Are you looking for a leadership opportunity? Are you excited about the possibility of introducing and cultivating a love of your activity? Are you ready to motivate and develop the teaching talents and skill set of your staff? Then being an Agawam Activity Head might be for you.
Job Title: Activity Head / Head of Sailing
Overview: Agawam Activity Heads ensure the quality of the overall program at their own activity by preparing and supporting their staff in the instruction safety and skills of the activity.
Sailing Head: To further the mission of the camp through assisting in the planning of sailing activities at the camp’s waterfront. Deliver sailing lessons and activities that are safe, fun, and appropriate to the campers’ age and abilities. Oversee maintenance of sailboats (10 JY-15s). Assist in the management of the physical operation of the waterfront’s facilities and equipment. Oversee racing sailing program including teaching racing rules, strategies, and techniques, preparing campers for regattas at other camps, and running Agawam’s weekly intercamp sailing series.
Classification: Exempt / Full Time / Seasonal
Reports to: Head of Instruction and Waterfront Director
Essential Job Functions
- Provide for the progression of activities within the framework of individual and group interests and abilities.
- Create and deliver intentional and engaging lesson plans
- Be sure that this program includes regular attention to the needs of campers who have never participated and those with beginner, intermediate and advanced skill levels.
- Be sure campers use equipment that is of the proper size and quality for their particular size, skill, and ability.
- Organize the staff likely to be assigned to your activity. Be sure that they understand and are consistent with campers on: (i) safety rules and procedures; (ii) camper orientation; (iii) teaching methods; (iv) elements of awards and what will be accepted as passing answers or performance; (v) equipment use, maintenance, and storage; (vi) record-keeping; and (vii) understand each other’s areas of strength and weakness regarding aspects of the activity so that campers needing instruction can be assigned to the appropriate staff member.
- Ability to communicate and work with groups participating (age and skill levels) and provide necessary instruction to campers and staff.
- Ability to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
- Ability to observe staff behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate management techniques.
- Model organizing activity periods - choosing teams, grouping campers, starting and ending periods on time, etc.
- Ensure that a variety of creative special events are being conducted during optionals to attract and sustain camper, and counselor, interest in the activity. Be aware of regular rotation of skill periods, as mentioned above.
- Prepare appropriate, entertaining and brief presentations for weekly awards ceremonies. Monitor camper progress within the award structure. Be sure enough, but not, too many, awards are being earned. Be sure that office award sheets are completed before the Awards Ceremony each Sunday morning.
- Monitor the progress, achievement and student teaching of campers working for the "Woodcrafter Award" at your activity. Also be aware of the Katiakis for boys in your specialty and give feedback to the cabin counselor.
- Provide ongoing evaluation of the activity site and equipment. Encourage your staff to do the same. Always keep an eye toward the physical appearance of your activity area and the equipment and supplies used there. Does it appear safe, orderly and professional? Is equipment always stored properly? All equipment should be regularly checked for safety and repair. Report any maintenance problems to the Director of Operations as soon as possible. Make timely requests for purchases to the Director of Programs; maintain clean and safe activity area
- Know the contents of, maintain and update the Activity Notebook and any office files related to your activity. Create an updated record so that a completely new staff could recreate all aspects of the activity in your absence.
- Complete a report on the status of your activity and its off-season equipment repair and acquisition needs at the end of the summer. Also be sure that activity sheets are completed for each camper in camp.
- Comply with the American Camping Association accreditation standards. Become familiar with standards that apply to any activity area and standards that are specific to your activity.
- Take the lead in working with the Head of Instruction to verify the skills of any staff that might be assigned as a counselor at your activity before assignment.
- Provide informal observation and frequent feedback to your activity staff in routine, supportive manner. After Main Idea and at midseason, complete performance conferences and written assessments for staff assigned by the Program Director. For each, complete a Recommendation on Rehiring form at the end of the season.
- Prepare staff and campers for any intercamp competitions in which your activity is involved.
- Work with the coordinators of the Ag Wam competition to properly plan and execute any Ag Wam events that involve your activity.
- Work with the Director of Programs and the Program Director to ensure that teams are adequately formed, prepared and staffed to compete in inter-camp competitions. Be a role model in terms of sportsmanship, coaching and appropriate competitive behavior. Include coaching, supervision, officiating and camper safety and welfare in your planning.
- Work with the Director of Programs and the Program Director to ensure proper camper selection and staff assignments for specialty teaching units so that instruction during that period is especially well planned and skill oriented.
- Understand and publicly take the lead in promoting the ideals, philosophy, and traditions of Camp Agawam to our campers, fellow staff members, and camp visitors.
- Perform and role model all duties of an Activity Counselor.
- Perform such other work as requested by the Camp.
Equipment Used:
- JY-15 sailboats
- Jon boats (tin can motorboats)
- Whaler (rescue boat)
Working Conditions:
- The visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity
- The physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness or injury, etc.) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers
- The physical ability to work in varied temperatures (heat, cold, sun, rain, etc.) and traverse over somewhat rough terrain
- Position requires living on-site at camp in rustic cabins with up to 10 campers and possibly 1 or more other staff
- Position requires supervision of children for up to 23 hours a day (counselors sleep in cabins with the campers)
- Ability to spend extended periods of time interacting with children and colleagues, including in groups of five or more people
- Deliver a safe and fun program for campers with varying degrees of knowledge, skills, and abilities often times in arduous and varying weather conditions
Other Job Duties:
- Contribute to verbal and written evaluations and communication as requested.