Top 10 for New Staff

[Campy Measius]

Hey guys,
I'm doing a talk for C.A.N.S (Camping association of Nova Scotia) next month and I'd love your input.
It's called "Help, I'm a new counselor!" So what I'd like to do is touch on the top ten concerns of most new staff. Then do a q&a session.
So if you're a going to be a new staff this summer what are your top 10 questions, and if you are returning, what things do you wish someone had told you?

[laurathistle]

I am going to be new staff this summer. Most of my questions have been answered by all you lovely people at Talk Camp, but if I hadn't found the site, my 10 questions would have been (in no order):

1) How well do the internationals integrate with American staff?
2) How hard is it to work at camp?
3) Do staff get homesick?
4) What do I need to bring with me?
5) What is the weather going to be like?
6) How much time off will I get?
6) What is the food like?
7) What are the directors like?
8) Will I have access to a phone/computer?
9) What if the kids don't like me?
10) What happens if i get sick at camp?

[KiwiCRB]

You should also do a Top 10 advice from returning staff!

[annknee]

My main question was "how does it work?" We have lots of programs every week and switch around, only no one told me that to start with!

Also, is there anything that is really useful to bring? My inbox gets flooded with that question and What is the weather like?!

[campnerd99]

Maybe something like "what should I bring" except more for 'extras', stuff you don't really need, but is useful to have. Like bedtime story books and such...or maybe that's just the over-packer in me coming out.

[armadillo]

I wish someone had told me what I could bring. I, having been a camper all of my life, didn't think about certain things that I would want to have that kids can't have. For example, CDs (to play in the dining hall), my iPod, snacks and drinks, flip flops, and make-up. I arrived at camp and found that all the staff had a secret stash of sodas and chocolate in the staff fridge, which they ate while listening to the CD players wearing flip flops in the staff house, and I wanted to be doing the same!

I also didn't think about needed an alarm clock. I did have like three flashlights (a big flashlight, a latern for the tent, and a little flashlight) and found out that I didn't need those (a simple headlamp does the best job for me). So there were also things that I brought that I didn't need, and I had to lug them around all summer.

[Campy Measius]

Hey guys, thanks for the help.
Your input will be useful :)