Welcome to NSW Sport and Recreation's website.
You are here:

Camp Counsellor - your next move?Camp Counsellor - your next move?

This article appears in the June 2009 edition of Sportshorts.

Career opportunities at NSW Sport and Recreation Centres

Are you enthusiastic, motivated and enjoy working with children in the great outdoors? Then a job as a Camp Counsellor or Program Officer may be just the ticket! There are two ways you can work for us to deliver our outdoor education and recreation camps – as Holiday staff and Program (Instructional) staff.

Holiday staff

Holiday programs are offered to the public across all age groups. School students aged from 7 to 18 can attend a Kids’ Camp and families can attend Family Camps. Both programs run during the NSW school holidays. Three types of staff provide care and support to participants while they are on these programs.

An Assistant Camp Counsellor (ACC) helps Camp Counsellors (CC) care for and supervise children enrolled in our holiday camps – everything from helping them settle into a new environment on the first day to calming homesickness fears and running a night show! ACCs learn first-hand what’s required to progress to the role of Camp Counsellor.

To become an ACC you must be 18 years of age, have completed a minimum of four years of secondary school and are no longer attending school. You must attend an introductory training weekend before you will be able to apply for holiday camp work.

Important note

Before receiving an offer of employment from NSW Sport and Recreation, candidates must have participated in a NSW Sport and Recreation Child Protection presentation, have signed and submitted all relevant forms such as child protection, code of conduct and proof of identification.

A criminal record check and clearance must be received before appointments are made.

Subscribe to e-updates

This article appears in the June 2009 edition of Sportshorts. Subscribe to our e-updates to be notified of future editions - they're free!

A Camp Counsellor supervises and engages participants throughout the camp program, fostering a positive, inclusive, safe and fun environment. They guide ACCs in their roles and responsibilities. To become a CC you must have met the requirements of the ACC role, successfully complete all core assessments, hold a current Bronze Medallion qualification (or equivalent), hold a current resuscitation award and first aid qualification and have received a recommendation to progress from ACC to CC.

The Senior Camp Counsellor (SCC) is responsible for training the ACCs and CCs at the Centre as well as helping the daily operations of the camp.

To become a SCC you must meet all the requirements of a CC, have attended a minimum of six holiday programs as a CC and received two recommendations from different senior staff at different Centres. You must also have experience in training, assessing and accrediting holiday staff. You must also show that you understand NSW Sport and Recreation policies and philosophy regarding holiday programs.

Program Officers (Instructional)

Program Officers (Instructional) are responsible for developing and delivering outcomes-based programs using a range of fun and inclusive Centre activities. They facilitate activities on holiday camp and community group programs as well as deliver outdoor education programs for schools during school terms. Program Officers must have completed a Certificate IV in outdoor recreation or hold relevant tertiary qualifications, have appropriate knowledge, skills and experience in the delivery of outdoor recreational programs and be able to work with diverse client groups and a commitment to customer service.

Casual Program Officers with the right qualifications may be eligible to work on a casual basis with NSW Sport and Recreation. Anyone can apply throughout the year by calling 13 13 02 and asking for a ‘Casual program staff employment package for new employees’. Successful applicants can then be placed on the casual employee list used by Centres.

We look forward to seeing you on staff at one of our Centres soon!

For more information about casual employment call 13 13 02 or emailcentre.staff@communities.nsw.gov.au

Useful links

Downloads

Related sections