Camp counseling is one of the best (if not the best)
jobs in the world. There is no better way to spend a summer.
You will have the opportunity to make a real difference in a
child's life. The campers in your cabin will remember you
and their experiences at camp for years to come.
Camp counseling is not for everyone, however. It
can be a 24-hour, 6 day per week job. You must have
a genuine concern for and interest in children. They
are the reason Kingsley Pines Camp exists. If you
can't stand your nieces and nephews, the kid next
door, or baby-sitting for the twins down the street,
then forget it! Camp counseling is not for you.
Counselors must have the ability to work long hours,
that are both physically and emotionally challenging.
Freedom is limited. Counselors are "on-duty" unless they are
on time off. Our days are long, and we demand a great deal
from our staff. You will live in a one-room cabin with 3 - 8
campers, so privacy is almost non-existent. You will not
have much "personal space".
"When you have that many children relying on you, you suddenly
recognize that this production isn’t about you, it’s about the kids and how much fun
they’re having. Teaching children has to be one of the most rewarding experiences of
my career thus far. There’s no other job that allows you to sing silly songs, to
play leap frog spontaneously at any given point in the day, to dance in the rain
to “It’s Rainin’ Men,” or to prank someone’s office by toilet papering the outside
(without going to jail, that is). My days at Kingsley Pines not only consisted
of teaching drama, but also of being a mentor and friend to my campers"
Despite these challenges, working at camp will
be one of the most rewarding experiences of your
life. You will make friends from all over the world,
swim in beautiful Panther Lake, roast marshmallows
over a campfire, and make a difference in a child's
life.
We have developed the goals listed below for our staff.
We believe by striving to meet these goals, we will provide
the best camp experience for both campers and counselors.
The daily program, staff orientation, and all we do at camp
is based on these goals:
Camp is a life changing experience, where campers
learn things about themselves they didn't know when they
arrived - Independence, Responsibility, Group living
skills, New activity skills, Decision making skills
No camper will "fall through the cracks". Each child
is attended to while at camp.
Counselors have a positive impact on each camper,
such that in 20 years each camper will remember his/her
counselor's name and experience at camp.
Counselors are members of a supportive community and
they rely on each other.
Each counselor realizes the effect their actions and
behaviors have on the campers and that is reflected in
the choices that they make.
The following is a description of a typical day at
Kingsley Pines, and a general
outline of a counselor's
duties: 7:00 Early Risers - This an opportunity
for campers and staff to jog, swim, fish, or bike before
breakfast. Others just stay in bed until it is time for
breakfast.
7:30 Breakfast - All meals are served
buffet style and there is always a vegetarian option. We eat
outside, by the lake, at picnic tables (weather permitting).
8:00 K.I.P. & Cabin Clean up - Each cabin
group is assigned an area of the camp to clean during the
first part of this period. The second half of the period is
spent on cabin clean up. Campers sweep the floor, hang wet
bathing suits on the line, etc. Counselors supervise,
organize, and participate in this effort.
9:00 Activity Periods 1-3 - There are
four regular activity periods, three in the morning and one
in the afternoon. Campers select their own activities on a
weekly basis. Each period you will teach an activity.
12:00 Free Time & 5th Period sign up -
Though your campers have free time, you are still
responsible for knowing where they are and what they are
doing. The campers will sign-up for 5th period, which is a
daily choice. You may be assigned to supervise an area of
camp.
12:30 Lunch
1:20 Siesta - A quiet time for
campers and staff. Campers often write letters, play
cards, or read. Counselors do the same or sometimes
seize the opportunity for a quick nap.
2:40 Activity Period 4 - The
regular activity periods continue.
3:30 Snack Time
"Coming to camp was the
greatest thing I could have ever done. It
has given me the opportunity to reach out
and really make a difference in a child's
life. I can let them be themselves and have
fun away from the pressures of life outside
camp and that's what its all about. Its
giving the kids a chance to take away some
of the most important experiences of life
even if they don't realize it yet. And its
just so amazing and powerful to me that I
need to be apart of it again."
D. A., Maine
4:00 Activity Period 5 - A special
period where campers choose their activities daily. It is a
time for counselors to showcase special talents and skills,
and an opportunity for our campers to try something
different
4:50 Free Time & General Swim - Though
your campers have free time, you are still responsible for
knowing where they are and what they are doing. You may be
assigned to cover general swim or to supervise an area of
camp. You may also take the opportunity to check your email
in the staff lounge or just hang out with your kids.
6:00 Dinner - The last meal of the day. You have a chance to
catch up with your kids and find out how their day went.
7:00 Evening Programs - They are
different each night (ex. dance, campfire, carnival, Clue,
camper/counselor hunt, wacky relay race, Council Fire, and
Gold Rush). Some groups may also go on overnight trips.
8:30 Prepare for bed - Time to put
your kids to bed. Many counselors read to their campers.
Others let the cabin listen to music quietly. All staff
members spend a few minutes with their kids, having a brief
sharing time and asking them about their day.
At the end of Evening Program, half the counselors will be
on time off until 1:00 am. The other half will remain
on-duty to monitor the campers. There is a staff lounge
available for your use. It has computers with unlimited
Internet access, TV, DVD player, and phones. You may leave
camp during time-off and we help make this happen by
allowing counselors to use camp vehicles. All staff members
are expected to be in their cabins by 1:00 am. Emergencies
can occur at night, and we need to know that each cabin is
properly supervised.
Counselors also have one 24-hour day off per week. Your days
off are your own. We only require that you return on time,
rested and ready to meet your cabin and activity
responsibilities. On days off, counselors may use camp
equipment like waterski boats, sailboats, climbing tower,
etc. Camp vehicles are also available for use.
There are other things you should know about working at
Kingsley Pines. Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs are
prohibited on Kingsley Pines Camp property. Any person
possessing alcoholic beverages or drugs, or returning to
camp under the influence of alcoholic beverages or drugs is
subject to immediate dismissal. We have an obligation to
keep our campers safe. People under the influence of alcohol
and drugs make poor decisions and place campers at risk. In
addition, an intoxicated counselor who passes out on the
floor in front of his or her bed is not the type of role
model we want to provide.
We also do not allow smoking on camp property, or
at any camp activity, including out-of-camp trips.
All staff members must be non-smokers, or agree to
refrain from smoking during the camp season. We do
this because counselors are role models. Smoking is
hazardous to our camper's health. We don't want a
camper to learn that smoking is "cool" from his or
her counselor.
We hope you'll consider working at Kingsley Pines this
summer. Camp is a wonderful experience for a child. We need
your help to provide children with this opportunity for
growth, learning, and fun.
"I absolutely love the
place with all my heart and I couldn't see
myself doing anything else during the summer
months. I have never enjoyed myself so much
as I did last year. I felt that the whole
positive atmosphere and the staff in general
brought out the best in me and I was able to
work to a much higher ability."
A.C., Ireland
A
final thought: Camp counseling is fun, rewarding, and a
great way to spend the summer. You will develop friendships
that will last a lifetime. It will be an experience you'll
never forget!
Counselors also have one 24-hour day off per week. Your days
off are your own. We only require that you return on time,
rested and ready to meet your cabin and activity
responsibilities. On days off, counselors may use camp
equipment like waterski boats, sailboats, climbing tower,
etc. Camp vehicles are also available for use. 