High Standards for Camp Counselors

BCAP's high standards for staff members start with our age and experience requirements. Group Counselors must be at least 18 years old and have completed their senior year of high school. Head Counselors must be 21 years old, and have completed at least 2 years of college.

Candidates for the Group Counselor position must exhibit a capacity for leadership, including problem-solving skills, positive and effective communication and an ability to uphold high expectations. They must display an ability to serve as positive role models, set firm boundaries, exercise patience and see things from a child's perspective. We look for individuals that exude the same love for learning, discovery and creation that we aim to foster with our children. They must have experience with diverse populations. Finally they've got to know how to have fun!

Candidates for the Head Counselor position must possess the same qualities that Group Counselors possess. In addition, they must have prior experience teaching a group of children, either in the classroom or the Out-of-School-Time setting. They must demonstrate prior effective experience in a supervisory role. Due to these standards, our Head Counselors tend to be either experienced educators or veteran Group Counselors who have worked at BCAP Summer Camp for at least 2 years with a track record of excellent leadership.

Our Hiring and Employee Screening Process

All potential staff members must submit a current professional resume, provide three references and participate in an interview with the director. Candidates must exhibit experience with youth, an ability to work with others, high energy and motivation, and a willingness to learn and share with children while maintaining a safe environment. Upon successful completion of an interview, Heart of Brooklyn verifies references for all senior staff and conducts a search with the NYS Sex Offender Registry. (For more information on how to apply for a position as a BCAP Head Counselor, Group Counselor, Intern or CIT, please follow the link in the navigation menu on the left side of your screen labeled BCAP Career Opportunities.

Our Training

Staff participates in an orientation program (approved by NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene). The Health and safety portion of staff training includes CPR training and first aid certification including treatment for severe allergic reactions and EpiPen training. Staff also learns camp-specific security procedures for each HOB institution. We prepare our counselors to foster a positive and dynamic camp culture through training in group management, team building, identifying and supporting the individual needs of each camper, disciplinary protocol. We work with our partners, the educational staff of each institution we visit, to ensure our staff is equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary for supporting camp curriculum and camper achievement.

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