Sherman Lake YMCA is seeking mature, enthusiastic, hardworking and caring Instructors who role model honesty, caring, respect and responsibility.
Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center delivers unique overnight camping experiences through the discovery of the great outdoors, skill development and guidance in the importance of building social emotional learning skills and healthy relationships. Students and campers leave with a renewed sense of courage, confidence and character. The award-winning Integrated Education Program offers a collaborative, positive and student-centered approach that helps kids find success both academically and socially — serving over 5,000 students each year.
What You'll Be Doing
Integrated Education Program Coordinators
As an Integrated Education Coordinator, you will help students reconnect with one another, celebrate their successes and support their social emotional learning growth while engaging in a fun overnight camp experience. Integrated Education Coordinators ensure the quality programming models of the YMCA’s core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility through coaching, supervision, and observation of staff. Coordinators must be 21 years of age and be available Monday through Friday for both days and overnights.
Integrated Education Instructors
The Sherman Lake YMCA Integrated Education Program is a one-of-a-kind experiential education program that believes in innovation and making a difference in children's lives. Become part of a staff that believes in living and teaching how to live an honest, caring, respectful and responsible life. Integrated Education Instructors will use an experiential and character-based curriculum to deliver 3-5 day programs for local area schools.
Key responsibilities: • Facilitate an overnight cabin group of students from program beginning to end using diligent supervision and application of Sherman Lake YMCA’s relationship building, emotion management, responsibility, empathy, and personal development tools. • Set-up and facilitate all programs run through Sherman Lake YMCA Camp such as climbing, archery/mineshaft, fire building, team building/low ropes, kayaking/canoeing, geocaching/orienteering, nature and art (training provided). • Provide diligent, professional supervision of students during overnight programs that aligns with Sherman Lake YMCA’s policies and procedures.
Don’t worry if you're not proficient in a certain activity. Training will be provided so you’ll become a MASTER Instructor!
Instructor Performance Objectives: • Connect with each camper quickly and make campers feel welcome and included. • Participate 100% in activities and enjoy playing and role modeling. • Recognize and effectively resolve conflicts based on camp values and procedures. • Seek out and use camp resources to create meaningful experiences. • Work proactively with campers showing spontaneity and creativity while promoting social emotional learning skills. • Create a safe environment and unique experiences. • Be proficient in the five adult practice areas of emotion management, empathy, building healthy relationships, personal development and responsibility.
Time Commitment Instructor positions are available during the winter/spring(early February to early June) and the fall season(late August to early December). Staff will need to be available Monday through Friday, days and overnights.
Hot Summer Camp Jobs •Climbing & High Ropes Instructors instruct climbing with campers, ensuring participant safety and that each individual is challenged, whether a first-time camper or a camper who is returning for many weeks or years. Applicants must have training through an accredited or reputable program (certifications preferred) and a minimum of 20 years of age and 3 seasons experience in climbing programs. •Waterfront Instructors (3 positions: Day Camp Boating, Overnight Camp Boating & Sailing, and Overnight Camp Water Exploration & Fishing) instruct water activities with day and overnight campers ensuring that they are challenged, whether a first-time camper or a camper who is returning for many weeks or years. Applicants must be at least 20 years of age and have 3 seasons camping experience, lifeguard certification and established expertise teaching water activities, including boating.
All camp staff will also serve as a Co-counselor in an overnight camp. Learn more about the summer camp staff experience.
Integrated Education Program Overview
During the school year Sherman Lake YMCA offers their patented Integrated Education School Camp Program that combines emotional intelligence and social skills to foster an aptitude and attitude for constructive accomplishment. Learn more about the Integrated Education experience.
The award-winning Integrated Education School Camp Program combines emotional intelligence and social skills to foster an aptitude and attitude for constructive accomplishment. It is a place where kids want to come, want to grow and want to be a positive part of the world around them.
Integrated Education programs strengthen participants by teaching the worldwide values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility in an asset-rich environment using positive role model Instructors who are well versed in teaching social emotional learning skills, using nature and experiential activities to support these important lessons. Teachers also benefit from participating and receive training to integrate these learning methods taking them from camp to classroom for ongoing impact. It is the perfect addition and support to a teacher’s own undertaking at their school.
Location & Facilities
Sherman Lake YMCA is located on 365 acres of forested woodland and waterfront in Augusta, Michigan — near bustling Kalamazoo and the spirited Western Michigan University college town. The Recreation Center sports a fitness center, indoor pool, climbing wall, indoor high ropes course and gymnasium. The campus includes a chapel, nature center, art studio, leadership lodge, two waterfronts, acres of playing fields and two villages.
Challenge & Rewards
Working at camp is truly one of the most challenging and rewarding opportunities you will experience. Sherman Lake YMCA staff are provided with ample training and opportunities to grow and develop skills valuable in any work environment, including leadership skills, personal development skills, group work and collaboration skills, and communication skills.
Compensation ranges from $85-$110/day (with bumps available based on active lifeguarding certification), plus shared housing, meals when groups are onsite, and seasonal YMCA membership. This is a great opportunity for individuals (18 & older) who are interested in working with youth and educators in the recreation field.
Connections & Application
Annual staff canoe trip down the Kalamazoo River.
If you are looking to broaden your teaching strategies outside of the classroom setting and believe in a student-centered program, fill out the online application or email/call Nicole Deir for more information.
Join the Sherman Lake YMCA Team! If you, like us, are excited by the opportunities and undeterred by the challenges of working at the Sherman Lake YMCA… If you want to share your talents and experiences with kids and fellow staff… If you support the teamwork that makes Sherman Lake YMCA special and will project that support by your own example… If you want to experience a lifetime of growth and personal accomplishment…
Nicole Deir
Integrated Education Program Director Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center
6225 North 39th St.
Augusta, MI 49012
(269) 409-3005 nicoled@ymcasl.org ShermanLakeYMCA.org
