Summer Camp Counselor

We are hiring multiple Summer Camp Counselors for our early June through early August Day Camp located in downtown Chicago. Hosted in a premier independent school facility, our camp offers a full day of engaging activities including sports, crafts, cooking, science, and more. If you love working with children ages 4 through 13, enjoy being active, and want to create a fun and safe summer experience for campers, this is the perfect role for you!

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Supervise and engage campers ages 4–13 in a safe, supportive, and energetic environment.
• Lead and assist with daily camp activities including sports, crafts, cooking, science, and games.
• Encourage participation and promote positive behavior through active leadership and clear expectations.
• Provide appropriate age support, guidance, and encouragement to all campers.
• Maintain a safe camp environment by always following supervision and safety procedures.
• Assist with setup, cleanup, and transitions between activities throughout the day.
• Work collaboratively with other counselors and camp leadership to support daily operations, follow multi-step directions, and work independently as needed.
• Communicate effectively with camp staff and report any concerns regarding camper safety, behavior, or wellbeing.
• Serve as a positive role model by demonstrating professionalism, enthusiasm, and teamwork.
• Comfortably actively engaging with and supervising children in a variety of locations, including inside the school, outside at playgrounds or parks, on a school bus, or during swimming and sports lessons at an off-site location.
• Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to assist as needed to help camp run smoothly.
• Other duties as assigned.

Compliance

Although FXW is an Independent Catholic School, all faculty and staff comply with the Archdiocese of Chicago’s Protecting God’s Children Requirements.

• Complete the required new hire paperwork and mandatory Archdiocese training.
• Must clear Background Check/Fingerprints.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with internal policies.
• Required to attend additional training classes as designated by the Security Operations Manager/ Security Lead or Security Supervisor and/or FXW administrative staff.

Key Relationships

The Summer Camp Counselor reports to and is supervised by the Director of Auxiliary Programs. Other key relationships he/she/they are responsible for cultivating are with the Head of School, other administrators, the resource team, and all respective coworkers.  

Qualifications and Requirements

• We need reliable, creative, hardworking, and fun individuals who enjoy being active and engaged with children in a variety of situations.
• Must be 18 years of age or older and be available for the entirety of camp to be considered.
• Background working with school-based auxiliary programs, summer camps, prior teaching or childcare experience preferred.
• A valid First Aid and CPR Certification issued by an authorized agency is welcomed.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to actively supervise children throughout the day in both indoor and outdoor environments. Camp Counselors must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time and participate in or lead physical activities such as running, sports, and active games, including swimming and sports at an off-site location. The role also requires frequent bending, kneeling, crouching, and sitting on the floor while engaging with campers. Counselors must be able to lift, carry, and move camp supplies and equipment weighing up to 25 pounds, as well as navigate stairs and move between various areas of the facility and outdoor spaces. This position may require working outdoors in varying summer weather conditions, including heat, sun exposure, and humidity. In addition, Counselors must be able to respond quickly and appropriately in emergency situations to support camper safety and wellbeing.

Work Environment

The work environment is active, fast-paced, and highly interactive, involving frequent engagement with children in both indoor and outdoor settings. Camp activities may take place in classrooms, gymnasiums, outdoor play areas, and other shared school spaces. Counselors should expect periods of high noise levels, constant movement, and frequent transitions between activities. This role also includes working outdoors in varying summer weather conditions, including heat, humidity, and sun exposure. The position requires strong teamwork, flexibility, and the ability to maintain a safe and positive environment while managing the needs of groups of children throughout the camp day.

Compensation and Benefits

This seasonal position is not eligible for FXW benefits. However, certain benefits, i.e. Paid Sick and Safe Leave will become available upon completing 30 days of employment.  

Expected compensation for this role includes an hourly rate of pay of $17.00 - $22.00.

If you believe you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. FXW is dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workforce.

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications?  We understand. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply and welcome a chance for us to review your background. We are dedicated to building and maintaining a diversified workforce and considering a broad array of candidates with a variety of skills, workplace experience, and backgrounds.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

FXW is dedicated to fostering an inclusive workplace and values candidates who bring diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds. We encourage individuals who may not meet 100% of the listed requirements, but who believe they could excel in this role, to apply. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodation throughout the hiring process and within the workplace to support all employees in performing the essential functions of the job.

Non-Discrimination Policy                                                                                                                                               

It is The Frances Xavier Warde School’s goal to attract, recruit and retain exceptional faculty and staff that are inspiring, diverse and committed to the school’s mission. We support our teachers and staff by welcoming them into an environment that encourages them to excel and by maintaining a rich benefits package that helps them to flourish and grow personally and professionally.

FXW will not engage in discrimination or harassment against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, ancestry, age, order of protection status, genetic information, marital status, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity, unfavorable discharge from the military or status as a protected veteran and will comply with all federal and state nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws, orders, and regulations. This nondiscrimination policy applies to student admissions and employment.

We invite you to become a part of our community and FXW makes a deliberate effort to employ faculty and staff of diverse races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.

Mission Statement

The Frances Xavier Warde School is a Catholic elementary school in downtown Chicago that provides an excellent academic, values-oriented education to students of all ethnic, religious, cultural and socio-economic backgrounds in a child-centered urban environment. As a keystone of its diverse community, The Frances Xavier Warde School provides need-based scholarships to thirty percent of its students.

The Frances Xavier Warde School partners with its families, nurtures faith development for its Catholic students, and engages all its students to learn about and respect other faith traditions. The Frances Xavier Warde School uses a rigorous curriculum that enables students to grow, clarify their values, and develop decision-making skills and a sense of responsibility for themselves and the world they will inherit.