camp counselor

camp director

camp leader

waterfront director

development associate

Fresh Air Fund

In the beginning I thought the company was great , its taking children from their rough neighborhood into an atmosphere where they can learn about other culture, race, etc. However, as time goes by I noticed that there were a lot of favoritism taking place. People who were teachers got dropped down and ended up not being able to teach culture in there class. Teachers were playing favoritism with their students because there were students in some classes who did great but only got a pat on the shoulder/a good job. I hated it. If a camper and  a counselor had an conflict it counselor is the one that is being blamed.There were so many things wrong with it that I just couldn't wait to leave. The bright side is some of the Head Counselors are nice and some of them got some attitude that they need to work on. Meeting new people from various parts of the world were awesome too because of that I have gain some new friends. So I would say I have learned that I would never ever want to work in such an atmosphere again..

A typical day at work consisted of rising early in the morning and getting prepared for a morning meeting with coworkers. Then it's time to wake up your group of kids. The kids that you are responsible for the entire that encampment and sleep in the cabin with you. It's your duty to get the kids ready for breakfast and other plans of the day; shower, brush teeth etc. Next as a whole we head over to the dining hall for breakfast. For the rest of the day we attend numerous activities and the lake for swimming. We also return to the dining hall for lunch and dinner, yummy deserts always provided. Each day has a special event whether it's a talent show or an evening on the ball field etc. At the end of the day we make sure kids are showered and teeth brush, get them in bed and prepare for the next day.

Over the summer, we keep our luggage in cabins and participate in several activities with children during the day. I learned to strengthen my ability of team work with others and to break out of my shell to communicate with others more to do this. My manager was very polite to my co-workers and I, and she also did everything to her ability to keep everything running smoothly. The workplace culture revolved around the idea of team building, for the councilors and the campers, and positive competition. The hardest part of the job was to get certain children to listen because some children rebel more than others. The most enjoyable part of this job is being able to give the kids a great and enjoyable summer experience.

I interned here and overall it was a good environment to learn and develop customer service skills. I pretty much reviewed/processed applications and contacted parents/guardians regarding their children's applications. After I got the hang of it, everyday was pretty much the same. The programs that were offered were a bit different this summer due to the pandemic but the application process was relatively the same. The workload could be a lot sometimes but the supervisors were supportive and welcoming if you had any questions. Overall, I recommend interning/working here as you learn a lot-- how to help families as well as how to provide good customer service. 

Typical day would include teaching computer science/Literacy and Camper Development. Individuals learn various activities along with essential skills that the children can not only use in the organization but also in there everyday life in the city. Management is amazing and the supervision is always on top. The co-workers are fun, energetic and get the various task done on time or ahead of schedule. The hardest part of the job is stopping the assignment at the end of the day due to the fact the project/assignments are always interesting. The most enjoyable part of work is seeing that the individuals work shows through the children in there everyday process.

The Fresh Air Fund is doing something amazing for NYC kids. Being one of those kids I would've loved to have gone away to one of their camp sites because I had so much fun working there as an adult, I can only imagine how it must've felt being a kid there. This kind of job isn't for everyone because of the daily stress from hard work and how much energy you must pull out of yourself to create the best possible summer for the kids. The job is 100% rewarding in the sense that when it's time to say goodbye, there will be children you connect with and you will notice yourself holding back tears of joy and sadness as you see them leave, but you are left with the satisfaction of knowing that you gave them all you could have. 

My time with the fresh air fund was lifechanging. I was unsure of whether or not I was capable of working with children but being a summer spaces counselor my first year reassured me of the importance of youth development and my own skills that contributes to the Fresh Air Fund's goals. They really emphasize team building, growth, and giving back to the community. The hard part of the job will be setting up tents/tables/equipment before the kids arrive but you will get used to it eventually. Truly a worthwhile experience

A day at the office may either have many calls from/to parents and  applications to be finalized at the same time. Being bilingual helped me in assisting parents which made the job easier. However some challenges were following up with parents to finalize applications and having to explain to parents that there is no more space for camp. The staff and supervisors are always willing to assist, welcoming and understanding which makes the job easier. Depending on the season it may get very busy or be slow. Working with a non-profit organization that offers free programs for NYC kids was very pleasant.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Working with the campers and the counselors.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
Knowing who and when to give constructive advice or criticism to. 

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Normal for camp life.  People from varied backgrounds melding to supervise and care for young people from the city. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
The majority of the day is spent administering meds and giving first aid to campers unaccustomed to getting many mosquito bites.

Working at Fresh Air Fund was amazing because you got to work in an outdoor environment with kids your age and younger. It taught me to be confident and lead, and that to be an example always. Management were very respectable and responsible and they would communicate effectively and tackle problems in a correct way. The workers and kids beside you were very diverse. The best part was participating in the workshops, nature, and teaching and engaging with other kids the value of hard work, teamwork, and confidence.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Camp counselor 36 salaries reported	$2,803 per month
Camp director 4 salaries reported	$80,000 per year
Camp leader 9 salaries reported	$3,050 per month
Waterfront director 3 salaries reported	$3,550 per month
Development associate 4 salaries reported	$50,000 per year

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