The Way Camp Works

It takes a lot of energetic and passionate people, in a variety of roles, to ensure that camp runs successfully each summer. Your first year at camp, you will be in counselor or support staff (depending on which you role you have applied for) and will play an integral part in the structure at camp.

You may be surprised to find the camp director or owner heavily involved in the day-to-day running of camp. Unlike the managing directors of most businesses, the camp director will often be found doing their part, sweeping or painting for example. They lead from the front, because they love camp and want to see it looking and running at its best. It's hard not to respect someone who has chosen to spend so much of their life counseling and creating memories for others.

The first year at camp is always memorable, due to new friends and experiences. However, many returning staff find that their successive years at camp are each unique and provide immense satisfaction in many ways. For example, new roles or greater responsibility allows them to get to know a wider variety of people and further develop skills. Returning staff, some of who have been at camp for many years, will usually be in positions of increased responsibility. This is something you may wish to aim for yourself!

Camp Hierarchy

The smooth running of the camp relies on many people with differing roles. Some of these roles are described below:

 

Camp Director
He/she is often someone with many years of experience at camp and may also own the facility. The Camp Director has the ultimate responsibility for running the camp and will deal with all major issues.

 

Program Director
Typically he/she is the person that organises and oversees all the activities at camp. They schedule the campers into their selected activities and provide guidance to the activity specialists. In many cases they do not have direct responsibilities to the children, but act as a stepping-stone to the Camp Director if there is a problem with a camper.

 

Head Counselor/Division Head/Unit Leader
Most camps are divided into groups based on age and gender. For each group there will be a head counselor, division head or unit leader who is responsible for the counseling staff and all the children in that group. These leaders have often been counselors at camp themselves for many years and as such will understand the day-to-day needs of the campers. Their role is to co-ordinate all programs in their division or unit and they are often the first place you can seek help if there is a problem.

 

General Counselor
You will be responsible for a group of children. You will sleep in the same cabin or building as them, eat with them and take the campers to their different activities throughout the day, where the specialist counselors will take over. During activity time you will participate and assist in the various parts of the program that require your help. You will look after the camper's general well being, offer advice and guidance where appropriate and be a positive role model.

 

Specialist Counselor/Activity Leader
You will be responsible for teaching an activity(s) in which you are skilled or qualified. You may be asked to teach any one of the skills that you listed on your application form, so it helps if you can be adaptable. Your main role will be to run or assist in running your activity area during the day. Outside of activity time, you will help the general counselors to look after the campers in the cabin area, Some camps do not put specialist counselors in cabins or bunks with campers, however each camp is unique, so it is important that you are flexible.

 

Support Staff
You will be assigned to work in one of the areas at camp such as the kitchen, maintenance, housekeeping, laundry or the office to ensure that everyone has the equipment, facilities and food they need to keep camp running! If you have experience in one of these areas, it will be beneficial, but it is not a requirement at most camps. Support staff do not have any direct responsibility for campers, however many camps encourage their support staff to get involved in all-camp activities during their break or free time. (*To work as support staff you must be a full-time student in continuing education on your summer break).