SOAR365 Summer Camp Activity Assistant
Summer Camp Description
SOAR365's Camp Baker is a full -service, handicap-equipped retreat located on 22 wooded acres near Pocahontas State Park in southern Chesterfield County. Camp Baker has been serving individuals with special needs since 1929 when it was a respite for undernourished children known as W.W. Baker Summer Camp. In 1957, ownership was transferred to Chesterfield County under the care of SOAR365 and renamed Camp Baker to serve children with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Over the past 50 years, Camp Baker has undergone many renovations. Today it is a barrier-free, fully accessible facility providing a rewarding "rustic" camp experience for individuals with disabilities, as well as Respite Care, Adult Day and Youth Day Services. State-of-the-art upgrades include the construction of a dining hall, an outdoor amphitheater and a SO-bed lodge to accommodate campers year-round.
Participants ages 6 through adult with disabilities receive care and supervision from our well-trained team of counselors, specialists and program directors. A low staff-to-camper ratio ensures individual attention. Beyond assistance with personal hygiene, meals, toileting and medication management, campers participate in therapeutic, recreational and social activities to achieve these goals:
• Develop friendships
• Build self-esteem and confidence
• Achieve higher levels of independence
• Make smart choices and decisions
• Improve social skills
• Learn the benefits of teamwork
• Master new skills for community living
• Have fun, fun, fun!
Intern Role: The Camp Baker Summer Camp Activity Intern will play a key support role. They will be working in a team oriented environment alongside our summer camp supervisor, and summer camp counseling staff. The intern will lead a specialty activity class: Sports and Rec, Arts and Crafts, Nature, Equestrian groups, or Music.
PLEASE NOTE: This is an in-person position.
Responsibilities:
• Assists with creation of lesson plans for each activity
• Apply activities to people with all abilities
• Plans 4 activities a week and assist with teaching the activities throughout the day
• Plans one evening activity a week and assist with teaching that activity
• Provides activity support to summer camp counseling staff
• Assist with other duties as assigned
Qualifications/Requirements:
• Ability to work independently and under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Organized with attention to detail
• Fluent in English
• Strong teamwork, communication, and critical thinking skills
• Proactive personality with a "can-do" attitude
• Interest in or experience working with Developmental Disabilities population
• Skilled in: Sports/recreation, Arts, Music, hiking/fishing/nature or Equestrian.
• Team player
• Excellent communication skills, able to deliver message effectively verbally and in writing
• Adaptable/ flexible: being open to change (positive or negative) in response to new information, different or unexpected circumstances, and/or to work in ambiguous situations
• Fluent in Spanish a plus
Time commitment
• This position begins June 12- August 19, 2022. Training Dates May 31- June 10, 2022 (not every day will be required training)
• Preferred schedule is Monday-Thursday 8-5* ability to intern for a certain week/weeks
• Please note that this is an unpaid internship