Summer Camp Youngest Camper Counselor Lead - Chicago - Bucktown

Job Details

Location : 1621 W Wabansia Ave, Chicago, IL 60622

Camp Dates : 6/8/2026 (Mon) - 8/7/2026 (Fri) -- (additionally, one weekend to set up, one weekend to breakdown, and an orientation date)

Camp Hours : 8:00 am - 6:00 pm (actual shifts will vary)

Hourly Wage : The hourly rate for this position is $19.50 - $22.00 per hour. The pay range listed here is what Steve & Kate's Camp in good faith anticipates offering for this job opening. Actual compensation offers within this range will depend on experience and other relevant business or organizational factors.

At Steve & Kate's, we put radical trust in kids so that they learn to trust themselves . Campers choose minute-to-minute how to spend their time because making decisions today helps to build the self-confidence they’ll need to wrangle unknowns tomorrow. We value empowering our staff to be their whole authentic selves because everyone in our community needs to feel included! Sound like something you can get behind? If so, we're looking for team members who are motivated babysitters, teachers, coaches, students, athletes, artists, and anyone ready to play hard and be goofy. As a Steve & Kate’s staff member, you’ll sharpen your inherent leadership skills, learn some new ones, and collaborate with interesting people, all while immersing yourself in creativity and play.

Job Responsibilities
The only small piece of this job is the size of your campers’ shoes. Our youngest campers (ages 4-5) are free to take on camp with self-direction like our older campers, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need some extra TLC. As the youngest campers' lead counselor, you’ll utilize resources provided by S&K to implement and manage the structure of the camp day, manage a team of support staff, and generally make sure that we are meeting all the baseline needs of our little ones.

Additional Responsibilities

• Do you appreciate and agree with our self-directed approach for kids?
• Would sparking up conversations with staff, campers and parents fit in your comfort zone? If it is out of your comfort zone are you willing to grow in this area?
• Are you a self-starter excited at the idea of taking ownership of your own mini-program?
• Are you comfortable navigating challenging and sometimes sensitive interactions?
• Are you the type of person who can’t rest until you’ve done everything possible to make someone feel cared for? Like, if someone you knew was in need, would you do more than send them a “thinking of you” text?
• Are you calm under pressure and able to calm those around you?
• Do you have the stamina to keep up (literally) with 4-12 yr. olds bursting with energy and creative potential? And, if needed, can you bench press the equivalent of a kindergartner (just kidding --- can you lift up to 40 pounds)?

Job Requirements

• At least 18 years of age
• Minimum of 2 months experience working with camp–age children, with 1 year preferred, in either a professional, personal or volunteer setting.
• First Aid & CPR certified prior to Day 1 of Camp (some locations may require additional certifications)
• By applying and accepting an offer, you are giving Steve & Kate's permission to email or text you.
• You may be asked to chaperone campers on an off-site Field Trip where locations demand.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the employee to comply with all applicable federal, state, local, Steve & Kate's Camp, Bright Horizons’, and client site requirements concerning immunizations, employment physical/screening, and health and safety training. If hired, you will work in person in a schooled-aged camp setting to provide supervision, care, program delivery, and services per Steve & Kate's Camp and Bright Horizons’ policies, procedures and guidance, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations, and in a manner that will ensure the safety of children in Steve & Kate's Camp's care and the employee.

Steve & Kate's Camp and Bright Horizons comply with all laws that require reasonable accommodations for qualifying disabilities and/or pregnancy-related limitations. The full set of physical requirements for this role are as follows:

• Maintain and follow all safety and health rules of the location.
• Organize and maintain clean and accessible activity spaces.
• Assist in camp set-up and breakdown during move-in and out weekends.
• Stand for long periods while supervising children and facilitating activities.
• Participate in athletic games.

Benefits:

• Where local regulations mandate, this position is eligible for sick time.

Deadline to Apply: This posting is anticipated to remain open until April 15, 2026.