apply to be a Junior Counselor for Chinatown Adventure you need to do the following:
1) Register with the Hopeline to work for the Boston Youth Fund (Keep track of your BYF Hopeline Tracking Number): http://www.bostonyouthzone.com/teenzone/employment/byf/
2) Complete both the SUP Application and the CHAD Supplementary Application:
CHAD JC Application Supplement
3) Email your completed application and supplement by April 2, 2010 to chad@hcs.harvard.edu or mail to:
Chinatown Adventure 2010
Phillips Brooks House Association, Inc.
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138-6565
The Junior Counselor Position:
Each Junior Counselor works with groups of children for six weeks during the summer, implementing a self-designed curriculum. In the programs, Junior Counselors work with college-aged Senior Counselors. Junior Counselors are expected to keep in close contact with parents and community members to ensure the best possible camp experience for the children they are serving.
Further, Junior Counselors are an integral part of camp fundraising and operations and are expected to work as part of a team to ensure that the program runs well. Junior Counselors are encouraged to limit outside commitments, as community involvement and program preparation are vital to this leadership experience.
All Junior Counselors are expected to work for one week of staff training, six weeks of camp, and two Junior Counselor weeks after camp is over. You must commit to working from June 22 to August 20. All Junior Counselors will be paid $8.00 per hour. Specific duties of the Junior Counselor position are listed below:
I. Training
A mandatory one-week training prior to the beginning of camp providing skills in curriculum development and classroom strategies as well as community leadership. Counselors are also expected to attend any trainings and retreats designed by directors throughout the summer.
II. Camp Administration
General camp administration (with Senior Counselors) including but not limited group decision-making, general camp operational tasks such as lifeguarding, as well as taking an active role in fundraising for their program.
III. Teaching
For most programs, Junior Counselors are expected to:
- Along with their Senior Counselor, develop a curriculum that fits the needs of their particular group of children, meet with families regularly to discuss their children’s progress, and share curriculum plans with parents and ask for feedback
- Discuss and share curriculum ideas with directors, senior counselor, and Leaders! Coordinator
- Teach for at least 1 hour of class a week.
1. When appropriate, invite parents on field trips and into the classroom
2. Serve as a mentor to the children in the camp
3. Take an active role in modeling community building and leadership during camp collaborations
VI. Leadership
- Each week Junior Counselors will meet with their Leaders! Coordinator for one hour of workshops on leadership, activism and community organizing skills as well as reflection on their service experience.
- During JC Week, the Junior Counselors from every camp will have opportunities for further leadership training, community building and ways to bring what they have learned over the summer back to their communities during the school year.
VII. Midsummer Celebration
All Junior Counselors will be responsible for planning and organizing one of Boston’s largest citywide summer events: the 10th annual Midsummer Celebration! During Midsummer planning meetings Junior Counselors from different camps will work together to:
1. Plan a carnival featuring games and a moonbounce for the children
2. Produce and host a talent show during which we recognize community leaders
3. Promote the event using media strategies and community organizing techniques
4. Ensure the professional execution of the event by managing logistics
5. Build community unity and make a positive impact in Boston