Summer Camp Counselor

Dance Place is hiring!  We are seeking several dynamic, motivated, and talented individuals to join our team as Summer Camp Counselors for our nationally recognized, cultural arts center in Washington, DC. This full-time, non-exempt position will bring support to our passion for building a sustainable community of artists, audiences, and students through high-quality performances, commissions, training, and educational programs.  Dance Place anticipates a need to hire up to nine (9) Summer Camp Counselors for this exciting onsite work opportunity. The pay rate for this role is $20.00/hour.  

Applications for this seasonal work will be accepted until April 4, 2025. We encourage all interested candidates to apply promptly.

Heralded as the “hub of dance activity in Washington, DC”, Dance Place is an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourages qualified applicants from underrepresented communities to apply. We believe that people of color, people in the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, and women must be centered in the work we do. Hence, we strongly encourage people with these identities or who are members of other marginalized communities to apply to our openings. Come enjoy an exciting and inclusive team environment of movement artists who share a common goal of strengthening the dance field by investing deeply in artists and centering those who have been systemically excluded from such opportunities.  For more information on our amazing organization, please visit our site at https://www.danceplace.org. 

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Summer Camp Counselor is primarily responsible for crafting and executing the Creative Arts Summer Camp Program curriculum. Reporting to the Creative Arts Program Manager, this role involves supporting daily camp operations, supervising campers, lesson planning, and actively engaging with campers during all camp activities. Summer Camp Counselors create positive, nurturing relationships with campers by planning, developing, and implementing summer program activities. 

The anticipated duration for this seasonal role is six weeks, covering June 30 - August 8, 2025. As a full-time employee, the Summer Camp Counselor will work 40.0-hour work weeks (9:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday, and 9:00 am - 6:00 pm one day per week to cover one aftercare shift) during this season.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS, DUTIES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES

At a minimum, the Summer Camp Counselor role will be responsible for successfully carrying out the following essential functions and duties:

General Duties

• Collaborate with co-counselors to develop and execute daily lesson plans, adhering to the established curriculum.


• Assist in select camp classes and activities.


• Supervise and engage campers throughout daily activities.


• Support positive communication with campers, families, and camp staff. 


• Oversee the aftercare shift one day per week (5:00 pm - 6:00 pm).


• Assist with facilitating the Creative Arts Summer Camp Performance (the evenings of August 7 - 8, 2025).

Meetings and Professional Development

• Participate in and successfully complete the Summer Camp staff training (June 23 -26, 2025).

Collaboration and Space Management

• Collaborate closely with co-counselors and  Dance Place's Teen Leadership Supervisor to identify areas of program synergy and overlap.


• Oversee and maintain the cleanliness, upkeep, and general maintenance of the Creative Education Center (CEC), 101 (Teen Leader Classroom), BAL Studio, Dance Place Main building, and Edgewood Arts Center.

*The list of functions is not all-inclusive, as other duties and responsibilities may be assigned as needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS: EXPERIENCE AND OTHER SKILLS & ABILITIES

Education:

High school diploma is required.

Experience:

Minimum of 1-2 years of educational classroom experience.

Other Necessary Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to implement age-appropriate and developmentally-appropriate program activities.


• Willingness to collaborate as an effective and active team player.


• Ability to develop positive relationships with people from different backgrounds.


• Available to work for the duration of the summer camp program (June 30 - August 8, 2025).

Computer/Technology Skills:

• Proficient in Google Suite (Google Docs, Google Sheets, Gmail), Microsoft Office products, or similar web applications for administrative tasks.

Desired Skills, Qualities, and Abilities (not required):

• An appreciation for the art of dance.

Physical Demands:

This position requires the ability to sit and stand for prolonged times; walk moderate distances; frequently lift/carry up to 25 lbs.; occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, or crouch; frequently communicate verbally with others; view a computer screen for prolonged periods; and repetitive motions with wrists, hands, and fingers due to typing. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Our staff is diverse, small, lively, and highly collaborative. We have frequent interactions with visiting teachers, artists, and students of all ages. While some of Dance Place staff currently work a hybrid schedule, splitting time between our main office in Washington, DC, and remote work, the Summer Camp Counselor role is an onsite position. Due to the in-person aspects of the position, all employees are required to adhere to Dance Place’s current COVID-19 policy.