Summer camp jobs - a place to grow!

Welcome everyone to my blog. Running a residential camp (Maine Arts Camp), as well as MySummers (a staffing site) and Camp Finders (a summer camp referral service), I have gained a unique perspective about sleepaway camps. I first attended camp in 1970 in Maine; I'm still at camp and love it!



Rick Mades

Monday, October 3, 2011

Summer camp jobs & burn out

No matter how much we talk about working at a sleepaway camp being almost a 24/7 job, every summer a few staff get burned out after just a few weeks. In reading staff applications, we start to weed out staff whose personal statement talks about how they want to work at camp because it will be "fun". Summer camp jobs can be lots of fun, but it is very hard work. Staff who love working at camp find it to be one of the most meaningful jobs they have ever done. We look for staff who want to make a difference in children's lives, as well as young and experienced teachers.

Along with a thorough interview process and reference checks, most of our staff at Maine Arts Camp are ready for the all encompassing job of a camp counselor. We gear more toward staff who have worked with kids, either in day camps, schools or other venues. Even so, living with and caring for children is a much tougher job. When a counselor who is sound asleep is woken by a homesick camper, the adequate counselors are separated from the exceptional ones. Imagine if that counselor is tired from a tiring "day off", not enough sleep, or just a general wearing down after time from the daily demands of many needy children/teens.

Here are some suggestions for ways to prepare for a successful summer:

*Get enough sleep! Without proper rest, staff won't be able to pull their weight and not have the patience to properly deal with daily issues among the campers. Sleep deprivation is quite normal in the U.S., so camp counselors need to take good care of themselves.

*Less electronics. At most sleepaway camps, campers aren't allowed cell phones, internet access, or anything but the most basic electronics. Camp counselors need to limit their exposure in such areas to time off. It is healthy for campers and staff to be "all in" for the whole camp experience. Candy Cohn, assistant director at our camp, wrote an article about this called "Unplugging the cord".

*Use time off wisely. Most staff have one day off per week and a period off per day. Use this time to escape from camp. What this means is that staff should find a quiet place to rest, read or exercise by taking a run, walking, swimming, biking or whatever works for each individual staff member. On days off, take care of yourself, choosing who you spend time with wisely. There is a good video about "Wise use of time off" from Chris Thurber at Expert Online Training.

Rick Mades
Camp Director, Maine Arts Camp (a small camp community of creative kids!)
Owner of MySummers (the best resource for summer camp jobs) and Camp Finders (a free referral service for sleepaway camps).

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Best staff ever!

We have just finished 4 weeks of camp, with most of the staff leaving tomorrow. This has been the strongest staff we have ever had and the smoothest summer of all! As I try to evaluate what worked so well, the first thought that comes to mind is the lack of ego. There were no high maintenance staff this summer, who felt they were privileged or more important than others. What we had was the whole staff (many current or future teachers) working as a team, helping each other out, enjoying their time with each other and the campers. Our hope is that the bulk of them are able to return, along with the same energy, but more experience for summer 2o12. It could change our whole staff training if most of the staff returned. We could focus more on activity prep, while still making sure that everyone, including any new counselors, were in the right mindset for the summer and their work as camp counselors. How did things change so much over the course of one summer? I think part of it was deciding to let some staff who had been at camp too long to move on with their lives. This left us with returning staff who always think about being "ready, willing and able" and camp counselors who enjoyed being part of a team.

Another change was staff training. We didn't have any guest speakers in, just working with returning staff and our wonderful assistant director, Candy Cohn. She organized the best training we have ever had, with a balance of fun activities to help the the staff get to know each other. Candy set the whole summer in action with her thoughtful and thorough planning of staff training. Thanks Candy!

Also thanks to our dedicated dorm heads, program heads, and other returning staff who lead by example and words. We expect the same as this summer's first year staff step it for summer 2012.

One thing I would recommend to anyone. Read the book "Whale Done". It has helped me to be a better camp director and a better person. Also thanks to all the great presenters at ACA New England. We always learn a lot about how to be better professionals in the camping industry by sitting in on the educational sessions.

Have a great rest of the summer!

Rick Mades
Camp Director, Maine Arts Camp
Owner, Mysummers (summer camp jobs) and Camp Finders.

Tuesday, June 14, 2011

Interviewing tips

We're off to Maine in a week for camp and may hire one more female staff. We had a brief interview, if you can call it that, this evening with an applicant. Here are some things not to do if you're applying to work at a sleepaway camp...

