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)

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).

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.

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)

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)

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)

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

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

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)

Off season camp jobs

My significant other's son is currently working for Nature's Classroom. Nature's Classroom has 14 locations throughout New England, usually at summer camp facilities that are set up for year round groups. Nature's Classroom takes school groups a week at a time for outdoor & environmental ed.

As a former teacher, I always was interested in any type of active learning, thus the attraction to working at and running my own camp, Maine Arts Camp. For young teachers looking for work, having room and board included, along with competitive weekly pay, programs like Nature's Classroom are a good option in this tough job market. Working at off season camp jobs can also help 20 somethings to gain experience working with children. This can only help in applying for summer camp jobs. Camp directors are looking for staff with experience working with children and year round work of this type translates very easily into living and working with campers at a summer camp job, either at a day camp or a residential camp. Other places to look for off season work would be with the YMCA or with other seasonal work sites. Working at a program like Nature's Classroom is often more fun and allows the staff creativity that one doesn't find as a substitute teacher. So, when you're thinking about summer camp jobs, don't forget to search for camp jobs for the Fall and Spring. Good luck in your job search!

Rick Mades
Owner/Director of Maine Arts Camp
Owner of Camp Finders & MySummers, the best place to search for summer camp jobs.

Year round summer camp jobs

Although this is a slower time of the year for MySummers, there are still a few applications coming in every day. Many of these applicants are looking for year round camp jobs. This is a good time to look, as camps are evaluating the past summer and deciding whether to hire a new full time employee or replace someone in that current position. On the other hand, the economy hasn't been the best over the past two years, so camps may hesitate to fill a position that isn't necessary. So, what should an applicant do? I would suggest that applicants contact camps directly, express an interest in working at camp in a full time position and emphasize that they're willing to do whatever it takes to help the camp. Even if an applicant is interested in the recruiting/marketing side, he/she should be open to helping with year round maintenance of the camp and living at the camp if the camp needs an assistant caretaker. Many camps shut down their facilities for the summer, but having staff living on site helps to keep the camp secure from locals who know that many summer camps are empty in the off season. At Maine Arts Camp, we don't own a facility, basically leasing Unity College's facility for the summer, so our camp is not a good fit for my suggestions, but most camps are. Also, by bringing on staff to live at camp, camps can start to explore ways to better make use of their facilities in the off season. Applicants can certainly find camp jobs on line at various sites, including MySummers, but applicants should also take the initiative to research camps on their own, and find ones that have an unused facility during the winter. Besides learning the ropes on recruiting campers and staff, learning about camp maintenance and off season rentals gives full time camp jobs employees a look at the whole operation. This experience is invaluable.

Along with expressing an interest in helping camps in whatever ways possible, applicants looking for summer camp jobs should also be open to a lower salary that would include housing at camp. It may be a little lonely living at camp during the winter, but that's what it may take to get experience at camp jobs, whether for residential camps or day camps. Sites that are good resources for camp jobs and seasonal jobs in general include MySummers, American Camp Association, Quint Careers, and Coolworks.

Good luck in your search for the best summer camp jobs!

Rick Mades
Camp Director, Maine Arts Camp
Owner, Camp Finders (since 1994) & MySummers (since 1999), the best resource for camp jobs

A summer camp perspective

We have been at camp since June 28, starting with early staff arriving, then staff training and finally campers on July 6. This summer's start was the hottest I have ever seen, the hottest weather in the East since 2001. Usually Maine has pleasant days in the 70's and about 60 at night. Homesickness + hot weather is a bad combination, but in general our campers and staff have perservered. It is great to see campers and staff so happy and involved in the daily and evening activities. Improv night was a great choice for the first evening activity and last night's capture the flag was a hit. If any college students are reading this blog, and you're considering working with children for your livelihood, applying for summer camp jobs should be high on your list. This is especially true for residential camps. I talked with a staff member yesterday who had worked at a day camp and they so value the stronger connections that are made in living with campers 24/7. It is more challenging, but much more gratifying.

What's amazing is how the days fly at camp. It is so busy that there isn't time to think and reflect. I probably should be roaming around watching activities right now, but wanted to take a few minutes to think about the past couple of weeks. I just stepped out in the middle of this
blog and saw our African Infused Dance activity. Amazing stuff!

