Description

The Boys’ Club of New York (BCNY) operates a premier sleep-away camp experience designed for 10 to 17-year-old boys and young men to grow through adventure, community, and skill building. Since 1876, BCNY has created environments where young people develop confidence, resilience, teamwork, and leadership, grounded in our core values of Care, Courage, Curiosity, and Community.

At Harriman Basecamp, members engage in structured programs that promote healthy minds and bodies, expand their talents, and encourage positive peer relationships. Guided by evidence-based youth development practices and our commitment to the 4 Cs, BCNY’s Basecamp programs aim to set a high standard for outdoor education and character development. To strengthen this mission, we continue to build a dedicated team of camp professionals who can deepen and broaden our impact each season.

Job Summary 

The Arts & Crafts Counselor is a creative, youth-centered counselor role responsible for leading engaging, developmentally appropriate arts and crafts programming for campers. This role serves as the primary facilitator of the arts and crafts activity area, with a strong emphasis on creative exploration, structured instruction, and project completion.

Arts & Crafts programming at Harriman Basecamp follows a two-phase model. During Week One, campers rotate through the activity and participate in instructor-led sessions. Campers are introduced to new materials and techniques and are supported in completing a finished, take-home project. During Week Two, campers may opt into Arts & Crafts through daily sign-ups and commit to a focused, multi-day creative project. Campers who choose Arts & Crafts during this week attend daily over three consecutive days and complete their work for a culminating Art Gallery Walk-Through.

Beyond the activity space, Arts & Crafts Counselors are fully immersed in camp life. They actively support cabin routines, meals, community moments, and camp-wide programming. Working under the supervision of the Activity Counselor Division Leader and as part of the Activity Counselor team, Arts & Crafts Counselors collaborate closely with Cabin Counselors, Division Leaders, and camp leadership to ensure consistent supervision, positive youth development, and smooth daily operations.

Mandatory attendance at full pre-camp staff training (June 22 – July 3) is required to ensure readiness in behavior management, camper supervision, safety protocols, and camp culture alignment.

Responsibilities

Arts & Crafts Programming & Creative Skill Development

• Plan and lead engaging, age-appropriate arts and crafts programming aligned with camp schedules, daily themes, and camper interests (e.g., decorative throw pillows, canvas or mixed-media artwork, air-dry clay sculptures, fabric banners or wall hangings, functional art such as storage boxes or signage).
• Facilitate Week One instructor-led sessions that introduce new techniques, materials, or creative processes and support campers in completing a finished take-home project within a single session.
• Facilitate Week Two choice-based programming, offering multiple multi-day project options and supporting campers in selecting, developing, and completing one project over three consecutive days for the culminating Art Gallery Walk-Through.
• Design projects that emphasize exploration, experimentation, problem-solving, and follow-through rather than perfection.
• Support campers in developing creativity, fine motor skills, patience, and confidence through hands-on work.
• Prepare campers’ completed work for the Art Gallery Walk-Through, supporting presentation, care of finished pieces, and pride in accomplishment.

Safety, Supervision & Materials Management

• Enforce all activity area safety rules and expectations related to tools, materials, and workspace use.
• Supervise the safe use of basic crafts, tools, mixed media, and advanced materials with clear instruction and consistent oversight.
• Conduct daily checks of supplies, tools, and workspaces to ensure safe, organized, and well-prepared programming.
• Model and reinforce cleanup routines, care for shared materials, and respect for the creative space.
• Actively supervise campers within the arts and crafts area and address minor behavioral concerns directly.
• Escalate ongoing, patterned, or higher-level behavioral concerns to Cabin Counselors and the Activity Counselor Division Leader as needed.

Camp-Wide Engagement, Cabin Support, Operations & CIT Mentorship

• Actively participate in daily camp life, supporting cabin routines and community moments including meals, morning reflections, community cyphers, psychological time, evening programs (EPs), and nighttime routines to ensure consistent structure and supervision.
• Support cabin groups daily—within canoeing areas or elsewhere as needed—to maintain supervision and appropriate coverage.
• As a member of the Activity Counselor team, co-lead two evening programs, lead one evening program, and provide coverage and supervision during additional evening programs as assigned.
• Provide additional camp-wide coverage as needed, including meal support and substituting for counselors during nights off or when additional evening supervision is required.
• Maintain the Activity Area Binder, track equipment usage, and submit a written end-of-session inventory and reflection to the Activity Counselor Division Leader, addressing equipment condition, camper engagement, skill progression, and notable concerns.
• Engage Counselors-in-Training (CITs) as active helpers within the canoeing program, modeling safe waterfront practices, effective instruction, positive youth engagement, and professionalism.
• Support CIT development by gradually involving them in equipment setup, shoreline supervision, instruction support, on-water assistance, and peer mentorship.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Experience working with youth in camp, educational, recreational, or creative settings preferred.
• Background in visual arts, art education, fine arts, or a related field
• Ability to plan and facilitate structured, engaging activities with clear expectations and routines.
• Strong communication skills and ability to give clear, calm, and supportive instructions.
• Commitment to safety, structure, and positive youth development.
• Willingness to engage fully in all aspects of camp life beyond primary activity responsibilities

Additional Requirements

• Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to work a demanding schedule.
• Ability to pass a background check and meet all required immunizations (MMR and Poly required).
• You must be able to work in an outside environment, where you have the ability to walk/hike daily, at various grades, elevations, and on uneven terrain regardless of weather conditions.
• Must be able to lift 40-50 pounds, and carry and load luggage, tables, chairs, and other program equipment
• Other duties as assigned