Child and Youth Program; Camp Counselor

Child and Youth Program (Camp Counselor)

Summary CYP Assistants work directly with children and youth, keeping them actively engaged, well‑cared for, and safe while participating in the CYP. The assistant’s day includes helping children develop social skills such as making friends and conflict resolution, making healthy choices about nutrition and recreational activities, building self‑help and school readiness skills, and exploring the surrounding environment.

The duties and responsibilities of the CY Program Assistant are grouped into categories: curriculum; indoor and outdoor environment; interactions and relationships; supervision of children and youth; parent and employee communication; assessment; compliance; and additional responsibilities.

• Develops schedules and activity plans, reviewing and providing input into plans created by entry‑ and intermediate‑level Educational Aids (CY‑1702‑I).
• Ensures program plans and activities incorporate the observed needs of individual children and youth.
• Implements activities and special events that meet the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive needs of participants, incorporating special instructions from parents such as dietary and physical needs.
• Prepares and implements program options for children and youth with special requirements, and cares for children with special needs as directed by the supervisor.
• Demonstrates, instructs, leads, and facilitates planned and spontaneous program activities.
• Models safe, fitness, health, and nutrition practices.
• Arranges for and/or serves appropriate snacks or meals where applicable.

• Prepares, arranges, and maintains indoor and outdoor activity areas and materials to accommodate daily schedules.
• Sets up displays and bulletin boards.
• Inventories equipment regularly and recommends replenishment of damaged, missing, or depleted supplies.
• Secures supplies, equipment, and facilities.

• Establishes a program environment that sustains participant interest and promotes positive interactions among children, youth, and adults.
• Interacts with children and youth using approved child‑guidance and youth‑development techniques.

• Provides care, supervision, oversight, and accountability for program participants in compliance with DoD, NAF, and local installation policies and standards.
• Maintains control of and accounts for whereabouts and safety of children and youth.
• Supervises participants during daily schedules, field trips, outings, and special events.
• Ensures participants depart with authorized persons according to written parental instructions.
• Observes participants for signs of illness, abuse, or neglect and reports as directed; serves as a mandatory reporter to Family Advocacy and CPS.

• Interacts professionally with employees, parents, and local installation personnel.
• Provides parents with daily verbal or written feedback about their child or program activities.
• Participates in conferences with parents and employees.

• Observes children and youth and documents developmental progression and concerns, using the information for planning.
• Participates in program evaluation with designated instruments such as rating scales, risk assessment tools, self‑inspection materials, and national accreditation tools.

• Assists in achieving and maintaining DoD certification and national accreditation or equivalent.
• Ensures compliance with applicable laws, policies, and regulations; notifies supervisor of health, fire, and safety concerns.

• Collects, maintains, and reports program participation data.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

• Must be 18 years of age or older.
• Complete required training certificates and maintain certifications or credentials required by Federal, State, and/or national accreditation institutions used as part of DoD Child and Youth Programs.
• Pass all applicable records and background checks.
• Undergo pre‑employment and random drug testing; a positive test or failure to submit for testing is grounds for removal.
• Pass a…