Choosing the right sleepaway camps & application tips for summer camp jobs

For Parents searching for the right sleepaway camp, here are some questions to think about:
*What type of community does the camp try to create? (this is an important question)
*What is the size of the camp?
*Is the camp more on the competitive or non-competitive bent?
*Is there a religious focus with the camp?
*How does the camp handle new campers, cliques and bullying?
*What is the communication policy for parents and their children?
*Connected with the communication policy, how do camps handle homesickness?
*What is the level of instruction in most of the activities (experienced staff/teachers)?

These questions are also relevant for staff, especially those trying to understand how sleepaway camps work and why their policies are in place.

Having staff invested in the mission of the camp helps to create an environment of positive growth for staff, campers, administrators and the whole camp community.

For Staff applying for summer camp jobs:

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.  The most important question on our application is why the applicant wants to work at Maine Arts Camp.

As a camp director, I want to know why an applicant wants to work as a camp counselor 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 a camp job 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 several of my blog entries. 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 search for the right camp or summer camp job!

Rick Mades
Owner/director, Maine Arts Camp
Owner of MySummers (the best staffing site for summer camp jobs)
Owner of Camp Finders, a personalized sleepaway camp referral service (since 1994)

Gaining independence

I was just on the phone with a parent who is looking for a camp for her children, as well as other relatives. It will be a group of 5 kids. There are always interesting conversations with parents who are sending their child with a friend, sibling or relatives. Often the campers are not so nervous attending overnight camp if they have a friend or sibling. But, as a camp director, we have found that campers often do better coming to camp on their own. That way, there are no expectations among friends and campers can find their own place at camp. We always talk about camp being a place where kids can gain independence and grow. I'm more than comfortable having frank conversations with parents about why we recommend that campers take most of their activities separately so that they can integrate better into the camp community. Chris Thurber talks about camps that can help their campers grow are ones that stick to their mission and have an intentionality so that camp policies fit the underlying mission. Also quoting Chris from the Summer Camp Handbook (a must for parents), is a statement from a camper who clearly went to camp on his own:

One of the best parts about my camp experience was the opportunity to establish myself among peers with a clean slate. None of the kids who knew me from school were there, and the authority figures had no history with me. I felt very free to be myself, and not to be part of an ingrained social order.

I feel that talking with parents, expressing the goals of the camp, and trying to come up with a game plan for multiple campers, can work. On the other hand, we have had parents (and their children) more interested in being with a friend than taking the steps to get to know other campers. Sometimes those families choose another camp and that is ok - they have made an informed decision.

Good camping!

Rick Mades
owner of Camp Finders & MySummers
owner/director of Maine Arts Camp

Choosing a camp

Many families, in researching camps, look at what activities a camp offers and don't think enough about what sort of growth experience their child can have at camp. Instead of choosing a camp where their child's friend goes, or the camp that they attended as a child, parents should explore the numerous quality camps available for children. As a camp director at Maine Arts Camp, we have found that campers who come to camp without a friend often have a more positive experience. Sometimes two or more friends come to camp and integrate into the full camp community, but often campers miss out on creating new friendships. In choosing a camp, parents can talk to their friends, especially if their children have similar interests, but should also ask how the other parent chose their child's camp. Talking to referral services can also be helpful. A service such as Camp Finders has visited a large number of camps and have a basis of comparison in analyzing what each camp offers. Usually, such services are free to parents, with camps paying a commission to the services. Parents should look for a service that will try to learn about their child and contact a select number of camps that could be a good fit. After narrowing down the choices to a couple of camps, talking with the camp directors and then references are a good way to go. The camp experience can be so positive for children and taking a little time to research camps is certainly worth it. Some things to think about in choosing a camp... What is the philosophy of the camp? How are the activities scheduled (by bunk or individually). What is the size of the camp? What percent of campers attend sessions of various lengths? How does the camp integrate new campers into their community? What type of community does the camp try to create? After getting answers to questions like these, a parent can see what camps are a good match for their values and their child's interests.

Rick Mades
owner of Camp Finders and MySummers
owner/director of Maine Arts Camp