Junior Counselors

Gretchen’s House’s Junior Counselor program provides a supervised and structured environment for young teens between 11-15 years of age.  This experience is meant to augment the teen’s summer experience –  not replace the need for full-time supervision.

Our Goals:

• To provide young teens an opportunity to experience a “real work” situation, and to explore a career in early childhood education.
• To give young teens good role models and training sessions from which they can learn how to interact appropriately with young children.

Guidelines for Junior Counselors:

1. Arrive on time and ready for work.
2. Call the center if unable to work for any scheduled day or time. Teachers and children depend upon your presence.
3. Follow the direction and supervision of teachers in the classroom. Ask questions if you don’t understand or disagree with a teacher. Remember there is a lot to know and learn about working with young children, and the teachers in your room know their children and program the best. They are trained professionals.
4. Read and follow the “Guidelines for Living With Children.” (Available upon request, will be posted here soon.)

Who May Apply to be a Junior Counselor?
Any person 11-15 years of age may apply to become a Junior Counselor. Students for this program are interviewed and selected on the basis of space available and the individual’s ability to follow the Junior Counselor guidelines. Only one Junior Counselor is allowed to work in a classroom at any given time during the day. Junior Counselors have the option of working one to five half days per week– NO full days. Counselors may work in the same classroom, but on different days or different hours from one another.

Compensation
Teens may volunteer to participate in the program or receive payment as agreed upon between their parent and the center (see the contract for details).

How to Apply
This is a summer program, but spots can fill up so please apply early to ensure availability. Mail your application to the center where your child would like to be a junior counselor. If you are interested in more information, please e-mail us.