Fishing Counselor - Sleepaway Camp

Are you ready for new challenges and new opportunities? Join our team!

• 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: Waterfront Director

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.

The Fishing Counselor is a high‑impact, outdoor‑focused counselor role at Harriman Basecamp, leading engaging and developmentally appropriate fishing programming across multiple approved fishing locations. As the primary facilitator of the fishing activity area, this role blends hands‑on instruction, environmental awareness, and youth mentorship to create experiences that build confidence, patience, and a strong connection to the outdoors.

Fishing programming is offered through scheduled cabin rotations and daily camper sign‑ups, allowing campers to return to the activity, refine skills, and experience meaningful growth over time. Counselors guide campers through casting, knot tying, lure building, fish identification, and ethical catch‑and‑release practices, while modeling responsibility, focus, and respect for nature.

Beyond the water’s edge, Fishing Counselors are fully immersed in camp life. They support cabin routines, share meals, participate in community moments, and contribute to camp‑wide programming. Working as part of the Activity Counselor team and reporting directly to the Waterfront Director, Fishing Counselors collaborate closely with Cabin Counselors, Division Leaders, and camp leadership to ensure safe supervision, positive youth development, and a high‑quality Basecamp experience.

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.

• Plan and lead structured fishing sessions aligned with camp schedules, cabin rotations, and daily camper sign‑ups.
• Provide instruction in core fishing skills and concepts, including knot tying, casting techniques, lure selection and construction, basic tackle setup, fish identification, and ethical catch‑and‑release practices.
• Support campers in completing take‑home and reflective materials such as a lure‑building project, fishing logbook, and knots guide.
• Incorporate environmental education and conservation principles into daily programming.
• Support gradual skill progression through repeated practice, feedback, and encouragement rather than formalized skill levels.
• Create a calm, focused learning environment that values patience, responsibility, and respect for equipment and wildlife.
• Enforce all fishing area safety rules, boundaries, and procedures at all times.
• Provide clear instruction on safe casting techniques, hook handling, fish handling, and appropriate spacing between campers.
• Conduct daily safety checks of rods, reels, lines, hooks, and program materials prior to use.
• Actively supervise campers during all fishing activities and address minor behavioral concerns directly.
• Escalate ongoing, patterned, or higher‑level behavioral concerns to Cabin Counselors, the Waterfront Director, or camp leadership as appropriate.
• Ensure all fishing activities align with camp safety policies and environmental…