Staff Guidelines
Time Commitment
We are looking for qualified camp counselors who are available from:
- Spring Season – mid-March to late May
- Summer Season – late May through mid-August (we prefer to hire staff who are available for the entire summer season)
- Fall Season – late August to mid-October
Eligibility
Applying to work at Camp is a competitive process. We typically have more applicants than spaces. Minimum 16 years of age at the time of application, CILT (Camper in Leadership Training) experience preferred, and one to two years of experience working with children. Priority will be given to applicants who can attend Staff Training week (late May) and who are available to work the entire summer. Staff Training Week is required for all new staff members who have never been to Camp.
We do offer partial spots on the roster to work half the summer, but priority is given to staff members who’ve already completed a full summer and staff members with certain certifications (i.e. Coast Guard license, lifeguard certification, instructor level, etc.). If a staff member arrives later or leaves earlier than initially signed on their Letter of Agreement, if a staff member’s performance is deemed unsatisfactory by the directors, or if Camp is forced to close earlier than scheduled due to some unlikely emergency, the staff member’s compensation will be on a time-served basis. Staff members who do not honor their Letter of Agreement by leaving early or by breaking a policy within the signed Letter of Agreement may not be invited to return the following summer.
Character
Our staff members must possess the highest moral character and serve as positive role models. This can be articulated through Camp’s founding Character Traits: Caring, Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, and Faith. Illegal drugs are unequivocally prohibited while under contract with Camp and all staff are subject to random drug testing throughout the summer. Staff members under the age of 21 are not permitted to purchase, possess or consume alcoholic beverages with contracted with Camp. Failure to abide by these rules will result in immediate dismissal. Camp Sea Gull and Camp Seafarer are smoke-free campuses, including but not limited too vaping products and Juuls.
General Responsibilities
Spring and Fall
In the spring and fall, staff members lead our activities and create a meaningful experience for participants. Examples of fall and spring programs are track out camp for students in year-round school, professional retreat groups, family camps, and Y-Guides weekends.
Summer Cabin Responsibilities
All cabin counselors live with or are assigned to a cabin of campers and are responsible for the supervision of their campers at all times – at sunup and at sundown, before and during meals, during rest period and rainy periods, and during evening programs. When counselors have scheduled time-off, they are not required to be with their cabin. Senior counselors in charge of the cabin are required to write a weekly report on each camper to update the child’s parents. Letters are written during a scheduled time on Friday evenings, and must be written accurately and genuinely, neatly and legibly, and completed during the scheduled letter writing period.
Summer Activity Responsibilities
All counselors are assigned to an activity that they will work on for the entire summer. Counselors report to their activities every day for the program periods, which are 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. They work for the entire activity period, weather permitting. Objectives at each activity are safety, fun, and skill and character development.
Patience, flexibility, and endurance are the three qualities that are most important when working as a counselor. Your role as a counselor requires you to work long hours, present your best self, and selflessly serve others.
Energy
Going 110 percent every day is important. Campers and participants are inspired by your energy and enthusiasm, so counselors must have high energy every day. If you’re having fun and giving your energy and talent to the campers and participants, everyone will have fun and get inspired to be more and learn more.
Watch the video below to hear what our staff has learned through their time at Camp
