Junior Counselor Program

The Junior Counselor program offers tweens and teens from 6th to 10th grade the opportunity to give back to their community, gain valuable leadership experience, and be a mentor to younger children. During their shift, participants will join Recreation Leaders to assist with various projects and games while having a good time. 

1. Fall, Winter and Spring JC Program

Age Group:

Students enrolled in 6th-10th grade

Fee:

Resident $324 & Non-Resident $334 per 3-month commitment 

Fall: September - November
Winter:  December - February
Spring: March - May

Time Commitment:

To be determined by availability and needs of the program.  

Location:

Friendship Club - Ocean View, 900 Buchanan St. and Memorial Park, 1331 Portland Ave. 

Program Goals:

  1.  To provide Junior Counselors with hands-on experience assisting Staff with a variety of activities in
     Friendship Club
  2.  To provide the opportunity to serve their community
  3.  To provide new learning experiences for Junior Counselors and Staff
  4.  To enhance the quality of programs and experience for Friendship Club participants
  5.  To strengthen work ethic and teach important job skills to Junior Counselors
  6.  To learn how to work both independently, and as a team
  7.  To BE SAFE and HAVE FUN!

Online Activity #: 1347JC

2. Junior Counselor Summer Program

Calling all aspiring leaders! The Junior Counselor Summer Program gives youth the chance to gain valuable leadership experience. Junior Counselors will assist City Staff with activities, projects, and games, all while having a blast! This experience helps build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

Grades: 6 – 10
Locations: Memorial Park Building, 1331 Portland Ave. or
Ocean View Park Building, 900 Buchanan St.
Activity #: 3347JC

3. Junior Counselor FAQs

What should Junior Counselors wear ?

JCs should wear their Junior Counselor badge, weather appropriate clothing and comfortable shoes. 

What do Junior Counselors need to bring?  

JCs should bring a snack, and a reusable water bottle. Friendship Club is a NUT FREE environment. 

What hours will our Junior Counselors be working? 

JC will work with FC staff to choose there own schedules.  This can be 1-3 days a week during Friendship Club afterschool hours.  Please reach out to friendshipclub@albanyca.org for any questions. 

What is the sign-out policy for Junior Counselors? 

At the time of registration, the parent/guardian can authorize or not authorize their Junior Counselor to sign themselves out at the end of their shifts. If they are not authorized, a parent/guardian or someone on their pick-up list is required to sign them out for the day. 

What if the Junior Counselor cant make a shift?

The JC are required to email regarding there absences prior to there shift to friendshipclub@albanyca.org

4. What to Expect

Tweens/teens are responsible for all correspondence regarding the Junior Counselor Program, beginning with their part of the application process and continuing throughout their Junior Counselor experience. We want Junior Counselors to call, email, organize, and initiate!

Junior Counselors will work directly with Friendship Club Staff to assist in the setup, implementation, and break down of daily activities. Throughout their commitment, JCs will get hands-on work experience with children, learn how to manage conflicts, developing their leadership skills, make new friends, and have fun.

5. Register/Refund Policy

Junior Counselor Refund Policy:

All refund requests must be made in writing by email to friendshipclub@albanyca.org 

Thirty (30) business days or more before the first day of camp: 

payee refunded less a $20 withdrawal fee 

Eleven(11) business days or more before the first day of camp:

payee will receive a 50% refund

Ten (10) business days or fewer to the first day of camp:

refunds will not be granted

Camps will be refunded if canceled by the City of Albany. Cancellations and transfers will not be granted for nonattendance.

6. Friendship Subsidy Program

The City of Albany is offering financial subsidies to income-eligible participants in the Junior Counselor Program. The subsidies are available to junior counselors who reside in Albany. This temporary program is funded through Albany's American Rescue Plan Act funds.

Interested families should apply before completing registration. Applications will be accepted until funds are no longer available.

Please contact kmiller@albanyca.org or 510-559-7227 for more information and to receive an application.