Camp Heartwood Nature Program is an outdoor camp where counselors and campers explore the outdoors, rain or shine! Come enjoy our 26 acres of land for a one-of-a-kind summer experience.

The YMCA is committed to building strong kids, individuals, families and communities through programs and services that promote a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all.

Gain experience in both aquatic safety and youth development. Be part of a supportive team in a beautiful outdoor setting.

The Camp Lifeguard / After Care Counselor plays a vital role in creating a safe and engaging environment for campers. This unique position combines lifeguarding responsibilities during scheduled swim times with supervising campers during after-care programming. The ideal candidate is adaptable, reliable, and enjoys working in a dynamic camp setting.

Camp Dates: Generally June 8^th-August 21st

Location: 3 Pomerleau Street Biddeford, Maine 04005 United States 

• As Lifeguard:

  • Ensure the safety of campers during swim sessions by maintaining vigilant supervision.
  • Enforce all aquatic safety rules and respond effectively to emergencies.
  • Conduct regular checks of pool area and equipment for safety compliance.

  As After Care Counselor:

  • Supervise campers during free play, including active games, crafts, and board games.
  • Foster a positive, inclusive environment where all campers feel supported.
  • Assist with transitions and maintain a structured, safe after-care program.

  Additional Duties:

  • Support camp operations by covering counselor breaks or absences as needed.
  • Model YMCA core values of caring, honesty, respect, and responsibility.

• Must be at least 16 years old.
• Current Lifeguard Certification preferred; Will train the right candidate.
• CPR/AED and First Aid certification required.
• Experience working with children in a camp or recreational setting preferred.
• Ability to work outdoors in varied weather conditions.
• A Criminal Background check is required, including fingerprinting through the Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS), prior to hire. This will be paid for by the YMCA of Southern Maine.

Physical Demands:

• Strength: Must have the ability to frequently move, lift, pull and push objects such as, boxes, supplies, postage machine, and computers up to 25 lbs.
• Manual Dexterity: Must have the ability to operate equipment listed below and frequently perform simple manipulative tasks including typing, writing and filing.
• Coordination: Must be able to continuously perform tasks requiring hand-eye coordination such as filing, opening/date stamping/posting of mail and stocking supplies.
• Mobility: Required to frequently sit for prolonged periods. Must be able to occasionally walk, stand, stoop, squat, kneel, twist, bend to floor, reach with hands/arms, climb stairs and remain in uncomfortable positions at times for prolonged periods. Must have the ability to respond rapidly and effectively to emergency situations and maintain emotional composure necessary to effectively communicate with emergency dispatch services.
• Speech: Must be able to continuously articulate and communicate clearly and precisely when interacting with staff, professionals, vendors and clients.
• Emotional Stability: Must be able to continuously deal effectively with stress created by busy phones, multiple tasks, noises, interruptions and multiple priorities and work cooperatively as part of the administrative team while maintaining a pleasant, professional demeanor.

Sensory Demands:

• Vision: Must be able to continuously read small print and adjust focus.
• Hearing: Must be able to continuously hear normal sounds and voice patterns, receive verbal instructions, answer a phone and communicate with others with some background noise.

Cognitive Demands:

• Concentration: Must be able to continuously concentrate on moderate details with frequent interruption.
• Attention Span: Must be able to frequently attend to tasks for up to 45 minutes at a time.
• Conceptualization: Must be able to frequently understand and relate to ideas, generally several at a time, and interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written oral form.
• Memory: Must be able to frequently remember verbal and written tasks.

• Free personal membership
• Earned Paid Leave
• Generous program discounts
• Meaningful assistance programs like mentoring and retirement (403(b) and Y Retirement when eligible)
• Training, certification and advancement opportunities