Besides working with campers on homesickness, it can be more of a challenge working with parents. They often receive a letter 3-4 days after camp has started. That letter was written the first day, when their child's homesickness was at a peak. As a parent, those are heart wrenching letters to read, even if we have sent them pre camp packets warning them that they could receive such a letter. If the camper is still homesick after 3 days, we call the parents so that they are not surprised to receive such a letter. The harder parents to work with often are ones that we haven't called. If campers are not exhibiting homesickness, there is no reason to call or to bring up home to those campers. We want them to have fun and make friends, which naturally happens at camp. Some of the parents we haven't called can't believe that their child is doing well and with a no phone call policy for 2 week campers, it can be challenging to deal with. But, working through these issues is all worth it as campers come home more independent, confident and having grown is so many ways.

Staff who take summer camp jobs at residential camps shouldn't just look at working as a camp counselor as any job. It is a life changing experience for most staff. Some of you may find that working and living with kids is not for you and that is ok. But, many of our staff have told us that after working at camp, they know that this is their life calling.

Have a great summer and think about applying at MySummers for summer 2011, the best site for summer camp jobs!

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

summer camp jobs & interviews

Now that we are in mid March, most camps open within 3 months. With the overall job market so tight, college students would be well served to explore summer camp jobs sooner rather than later. At Maine Arts Camp, we are fully staffed for male counselors and may hire another 2-4 female staff in a month or so, depending upon enrollment. We have had lots of quality applications and have an older and more mature staff than ever. We have many graduating college students on staff this summer. For college students, taking a summer camp job makes a lot of sense at this time. At sleepaway camps, staff get their room and board taken care of and most camps will offer some sort of travel allowance for staff who live a good distance from camp. Also, living and working with a team of staff helps to prepare young college students and graduates for the work force.

At camp, we talk about staff "wearing many hats". If an applicant is looking to fill a specific role only and isn't willing to fill in wherever needed, we don't hire that person. I don't know how each college career service prepares their students for interviews, but getting across to students that they need to be "ready, willing & able" to be part of a team and jump in where needed would be the first thing I would talk about. This underlying thought process doesn't just work at camps, but any job. Is it hard work being a camp counselor (especially at a sleepaway camp)? Sure it is, but after a summer working and living with kids, most staff should easily transition into a 9-5 job. What else should applicants think about when applying to work at a summer camp job? Since we receive so many applications, we look more carefully at the ones that take the time to fill out our staff application with some thought, care and sincerity. If an applicant can't express why he or she wants to work at our camp specifically, then we usually don't even offer an interview.

We were very impressed with career services at Alfred University last month. We spent a few days at Alfred for a job fair, a meeting with interested students and many interviews (7 in two days). We later did several phone interviews and ended up hiring 5 Alfred College students, 3 of which are graduating this year. Since we're a small camp, with only about 33-34 counselors living with the campers (dorm counselors), 5 from one school was amazing! Keep in mind that Alfred is known for its arts programs, so Maine Arts Camp is a great match for Alfred students. Thanks to Kevin Jacobs and the rest of the career staff at Alfred! They are such good advocates for the students and do the hard work to make sure that students have every opportunity to succeed.

Applying at MySummers enables applicants to apply and get their information directly out to interested camp directors. MySummers is unique in that after an applicant fills out the registration form, his/her application is immediately e-mailed to camp directors. This method makes it easy for camp directors and qualified applicants to find each other. There are other summer camp jobs sites on the web and applicants should explore all avenues. Applicants need to be pro-active and stick with it. We had an applicant call yesterday who had sent in her application about a month ago. Although we're still not interviewing her at this time, we will if enrollment picks up. I also gave her a couple of summer camp jobs sites to register with. A site that has a good number of job listings is Summercampstaff. For good advice on jobs, internships and more, go to Quint Careers. Good luck in your search for a summer camp job!

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

Facebook and social networking

I attended the ACA National conference last year in Orlando and sat in on an interesting workshop. It was run by camp directors (Director's Roundtable). The workshop was on the last day of the conference, but may have been the most thought provoking session that I attended. Staff at camp are employees only while they're at camp. In the off season, how can camp directors influence returning staff or former staff to continue to act in a responsible role of a counselor, not a friend to current or former campers? The Roundtable discussed how it is basically impossible to control what happens on Facebook, who staff and campers befriend and any communication through Facebook or other means. At Maine Arts Camp, we have a policy where if a camper and staff would like to communicate in the off season, such communication needs to be approved by the parents of the camper and by the camp director. In theory, this is a good policy, but parents and camp directors cannot possibly know everything that goes on with such communication. I have talked with another camp director who feels that campers come back to camp for their friends and staff, so healthy communication is a good thing. As camp directors, we want campers to return and feel like camp is their second home. The same director is often on Facebook, checking his staff's pages to make sure that nothing inappropriate is on the page. Should camp directors be Big Brother? We have let our staff know, both in staff training, in the Staff Handbook and in the off season, that even though they are not employed by camp except during the summer, in parents eyes they still represent our camp. That is a scary thought for a camp director as any communication is out of his/her control. We also remind staff that they may need a reference for another job, so they should keep their professionalism in all aspects of their lives. In fact, after this blog, I need to write a recommendation for a former staff. She is applying to grad school to be a teacher. If you're looking for a workshop on this topic, Chris Thurber is available. We have a local lawyer (to Maine) address our staff, but Chris travels the country.

