4H Camp Owahta
60 Years of providing a fun, safe, & nuturing environment, where children can learn & grow!
~ Owned &Operated by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Cortland Co. ~
Office Hours: Mon – Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (607) 753-5077
Staff Selection and Reference Verification
All applicants must complete an application and three letters of references prior to an interview. The Camp Manager or a staff member deemed capable will conduct interviews for potential employees. Interviewer should ask specific questions related to the staff members past experience and ability to work with children. The Camp Manager or a staff member deemed capable will follow up each applicant that could be a potential employee with a phone call to at least two references to verify the applicant’s character and ability to work with children. Specific questions regarding work history and their ability to appropriately work with children should be asked. References cannot be accepted from relatives of the applicant.
Returning employees will complete an intent form that includes references of individuals they had contact with over the previous 12-month period. Two of these individuals will be contacted to ask specific questions regarding work history and the applicant’s ability to appropriately work with children.
Job Descriptions
The descriptions below are provided as a guideline of the positions that are occupied at camp. As positions become available they will be posted in the Cortland Standard and/or other local papers as deemed necessary by the Camp Manager. However, applicants are encourages to complete applications, even if positions have yet to be posted. Camp maintains applications on files and will contact. All Camp Owahta Staff Members are qualified for their positions, either as deemed so by the Camp Manager, C.C.E.E.D., or the NYS Health Department.
Camp Manager: Provides supervision to maintenance personnel in the overall maintenance program of the camp. Recruits, interviews, and hires all positions. Provides day-to-day management and supervision of the 4-H Summer Camp Program
Summer Camp Director: Provides support to the Camp Manager in regards to Recruiting, interviewing, and hiring all positions. In addition, helps to assist the day-to-day management and supervision of the 4-H Summer Camp Program.
Health Director: The Health Director may be a certified EMT, RN, Physicians Assistant, Paramedic, LPN, or Doctor who is on duty at the camp facility 24 hours a day. The Director will also possess the American Red Cross Certification, Responding to Emergencies and CPR for the Professional Rescuer. His/Her Duties will be to examine all sicknesses, injuries, and accidents, and then determine and or administer the necessary treatment, including arranging for transportation to and/or from the proper medical authorities/facilities. The Health Director is also responsible for any general health guidelines deemed appropriate by the Camp Director.
The Health Director is responsible for maintaining proper records of ALL dealings with campers and staff members concerning sickness, injury, and treatments in a medical log kept in the infirmary. Each entry must include the date, time, nature of injury (where/how it happened), and how the injury was treated, and then initialed.
The Health Director shall inspect bathroom and shower facilities, all living quarters, and the kitchen for cleanliness and sanitation purposes on a daily basis.
During the registration process, the Health Director will review the health form with parents and visually examine any pre-existing medical conditions, including a routine head check for lice. A current confidential medical history, including the child's immunization record, which shall include immunization record, which shall include immunization dates against diphtheria, measles, mumps, poliomyelitis, rubella and tetanus, shall be kept on file for every camper and updated annually. The camper and staff's family and other responsible person's name, address, and telephone to contact during an emergency shall be kept on file. The Health Director shall write up a separate list of campers with medical needs. This list will include what campers need to take daily medicine, what the medicine is, when he/she needs to take the medicine, and the quantity needed to be taken. Special attention must be given to potential seizure victims.
Cook: Responsible for preparation of all camp meals, and overall cleanliness of kitchen. Works closely with the Camp Director and Cornell Cooperative Extension Association Director in planning menus and purchasing food.
Waterfront Director (Waterfront Director & Water Safety Instructor): The Waterfront Director shall be 21 years old and hold a current American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor's Certification, American Red Cross Lifeguard Certification for Pools and Beaches, American Red Cross Standard First Aid and American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer. In addition, the director shall have at least three seasons of previous waterfront experience. Under the direction of the Summer Camp Director, the Waterfront Director supervises the operation of all aquatic activities at the beach, such as:
Craft Director: Responsible for the entire camp arts and craft program. Works in close cooperation with the Camp and Program Director in coordination of the camp program.
Recreation Direction: Responsible for all athletic and recreational activities such as track and field, inter cabin athletics, competitions, sports tournaments of all types, and athletic tests and awards. Responsible for all the instruction in archery and for maintenance of camp out materials. Works in close cooperation with the Camp and Program Director in coordination of the camp program. Responsible for the entire camp arts and craft program. Works in close cooperation with the Camp and Program Director in coordination of the camp program.
Program Director: Responsible for the camp program. Also, for camp singing, campfires, schedules of special events, rainy day activities, and evening programs and maintaining the daily program.
Nature "Outdoor Education" Director: Responsible for the instruction of nature lore, camp craft, identification of flora and fauna, pond study, and the maintenance of the trail system. Works in close cooperation with the Camp and Program Director in coordination the camp program.
Lifeguards: Lifeguards shall be at least seventeen and possess current American Red Cross Life guarding for Pools and Beaches, American Red Cross Standard First Aid and American Red Cross CPR for the Professional Rescuer. Under the supervision of the Waterfront/Waterfront Director
Guards the beach area assigned.
Enforces rules and regulations
Participates in fitness training.
Camp Counselors: Camp counselors shall be at least 18 years of age and may include both specialty and general counselors. In addition, the counselors shall possess a high school diploma and have either experience in camping and supervision of children, or have completed a training course acceptable to the issuing official. In the day camp program, counselors 16 or 17 years of age may be considered adult counselors if they possess previous camp experience as a junior counselor or a counselor in training and have completed a training course, including but not limited to pre-camp orientation. Under the supervision of the Camp Director, counselors must always be alert for any signs of danger on the campgrounds or in facilities. Any deficiencies should be reported to the appropriate persons. Counselors also enforce the rules and regulations of the camp and report any problems to the director.
Counselor in Training: Counselor in Training is a camper who is assigned to an on-duty counselor or other staff member to assist with specific duties. Resident CIT's must be at least 16 years of age and have at least two season’s prior experience as a camper. Day Camp CIT's must be at least 15 years of age and have at least two seasons prior experience as a camper. A CIT may not independently supervise campers, and shall be supervised as a camper. All CIT's shall receive training specific to their duties, and camper orientation. CIT’s are registered as campers and shall have no overnight responsibilities as CIT’s while attending camp.
Maintenance Staff, Kitchen Staff or Camp Aides: Under the supervision of the Camp Manager, Camp Director, and/or the Camp Cook. The staff will maintain the facility in a clean and safe operating condition. This would include all facilities. Specific job descriptions can be indentified during the interview process.