Employment

At Poly Summer, we carefully select the highly qualified and talented individuals who comprise our dedicated summer team. While each individual brings unique skills and experiences to camp, all of our team members bring forth the playfulness, patience, passion, and professionalism that ensure a positive summer experience for campers.

Position Descriptions | Hiring Process | Staff FAQs

2024 Employment Opportunities

Unless noted, all posted positions require a commitment for the duration of the program as outlined in each position description.

  • Performing Arts Day Camp – Position Descriptions

    Performing Arts Day Camp runs from July 1-August 2, 2024.

    Employees must commit to working all five weeks, in addition to attending  staff training sessions in June.

    View job descriptions for:

     

  • Summer Experience Day Camp – Position Descriptions

    Summer Experience Day Camp runs from July 1-August 9, 2024.

    Employees must commit to working all six weeks, in addition to attending  staff training sessions in June.

    View job descriptions for:

  • Camp Nurse – Position Description

    Join our summer team for a rewarding experience serving campers ranging in age from 3.5 through 15.
    Poly Summer seeks a State of New York Registered Nurse who will serve as the day camp nurse from July 5 through August 4.  Our candidate will be team players with a blend of medical and administrative experience. The camp nurse reports to the Camp Health Director, and works in Poly Summer’s Camp Health Office, a clean and air-conditioned space.
    Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
    • Supervise the care of all cases of illness and accident to campers and staff
    • Operate the Camp Health Office and maintain supplies and equipment
    • Supervise the general health history and safety of campers and staff
    • Complete written reports
    • Contribute to the positive relationships between staff, campers, camp administrators, and camp families.
    Knowledge, Skill, and Ability:
    • Maintain standards of camp policies and procedures
    • Cope with emergencies with good judgment
    • Recognize potential health and safety hazards
    • Read prescriptions and health exams
    • Recognize common childhood illnesses
    • Awareness and experience with children ages 8.5 through 15 and young adults
    • Keep organized and accurate records
    • Communicate effectively with campers and staff
    • Provide necessary instruction and experiential learning opportunities to campers and staff
    • Communicate with parents and medical personnel on a daily basis.
    • Observe camper behavior and apply appropriate behavior management techniques
    • Get to remote locations on camp property quickly in the event of an emergent situation
    • Use the telephone, fax, computer, and camp software program
    • Observe and assess unsanitary or unhealthy conditions of camp
     Working Environment/Physical Demands
    • Poly Summer offers an upbeat, friendly, positive environment which staff view as a place where the “get to” spend their summer not “have to” spend their summer
    • Staff can expect to walk outdoors as needed throughout the camp day.
    • Lifting or carrying campers may be required
    • Must be willing to authorize a full criminal background investigation as well as a review by the NYS Sex Offender Registry in compliance with Article 13-B of the Public Health Law
    • Flexibility in schedule as an emergency situation may demand
    Qualifications:
    • State of New York Registered Nursing License, Active
    • Current Certification in CPR
    Experience:
    • Pediatric experience
    • Camp employment experience desirable
    • School employment experience desirable

    Nurses with children who are of camp age are eligible for camperships within our program.

    Email resume to:  summer@polyprep.org



Hiring Process

We welcome qualified candidates to apply for positions at Poly Summer. Hiring happens on a rolling basis throughout the year until all positions are filled. We receive many applications for each position and, therefore, are highly selective.

Our hiring process includes:

  • Staff Application: Apply online.
  • Personal Interview: If an applicant’s skills and experience match one of our job openings, we will invite the candidate to join us for an individual or group interview with a program director.
  • 2 Professional/Personal References: A combination of individuals from work and/or school who can attest to your skills and integrity is required.
  • Employment Verification: Confirmation of past employment experience will be conducted through our office.
  • State and National Criminal Background Checks: Before we allow hired applicants to work with children, we conduct both a NYS Sex Offender Inquiry and a National Criminal Background check.
  • We place great value on applicants who demonstrate initiative and maturity. Phone calls and emails from applicants’ parents are frowned upon in the hiring process.

Poly Prep is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment.  We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Staff FAQ

  • Is working at a camp as valuable as getting a summer internship?

    Working at a camp is both an amazing experience and an amazing resume builder. Behind all of its fun, camp is a serious business that cultivates a valuable skill set in its employees. If you love to work hard, think outside the box, serve as a leader, and care for those around you, you may wish to choose the camp job over the summer internship. Ultimately, you can translate your camp employment into an impressive resume for your future employer.

  • What considerations are important when applying to work at a camp?

    Successful camp counselors are compassionate, cooperative, and enthusiastic individuals. They look for opportunities to engage with others, and they find joy in helping kids make friends, face their fears, try new things, and feel safe. “Connection” is the key word at camp, and all camp staff are expected to make this the priority during employment.

  • How many staff work at Poly Summer?

    Each summer, we employ over 225 teachers, coaches, specialists, counselors, and staff. Staff ages range from 16 through “very experienced” adults. The average age of our summer staff is 25 years old.

  • What will my typical day be like at Poly Summer?

    Our staff members set the tone for each camp day, and therefore arrive earlier than both campers and students. All staff members must arrive by 8:15 AM, and may leave after campers have departed, by approximately 4:00 PM each day. Staff members are involved in all camper activities including lunch, and they work across divisions to support camper engagement, happiness, and safety.  Weekly staff meetings are required at a time to be determined by each division head.

  • Will I need to bring a lunch?

    If you are a staff member for any one of our full-day camp programs, your employment includes free access to a nutritious and delicious lunch including salads, fresh fruit, and barbecue days. Counselors serve and sit with their campers and are expected to supervise while at lunch.

  • What do staff wear?

    Your personal appearance is important. While we are happy that Poly Prep Summer is a social experience, we remind employees that they have been hired as professionals in our programs.  As such, all staff are required to wear their staff T-shirt on a daily basis.  Additionally, staff must wear sneakers as it models the expectation we place on our campers for safety.  Staff should wear casual or athletic shorts that are mid-thigh or longer.  Staff members that are not in uniform or inappropriately dressed may be sent home for the day without compensation.

  • Will there be staff training before the first day of camp?

    You will be required to complete 8-10 hours of staff training in June, which will cover all aspects of camp and what will be expected of you in your specific role as a staff member. Staff training also gives you an opportunity to get to know other staff and for all of us to form a strong and supportive community going into the camp season.

  • What responsibilities will I have?

    Each position in camp comes with daily responsibilities for which you will be held accountable. We invest significant time into choosing the right person for each position and we will support you in your position to do a great job. To reach our goal of providing our campers with the safest, happiest, healthiest, and most fun-filled summer, it requires a fully committed staff, both individually and collectively.  Working with some children will challenge you to be at your best and although this job isn’t easy, it is fun and rewarding. Whether you are looking to build your experience working with children or as part of an integral team, or you love being outdoors, a summer here at Poly Prep is an experience that will prove to be invaluable and memorable for a lifetime!

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