We are so glad you want to be a counselor at Pride Camp this summer!
Counselors are not just leaders for campers, but serve as role models for LGBTQ and allied youth. As a counselor, you will make a real impact this summer by bringing your passion and energy to Pride Camp. Counselors gain valuable leadership training and skills through hands-on participation under the supervision of camp staff. Providing campers with a quality camp program means having a highly skilled staff who bring with them their warmth and enthusiasm for working with students. We are looking for a diverse group of counselors who share the common goal of providing the best camp experience possible to LGBTQ and allied youth. If you have lots of energy, enjoy both group and one-to-one interaction with campers, and have worked with youth before, this could be the role for you!
Pride Camp counselors will understand and implement the following values for the duration of camp:
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
Behave with empathy and integrity. We are all leaders.
OWN IT/ENCOURAGE IT
The results we produce reflect who we are. Take pride in being a counselor and the activities you participate in throughout the day. Encourage the campers you work with to be engaged in every aspect of Pride Camp.
GIVE JOY
Laugh. Be positive and help campers feel affirmed and safe in their identity. That’s what Pride Camp is all about!
Who is Eligible to Be a Counselor?
Counselors are not just leaders for campers, but serve as role models for LGBTQ and allied youth. As a counselor, you will make a real impact this summer by bringing your passion and energy to Pride Camp. Counselors gain valuable leadership training and skills through hands-on participation under the supervision of camp staff. If you have lots of energy, enjoy both group and one-to-one interaction with campers, and have worked with youth before, this could be the role for you!
Qualifications An ideal candidate will have the following experience and qualifications:
- Be ages 19-24
- Be currently enrolled in a post-secondary educational program
- Knowledge and understanding of culturally specific needs of LGBTQ youth
- Support the mission of Iowa Safe Schools
- Proven ability to develop collaborative relationships
- Passion about supporting a marginalized population including trans* and LGBTQ youth of color
Personal Qualities An ideal candidate will be:
- Committed to social justice and enthusiastic about Iowa Safe Schools’ mission and programs
- Mature and demonstrate leadership skills, common sense, and good judgement
- Enthusiastic about working to ensure that all campers are comfortable, safe and included
- Well-organized, able to multi-task, and able to adapt to fast paced environments
- Flexible and able to function independently and as a member of a team
- Able to demonstrate a genuine interest in camper safety and well being
- Able to accept guidance and supervision from staff
Additional Information
- Trans and LGBTQ persons of color are encouraged to apply
- Experience in working with children and youth preferred
- Experience in STEM programming, leadership programming, or advocacy programming preferred
This is a temporary position available from July 14-19, 2019.
As a Pride Camp counselor, you will…
- Supervise, guide, and provide support to up to 10 campers
- Promote health and safety of every attendee
- Work collaboratively to deliver an interactive program and to create an inclusive community
- Serve as a positive mentor, leader, and role model
- Collaborate, mediate, and intervene with camper issues
- Adhere to and ensure that all camp expectations and procedures are consistently followed
- Support activity leaders during track sessions, and other areas as directed
- Work collaboratively to deliver an interactive program and to create an inclusive community
- Participate in all camp activities with enthusiasm!
- Know where campers are at all times
- Attend mandatory counselor training on June 11th at Grand View University
- Problem solve through situations and seek assistance when necessary
- Be organized and punctual
- Other duties as assigned
What is the process of becoming a counselor?
- Review all information on this website. Be sure to read through the expectations before submitting an application. All counselors are expected to be available to work the full length of Pride Camp (July 15-19, 2019).
- Apply. Click the link on this page to begin your application. Make sure to fill the application out legibly and completely, and submit a signed release to perform a background check. We will not review incomplete applications. Once you submit your application, you will receive a confirmation email.
- Contact your references. It is important that you contact your references to make them aware that you have completed an application to work at Pride Camp and that they should expect to hear from us by phone or email. We will not accept references from friends, family friends, or family members.
- We will review your application materials. Once we receive your application, we will email you to let you know if we have available positions that match your skills and experience. If we do not feel that you are a good match for camp or if we do not have available positions, we may send you an email thanking you for applying and letting you know that we will not pursue your application further at that time.
- Zoom/Video Interview. If your application shows promise for the position of camp counselor, we will reach out to set up a preliminary interview. Plan on this interview taking approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.
- We will contact you by email within one week of your phone interview. If your preliminary interview is successful and we still feel that you may be a good fit for one of our available positions, we may email you to schedule a time for your second interview. If you are not a good match for our program after the initial interview or if we do not anticipate having an available position that matches your skills, we may email you at this point to let you know that we will not pursue your application further.
- Final hiring decision. We will contact you by email with our hiring decision. See the possible decisions below.
- Congratulations! You’re hired! We will send you a job description and a letter of agreement that details your position, dates of employment, and pay stipend. You will have one week to decide whether to accept the position and return the hiring paperwork.
- We do not have a position for you at this time. It is essential that we hire people who will be successful in our unique environment. We reserve the right to deny applications for any reason.
Please Note
All camp staff must complete an application, return a completed release packet and pass a criminal history check. Counselors must attend the mandatory counselor training on July 14th, 2019.
Please click below to begin your application.