Organization: By the Bay Health Program

Children’s Grief & Healing Camp Position Type: Seasonal / Contract / Temporary (Camp-Based)

Location: CYO Camp Occidental, California 

Position Summary:

The Camp Activity Director is the heart and energy of the Children’s Grief Camp. This role is responsible for creating a safe, joyful, inclusive, and emotionally supportive camp culture where children who have experienced loss can heal, connect, and express themselves through play, creativity, and community.

The Director leads camp-wide activities, traditions, and transitions, setting the emotional tone of the camp while working closely with the clinical, program, and volunteer teams to ensure all activities are developmentally appropriate, trauma-informed, and aligned with grief support best practices.

This role is ideal for someone who loves working with children, brings positive energy, and understands how fun, structure, and emotional safety work together to support healing. The Director plays a transformational role in a child’s grief-healing journey. Through laughter, creativity, and connection, this position helps children understand that they are not alone, their feelings are valid, and joy and grief can exist together.

Schedule:

• Camp Dates: Friday August 7th through Sunday August 9th
• June and July: 1 hour per week; office planning to do final development of role
• Week of July 27th: Increased hours for the week; office planning to do final preparations for the camp

Pay rate:

• June and July office planning: $23 - $26 per hour
• Camp weekend: Stipend $700 - $900 for the three day weekend

Key Responsibilities:

• Camp Fun & Culture
• Create and sustain a positive, inclusive, and uplifting camp atmosphere where all children feel welcomed, valued, and emotionally safe
• Serve as a visible, approachable, and enthusiastic presence throughout camp
• Model kindness, empathy, emotional awareness, and respectful communication at all times
• Support children in building peer connections while honoring individual grief experiences

Activity & Program Leadership:

• Design, coordinate, and lead age-appropriate, trauma-informed group activities, including:
• Icebreakers and team-building games
• Creative expression (art, music, movement, storytelling)
• Camp traditions, rituals, and closing ceremonies
• Recreational and spirit-building activities
• Adapt activities to meet the emotional and developmental needs of children who are grieving
• Ensure activities are inclusive of children with varying abilities, attention spans, and emotional needs

Grief-Sensitive Engagement:

• Understand that children may express grief through behavior, play, withdrawal, or emotions
• Work collaboratively with grief counselors, clinicians, and camp leadership to:
  • Support children who may become overwhelmed
  • Modify activities when emotional needs arise
  • Maintain emotional safety without forcing participation
• Reinforce camp values of choice, emotional expression, and peer support

Volunteer & Staff Collaboration:

• Partner with volunteer counselors, group leaders, and clinical staff to ensure smooth daily transitions (management of staff will be done be another role)
• Help orient and support volunteers around activity flow, expectations, and camper engagement
• Provide clear direction during camp-wide activities and transition

Safety & Compliance:

• Follow all By the Bay Health policies related to child safety, confidentiality, and mandated reporting
• Maintain appropriate camper supervision at all times
• Support behavioral guidance using positive, trauma-informed approaches
• Participate in required trainings, including:
  • California Mandated Reporter Training
  • Camp orientation and grief-informed care training

Required Qualifications:

• Experience working with children in settings such as camps, after-school programs, schools, youth programs, or childcare
• Demonstrated ability to lead groups of children with confidence, warmth, and structure
• High energy, creativity, and enthusiasm balanced with emotional sensitivity
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to remain calm, flexible, and compassionate in emotionally charged situations
• Commitment to inclusivity, cultural humility, and child-centered care

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with children impacted by grief, trauma, or loss
• Background in education, child development, social work, psychology, recreation, or youth leadership
• Experience planning camp activities, group programming, or special events
• Bilingual or multilingual abilities (preferred but not required)

Physical & Emotional Requirements:

• Ability to actively engage in camp activities, including standing, walking, and participating in games
• Ability to support children through emotional moments with patience and empathy
• Comfortable working outdoors and in group settings