Good luck!

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

American staff, interviews

I just read an interesting article in the Boston Globe, written by a Babson College professor. It is entitled "My lazy American students". At Maine Arts Camp, we run a shorter camp season than most camps (5 weeks), with most staff only staying for 4 weeks. Since we run for such a short time, we don't hire international staff like most camps, as those staff come on longer visas. Some of the article certainly rings true, as last year we did have a problem with some staff texting and/or taking cell phone calls while on duty. It was limited to just a few staff, even though we made it clear in our Staff Handbook and at staff training that while on duty, the only time staff would use their cell phone would be a camp related call. We have also had to talk with staff about checking e-mail during meals a couple of years ago. We will make our policies even clearer this summer during staff training and discuss the rationale. Any camp staff need to understand that if the campers can be unplugged, the staff needs to set an example and do the same. Taking a summer camp job is different than working a 9-5 job and staff need to set aside some of their normal habits. As a whole, I think that our staff are quite good and dedicated to working with campers. The interview process is the key. If we receive a staff application and the reason that the applicant wants to work at our camp is to just have fun, we move on to other applicants. During the phone or in person interview, and through checking references, we can also quickly gather what level of dedication an applicant will have toward being a camp counselor. I think that the professor from Babson (the author of the article) is probably accurate as a whole, but there are lots of quality American staff working at camp. Camp directors just need to be picky, which is easy with so many people looking for summer camp jobs. If you're looking for some good interview questions, we have sat in on a good ACA workshop with Gary Forster. Noel Corpuel of Camp Wayne is also quite expert at staff interviews. We appreciate all of the great resources and fellow camp directors, but these two come to mind first.

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

Staff retention

I'm on the e-mail list for a blog by Steve Maguire. Steve is a dynamic speaker that I met last February at a camping conference. After reading his last blog, I started to be more proactive with staff from last summer. Thinking she wasn't going to be asked back, one of our staff who we would like back had already started to apply to other camps. We only gave her positive feedback over the past two summers, so that was a surprise. We needed to contact her earlier, probably in October sometime. After contacting the returning staff we want back, I already have a good idea about what areas we need to start addressing. We have moved our camp from Bethel, Maine to Unity College, in Unity, Maine. It is a very exciting time as the communities around Unity, especially Belfast, seem to be very artsy & full of creative and talented teachers. We need to transfer that message to parents and staff, to get them ready for a new adventure this summer. Within the week, I'll follow several of Steve's suggestions, including either listing returning staff at our Facebook page or e-mailing staff directly about summer 2010. He has many other great suggestions, including getting their input about camp (we have done this by phone over the past few weeks and by evaluation forms at the end of the summer), thinking about ways returning staff can take on new responsibilities and leadership roles, and getting out summer 2010 agreements in the past few weeks. Here is the full article from Steve's blog. Have a great Thanksgiving!

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

Summer camp jobs & staffing

Working at a summer camp, especially at overnight camps, can help both campers and staff grow in so many positive ways. Staff learn how to resolve issues among campers and staff, how to balance their time, how to compromise and listen, and how to communicate better with their peers, campers and administrators. It is a learning experience for all! In looking for summer camp jobs, potential staff can talk with friends who have worked at camp. That is certainly a good start, but finding a camp on their own can be better in terms of risk taking and gaining independence. Some sites such as MySummers has a large number of camps that are looking for quality staff. By registering with such a site, staff will have many good choices and can start to narrow down their search for a camp that matches their personality and interests.

As much as can be learned at camp, staff new to overnight camps need to understand that the job is 24/7 and can be exhausting. Being a camp counselor may be the most meaningful job one ever has, but it is a lot of work. At the right camp, staff will be teaming with peers who are also passionate about working with children. It is a time for staff to be creative, thoughtful, and a place to put their egos aside and be part of a team. These life skills will translate into the work place in so many ways, many not easily defined. So, in looking at summer jobs, don't neglect what could be the best of all, a summer camp job!

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