Activity Staff

Position Description

Activity staff are volunteer staff members assigned to lead activities for campers. The primary focus of activity staff is the supervision and instruction of campers during each activity period. Activities will have a second staff member who is not required to have prior skills and experience related to the activity. Some activities will be recurring (e.g. D&D every day, a science themed activity every day, etc).

Activity leaders will be assigned to supervise activities from our core curriculum (e.g., arts and crafts, writing/journaling, boating, ropes courses, archery, swimming, hiking, archery, rock climbing, etc). Additional activities may be based on the preferences, skills, and experiences of our staff members. If you have specific ideas for camp activities, please share them in your application or interview.

Activity leaders will also assist with other essential camp functions (e.g., facilitating shower blocks), especially when cabin counselors are otherwise engaged. All staff should expect to sleep in an open-air style cabin. In some cases, activities staff may be in a cabin with campers, helping build the cabin community and assisting the cabin counselors.

A non-exhaustive list of responsibilities includes:

• Plan inclusive activities based on your skills and experiences under the guidance of programming staff, and communicate material or other needs to leadership prior to the start of camp.

• Lead and supervise activities for 12-20 campers during 2-3 blocks each day

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• Provide clear age appropriate instructions and demonstrate safe practices for each activity.

• Communicate effectively and compassionately with coworkers and campers.

  
  

• Monitor camper whereabouts during the activity.

  
  

• Facilitate timely transitions between activities and locations.

  
  

• Maintain the activity area and materials, ensuring the space is usable for the next group or activity.

• Potentially serve as an additional adult in a cabin, helping build the cabin community and assisting the cabin counselors.

  
  

• Perform all duties considerate of a range of experiences and needs, with a focus on creating an accessible environment and experience for all.

  
  

For an outline of a typical day at camp, see this webpage. Responsibilities in a typical day for an Activity Leader are likely to include: 3 activities, a planning period, the evening program, and supervising a shower block. Blocks in which staff do not have assigned responsibilities may be used as breaks. All staff must keep at least 1 block free as a break. 

As an example, your day might look something like this:

Campers Cabin Staff

Wake Up Wake up

Getting Ready Break

Breakfast Eating with campers

Activity 1  Leading activity

Activity 2  Leading activity

Lunch Eating with campers

Rest Time Break

Cabin Time               Prep time / Break

Activity 3  Leading activity

Free time Prep time / Break

Dinner Eating with campers

Evening Program Assisting with activity

Getting Ready Monitoring showers

Lights out Getting campers to bed

Things you’re likely to encounter as a Camp Staff Member in a typical camp week

• teenagers

• insects, arachnids, and other wildlife

• animals such as frogs, raccoons, deer, and bats

• muddy or uneven ground

• inclement weather including high temperatures, humidity, and thunderstorms

• unexpected situations like power outages

• well water

• dorm-style showers

• overwhelmed, overstimulated, and/or homesick campers

• campers with sensory needs

• open air sleeping conditions (without air conditioning or immediate access to power)

As staff, you will provide a good example for interacting with the environment of camp. The listed items, while maybe stressful, uncomfortable, or unfamiliar, are not inherently unsafe. Being in new situations can be an opportunity for growth and learning for both you and our campers and you are expected to provide a role model for campers in experiencing new situations with a positive attitude.