SMITHSONIAN SUMMER CAMP YOUTH TEACHER ASSISTANT PROGRAM
Youth Teacher Assistant (YTA) Responsibilities and Information
- You will be given a “monitor packet” for your class. This packet contains a roster of participants, copies of each child’s medical release forms, and other important information. It is your responsibility to keep the monitor packet in a safe place and have it with you during all classes, on all field trips, and during drop-off and pick-up of campers. Monitor packets are given to the YTA supervisor at the end of the day; they are not to be taken home.
- Arrive 45 minutes before class begins. During this time, you will help the instructor prepare for the class. Check with the instructor for specific needs and assignments. During this time you will also meet with the other YTAs and the YTA supervisor.
- Be prepared for the arrival of campers with your monitor packet in hand and stationed in front of the Arts & Industries (A&I) Building, 15 minutes before camp session starts. Take attendance and provide supervision for the campers in front of the Arts & Industries Building, en route to the Ripley Center, and on the way to the classroom to meet the teachers.
- Make sure you have every participant’s medical release form during drop-off the first day.
- Wear your nametag at all times. You will need to bring it to and from home each day to assure access to the Ripley Center before the building is opened to the public. Make sure you have a nametag for each camper. Campers leave their nametags with you at the end of each day.
- You are responsible for each child’s whereabouts at ALL TIMES. Take the participants to the restroom (students under 8). Also act as a “go for” if necessary.
- Be active, engaging and participate, as the instructors require. Don’t just watch. BE A POSITIVE ROLE MODEL for the younger participants.
- Assist with field trips by keeping tally of campers, having a positive attitude, and helping the instructors as requested. Always leave a note on the door of the classroom when the class goes out, informing people where the camp group has gone, when you left, and when you expect to return.
- Full-day YTAs oversee the lunch hour with leading in safe games and organized activities. All full day camps will have lunch from 12:30 – 1:30 at a designated outside location.
- Assist the instructor with class clean up. Classrooms MUST be left CLEAN. Please see the Room Cleaning Policy for details.
- Lead campers to the front of the Arts & Industries Building for pick-up at the end of each session. Campers MUST be out front of the Arts & Industries Building by the stated end of camp time. Assure that participants are released to an authorized adult only, and check off campers as they leave. If there are any questions seek the help of a camp manager. Continue to be a leader and maintain order until each participant is picked up by an authorized adult.
- Pass out and collect student evaluations at the end of class on the last day. The younger children may need their parent’s help in filling out evaluations. Also, fill out the YTA evaluation forms at the end of each week. Don’t forget to give the instructors their evaluations to fill out.
- PROMPTNESS and ATTENDANCE are musts. Not adhering to the schedule is cause for dismissal as it could jeopardize the safety of the campers.
- Dress code is informal, but neat. You will be provided with a camp t-shirt to wear on Mondays and any other day you wish.
- Bring a non-perishable lunch and drink(s) with you each day. Facilities previously open to volunteers for purchasing food may no longer be available. A soda and snack vending machine is available to you in the Ripley Center, but it is not available to the campers, so please be discreet. Please keep in mind that full-day YTAs must be with the campers for their entire lunch period so plan accordingly. No food or drink is to be consumed in the Ripley Center concourse.
- Mobile phone use must be limited to break times or emergencies, please do not use during the times when you are attending to campers, especially drop-off and pick-up times.
- There will be camp managers and teachers available to assist you should any situations arise in which you need help or are unsure how to handle. We all hope you learn and grow from this experience and we are here to guide you.
- In the case of any problems, minor or major, notify an instructor or another adult in-charge.
- Notify the security guard on duty immediately following any serious accidents.
- In the case of a fire alarm, direct children UP through the nearest staircase, and follow the guard’s instructions.
- In case of an emergency, have an instructor call the Quad security office at (202)633-3993 or go to the security office, which is in the Ripley Center Hall. They also have a set procedure for calling 911. If you call 911 yourself, it could delay medical assistance.
IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS:
Summer Camp Hotline (202) 633-2267
Brigitte Blachere, Performing Arts Program Manager (202)633-8594
Online printable Application for Smithsonian YTA program
(requires Adobe Acrobat Reader- FREE download here)