Summer Camp Supervisor (Seasonal Contract Position)

Girls Inc of Chicago•Chicago, IL

1d•$25 - $35•Onsite

About The Position

The Summer Camp Supervisor provides leadership, oversight, and hands-on support to ensure the successful planning and implementation of a safe, high-quality summer camp experience for girls participating in Girls Inc. of Chicago’s summer programming. Grounded in the Girls Inc. mission and Strong, Smart, Bold® framework, this role ensures that camp experiences are empowering, inclusive, culturally responsive, and aligned with positive youth development best practices. This role is responsible for supervising camp staff, supporting program delivery, ensuring compliance with organizational policies and safety standards, and fostering a positive, inclusive, and empowering environment for campers and staff. The Camp Supervisor serves as the primary on-site leader during camp operations and works closely with the Director of Community Engagement, Director of Programs, Manager of Programs, program staff, site partners, and People and Operations Department to ensure smooth daily execution.

Requirements

Minimum of 5 years of experience working with children or youth in an out-of-school-time, camp, or educational setting.
Minimum of 3 years of experience supervising staff or leading teams.
Strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to remain calm, organized, and responsive in a fast-paced environment.
Commitment to youth development, equity, inclusion, and positive behavior support.
CPR/First Aid certification (or willingness to obtain prior to camp start).

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree or coursework in education, social work, youth development, recreation, or related field.
Experience working in nonprofit, community-based, or school-partnered programs.
Familiarity with trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices.

Responsibilities

Oversee daily camp operations, including attendance tracking, transitions, meals/snacks, transportation coordination, and site logistics.
Ensure camp schedules, expectations, and activity plans are clearly communicated to staff in advance and reiterated daily.
Ensure programs are delivered with fidelity to Girls Inc. curriculum, Strong, Smart, Bold® outcomes, and youth development best practices.
Coordinate smooth transitions between activities, partner-led sessions, and field trips to minimize downtime and confusion.
Troubleshoot day-to-day challenges and respond promptly to emergencies, incidents, or behavioral concerns using established protocols.
Maintain a safe, structured, and well-organized environment that supports both camper engagement and staff success.
Supervise, coach, and support camp staff (e.g., counselors, instructors, interns, volunteers) to ensure clarity, consistency, and accountability.
Lead daily staff huddles to review schedules, roles, expectations, and anticipated challenges.
Provide on-the-spot problem solving and decision-making support so staff feel supported during the camp day.
Model positive youth development, trauma-informed care, culturally responsive leadership, and professional boundaries.
Provide real-time feedback, redirection, and encouragement to staff; document concerns and escalate to the Director of Community Engagement as needed.
Support staff coverage, scheduling adjustments, break management, and wellness to prevent burnout and ensure safe ratios.
Support and reinforce pre-camp training and onboarding of camp staff.
Ensure staff have a strong understanding of behavior management strategies, safety protocols, and daily routines prior to working with campers.
Reinforce expectations related to professionalism, communication, supervision, and engagement.
Identify additional training or coaching needs during camp and communicate recommendations to program leadership.
Ensure consistent and active supervision of campers at all times.
Support staff in managing challenging behaviors using clear expectations, restorative practices, and developmentally appropriate interventions.
Step in to de-escalate situations when additional leadership support is needed.
Communicate recurring behavior trends, safety concerns, or incidents to the Director of Community Engagement and Director of Programs.
Promote positive relationships, engagement, belonging, and inclusion among campers.
Serve as the primary on-site liaison between camp staff, Girls Inc. of Chicago leadership, and site partners.
Support coordination with external partners and guest facilitators to ensure they are prepared, aligned, and aware of camp expectations.
Communicate professionally and proactively with families when needed, in partnership with program leadership.
Collaborate with operations staff on supplies, transportation logistics, meals, field trips, and facility needs.
Ensure accurate daily attendance, incident reports, and required documentation are completed consistently and on time.
Support compliance with licensing, funder, and Girls Inc. of Chicago requirements.
Maintain confidentiality and uphold ethical, professional standards at all times.