16-18 Year-old Program: Junior Counselors
The junior counselor program is an incredible opportunity for high school students ages 16–18 to gain leadership experience, volunteer in an adventure setting, and invest in middle school students. Junior counselors typically have been Adventure Camp campers and/or Adirondack Leadership Program participants. They act as a positive role model for Adventure campers, assist with games and activities, and build relationships within their small groups. Junior counselor training is required for three days in June, and they can volunteer for 2–6 weeks of the summer.
Junior Counselor Application Deadline: Friday April 12th, 2013
2013 Junior Counselor Training: June 20–22nd.
Junior Counselor Roles
Junior Counselors are an essential part of Adventure Camp: belaying in the rock gym, helping campers with their canoeing, giving encouragement on the high course, and assisting in other adventure activities! They are a role model to the campers through their investment, positive attitude, and service to others.
Leadership Development Opportunity
Being a junior counselor is a chance to grow in leadership, confidence, group dynamics, and working with youth. Junior counselors have opportunities to practice servant leadership daily. All of these are skills that can be carried on beyond the summer!
Counseling Teams
Junior counselors are paired with college-age counselors to work with a small group of 11-13 year-olds. They will have the chance to work with several different groups of campers and possibly different counseling teams as well.
Building Friendships
Past junior counselors have really enjoyed getting to know campers, talking to them about their interests, and listening to their thoughts. Junior counselors meet daily with other "J.C.'s" and staff. Friendship, fun and meaninful conversation are all a part of the camp experience.
Junior Counselor Training
In order to have junior counselors as prepared and confident as possible, training is required before camp starts. This training includes belaying in the rock gym, high course procedures, games, team-building, the role of the junior counselor, MA board of health, and other Adventure Camp components.
Staff Community
Junior Counselors not only have an opportunity to hang out with campers, but they are also an important part of the La Vida Adventure Camp staff community. They join staff for worship and devotionals each morning and debriefing with the staff in the afternoon. Junior counselors are also invited to several staff dinners and recreation times during the summer.
Junior Counselor Staff
La Vida Adventure Camp is committed to leadership development. We not only provide experiences for high school students to lead and serve, but we also ask them to process and learn from the experiences. A Junior Counselor Director will meet with them throughout the summer during daily debriefs, junior counselor breakfasts, or throughout the activity periods to guide them in their leadership development.