We asked the applicant what she did last summer. She worked at another sleepaway camp and said that living with kids 24/7 was tedious. If that is the case, then why even take an interview for a camp job? Then, I asked my typical first question, which is why do you want to work at our camp? She said that she hadn't looked at our web site and asked me to tell her more about our camp and how it was different from the one she worked at last summer. I told her that if one is applying for any job, he or she should learn as much about the business (or camp) as possible. This didn't seem to register and we ended one of the shortest phone interviews ever. With so little time before we leave, there is no time to waste on applicants who aren't committed and excited about the opportunity to work at a camp job. My significant other (Candy) loves the movie "The American President". As Andrew Shepherd said "We have serious problems to solve, and we need serious people to solve them." "This is a time for serious people, Bob, and your fifteen minutes are up." Our interview only lasted 5 minutes, even shorter than Bob Rumson's 15.

Are you really interested in a summer camp job? If so, and you want some good interview tips (some serious ones), here is a partial list from a previous blog that is particularly relevant:

*Be professional - you are not talking with your friends in an informal atmosphere.

*Avoid certain phrases and words - if you have the tendency to use the word "like" or expressions such as "you know", take your time and put together thoughtful responses to questions. We have had applicants use the word "like" at least 50 times in several interviews. This is a big turnoff!

*Learn about the camp - we often start by asking "why are you interested in working at our camp? Many applicants have general responses. The ones that have read through our web site and are interested in being part of our camp community really stand out.

*Why summer camp jobs? - think about why you really want to work at a camp. If it just sounds like fun, you're applying for the wrong reason and may want to research other types of jobs. Camp counselors work very hard (24/7). It can be exhausting, but very rewarding. Are you ready to put much of your "normal" life on hold for the summer?

*Learning experience - take the interview as a learning experience, so you're better prepared for the next one.

*Have some questions ready - this shows good preparation and will also make you think more about the interview and camp.

Have a great summer;

Rick Mades
Camp Director, Maine Arts Camp
Owner, Camp Finders (sleepaway camps referral service) and MySummers (the best resource for summer camp jobs)

Friday, April 29, 2011

Preparing for summer camp jobs

Wow, it's the end of April and we'll be leaving for Maine in less than two months. Camp is close, yet there is so much to do. We are pretty much done staffing at Maine Arts Camp and focusing on how to get staff ready for the summer. As we all know, summer camp jobs are extremely rewarding, but lots of work. Getting the staff in the right mindset before they arrive at camp is key. There are various resources out there to help staff prepare for the summer. We are once again using Expert Online Training, a web site full of great videos by experts in the camp industry. I have been watching videos all week, deciding which ones to assign to various staff. Chris Thurber is the driving force behind the site, but there are lots of great speakers. One of the speakers, Jack Erler (from Maine) has run a staff training session 3 times over the past 6 summers for our camp. He is great in preparing staff to think about any legal issues they may have as a camp counselor. At Expert Online Training, there are modules or children with special needs, camps thinking about diversity and inclusiveness, homesickness and so much more. We also have purchased the ACA magazine that comes out every year about staff training. It is usually their best issue and we'll be mailing the issue, along with our staff manual, to all of our staff. Camp jobs are so different than any other job and these tools can help new and returning staff to start thinking about the summer and challenges they may face. I was thinking back to my days as a tennis staff/cabin counselor in the 80's and there was no internet. The amount of information and resources have increased, but the job of a camp counselor, for the most, hasn't changed. Camp counselors need to be there for the campers 24/7 and put their lives aside for a month or two. Especially with all the technology out there now (cell phones, Iphones, laptops, texting, Facebook, etc.), staff can benefit and grow just as much as campers can during the summer. If anyone has suggestions for other good resources for staff, please add a comment. Have a great summer!

Rick Mades
Owner/director of Maine Arts Camp
Owner of MySummers (the best resource for summer camp jobs) &
Camp Finders (helping families find the right overnight camps & teen programs since 1994)

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Summer camp job interview tips

Many of of the applicants at Maine Arts Camp tell us that this is their first real interview. Some of the questions we ask are thought provoking and and can make the applicant quite nervous. Here are some tips to keep in mind when interviewing for camp jobs:

*Be yourself - try to relax and think of the interview as a conversation with new acquaintances.
*Be professional - you are not talking with your friends in an informal atmosphere.
*Avoid certain phrases and words - if you have the tendency to use the word "like" or expressions such as "you know", take your time and put together thoughtful responses to questions. We have had applicants use the word "like" at least 50 times in several interviews. This is a big turnoff!
*Learn about the camp - we often start by asking "why are you interested in working at our camp? Many applicants have general responses. The ones that have read through our web site and are interested in being part of our camp community really stand out.
*Team player - be open to filling in where needed at camp. I have talked about this several times in other blogs. If an applicant is set as to what their role should be at camp, it can be difficult from day one.
*Why summer camp jobs? - think about why you really want to work at a camp. If it just sounds like fun, you're applying for the wrong reason and may want to research other types of jobs. Camp counselors work very hard (24/7). It can be exhausting, but very rewarding. Are you ready to put much of your "normal" life on hold for the summer?
*"I don't know" - don't be afraid to say you don't know in an interview. It is better than fumbling through an incoherent answer.
*Learning experience - take the interview as a learning experience, so you're better prepared for the next one.
*Be open - there are so many quality camps and camp jobs available. Don't get stuck on one camp. Be ready to move on to what seems to be your second or third choice. This may also help to keep you relaxed during an interview.
*Be flexible - do you have plans during the summer? Are these plans necessary? If you really want a camp job, it's "all in" for the time you're at camp. Let camp directors know you're ready for the summer and will be there for whatever they need.
*Listen & learn - have you worked at camp before? If so, you may have pre-conceived notions of what camp should be. Every camp is different. Learn about the underlying philosophy of each camp and do your best to buy in.
*Have some questions ready - this shows good preparation and will also make you think more about the interview and camp.

