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Being a Support Staff
A popular and affordable choice for you as a full-time student, Support Staff members enjoy all the wonderful benefits of working at a summer camp (such as free meals and accommodation) without living or working directly with the campers. The backbone of camp, Support Staff help to keep camp operations running smoothly and efficiently. Your job at camp can range from preparing meals and cleaning the kitchen, to doing office work, maintenance, and grounds work. To qualify, U.S. regulations require that you are currently a full-time student.
During the Day
The hours you work as Support Staff are not as long as that of a Camp Counselor. Depending on the job for which you are hired, you might have free time in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening after you finish work. As Support Staff, many camps do encourage you to get involved with all the camp activities and campers. This will not only give you a better overall camp experience, but will also help you improve your English.
Accommodation
Support Staff generally share their own housing (cabins, dormitories, or platform tents) with co-workers and do not share a cabin with children.
Food
Staff and campers eat in what is normally called the Dining Hall. Depending on your camp, you get your food from a “buffet” or it is served “family style” (in which platters of food are bought to your table). The dining hall is a fun and lively part of camp, with lots of talking, chants, and singing. As Support Staff, we strongly urge you to get involved with the chants and singing in the dinning hall, as this will only add to your camp experience.
Work Hours and Responsibilities
During the summer, you are entitled to a minimum of 24 hours off per week, of which 12 hours must be continuous during daylight hours. Support Staff are not allowed to work more than 10 hours in any one full day and/or 60 hours in one full week.
You will be expected to follow strict camp rules for campers and staff, such as no smoking, no drinking of alcoholic beverages on camp, a nightly curfew, etc.
All in all, the joy of summer camp more than offsets the hard work. A cheerful, hardworking attitude is a must!
Support Staff Skills
Cleaning
General Cleaner |
Laundry |
Maintenance
Building Repairs |
Mowing Lawns |
Kitchen
Chef/Assistant Chef |
Kitchen Assistant/Food Prep |
How To Rate Your Skills On Your Application Form
On your application form, you will be required rate your personal interest and your working ability for as many of the above skills as you can.
How To Write Up Your Skills On Your Application Form
On your application form, you will be required write up your best 3 skills!
The best skills are the ones that you have the most personal experience with or what you believe you would be best suited to do. The best guide to writing up your skills is to list the following information.
• How long you have been doing that skill.
• How you learned that skill and if you have any certifications/degrees that relate.
• List all the elements and things you can do for that skill (use the correct wording/phrases etc).
• List in detail your work experience in that skill.
