As the newest YMCA Camp in the state of Michigan, our camp began in 1995. Our facilities were designed with today's children in mind. We tie together the spirit of camps of the past, with the innovations of today to make Sherman Lake one of the best summer camps in Michigan, and we believe, the country. We have 365 acres of woodlands, prairie, and pristine lakefront on Sherman Lake. Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center offers unsurpassed natural beauty and an array of traditional and non-traditional camp programs.
At Sherman Lake YMCA, campers experience the power of living through HCRR (Hick-er). The Y's four core principles - Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility - are emphasized in each camp program. Through discovery of the great outdoors, skill development and guidance in the importance of building healthy relationships, campers leave with a renewed sense of achievement, belonging, confidence and courage to try new things.
The Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center is an inclusive organization that welcomes all persons regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or disability. Our Mission is - The Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center puts honesty, caring, respect, and responsibility into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
Integrated Education (I.E.) Coordinators will be working directly with our local school partners to deliver intentional experiential programming to its students while providing social-emotional learning opportunities through an overnight camp setting. I.E. Coordinators will collaborate directly with Sherman Lake YMCA directors to facilitate school groups aged third to eighth grade while upholding Sherman Lake YMCA’s mission statement by role modeling relationship building, empathy, personal development, and emotion management. I.E. Coordinators serve as one of the many “faces” of Sherman Lake YMCA to our community and are responsible for curating and leading overnight camp programming and supervision while adhering to Sherman Lake YMCA’s policies and procedures under the supervision of its directors.
As an Integrated Education Coordinator, team members will be provided with ample training on Sherman Lake YMCA’s policies and programming, and opportunities for certifications relevant to youth development facility work. Team members will grow and develop various skills related to the workplace, such as leadership, staff management, group facilitation and work, resilience, mentorship, and general professional development. Team members will be given frequent supervised opportunities to refine their professional skills and schedule bi-weekly feedback sessions with Sherman Lake YMCA directors. I.E. Coordinators will be among the team providing these written and verbal feedback sessions.
Integrated Education Coordinators require excellent character and the ability to adhere to Sherman Lake YMCA’s policies and mission statement while managing multiple tasks and working professionally by overseeing a variety of individuals. I.E. Coordinators must inherit the willingness to be a team player as they serve as a member of the total staff of the YMCA. I.E. Coordinators are responsible for carrying out the mission and vision of Sherman Lake YMCA and performing job responsibilities while adhering to operational procedures following YMCA, American Camp Association (ACA), Kalamazoo County, Michigan State, and federal agency standards.
Integrated Education Coordinators must possess a variety of skills, including character development, leadership development, group work, communication, and program planning. This position requires a basic understanding of the YMCA movement and the ability to role model the four principles of Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility (HCRR). I.E. Coordinators must have a commitment to working with diverse populations for the fulfillment of our mission.
All Coordinators Must:
- Be 18 or older before their first day of employment.
- Be available Monday through Friday for both days and overnights.
- Possess the ability to work in a team environment with 20+ others.
- Have a moderate to high level of mental resilience and adaptability.
- Be able to perform physical job requirements with reasonable accommodations.
- Be able to obtain Basic Life Support and First Aid certifications (Sherman Lake YMCA will provide certification classes before the start of the season).
- Work as both a cabin counselor and an activity leader (A typical week requires 2-4 overnights in a cabin with campers).
Our Top Coordinators Are:
- Able to have fun with kids, laugh, and be silly!
- Comfortable and confident teaching and instructing in front of varying sizes of groups of youth.
- Passionate about making a difference and fostering growth in our community’s youth!
- Willing to set and work towards goals in professional and personal growth areas.
- Comfortable and confident in providing coaching and positive, productive feedback to I.E. Instructors.
- Able to build positive, professional relationships with our partner school representatives.
Each person who works at the Sherman Lake YMCA is selected because of their strength of character, professionalism, demonstrated commitment to mentoring children, and their ability to role model the principles of Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility (HCRR) through words and actions.
These are the principal responsibilities of the I.E. Coordinator and are not meant to be all-inclusive. Other activities, duties, and tasks can be assigned by the position’s supervisor and/or the CEO. It is the I.E. Coordinator’s responsibility that the following takes place:
- Serve as an Integrated Education Coordinator, facilitating experiential programming focused on supporting youth’s social-emotional learning within our Integrated Education Program in coordination with Sherman Lake YMCA directors.
- As an Integrated Education Coordinator, serve as the key contact for I.E. Instructors, teachers, and campers throughout the day and night in coordination with I.E. Program Directors. (training provided).
- Role model Sherman Lake Y’s values of Honesty, Caring, Respect, and Responsibility.
- Honesty – Truthfulness and genuineness with self and others.
- Caring – To show loving-kindness, compassion, and empathy for the interest of others.
- Respect – Honor toward others, humility.
- Responsibility – Trustworthiness; dependable.
- Serve as an I.E. Coordinator by leading various activities, including the welcoming ceremony, meals, WOW Time, grounding moments, and evening programming (training provided).
- Be adaptable to ensure the best possible experience for all Sherman Lake YMCA staff, students, families, teachers, and participants.
- Maintain the health and safety of youth participants and I.E. staff through professional and vigilant supervision. Health and safety are the #1 priority of the Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center at all times.
- Tend to student illness and/or behaviors as needed in collaboration with I.E. Directors and teachers.
- Create and maintain a safe space that is inclusive, equitable, and welcoming to youth with diverse life experiences and backgrounds.
- Set-up and facilitate all programs run through Sherman Lake Y Camp such as climbing, archery, fire-building, team building/low ropes, boating, geocaching, orienteering, nature & art (training provided).
- Assist with evaluating and coaching I.E. Instructors in collaboration with I.E. Directors on a bi-weekly basis through constructive feedback.
- Assist I.E. Directors with the facilitation of opening and closing teacher meetings and student surveys (training provided).
- Attend the entirety of mandatory coordinator training. Coordinate with Sherman Lake YMCA’s full-time directors in planning and executing staff training, all professional development sessions, opening and closing staff meetings, and camp closing procedures.
- Ensure that all applicable YMCA, ACA (American Camp Association), local, state, and federal regulations are fulfilled.
- Recognize and encourage students and staff for their personal growth, exemplary behavior, and skill attainment.
- Willingness to be flexible and assist in any and all areas of the Sherman Lake YMCA Outdoor Center as needed and directed.
- Participate in training and the ongoing curriculum integration of cultural awareness, safety, and equity in Integrated Education programs.
- Attend required abuse risk management training and adhere to policies related to high-risk activities and boundaries with consumers.
- Immediately report suspicious/inappropriate behaviors, and policy violations, and follow mandated abuse reporting requirements.
- Engage with team members, families, teachers, school administrators, and students in a professional manner that aligns with our HCRR principles.