Many thanks to Noel Corpuel of Camp Wayne for Girls. His interview questions got us off to a great start several years ago.
Also thanks to Gary Forster. We attended one of his sessions at a camping conference and he also had a great format for interviews.

Best of luck in the interview process for summer camp jobs!

Rick Mades
Camp Director, Maine Arts Camp
Owner, MySummers (the best resource for camp jobs) & Camp Finders (since 1994)

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Tips for hiring safe staff

I have been running MySummers since 1999. All camp directors are looking to hire staff that are caring, experienced, skilled and above all, safe with campers. In hiring staff, there are phone/in person interviews, reference checks and background checks. All of these are a must, but then what about staff who have worked at other camps, but don't list those jobs on their staff application or on the MySummers registration form. I would recommend asking potential staff what they have done the past 2-3 summers. Also, ask for references from these jobs. If the applicant can't provide that information, that is a red flag and camp directors should move on to other applicants. Also, camps can subscribe to Staffer Index, a database provided by A.M.Skier. MySummers camps have use of Staffer Index during the busy hiring months (for free!). Staff can be the key to a successful summer, so in hiring for summer camp jobs, camp directors should take as many precautions as possible. I read an article by a former camp director who said he never regretted not hiring specific staff. There are always good applicants, and if you're unsure, move on. There will be less headaches than dealing with problems at camp. Best of luck in finding the best staff for summer camp jobs, one of the most rewarding experiences of all!

Rick Mades
Camp Director, Maine Arts Camp
Owner, MySummers & Camp Finders

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

summer camp jobs - application tips

We are in the heavy time of year for interviewing staff. So, this is a good time for tips about applying for summer camp jobs, specifically at overnight camps. The first impression can make or break the application. I received a staff application yesterday. It was attached to an e-mail. The applicant's note in the e-mail was "Hope to hear from you soon". That was the extent of her communication with me. There was nothing about her background or why she is applying and interested in working at Maine Arts Camp. As a camp director, I want to know why an applicant wants to work at our camp. Our staff are generally very invested in our non-competitive, inclusive camp community. Often time, we get applicants who let us know that they're applying to get more experience, which will help them get a teaching job. That is a good reason for an applicant to apply, but we want staff who totally buy into what our camp is all about (philosophically) and have reasons to work at our camp on a deeper level. Also, we are not looking to give staff experience; we usually want staff who already have a decent amount of experience working with kids.

So, where to start in filling out summer camp jobs applications? First, and this works in any industry, get to know the camp or business you're applying to work for. See if their philosophy fits yours. If an applicant just tells us that he or she is interested in the arts and being in Maine, that is not a compelling reason for us to give an interview. A statement saying "I like kids" as the reason for applying to a camp is also not awe inspiring. Put some thought into why you want to work at camp in general and specifically at whatever camp you're applying to.

Another no-no are lots of misspellings and grammatical errors in the application, or one filled out in pencil. This is very unprofessional and shows lack of care. If an applicant can't take the time to fill out an application properly, will he or she want to spend 24/7 living and working with kids? Probably not...

What are some good things an applicant can do? We are currently working with a male applicant. He has been great at following up, making sure we received his application, thanking us via e-mail after a phone interview, and quickly getting us any more references that we need. His references tell us that he a high character guy and works hard at what he does. There is nothing wrong with being persistent. It shows real interest in taking a summer camp job.

Lastly, and this goes back to my last blog. When thinking about working at camp, and during an interview, applicants need to be ready to be a team player, filling in wherever the camp needs them. For instance, the guy I was just talking about will probably get an archery certification (our camp pays for this) as we need help in that area. Archery was on his list of possible activities he could teach, but lower on the list. Applicants, if they really want to work camp jobs, need to be "ready, willing and able". That's the motto at Maine Arts Camp.

Good luck in the job hunt!

Rick Mades
Director, Maine Arts Camp
Owner, MySummers (the best resource for summer camp jobs) &
Camp Finders