Music & Performance Counselor - Sleepaway Camp
Listed on 2026-03-01
-
Education / Teaching
Elementary School, Summer Seasonal, Summer Camp, Youth Development
Music & Performance Counselor - Sleepaway Camp
Location: BCNY Harriman Basecamp, Harriman State Park, Southfields, NY
Employment Dates: June 22 – August 15, 2026
Employment Type: Seasonal, Full-Time, Exempt
Housing: Residential position with shared staff lodging provided
Reports To: Activity Counselor Division Leader
About Us
The Boys’ Club of New York (BCNY) operates a premier sleep‑away camp experience designed for 10 to 17‑year‑old boys and young men to grow through adventure, community, and skill building. Since 1876, BCNY has created environments where young people develop confidence, resilience, teamwork, and leadership, grounded in our core values of Care, Courage, Curiosity, and Community.
At Harriman Basecamp, members engage in structured programs that promote healthy minds and bodies, expand their talents, and encourage positive peer relationships. Guided by evidence‑based youth development practices and our commitment to the 4 Cs, BCNY’s Basecamp programs aim to set a high standard for outdoor education and character development. To strengthen this mission, we continue to build a dedicated team of camp professionals who can deepen and broaden our impact each season.
Job Summary
The Music & Performance Counselor is a dynamic, youth‑centered counselor role responsible for leading engaging, developmentally appropriate music and performance programming for campers ages 10–17. This role serves as the primary facilitator of the Music & Performance activity area, blending creative expression, structured instruction, and rehearsal‑based learning to help campers build confidence, collaboration skills, and follow‑through over the course of the session.
Music & Performance programming at Harriman Basecamp is designed as a progressive experience across the camp session. Campers are introduced to foundational performance skills through structured instruction and guided practice, then build toward collaborative, multi‑day performance projects. Campers who select Music & Performance as one of their committed activities rehearse consistently and are formally listed as performers in the camp’s culminating Award Show, showcasing their work through polished group performances.
Beyond the activity space, Music & Performance Counselors are fully immersed in camp life. They actively support cabin routines, meals, community moments, and camp‑wide programming. Working under the supervision of the Activity Counselor Division Leader and as part of the Activity Counselor team, Music & Performance Counselors collaborate closely with Cabin Counselors, Division Leaders, and camp leadership to ensure consistent supervision, positive youth development, and smooth daily operations.
Mandatory attendance at full pre‑camp staff training (June 22 – July
3) is required to ensure readiness in behavior management, camper supervision, safety protocols, and camp culture alignment.
Responsibilities
Plan and lead engaging, age‑appropriate music and performance programming aligned with camp schedules, themes, and camper interests (e.g., group vocal arrangements, rap and spoken‑word cyphers, choreographed routines, ensemble performance pieces, original song or scene creation).
Facilitate structured instruction and guided practice that introduces campers to performance fundamentals, including rhythm, movement, voice, stage presence, and ensemble collaboration.
Design session‑long programming that allows campers to commit to Music & Performance as a multi‑day project, supporting consistent rehearsal, skill progression, and preparation for performance.
Collaborate with campers to create and rehearse original camp chants, call‑and‑response songs, and performance pieces used during camp‑wide moments, off‑camp trips, community events, and spirit‑building activities.
Use music and performance as tools to strengthen camp culture by reinforcing shared traditions, promoting inclusion and belonging, and building collective energy during community cyphers, celebrations, and transitions throughout the camp day.
Model and demonstrate performance skills for campers, using live examples to reinforce technique, confidence, and expressive engagement.
Support…
(If this job is in fact in your jurisdiction, then you may be using a Proxy or VPN to access this site, and to progress further, you should change your connectivity to another mobile device or PC).