Join the Quest

In our Quest to build a greater, connected camp community, Island Quest Day Camp is the home to passionate, dedicated and inspiring camp professionals! From our Counselors in Training to our Division Heads, Administrators to Specialists – all of our team members receive extensive training and participate in orientations where they learn to collaborate with supportive, like-minded professionals to give every kid a rich summer experience and a lifetime of memories.

We have ambitious expectations of you for helping campers make appropriate choices, problem solve, and navigate relationships. You’ll partner with us and our campers to build a vibrant camp community, strengthened by universally accepted Jewish values which include living courageously, seeking solutions, treasuring heritage and more!

To apply for our positions please click here.

If you have any questions please email [email protected].

Office Manager (Full-Time)

The Office Manager is an integral part of the operations and implementation team for Island Quest Day Camp.  This position is a great opportunity to join the team for its inaugural summer.  You will have the opportunity to participate and generate impact on the ground level of a start-up summer camp, with the support of well established agencies and the investment of state of the art facilities.

The Office Manager is responsible for many outreach and administrative functions.  Examples of projects include coordinating processes, assisting with onboarding and purchasing and the overall registration process.  This position is looking for a candidate with an organized skill-set to help launch a successful product.  Strong teamwork and collaboration skills will mark traits of the best candidate.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Respond to all forms of communication from camp stakeholders and solve inquiries.
  • Collaborate with vendors and other key personnel to improve programs for campers, including application/brochure materials, daily schedules, registration, and policies.
  • Recruit/retain campers.  Attend Camp Fairs and Community Events and support camper recruitment and retention efforts.
  • Coordinate camper and camp staff related paperwork.
  • Maintain a variety of files and forms for the purpose of documenting and/or providing reliable information relative to camper and staff records.
  • Maintain the camp databases, including updating contact information.
  • Must have the ability to prepare online and printed forms (i.e. Applications, Medical Forms, etc.) and other job-related documents using prescribed format and conforming to the rules of punctuation and grammar.
  • Prepare and disseminate informational lists and trackers (i.e. Medical, Aftercamp) to the administrative staff.
  • Create and maintain tracking systems for inquiries and lead generation for campers and staff.
  • Track and manage internal purchasing processes including expense reconciliation and vendor relations.
  • Manage and update the camp focused social media platforms.
  • Provide logistical support for workshops and events for professional development and recruitment.
  • Establish camper accounts for billing, and adjust the accounts appropriately when enrollments change.
  • Ability to travel to multiple locations throughout the year throughout Queens and Long Island on a regular basis.

 

SKILLS

  • Excellent project management and time management skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, handle and prioritize simultaneous requests, and manage laterally and upwards.
  • Creative and analytical thinker with strong problem-solving approach.
  • Must demonstrate ability to communicate effectively with clients and colleagues across the agency.

 

Seasonal Positions

Unit Head (as per Department of Health must be 21+)
Unit Heads are the primary caregivers for each camper. The unit head is responsible for supervising and managing a unit, which is a group of campers in the same grade level as well as all the senior and junior counselors placed in that unit. The Unit Heads is responsible for planning, teaching, coordinating, and carrying out activities, guiding campers, and staff in their personal growth and daily living skills in a camp day.

 

Senior Counselor (as per Department of Health must be 18+)

Counselors are the backbone of our camp community and are the primary caregivers for our campers. Seniors Counselors are the real super heroes, ensuring that all campers are having a safe and enjoyable summer experience every day of camp. Senior Counselors are responsible for collaborating with the Junior Counselors in their group to create an engaging experience for all campers throughout the summer.

Adventure/Outdoor Challenge Instructor

To further the mission of the camp through the development and delivery of adventure challenge activities at the camp. Includes Low Ropes and Ninja Warrior Course. Deliver adventure challenge activities that are safe, fun, and appropriate to the campers’ age and abilities.  Assist in the management to the physical operation of the adventure challenge facilities and equipment.

 

Essential Job Functions:

  • Deliver a fun adventure challenge program to campers.
  • Write lesson plans that meet camp outcomes and the abilities of the campers.
  • Evaluate adventure challenge abilities of campers and staff.
  • Deliver progressive adventure challenge program activities.
  • Evaluate the success of the adventure challenge programs and the development of the campers’ abilities and skills in adventure challenge.
  • Expand the camp’s activities with new games and initiatives.
  • Develop new processing and debriefing tools.
  • Ensure that camp staff and campers know and follow safety and educational procedures in adventure challenge.
  • Assist in the implementation of staff training for adventure challenge activities.
  • Provide guidelines for a program utilizing the initiatives and the challenge course.
  • Train other staff in their adventure challenge  responsibilities including spotting.
  • Ensure campers and staff follow safety procedures for adventure challenge activities.
  • Assist in the management and care of the physical facilities and equipment in the program area.
  • Conduct daily check of area and equipment for safety, cleanliness, and good repair.
  • Maintain the adventure challenge course equipment and elements.
  • Clean challenge course area daily keeping it free of hazards and debris.

Other Job Duties:

  • Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities.
  • Participate as a member of the camp staff team to deliver and supervise evening programs, special events, overnights, and other all-camp activities and camp functions.

Qualifications:  (Minimum Qualifications and Experience)

  • Current certification in challenge course operation or documented experience and training. 
  • Current certification in first aid and CPR. 

