2006 What are you going to do?

[camper]

at my camp i would say its an avg of 2-3 years of being a general or specialty counselor before you are asked to become an assistant grouphead. it's good b/c you can work at a special and still move up. of course, there have to be positions open, and since people keep coming back sometimes there aren't any new openings. and then to become a grouphead, i would say it's at least a couple of years being in an assistant grouphead position before you're asked for that...it's a pretty big deal and you pretty much have to be a senior in college who is an education major, a teacher, or a mom. then after that you can get other jobs added onto being a grouphead, for example my aunt is a grouphead and the athletic director, another grouphead is one of the people in charge of tours. if they like you enough, they'll make it so you keep moving up.

[daisy]

I just found out that I'm going to be on administrative staff as the head female counselor this summer! I'm a little nervous, but so excited!

[Dave]

I just found out that I'm going to be on administrative staff as the head female counselor this summer! I'm a little nervous, but so excited!
Congrats daisy! You'll do a great job. :D

[Flukie]

At our camp, a lot depends on what your prior experience is for. For example, this year, 3 of our ULs are 21. Two were ULs last summer, with two years prior as unit counserlors/specialists. One was a UC for two years and a specialist for one. Another applicant is 22, has never been to camp, but has TONS of Girl Scout experience, plenty of outdoor skills and works great with college-age students. She may not have the resident camp experience, but she has a lot of the other attributes we're looking for... You can be a UL at 20, but in most cases, you need solid prior experience and have to have shown you are capable of doing the job.

[campCardinal]

See this is my dilema... I'm going to be 19 this summer. I don't expect to be a unit leader. However, in 2007 I'll be 20... and I'm not exactly sure if I will be unit leader then either. See, we also have assistant unit leaders- but they have all been filled for this summer. So, in 2003 I spent half the summer as an assistant cabin counselor. In 2004 I was an assistant cabin counselor for 10 weeks (although I acted as a co head cabin counselor). In 2005 I was a head cabin counselor for 8 weeks. This coming summer I'm going to be a head cabin counselor again. I just feel like I'm not going anywhere... I've been doing the same thing for so long.

I guess I'll just go into this summer and I'll talk about it with my superiors. I have designed programs for my unit, leader evening activities, scheduled the entire week for my unit (counselors off times and activities and everything), and I have shown leadership among staff members. I just feel like I've earned more responsibility. I guess I'll talk with my boss about where she sees me in 2007, whether or not I'll be climbing up the ladder or not. If not, I might have to look for other employment- and I would hate to leave my camp...

[CAMPFRIEND]

I was a counselor for 5 years before I was moved up to Waterfront director. I guess we all move at our own speed. I would talk with your director to let them know what you want to do. If they are not for it you might want to move on.

Good luck!

[rockinsmiles]

I dont know how other camps work, but I know that at my camp if you do not ask about "moving up" with the director or owner it isn't going to happen. How are they suppose to know that you want more responsibilty and all that? I really think it all depends on the person and the camp. We had a guy who was a specialist/counselor for forever and that is what he wanted to do. We also had a counselor turn assident director after her second summer.

[campCardinal]

I was going to ask to move up for this summer, but all the positions have been filled higher than head cabin counselor. Plus, I'm unable to work the full summer- which would make it difficult for me to have a leadership role. But, I do plan on asking to move up in 2007. We'll see how things play out.

[Dave]

I dont know how other camps work, but I know that at my camp if you do not ask about "moving up" with the director or owner it isn't going to happen. How are they suppose to know that you want more responsibilty and all that? I really think it all depends on the person and the camp. We had a guy who was a specialist/counselor for forever and that is what he wanted to do. We also had a counselor turn assident director after her second summer.
That's sort of how our camp works. You'll be told your recommended position for next summer, but you have the final say (unless it's a promotion, then you must go for an interview). But if you don't want a promotion then you have final say.

[CAMPFRIEND]

I think that if you want it bad, you will get it!

