Camp Nursing Assistants for Summer 2020

Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund has provided free summer programs to more than 1.8 million New York City children from underserved communities. Every summer, over 3,000 children visit our six sleepaway camps in upstate New York to learn about the outdoors, make new friends and unlock their limitless potential. We believe that investing in a child’s journey through life provides an opportunity for young people to learn, grow and thrive in our city and beyond.

The Fresh Air Fund hires over 500 staff members from around the world to work at our camps. Fresh Air Fund staff are a community of diverse, motivated and dedicated individuals who share a passion for working with children and for providing outstanding programming, mentorship and care. Our staff come from different states, countries, colleges and backgrounds to have a fun, challenging summer and give our campers experiences and memories that will last a lifetime.

Fresh Air Fund children come from all five New York City boroughs and represent over 60 countries of origin. For many of our campers, attending camp is their first experience outside New York City, and our staff help us provide a safe, fun and nurturing experience for every child. The Fresh Air Fund operates six summer camps; five are located on Sharpe Reservation in Fishkill, NY and the sixth and newest camp opened in 2019 at Harriman State Park in Southfields, NY.

We are looking for staff who are passionate about working with children and will invest time with our campers to meet their needs, challenge their capabilities and serve as role models during their time at camp. Our ideal applicants are emotionally mature and strive to work in a cooperative manner with their fellow staff. Our staff understand that campers come first and decisions should be made in the best interest of our campers. The best applicants are excited about working and living in the outdoors, willing to accept challenges and step outside their comfort zone, and able to maintain a positive attitude.

Nursing Assistants work in the camp health centers and assist Camp Nurses with daily routines and parent phone calls. They chaperone campers to local hospitals/clinics and supervise early camper returns back to New York City due to medical issues. Nursing Assistants will also help with chores around the infirmary such as camper laundry, cleaning, making beds and restocking items.

·        18 or older

·        A background in nursing or a related medical field is preferred

·        Current enrollment in college is preferred

·        Must be willing to live in cabins with campers

·        Experience working with children

·        Interest in working and living in the outdoors for the summer

·        Able to work for the entire duration of the summer program (June 17 - August 21)

Working at Fresh Air Fund camps is not an ordinary summer job. It’s an opportunity for career exploration, to grow as a leader and to gain professional skills that can be applied to any future career path. We offer:

·        Paid positions with free housing, 3 meals a day and additional accommodations such as laundry and transportation to NYC during intersession breaks. Salaries start at $2,400.

·        Internship or college credit upon request.

·        An impactful summer where you can make a tangible difference in the lives of children. Campers develop unique bonds with their counselors that cannot be replicated outside of camp…bonds that can change their lives.

·        Resume-building experiences and essential professional skills, including communication, management, critical thinking, problem solving, leadership, collaboration, teamwork and creativity.

·        Networking opportunities with peers and youth development professionals from diverse and global backgrounds.

·        Extensive pre-camp training and ongoing professional development throughout the summer.

·        Supervisors who are eager for you to succeed and can provide letters of recommendation.

·        Advancement opportunities. Many of our staff who start out as general counselors move on to roles as supervisors, program directors and more.

·        A fun and challenging summer! While camp is hard work and we expect staff to maintain a safe and professional demeanor, we want you to enthusiastically participate alongside your campers in daily activities.