Potential staff start forming their impressions of our camps and their relationships with us before we’ve even met them. 

First impressions are powerful! They are what future interactions are measured against, and negative ones take work to change. 

The good news is that we can control, or at least positively impact, what contributes to first impressions and begin building trust with applicants in small, intentional ways. 

Positive first impressions are built through readily available and accurate information. 

Trust is built through integrity and reliability. 

Information that is readily available — on websites, social media, job applications — will form a first impression. Using the six question words we all learned in elementary school (who, what, where, what, when, and how) provides a simple way to evaluate our “forward-facing” information. 

Audit your camp’s application process: How easy is it for applicants to answer these questions? 

Who and Why: Values  

• Who works here? Will I feel welcome or belong here? 
• Why does this camp exist? Will I be able to contribute and be a vital part of the mission? What are their values, and do they align with mine? 

Where and What and When: Details 

• Where is it located?
• What roles are open? Am I qualified to apply? Does it pay enough?
• When is the contract? 

How: Application Process 

• How can I apply right now? How long will it take? 

We want all of this information to be available and accurate. 

Clear and accessible data = increased positive feelings in potential applicants. Information lessens uncertainty and therefore removes potential obstacles to applying. The process should be smooth, simple, and straightforward. 

Available and accurate information demonstrates perspective-taking and dependability, which contribute to a positive first impression and the beginnings of a trusting relationship. 

Trust is a byproduct of the integrity and reliability woven throughout an intentional application process. We want potential staff to feel warm, open, and hopeful as they apply. Trust is the “gift that keeps on giving” through its subsequent impact on staff culture and camper experience.  

Integrity: Being Guided by Ethics and Sincerity 

Audit your camp’s application content: Does each question provide or seek meaningful data related to the camp’s mission and values?  

• Are we asking necessary questions and avoiding unnecessary ones?
• Does each question on the application really need to be included?
• What does each question communicate to applicants about the skills and traits we value? 

Reliability: Doing What We Say We’ll Do 

If your application says you’ll contact them within one week, then contact them within one week! If that’s not realistic, then change the timeline given. 

If the interview should start at 9:00 and end at 10:00, make sure it does! Each little prediction that turns out to be true is a tiny building block of trust being built. 

These small things demonstrate: 

• “We value your time.” 
• “We mean what we say.” 
• “You can count on us.” 

In summary: 

Let’s control what we can control throughout the application process! First impressions stick. Trust-building starts immediately. Let’s know this and be intentional. 

We can audit our forward-facing information to ensure it is readily available and accurate. And we can demonstrate integrity and reliability in small yet meaningful ways. 

Let’s help applicants develop a positive first impression of our lovely camps! And let’s use the trust we’re building as the foundation for a healthy staff culture and a smooth and fun summer.  

Photo courtesy of The Park Slope Day Camp in Brooklyn, New York.

This blog was written on behalf of ACA's Project Real Job, whose goal is to support camps in their efforts to recruit, hire, and retain staff. 

Kelly Jones, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and Owner/Executive Director of Outpost Summer Camps, a day camp in San Diego. She facilitates Outpost’s hiring and staff training program and provides behavioral support for campers. Dr. Kelly specializes in ADHD, social skills, organizational culture, and group therapy. She can be reached at [email protected].