What is a Summer Camp?
A Summer Camp for youngsters ages 6 – 16 is a unique American phenomenon. Summer Camps are found throughout the United States usually in areas with forests, lakes, mountains
and rivers. They are self-contained communities of various sizes, on 60 to 500 acres. There are typically 100 – 300 staff members who range in ages from 18 – 40 and who work in all areas of camp to support the camp community, helping to make the experience a safe, fun and exciting learning opportunity for campers and staff alike.Summer Camps have a wide range of facilities and buildings. Indoor facilities may include cabins for sleeping, large, well equipped dining rooms and kitchens and medical facilities and staff to accommodate the camp community.
There are often indoor gymnasiums, art studios and gathering places for the whole community that serve as theaters and game rooms. For staff, there is usually a special area set aside for relaxing and late night activities after the campers have gone to sleep that may include internet and the like. Outdoor areas include recreation facilities for soccer, baseball, basketball, tennis, rope courses, swimming areas with swimming pools and/or lakes, some of which offer sailing, water skiing, canoeing and other water sports.
Camps host a myriad of nature activities, such as overnight camping and river walks. There are staff members who help teach youngsters to look at the stars and identify flora and fauna. A camper can learn to play the guitar, dance (folk, modern, jazz and more), paint, mold clay, sing in a chorus and act in a play. There are activities galore and staff members to teach and lead them.
Most of all, Camp is about building a community. It is about establishing relationships with the campers and staff, as well as learning to have confidence and building your self-esteem. Camp is about role models. It is learning about different cultures and experiences. Camp is a healthy, safe and most of all, fun environment.
Oh yes, every staff member works hard, but the work is fun and very rewarding and the satisfaction is great. Camp is not for everyone. But it is for someone who wants to have the adventure of a lifetime, to learn a lot and make a contribution with whatever they have to give.
The following list is an indication of the positions available at summer camps:
Program Staff
Specialty Fields: Sports - Tennis, Basketball, Soccer, Sailing, Boating, Canoeing, Kayaking, Gymnastics, Swimming, Archery, Biking, Roller Blading, Hockey, Baseball, Waterfront Sports, Riflery, Athletics, Life Guarding and General Sports (Recreation), Ropes and Challenge Courses. Requirements: Head Staff in camp supervise the activity in their field. They manage, escort and direct the staff that works under their supervision. They build programs for different age groups, from young campers with no experience to older ones with talent, capabilities and experience in a specific area. General Counselors live in bunks with campers and act as general counselors for their cabin and for their entire age group. The position requires the general counselor to escort and lead their campers throughout the day's activities.
Specialists
Specialists teach, coach and instruct groups and individuals for 4-7 sessions a day. In some cases, the specialist will organize competitions, shows and special events in camp and/or with other camps. They will direct different activities for a variety of ages, from young with no experience to older campers with talent, capabilities and experience. Specialists may be expected to live in cabins with children and serve as a general counselor when not working within their specialty area.
Payment starts from $1500 (Depending on your country of residence, level and field of specialty)
Arts / Culture – Visual Arts, Painting, Sculpting, Clay, Arts & Crafts, Photography, Video, Music, Singing, Dance (folk, jazz, modern, etc.), Stage Arts, Woodworking.
Outdoors – Nature, Outdoor Living Skills, Hiking, Petting Zoo, Navigation and more…
Head Staff
Payment starts from $2500 (Depending on your country of residence, level and field of specialty)
Requirements:
Counselors
Payment starts from $1500 (Depending on your country of residence)
Requirements:
Support Staff
Guard/Driver
Safety staff in camp is usually part of a team of 2-5 people that share the basic safety/security responsibilities in camp. Their role in camp is to provide security and to identify and manage any situation that might compromise the safety and security of the property and those who are in residence. This includes day and night guarding and foot patrolling on a 24-hour/seven-day basis. It is not an armed guard position.
Safety personnel may also serve as drivers and help with logistics and with the ongoing needs of the camp.
Safety personnel are a part of the service staff members in camp and therefore will be asked to assist in various areas as the need arises. Usually a guard will work a 7-9 hours shift each day as well as help with the ongoing needs of the camp.
During the orientation week (before the arrival of the campers), the guards will assist in organizing, building and moving camp equipment in order to prepare camp for opening day.
There will be a specific required training/orientation program prior to arrival at camp in order to gain a better understanding of the unique requirements of the summer camp environment and to guarantee the most effective and best performance during routine and emergency situations.
Payment starts from $2150 (Depending on your country of residence)
Requirements:
- Men and women who have served in the Israeli Army and graduated any combat course or served as instructors
- Valid driver's license including International Driver's License
- Good conversational English
- Three references
Chef/Kitchen
The Camp Kitchen staff acts under the supervision of a Food Service Director or Kitchen Manager, in order to provide the campers and staff with tasty and nutritious food. The kitchen staff need to be able to work well in a team, and to be patient and flexible. Camp kitchens operate on a schedule that requires flexibility and compromise. 
The hours of work are decided by the Kitchen Manager and vary from day to day based on the meal schedule. However, the hours are long and the schedule runs throughout the day with each kitchen usually offering three meals and two snacks, from morning through early evening. Depending on the size of the camp, the kitchen can serve between 600 and 2500 meals a day.
The kitchens are clean, professional, modern, well equipped and operate under the supervision of the Local Health Department.
Payment starts from $1650 (Depending on your country of residence and level of certification).
Payment for chefs and kitchen managers starts from $3000.
Requirements:
- Men and women who have official certification and experience as cooks. Field experience is an advantage
- Recommendation from previous employers
- Willingness to work long hours and often in a hot environment
- Understanding of American food tastes and different types of food
- Good conversational English and ability to read it
- Three references
Maintenance
Maintenance staff are a part of a team that responds to the Camp's requirements for standard maintenance, repair, delivery of supplies, cleaning and supplying support in all areas required for the success of the camp and for the health and safety of the camp environment. This may include landscaping, cleaning the grounds, garbage runs, transporting equipment and more.
This job requires good will, “good hands”, basic skills and a willingness to work hard and outside for up to 10 hours a day. There is usually a Camp Maintenance director who supervises the staff in this area. This job requires the staff member to be available at all times when needed, usually during day time. There are usually both American and international staff members on this team.
Payment starts from $1650 (Depending on your country of residence)
Requirements:
- Good hands and a warm heart
- Willingness to work hard in an outdoor environment
- Valid driver's license including International Driver's License
- Good coversational English.
- Three references
Housekeeping
Includes cleaning and organizing rooms for camp guests, cleaning various public buildings in camp, including bathrooms, camper cabins, meeting rooms, etc. as well as operating laundry services in camp.
Payment starts from $1650 (Depending on your country of residence)
Requirements:
- Good will and warm heart
- Willingness to work hard
- Good conversational English
- Three references
