Ropes Specialist

POSTION:            Ropes Specialist

REPORTS TO:       Camp Coordinators and Directors

JOB STATUS:  Seasonal / Non-exempt

Location: YMCA Camp Wakonda

CAMP DESCRIPTION

Camp Wakonda is part of the Ozarks Regional YMCA located in the beautiful Ozarks of Southern Missouri. Only 13 miles from Springfield, Missouri where residents enjoy world-class attractions and dining along with spectacular entertainment, lakes, rivers, and cultural endeavors. Camp Wakonda facilitates rentals, summer residential camps for second graders through high school seniors, and a growing outdoor education program that serves 350 students from Springfield Public Schools. It serves over 500 youth campers each summer from Missouri and surrounding states. Camp Wakonda’s 100 acres of woodlands, fields and streams are home to multitude of wildlife including deer, turkeys, owls, hawks, squirrels, and woodchucks. A climbing tower, high & low ropes courses, archery & rifle ranges, arts & crafts, nature center and pool offer campers opportunities to try new skills. Lifelong friendships are created and growth in self-confidence and self-esteem develops a sense of newfound independence. Historic dining and recreation halls and a new solar bath and shower house round out the facilities and offer campers the creature comforts of camp. A new lake was completed in 2016 providing campers the opportunity to participate in canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. Campers also enjoy swimming, a water trampoline, the blob, and a giant Slip-n-Slide.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: 

• The Ropes Specialist is responsible for the safe operations and supervision of the Ropes program and activities.
• Set up program area during staff training and inventory and put away program materials at the conclusion of the summer.
• Organize and maintain the challenge courses.
• Assist cabin counselors in assuming full responsibility for all the campers in assigned cabin 
• Maintain and organize ropes logs
• Schedule and facilitate climbing activities.
• Maintain high standards of health and safety in all activities for campers.

GENERAL CAMP STAFF FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Issued staff shirts are worn on check in and check out days, different shirts are issued for use Monday-Thursday. 
• Be thoroughly familiar with camp emergency procedures. Be familiar with and uphold all safety regulations at camp. A safe atmosphere is the first consideration at all times.
• Write and submit parent letters and Holiday Cards as scheduled.
• Maintain a professional attitude toward staff, campers, parents and supervisors. Enthusiastically contribute to camper and staff morale throughout the summer. Strive to use proper motivational techniques and language in all dealings with staff and campers.
• Assist enthusiastically and participate actively in all camp activities, giving leadership when it is required.
• Attend all staff training sessions and required staff meetings.
• Cares for and maintains camp equipment and property used by the cabin group. Must also strive to ensure the preservation of the natural environment of the camp setting.
• Explains and enforces health and safety regulations.
• Serve as a positive example to others in the areas of self-control, creativity, punctuality, enthusiasm, discipline, willingness to work and learn, and personal grooming.
• Follow emergency procedures directly as the situation dictates.
• Create a positive atmosphere within the cabin group, being aware of each camper’s unique needs, interests and attitudes.
• Submit reports as required, on time.
• Actively participate in recreational and instructional swim periods under the supervision of the Aquatics Specialist and Program Coordinator
•  Supervise and guide various activities for the campers.
• Help with camp set-up and tear-down each week and as assigned.

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Mission Advancement
• Collaboration
• Operational Effectiveness
• Personal Growth

QUALIFICATIONS

• Must be available between May 18^th-August 15^th, 2025
• Must Reside on Camp Premises, Room and Board are included
• Must be 18 years old with high school diploma or equivalent.
• Must be certified on YMCA Camp Wakonda’s Ropes and Challenge Courses (offered on site)

• CPR Professional & First Aid, AED/O2 certified
• Experience in lifeguarding at waterfronts
• Able to stand for long periods of time in a warm, humid environment

• Able to observe camper behaviors and assess its appropriateness and apply appropriate management techniques, as well as enforce appropriate safety and emergency procedures to the situation.
• Must be able to assist campers in the event of an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury)
• Exemplify the YMCA core values of “Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility.”

PHYSICAL ASPECTS OF THE JOB

• Safety-sensitive position: Apply appropriate safety and emergency procedures.
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to weather and program activities.
• Physical ability to respond to situations requiring first aid. Must be able to assist campers in an emergency (fire, evacuation, illness, or injury) and possess strength
   and endurance required to maintain constant supervision of staff.
• Ability to lift 50 pounds.
• Endurance including prolonged standing, some bending, stooping, walking long distances, hiking, climbing, and stretching; requires eye-hand coordination and manual dexterity to manipulate outdoor equipment and camp activities; requires normal range of hearing and eyesight to record, camp setting and work irregular hours with limited or simple equipment and facilities; and with daily exposure to the sun, heat, insect and animals.

HOW TO APPLY: Please complete online job application 

BENEFITS: Excellent benefits include free membership and discounted YMCA childcare and other programs. The incumbent will exhibit the core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility in all aspects of their work with the YMCA