Human Resources

Developing and Keeping Great Counselors

It takes a great staff to make a great camp. Jack Weiner once said: "With the right counselors, camp could be held in a parking lot." When one looks at all of the possible aspects...

Recruiting, Interviewing, and Hiring to Ensure the Best of the Best

Recruiting, interviewing, and hiring staff is the most important part of your job as a camp director. It is the single most time-consuming and, at times, tedious task you will...

The Brains of Emerging Adults, Risk Taking, and the Consequences for Camps

Risk management in the camp profession often means rigorous tests of equipment, detailed training for staff, and preventative measures to eliminate risk. Yet, we often fail to take...

Staff Retention, Recruiting, and Revving Up in the Off-Season

By this point in the year, you've processed your staff evaluations, and you've been thinking about those difficult decisions: "Should I hire her back?" or "This person just didn't...

Confessions of a Disciplinarian: How Managing Camper Behavior Can Save the Summer

Tue, 09/29/2015 - 12:18
Like many camp directors — and other educators for that matter — I am frequently thrust into the unenviable role of disciplinarian. And, frankly, I don't feel that I'm very good at...

Aquatic Safety for Staff

It's a bright, sunny, warm day and you and your friends have the next twenty-four hours off. Not far from camp, about an hour away, is a remote yet popular swimming area where you...
staff member high-fiving a camper

Experienced Program Staff Certificate

Mon, 09/28/2015 - 21:34

The Experienced Program Staff Certificate course is specifically designed for experienced program staff who have worked with young people in a camp, afterschool, summer enrichment...
camper and counselor smiling for camera

Entry-Level Program Staff Certificate

Wed, 09/16/2015 - 20:46

Want to work with young people in a camp, afterschool, summer enrichment programs, or other community-based youth settings but lack experience? 

Preparing for a Job Fair

Tue, 05/19/2015 - 16:08

Get set up for success at any camp job fair by following some simple guidelines:

Choosing the best camp fair for you!

  • Contact the placement office, before registering, and inquire about: student involvement/attendance, camp attendance, and private interview space availability. And, ask for the names of several directors from previous job fairs; call them to learn about their successes at particular colleges or universities.
  • Find out if the camp fair is being held in conjunction with another. Stand alone camp job fairs tend to bring in more students with a particular interest in camps.
  • Lower recruitment costs by attending several fairs in one area. Often colleges or universities in one region of the country will schedule job fairs on consecutive dates.
  • Review your staff over the last several years. Determine from which schools your best staff members have come.
  • Expand your search. Consider recruiting community college students. According to Kenneth C. Green of the Claremont Graduate School, students today are "unbundling" their education (e.g., taking classes first at a community college and then transferring to a private university).

Prepping for the big day . . .

Using your time wisely . . .

  • Allow time to interview the most qualified applicants. You may need to bring a second staff member with you to help with interviewing. This person could be a reliable student on your staff who attends that school.
  • Accept mini-applications, with simply a name, phone number, and why the student wants to work at camp.
  • Take notes to remember individuals who impressed you or who seemed very interested in your camp.

Common courtesy

  • Avoid talking with a director or staff member from another camp when it appears a job seeker is approaching to talk with that person.
  • Never say negative things about another camp.

Retaining and Developing High Potential Talent (National Assembly)

Wed, 11/05/2014 - 11:22
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