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.

Summer camp jobs & team players

We are always looking for staff who will be good team players at camp. If you have ever worked at a camp, you know what the expression "wearing many hats" means. Staff could be needed to help in the office, help with an emergency with a camper, fill in at an activity which is somewhat new to them, move from one cabin/dorm to another, etc. During staff training one summer, we had one of our boys' counselors come in with a big sign that said "Ego". We were trying to get across to new staff (and returning ones) to check their ego at the door. Invariably, when we have staff who think they deserve special treatment, even if they're very talented in a variety of areas, they can cause more problems than they're worth. Working at a summer camp job takes staff who want to be part of a team and help each other out. I would rather have a new staff who needs training than one who comes in with pre-conceived notions about how our camp should be run.

Although we run an arts camp, I am a big sports fan, especially of the New England Patriots. They currently look like the best team in the NFL and the key word once again is "team". No one player more important than the other (even their leader Tom Brady seems like a great team guy). The coach, Bill Belichick, looks for players who fit his system and who he can "coach up". This is no different than hiring and training staff for summer camp jobs. The Pats motto is "Do your job". Ours at camp is "Ready, willing and able". At camp, doing your job means that you're ready for anything that comes your way. I admire Belichick in that he doesn't get to up or down with each win or loss (not too many lately) and the players try to learn from their mistakes. We hope for the same for staff who take camp jobs. We all make mistakes, but the staff and administrators who learn from them, accept responsibility and grow are "keepers".

So, if you're looking for a summer camp job, or running a camp, don't be afraid to collaborate, ask for help, listen and learn each summer. Since being a camp counselor is a 24/7 job, staff taking summer camp jobs have an incredible opportunity to grow and gain valuable skills that can be used in all different walks of life.

Have a great Holiday and go Pats!

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

More on bullying

While spending some time in New England in late March, we continued to read about the bullying incident at the high school in Hadley, MA, where a young girl took her own life. It is a heart wrenching and tragic story which got me thinking. Although we always devote a whole section of staff training to bullying, we need more structure from an expert so that our staff will have a consistent way of dealing with such issues. Candy Cohn, assistant director at Maine Arts Camp, found a bullying workshop for schools in Maine. Stan Davis, a long time school counselor in Maine, runs the workshop. So, we contacted Stan are delighted that he will be working with our staff during staff training. Stan's web site is Stop Bullying Now! If you're in Maine or New England, his workshop is being held in Augusta May 10 & 11. I also purchased Stan's book "Schools Where Everyone Belongs" and have some reading ahead of me in the next couple of weeks. Of course, someone asked me what I do the rest of the year since I run a camp... I'll let you all know how the effective the training is at the end of the summer. Camp is approaching quickly and I hope that lots of parents start to think about camp in the next 6 weeks. Spread the word about the power of camp.

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

Bullying at camp

One thing that we emphasize at Maine Arts Camp is an emphasis on creating an inclusive community where children and staff are accepted for who they are. We work hard on discouraging bullying and cliques. Chris Thurber is a camp professional who is at many camping conferences running educational sessions. He is one of my favorites as I learn a lot and he is entertaining at the same time. It must come from all of his years as a camp counselor and leader! I just read an article that Chris wrote about bullying at camp. Chris is right that camp is a place where bullying can be used as an educational tool to help campers grow. Modeling positive behavior from staff and staff complimenting campers on proper behavior is a start. As camp directors, we hope that campers have a positive growth experience at camp and that includes all campers. Sometimes we are not equipped to deal with behaviors that are consistently hurtful (physically or emotionally) to other campers, but most of the time we can work with the campers and help them become more empathetic and caring. Chris brought up one fact that was especially pertinent, that most bullies have been bullied. If we keep that in mind, it will help us as camp directors and camp counselors to find a way to relate better to our campers and what they're going through in their lives.

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

Pick an activity night - evening activities

We just spent the week in New England, visiting with interested families and meeting some talented staff applicants. Often parents ask us what we do for evening activities. About once a week, we do a "Pick an activity" night. Kids like to choose their activities, especially with how structured school and some camps can be. What we try to do is find special talents that our camp staff have. If the staff can offer something special that is meaningful to them, it is easy to get excited about the activity and sell it to the kids. We have each staff put on a quick skit so that the campers can figure out what activity is for them. It is interesting how some activities would be loads of fun for the kids, but the staff doesn't sell their idea enough. Each staff member needs to figure a fun way to present their activity to hook the kids. We usually have one or two arts activities, one or two active options, maybe cooking, karaoke and more. Lots of fun! The key is that the staff needs to feel empowered and energized and part of a team. For good information on team building, read this article. For a good resource on activities for camp, go to the Ultimate Camp Resource.

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

Internships, summer camp jobs

With the job market so weak, it makes sense for college students to look into internships. While any internships are unpaid positions, think outside the box and apply for a summer camp job. Most camp directors will be open to filling out the paperwork needed for an internship if they can get quality staff. Even better, camp jobs have a salary so college students get invaluable experience while still helping to cover their expenses for the rest of the year. If a college student wants to gain independence, instead of living at home for the summer and taking the typical retail or restaurant job, take a job at a sleepaway camp. Besides a salary, room and board is included. Yes, that's free food! I used to work at a day/boarding school in Florida and a fellow teacher had a joke he used to tell (and still does!). He said the more you eat, the more you make (you may not want to go overboard on this advice though). Another advantage to working at a sleepaway camp is that many of the camps are in the middle of nowhere, so there is less opportunity to spend what you earn during the summer.

To make the most of your summer camp job/internship, go to Quint Careers for some great advice. Who can benefit from working at a sleepaway camp? When I did my student teaching (math) at Newton South High School in 1990, the department head told me that openings for math teachers only come available every 5-6 years at his school. He also told me that when 50-60 applications come through, he first looks for someone who has worked at a sleepaway camp. Living with kids 24/7 takes a strong commitment and future teachers learn so much about themselves and children in such a job. Besides teachers, learning to work with your peers as part of a team transfers to the business world. By being a camp counselor, one learns how to think out of the box and be creative in problem solving. Good counselors also learn how to ask for help and how to take the initiative.

So, where and when to start? Contact career services at your school and inquire about what it would take to make a summer camp job into an internship. Then, in talking with camp directors, you'll be able to show right away how mature and organized you are. As to when, late fall/early winter is when camps start to hear back from returning staff. So, start the application process in November and you'll have better choices than waiting until late Spring.

There are plenty of web sites that will help you find camp jobs. One is MySummers, the site that I have been running since 1999. About 50 camps subscribe to the site and are looking for quality camp counselors.

Best of luck in your search for a wonderful summer camp job!

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

teamwork and boating

We have moved the location of our camp for summer 2010 and beyond. Maine Arts Camp will be at Unity College in Unity, Maine. In moving our program, I have been talking with several of our boating staff about our kayaking/canoeing program. Although the campers generally prefer the single kayaks, we have always included canoeing as part of the paddling program. Part of the camp experience is geared to helping campers learn to work with each other, communicate, compromise and learn to work as a team. We will continue to offer canoeing and kayaking on beautiful Unity Pond. Since we don't offer team sports at Maine Arts Camp, canoeing can be an important part of our daily mission to help campers grow in a supportive, small camp community. And, they get to be in the outdoors! Who could ask for more? For our boats, we have Old Town Otter kayaks and Old Town Discoveries. These are good recreational boats that work well for our campers. Does anyone have other suggestions for boats that are well built and good for kids ages 8-15?

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