Description

The Boys’ Club of New York (BCNY) operates a premier sleep-away camp experience designed for 10 to 17-year-old boys and young men to grow through adventure, community, and skill building. Since 1876, BCNY has created environments where young people develop confidence, resilience, teamwork, and leadership, grounded in our core values of Care, Courage, Curiosity, and Community.

At Harriman Basecamp, members engage in structured programs that promote healthy minds and bodies, expand their talents, and encourage positive peer relationships. Guided by evidence-based youth development practices and our commitment to the 4 Cs, BCNY’s Basecamp programs aim to set a high standard for outdoor education and character development. To strengthen this mission, we continue to build a dedicated team of camp professionals who can deepen and broaden our impact each season.

Job Summary

The Archery Counselor is a high-impact counselor role at Harriman Basecamp, leading dynamic and developmentally appropriate archery programming for campers. As the primary instructor in the archery activity area, this role blends technical skill, safety leadership, and youth mentorship to create experiences that build focus, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment for campers at every level.

Beyond the range, Archery Counselors are fully immersed in the life of camp. They are active members of the camp community—supporting cabin routines, sharing meals, engaging in community moments, and contributing to camp-wide programming. Working as part of the Activity Counselor team and under the supervision of the Activity Counselor Division Leader, Archery Counselors collaborate closely with Cabin Counselors, Division Leaders, and camp leadership to ensure a safe, supportive, and high-energy camp environment that promotes positive youth development and smooth daily operations.

Opportunities are available for staff to receive Archery Instructor training or certification.

Mandatory attendance at full pre-camp staff training (June 22 – July 3) is required to ensure readiness in behavior management, camper supervision, safety protocols, and camp culture alignment.

Responsibilities

Archery Programming & Skill Development

• Lead safe, engaging archery instruction aligned with camp schedules, themes, and age-appropriate skill development.
• Teach proper technique, range commands, and equipment handling using clear, consistent instruction.
• Implement established archery skill progressions and benchmarks as part of the camp’s broader activity skill-tracking framework.
• Create an inclusive learning environment that builds confidence, focus, and respect for safety.
• Maintain responsibility for archery programming during scheduled activity blocks and will not be reassigned from the archery area while programming is in session.

Safety & Risk Management

• Enforce all archery range rules, safety standards, and emergency procedures at all times.
• Conduct equipment and range safety checks before, during, and after each session.
• Actively supervise campers within the archery area and address minor behavioral concerns directly.
• Escalate ongoing, patterned, or higher-level behavioral concerns to Cabin Counselors and the Activity Counselor Division Leader as needed.

Camp-Wide Engagement, Cabin Support, Operations & CIT Mentorship

• Actively participate in daily camp life, supporting cabin routines and community moments including meals, morning reflections, community cyphers, psychological time, evening programs (EPs), and nighttime routines to ensure consistent structure and supervision.
• Support cabin groups daily—within canoeing areas or elsewhere as needed—to maintain supervision and appropriate coverage.
• As a member of the Activity Counselor team, co-lead two evening programs, lead one evening program, and provide coverage and supervision during additional evening programs as assigned.
• Provide additional camp-wide coverage as needed, including meal support and substituting for counselors during nights off or when additional evening supervision is required.
• Maintain the Activity Area Binder, track equipment usage, and submit a written end-of-session inventory and reflection to the Activity Counselor Division
• Leader, addressing equipment condition, camper engagement, skill progression, and notable concerns.
• Engage Counselors-in-Training (CITs) as active helpers within the canoeing program, modeling safe waterfront practices, effective instruction, positive youth engagement, and professionalism.
• Support CIT development by gradually involving them in equipment setup, shoreline supervision, instruction support, on-water assistance, and peer mentorship.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Prior archery experience and certification preferred but not required. Relevant experience, demonstrated interest, or expired/lapsed certifications may substitute for current certification, with opportunities to obtain or renew certification through BCNY-approved training.
• Experience working with youth in camp, instructional, recreational, or group settings preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead structured activities and maintain safety in an outdoor environment.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to give clear, calm, and consistent directions.
• Commitment to safety, structure, and positive youth development.
• Willingness to engage fully in all aspects of camp life beyond primary activity responsibilities.

Additional Requirements

• Flexible and adaptable, with a willingness to work a demanding schedule.
• Ability to pass a background check and meet all required immunizations (MMR and Poly required).
• You must be able to work in an outside environment, where you have the ability to walk/hike daily, at various grades, elevations, and on uneven terrain regardless of weather conditions.
• Must be able to lift 40-50 pounds, and carry and load luggage, tables, chairs, and other program equipment
• Other duties as assigned