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 Music & Performance Counselor is a dynamic, youth-centered counselor role responsible for leading engaging, developmentally appropriate music and performance programming for campers ages 10–17. This role serves as the primary facilitator of the Music & Performance activity area, blending creative expression, structured instruction, and rehearsal-based learning to help campers build confidence, collaboration skills, and follow-through over the course of the session.

Music & Performance programming at Harriman Basecamp is designed as a progressive experience across the camp session. Campers are introduced to foundational performance skills through structured instruction and guided practice, then build toward collaborative, multi-day performance projects. Campers who select Music & Performance as one of their committed activities rehearse consistently and are formally listed as performers in the camp’s culminating Award Show, showcasing their work through polished group performances.

Beyond the activity space, Music & Performance Counselors are fully immersed in camp life. They actively support cabin routines, meals, community moments, and camp-wide programming. Working under the supervision of the Activity Counselor Division Leader and as part of the Activity Counselor team, Music & Performance Counselors collaborate closely with Cabin Counselors, Division Leaders, and camp leadership to ensure consistent supervision, positive youth development, and smooth daily operations.

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

Music & Performance Programming & Skill Development

• Plan and lead engaging, age-appropriate music and performance programming aligned with camp schedules, themes, and camper interests (e.g., group vocal arrangements, rap and spoken-word cyphers, choreographed routines, ensemble performance pieces, original song or scene creation).
• Facilitate structured instruction and guided practice that introduces campers to performance fundamentals, including rhythm, movement, voice, stage presence, and ensemble collaboration.
• Design session-long programming that allows campers to commit to Music & Performance as a multi-day project, supporting consistent rehearsal, skill progression, and preparation for performance.
• Collaborate with campers to create and rehearse original camp chants, call-and-response songs, and performance pieces used during camp-wide moments, off-camp trips, community events, and spirit-building activities.
• Use music and performance as tools to strengthen camp culture by reinforcing shared traditions, promoting inclusion and belonging, and building collective energy during community cyphers, celebrations, and transitions throughout the camp day.
• Model and demonstrate performance skills for campers, using live examples to reinforce technique, confidence, and expressive engagement.
• Support campers in developing self-expression, teamwork, perseverance, and pride in preparation and performance.
• Prepare campers for participation in the camp Award Show and the Canoe Regatta Spirit Award, supporting rehearsal structure, transitions, and performance readiness.

Safety, Supervision & Space Management

• Establish and enforce clear expectations for behavior, focus, and respectful participation within performance spaces.
• Supervise campers in both indoor and outdoor programming environments, maintaining appropriate staff-to-camper ratios at all times.
• Ensure performance spaces are set up, organized, and safe for movement, rehearsal, and performance activities.
• Address minor behavioral concerns directly using calm, developmentally appropriate strategies.
• 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

• Experience working with youth in camp, educational, recreational, or performance-based settings preferred.
• Background or strong interest in music, dance, theater, or performance arts.
• Ability to plan and facilitate structured, engaging activities with clear expectations and routines.
• Comfort modeling or demonstrating performance skills for youth audiences.
• Strong communication skills and ability to give clear, calm, and supportive instruction.
• 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