Pre-camp

[laurathistle]

Have you or will you be attending pre-camp?

I don't mean the pre-camp training that all of the staff attends prior to camp, I mean like pre pre-camp that perhaps only returning staff or only those who have been specifically asked attend.

What do you do? Do you get paid extra for it? How long is it before the rest of the staff arrive?

[Melk]

I do!
We have a year round camp so we have middle school groups that come for OE. So the 4th of May I will be heading up to MI to lead canoing, adventure hikes, ect.
We get paid more then actual summer. And usually you have to show intrest in wanting to work OE and then our PD lets you know when he wants you up.

I love working OE. It gives you a chance to bond with people and you get a lot of inside jokes about watching lost and the bachlor once we are done working with the kids. Also you get to know the teachers and chaperones (sp?) that come back year after year its fun for us to see retruning faces and they like seeing the staff grow up too.

[Indigo]

Hmm... We don't really have that, but we do have a slightly separate spring and fall program at my camp's barn, giving trail rides and such. It starts May-ish and goes for the full month until pre-camp training starts. The weekends are hectic (numerous troops of scared girls and pushy leaders at once), but it's a lot of fun, and it's a good way to get into the swing of things for the wranglers and other barn-type people. Then after camp when we do the same thing in the fall, it's a nice way to wind down from the summer!

We also have the camp open-house, where a few returning staff members come to give tours and answer questions for new (or sometimes returning) campers, staff, and families. Last year we had a camp-out the night before, and it was lots of fun! I'm looking forward to it!

[annknee]

We have a supervisor training before main pre-camp starts but we dont have a returners pre camp.

[Smudge]

We have pre-pre-camp but we dont get paid for it! The weekend before pre-camp starts they run trip school and life-guarding. Obviously the life guards are expected to attended that if they arent already certified but other staff can attend too - that is what I am hoping to do - but trip school is open to anyone!

[coach1974]

Our pre camp is the staff moving in a week or two early and we prepare for camp. the last 3 days before the kids come is the orientation. We don't get paid for it, but its fun because we are at camp and it gives everyone a chance to hang out before the kids come. Most of Our all summer staff lives near by from camp, so we all meet out there through out the year and hang out.