Frequently Asked Questions About working On Summer Staff
The information listed here helps answer some of the most frequently asked questions about working on our summer camp staff.
Staff Training
Before camp begins, all staff members are required to attend a staff training/orientation session. Staff Training includes: an orientation to the Iowa 4-H Center camp program – our standards, procedures, philosophy, and mission; training for specific job responsibilities; and learning and developing the skills necessary to perform assignments effectively. Final preparations are made for the opening of camp at this time. It is an intense learning experience with time for fun and team building with the staff. The 2008 Staff Training will be held May 18 thru May 31. During Staff Training all staff will get the following days off: night of May 24, all day May 25 and 26.
Time Off
Staff members are employed with the clear understanding that the welfare and care of the campers is our primary interest, and that time-off therefore is a secondary consideration. However, the Iowa 4-H Center realizes that an appropriate amount of time-off is necessary for its staff members and arranges the staff time-off schedule accordingly. Time-off for camp staff consists of two hours each day and one 24-hour block of time off each week (typically noon Saturday until noon Sunday, but not always) In some positions, situations, and conditions, the typically allotted time may be limited, adjusted, or forfeited as part of the job.
Time-off is scheduled to fit the opening and closing of each session and to insure all camp activities are properly supervised during time-off periods. Due to continuous responsibilities for safety and supervision of the campers, it is imperative for the staff to be on duty except for scheduled time-off. A curfew of 12:00 am (midnight) is enforced. Special requests for time-off exceptions are difficult to grant and are highly discouraged due to the inherent nature of the camp operation.
All staff members are expected to spend time-off in a manner that is consistent with both the camp's standards and their responsibility as leaders of young people. We expect staff on time-off to do nothing that would call into question their abilities to serve as positive role models for young people or create an unfavorable impression on the caliber of the camp's personnel. Upon returning from time-off, counselors immediately resume an “on the job” assignment and assume responsibility for the supervision, safety, and welfare of campers. Consequently, they must be absolutely certain their judgment is completely clear and unimpaired in every way. They must be capable of handling any immediate responsibility or emergency encountered.
Staff Personal Supplies & Equipment
The Iowa 4-H Center will provide each staff member with two staff shirts that must be worn on all opening/closing days and special events. All other items (linens, blankets, pillows, clothing, and laundry) are the counselor's responsibility. The exception is for Camp America Staff who will be provided with a blanket, sleeping bag, towels, sheets, and a pillow upon arrival at camp for use during the summer. A recommended list of items to bring is sent to all hired camp staff. A laundry room with washer/dryer is available on the camp property for staff to use during scheduled time-off and free time. There is also a local Laundromat in town staff may choose to use. Special arrangements for accommodation of large personal items (boats, bikes, etc.) must be made prior to arrival. Camp does not permit pets to accompany summer staff. Camp also allows staff to bring their own personal program equipment, if they choose, (such as climbing gear, archery equipment, etc.) but staff may only be permitted to use these items during their free time away from campers.
Compensation
In addition to food, lodging, training, and the fulfillment of working with children, the salary scale is competitive with similar camps in our area. Housing and meals alone equals an added benefit of $2,299 per staff member for the summer. Staff also enjoy Internet access for e-mails, a staff lounge, laundry facilities, staff shirts, a staff phone line, training, necessary certifications, and camp store discounts. Staff who work the entire summer without more than 24 hours of extended leaves of absence will be paid a $100 staff bonus in August. All college undergraduate salaries are based on a standardized scale, which takes into account age, school classification, certifications/trainings, and previous experience as a staff or Jr. Counselor.
Staff members are paid once a month during the summer and will be deposited directly into your checking or savings account in accordance with the Iowa State University payroll policies and schedule. Compensation is subject to Social Security Taxes, and Federal and State Withholding Taxes, all of which are required by law to be withheld and forwarded to the Internal Revenue Service unless the employee qualifies for exemption.
Employment Period
The basic summer contract is for 2008 is May 18 thru August 7. Guaranteed non-paid days off during the contract period includes: May 25 & 26, July 3, 4, & 5. It is roughly 2 weeks of staff training and 9 weeks of camp. Normally, only persons who can be employed the entire 11 week season will be employed. Certification training for high ropes/climbing, lifeguarding, and first aid/CPR is scheduled in May during staff training.
Living Accommodations
Our site is divided into five private villages, each with its own main lodge. Counselors live in camper cabins with up to 8 campers per week. Camper cabins have electricity, carpet, air conditioning, 9 bunk-bed style beds, and all are within a short walk of a centrally located main lodge with modern bathroom and shower facilities. Instructional program staff live in staff housing which is open to all staff for free time. Staff housing is complete with a kitchen, air-conditioned lounge, TV/VCR, deck, fire ring, and laundry facilities.
Early Morning Responsibilities
Camp staff working with the Day Camp program will leave camp between 7:00 and 7:15 in the morning to drive camp vans to pick up day campers in their hometowns and bring them to camp. Many program area staff wake early to set-up their activity areas before breakfast. The overnight campers and their counselors begin their 7:15 a.m. Counselors are responsible for getting their cabin group moving in the morning. Counselors supervise their cabin group in: cleaning up their personal space (making beds, organizing belongings, etc.); general cleaning of the cabin (sweeping, taking out the trash, etc.) and an assigned community clean up area (cleaning bathrooms, leading morning songs, leading flag raising, etc.). Campers and all available camp staff are to report to flag raising at 7:45 a.m. and then walk to the dining hall for breakfast at 8:00 a.m.
Morning Responsibilities
Day Campers arrive around 8:30 a.m. and spend their morning in the Day Camp Lodge with their camp staff playing games, doing crafts, having a snack, and doing activities that relate to their theme of the week. At 8:45 a.m. the campers and counselors gather for Morning Huddle (this is a time for camp announcements, songs, schedule of the day, and excitement to build for the evening activity that will be based on the theme of the week). After Morning Huddle the campers break into groups based upon the camps they registered for. The General Camps have two morning program activities before lunch. For example the Everything campers may do one session on archery and one session doing pond canoeing. The Specialty Camps have one morning program focus. For example, all of the Vertical Challenge campers meet with the Challenge Course Coordinator each morning of the week for high ropes and climbing lessons. Activity Coordinators lead these programs from pre-approved lesson plans with an emphasis on fun, safety, and education. Counselors are responsible for making sure their campers get to the correct morning program time locations and then may be scheduled for other tasks or for time-off. Additional camp staff may be assigned to lead morning programs with our rental groups. Lunch is served in the Dining Hall at Noon.
Evening Responsibilities
A different activity or set of activities is offered each evening and requires the supervision and/or participation of all camp staff. These activities include campfire program, night hike, pool party, skit night, large group games, carnival night, and camp dance. The schedule for some evenings may be dependent upon the specialty camps going on that week. Specialty camp activities may include all-night trips to town, night climbing, kitchen raids, campouts, or extra cabin choice time. Cabin counselors are trained to lead cabin chats with their campers each evening to recap the day's events and bond more as a group. The counselors also assist campers in getting ready for bed before lights out is scheduled. Camp staff who are not scheduled as counselors have time off after all-camp evening activities to prepare for the next day.
I still have more questions. What now?
Contact Traci at the Iowa 4–H Center - (515) 795-3338 or tracidh@iastate.edu