[Melk]

I dont know yet. I was told that they want me back and I plan on going back its just that I cant get the job I wanted. So perhaps asst. waterfront director again?

[CAMPFRIEND]

You will get what you want soon! Just hang in there. Just think, when you are the director you are out of a cabin. Not so much fun!

[Melk]

You will get what you want soon! Just hang in there. Just think, when you are the director you are out of a cabin. Not so much fun!

That is also one of the things I thinking about.... I'm not sure if I am ready to be out of a cabin yet. When I am in a cabin I have more people to play with.

[CAMPFRIEND]

Oh the joy's of program Staff!

[collissimon]

I wish I knew what I was doing this summer!

[Fallen]

I'm applying as a unit leader, but I have a feeling that they'll want me as archery instructor since I have done in the past.

[CAMPFRIEND]

I'm applying as a unit leader, but I have a feeling that they'll want me as archery instructor since I have done in the past.

Will you be happy if you do the same thing this summer?

[Fallen]

Will you be happy if you do the same thing this summer?
Honestly I don't mind either, but I would rather be a unit leader since when I do program staff I feel like I never quite fit in with the unit or get to know the campers as well as I would being a UL. Plus I would like to be a UL since I was one last year and really liked it.

[CAMPFRIEND]

Honestly I don't mind either, but I would rather be a unit leader since when I do program staff I feel like I never quite fit in with the unit or get to know the campers as well as I would being a UL. Plus I would like to be a UL since I was one last year and really liked it.

I think that you should make sure that your camp know what you want to do and why!

Good Luck.

[collissimon]

I'm in a pretty similar situation, I stuck my head over the parapet earlier this year, and emailed one of the directors, saying that if my UL wasn't going to return, I would like to be considered...

...Now, it looks like he wants to return (he didn't before), but has not got back to the Directors, so it's a waiting game that I'm not very good at playing! :D

[CAMPFRIEND]

Good luck Collissimon. I hope you get what you want as well. The waiting game is no fun..

[rockinsmiles]

Yeah, waiting games just plain out and out suck. It's funny cuz once even though I'm pretty sure I'll be excepted back I'm currious about other staff that will be returning. Especially when it comes to CITs and the like and of course I have to wait to know about that as well.

[collissimon]

Thanks :) They do suck, and I'm so impatient about these kind of things! Oh well...

[Dave]

I hope you get what you want too, collissimon. But I'm sure you'll be happy with whatever you do end up getting. :)

[CAMPFRIEND]

I think that is one of the best parts of camp. Most people love just going to camp! The job that you do makes a little difference but you still love camp.

[Fallen]

Yeah I'm going to let them know when times comes for my interview. I've had to do it in the past with other camps when I have lifeguard cert., but didn't want to be a lifeguard at camp.

[Jillian]

I'll be a senior cabin counselor and photography instructor again at Camp Kamaji in Minnesota.

[collissimon]

Cool! What kind of camp is Kamaji?

[Sparkes]

Accountant / Office Staff and Councelor.

Some of you have already read elsewhere how this strange combination came about - but it worked last summer, I was tired by the end of it, but the rewards were too great not to do it all again.

It's strange as the Admin staff are normally excused from OD ! But given that I'd accepted my part in a group, I had to do OD once a week too !

I work as Office Staff/Bunk Counselor at my camp as well. And here I thought I was the only one crazy enough to take on the two positions as the one! I didn't have to do OD though, but I volunteered for it sometimes so my co-counselors could go out.

[EchoLaker]

I work as Office Staff/Bunk Counselor at my camp as well. And here I thought I was the only one crazy enough to take on the two positions as the one! I didn't have to do OD though, but I volunteered for it sometimes so my co-counselors could go out.


Kudos.

You gotta be flexible and adaptable.

It's not easy but it's certainly worth doing if you've got the energy and motivation.

[Freaky]

This yea I will be a Division Leader again. The lingo of all the other camps is confusing so im assuming Division Leader is like a unit leader or maybe not. I am in charge of the younger female side of camp. Deal with staff and camper issues. So yea thats my story and im sticking to it!

