DAY IN THE LIFE OF RESIDENT CAMP STAFF

Kitchen staff may already be up preparing breakfast for campers and staff. Nothing wakes you up like the smell of pancakes and bacon wafting around camp. Program specialists and leadership staff may be prepping for an early morning activity, like the Polar Bear Swim or meeting. Some horse camp programs may be rustling at this point as they get ready for morning horse activities.

All of main camp will be waking up and getting ready for the day. Counselors may need to set their alarm a few minutes earlier so they have time to prepare for their day and help the girls get ready, if needed. You’ll love seeing the sunrise and come to enjoy those quiet moments before the buzz of the day arrives!

Breakfast is served! Right before sitting down to eat, campers and staff take part in the flag raising ceremony. You’ll sit with 6-10 campers to help them learn proper table manners, engage all girls in conversation and ensure campers are eating a well-balanced meal…and occasionally break out in a sing-a-long.

We’ll have a brief staff meeting to discuss any needs, concerns and insight for the day. Then counselors lead girls in completing kapers (a.k.a. camp chores) like picking up litter, sweeping, emptying garbage, cleaning up cabins, etc., before moving to morning activities.

Program time! Staff organize, lead and/or support each other in a variety of girl activities such as: archery, crafts, swimming, canoeing and so much more!

Lunchtime! You’ll refuel with your girls over a good meal and good conversation, and continue to refresh them on their table manners.

Rest hour: While girls rest and relax in their cabins or do individual calm activities, you’ll check-in to ensure they are using this quiet time to themselves to re-energize. You might use this time to work on an activity plan, paperwork, scheduling or a new activity idea.

You’ll organize, lead or support staff and campers in two more activity blocks, like open swim, hiking or boating. The blocks are separated by snack time!

Dinnertime! At dinner, staff ensure girls are eating and drinking enough water (they’re expending lots of energy during the day!) and are connecting with others and feeling comfortable at camp.

Each evening had a different activity. You might lead an activity with your cabin group, like a skit or making s’mores, or help lead an all-camp activity like opening and closing campfire.

Activities are winding to a close. Staff ensure girls are in their cabins, getting ready for the night (showered, teeth brushed, PJ’s on, tick check complete, etc.) and winding down for a good night’s rest. Then, you’ll turn in for the night and get re-energized to do it all over again the next day! Two staff members are in the younger camper cabins, all staff are required to sleep in a cabin at some point during the summer. Even when sleeping, staff members are on call to comfort girls who may be homesick, help with night trips to the bathroom and attend any other of the girls’ needs.