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

  • Training and experience in teaching adventure challenge activities.
  • Desire and ability to work with children outdoors.

Physical Aspects of the Position:

  • 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.
  • Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.
  • Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of campers.

 

Gymnastics Specialist

Position Purpose:

To further the mission of the camp through the development and delivery of gymnastics activities that are safe, fun, and appropriate to the campers’ age and abilities.  Assist in the management of the physical operation of the gymnastics equipment.

Essential Job Functions:

  •   Develop and deliver a gymnastics program that is appropriate for the age and ability of the campers
  • Evaluate abilities of campers and staff.
  • Deliver progressive gymnastics activities.
  • Evaluate the success of the gymnastics program.
  • Ensure that camp staff and campers know and follow safety and educational procedures
  • Assist in the implementation of staff training for gymnastics.
  • Train other staff in their responsibilities when at gymnastics.
  • Ensure campers and staff follow safety proceduress
  • Assist in the management and care of the physical facilities and equipment in the gymnastics program area
  • Maintain the gymnastics equipment including beams, bars, mats etc.
  • Ensure the security of the gymnastics equipment when not in use.
  • Conduct daily checks of area and equipment for safety, cleanliness and good repair.
  • Clean gymnastics equipment daily.

Other Job Duties:

  • Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, planning  and leading those as assigned.
  • Participate as a member of the camp staff team to deliver and supervise evening programs, special events, overnights and other all-camp activities and camp functions.
  • ­ Assist in the planning of any special events.

Qualifications  (Minimum Qualifications and experience)

  • Documented experience in gymnastics instruction or documented training and experience.
  • Current certification in first aid and CPR.
  • Training and experience in teaching gymnastics to children


Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

Experience in setting up, securing and maintaining gymnastics equipment


Camp Specialist

Position Purpose:

To further the mission of the camp through the planning and delivery of specific quest (specialty) area program activities and events.  Specialist positions include: Cheerleading, Gymnastics, Team Sports, Individual Sports, STEM, Photography/Videography, Media and more!

Essential Job Functions Pre Camp:

  • Staff Trainings 
  • Attend planning meetings & program development (as needed)
  • CPR/First Aid Training (as needed) 
  • Help in developing the scope and sequence of quest (specialty) curriculum and personalize and implement lesson plans
  • Participate in training and collaborative lesson planning and scheduling

Essential Job Functions Camp 365:

Attend off -season events such as recruitment events and parent/camper engagement events both virtually and/or in-person    

 

STEM Specialist

Position Purpose:

To further the mission of the camp through the planning and delivery of specific quest area program activities and events.  Design and deliver specific STEM program activities that are safe, fun, and  appropriate to the campers’ age and abilities.  

 

Essential Job Functions Pre Camp:

  • Staff Trainings 
  • Attend planning meetings & program development (as needed)
  • CPR/First Aid Training (as needed) 
  • Help in developing the scope and sequence of quest curriculum and personalize and implement lesson plans
  • Participate in training and collaborative lesson planning and scheduling

 

Essential Job Functions Camp 365:

Attend off -season events such as recruitment events and parent/camper engagement events both virtually and/or in-person    

 

Essential Job Functions During Camp:

  • Understand and manage your quest area
  • Ensure lesson plans for your quest area are prepared and implemented that meet camp outcomes and the abilities of the campers
  • Deliver progressive program activities
  • Evaluate the success of the program and the development of the campers’ abilities and skills in various program activities
  • Ensure that camp staff and campers know and follow safety and educational procedures during camp programs
  • Provide guidelines for specific quest area programs utilizing camp equipment
  • Ensure campers and staff follow safety procedures in all program areas
  • Oversee daily checks of area and equipment for safety, cleanliness, and good repair
  • Maintain clear and positive verbal communication with all camp staff
  • Participate enthusiastically in all camp activities, providing support and guidance to those assigned as leaders
  • Participate as a member of the camp staff team to deliver special events, and other all-camp activities and camp functions
  • Provide ongoing program ideas to quest area staff
  • Create camper and group program and activity schedules with Assistant Director and Camp Director
  • Attend Staff meetings

 

Relationships:

Program Specialists supervise Quest area activities.  Also will have a direct relationship working closely with the counseling staff as well as their Quest Program Director.

 

Minimum Qualifications & Requirements 

  • Preferred but not required; current instructional certification in program or STEM related experience
  • Ability to interact with all age levels
  • Understand the developmental needs of young people 
  • Able to lead and collaborate with counselors staff for a successful summer with campers
  • Ability to relate and communicate to youth and adults in a positive manner
  • Demonstrate knowledge and skill in program area
  • Ability to be flexible and and adapt to changing needs
  • Approach every interaction with young people with from a strengths based perspective 
  • Commitment to work collaboratively with others to create a safe and supportive camp environment 

 

Water Safety Instructor (as per Department of Health must be 16+)

Water Safety Instructors are responsible for supervising all swim activities to help prevent and manage injuries at camp. Teach swim to campers groups daily, and ensure campers and staff follow all necessary safety procedures while at the pool complex. Applicants must enjoy working with children, possess the ability to work on a team and work well with others. Be prepared to spend the entire day outdoors, under the sun. Experience working with children with special needs a plus.

To inquire about open positions, please email us with a resume and cover letter at [email protected].