[ThanksALatte]

I'm going to be the girls' dorm supervisor again... third year in a row (11th total at the camp). I get to be the mom of 25 teenagers...isn't that exciting? Haha

[Dave]

This yea I will be a Division Leader again. The lingo of all the other camps is confusing so im assuming Division Leader is like a unit leader or maybe not. I am in charge of the younger female side of camp. Deal with staff and camper issues. So yea thats my story and im sticking to it!
We have division leaders, who are in charge of a group of bunks. At our camp, each age group is divided in to two divisions, and that's where we get division heads (as they're called at our camp). Senior counselors are in charge of the bunks.

[facade1138]

I'm going to be a Unit Counselor at a Girl Scout Camp

[runrachrunn]

Right now it's a toss up for me as to where I'll be this summer and what I'll be doing.

It's either
a) Work as head of swim for a private residential camp up north
b) Work as 1/2 time admin and 1/2 time swim instructor.

Both positions have their pros and cons, so now its a matter of weighing them, and finding out what perks i could get for each job.

[CAMPFRIEND]

Right now it's a toss up for me as to where I'll be this summer and what I'll be doing.

It's either
a) Work as head of swim for a private residential camp up north
b) Work as 1/2 time admin and 1/2 time swim instructor.

Both positions have their pros and cons, so now its a matter of weighing them, and finding out what perks i could get for each job.

This sould make for an intresting summer. I hope that you do what ever is best for you. It sounds like you would have a good time with both!

[runrachrunn]

This sould make for an intresting summer. I hope that you do what ever is best for you. It sounds like you would have a good time with both!

Thanks Campfriend. I've been at one camp for the last 4 years, and as much as I love everything about it, I feel like I get paid too little for my experience. I feel way under-valued, especially.

Whereas, at this new camp, the director's email to me indicated that she really wanted to meet with me. I don't know at this point... I see pros and cons to being in the city and going out of town to work at a residential camp. The question is, where am I most going to enjoy myself, and get the most out of the summer.....

[CAMPFRIEND]

Thanks Campfriend. I've been at one camp for the last 4 years, and as much as I love everything about it, I feel like I get paid too little for my experience. I feel way under-valued, especially.

Whereas, at this new camp, the director's email to me indicated that she really wanted to meet with me. I don't know at this point... I see pros and cons to being in the city and going out of town to work at a residential camp. The question is, where am I most going to enjoy myself, and get the most out of the summer.....

Good luck to you!

[c3divers]

Hello all,

i am beyond my prime for full time camp - although I would love to stay all summer - i am going up as a sessional. I get to pick which weeks i want to go up and the plus is that my daughter gets to go at a considerably reduced price. The camp is a Girl Scout camp in California that I went to as a child and then was staff at for 3 years. This will be my 2nd year as a sessional and I absolutely love it.

[runrachrunn]

I can now officially reply that I will be a swim staff at URJ Camp George this summer!!!

[Dave]

Hello all,

i am beyond my prime for full time camp - although I would love to stay all summer - i am going up as a sessional. I get to pick which weeks i want to go up and the plus is that my daughter gets to go at a considerably reduced price. The camp is a Girl Scout camp in California that I went to as a child and then was staff at for 3 years. This will be my 2nd year as a sessional and I absolutely love it.
Welcome c3divers! Can't wait to hear more from you. :)

[Dave]

I can now officially reply that I will be a swim staff at URJ Camp George this summer!!!
Congrats runrachrunn! :D

[runrachrunn]

Congrats runrachrunn! :D


Thanks Dave. It's such a load off my mind now :D

[runrachrunn]

Congrats runrachrunn! :D


Thanks Dave. It's such a load off my mind now :D

[CAMPFRIEND]

I can now officially reply that I will be a swim staff at URJ Camp George this summer!!!

That is so great to here you got what you wanted! Good for you.:)