Staffing Strategies: Where Have We Been and Where Are We Headed?

What happened throughout one’s generational history influences current views and perspectives, and camp directors carry those perceptions with them in their thoughts and actions — including those that affect their expectations about the recruitment of staff. Thus, it can be helpful to understand where we’ve been and what today looks like to better understand the future needs of staff recruitment.

Go All IN With Internships & Don't Miss OUT On a Great Opportunity for Your Camp Staff!

Summer staff can be a challenge to find and establishing camp positions as university practicums or internships can help fill the gap as a competitive option for students needing real world experience. Most universities have specific requirements for agencies and organizations to be approved as practicum and internship sites. In addition, interns have specific academic requirements (“homework”) they must complete during their practicum or internship experience.

Camp Employment as Internships

Most camps hire college students to work as camp staff — primarily during the summer season, but on occasion throughout the year. When the employment situation is one where the student has no other obligations, the hiring and employment processes can be relatively smooth. However, camps sometimes run into situations where college students are constrained in their ability to work at camp because they are required to do an internship as part of their schooling.

Take Time to "Hug" Your Staff This Summer

As the summer of 2018 is getting underway, it is evident that this has been another challenging hiring season for many of you. It is likely there are camps out there still looking to hire for a few key positions or who may even have to continue the employment process once camp has begun to keep minimum ratios in check or to fill in where holes are left due to last-minute cancellations or no-shows. Regardless of your staffing situation, you have worked hard to get to this point.

Signing on the Dotted Line: Commitment Is a Two-Way Street

Congratulations! You committed to working at camp this summer, and the director and/or team who hired you have been anticipating your arrival since you signed on the dotted line! It is completely normal to have cold feet and wonder if you made the right decision to spend your summer at camp, similar to the feelings of the campers you will soon meet who will be embarking on this adventure as well. Before the butterflies in your stomach get the best of you, know that commitment is a two-way street.

Project Real Job — Moving Forward Together

In the early ’80s, I graduated from high school and made a simple but life-changing decision. It was May and I hadn’t yet made plans for the summer. My mom encouraged me to call my former camp directors, Herman and Rodger, and inquire about a summer working at camp. I so enjoyed camp as a kid but had missed out on being a counselor-trainee because of other commitments. A summer working outside with kids as a junior counselor sounded great.

Yes Only Means Yes Until Something Better Comes Along: Making Camp the Best Offer for Gen Z Staff

Staff sign a contract, then inform you the week before camp begins that they won’t be coming after all. Or staff commit to working the entire season only to tell (not ask!) you they are leaving for six days to attend a family reunion. Does this sound painfully familiar? Unfortunately, in today’s world, signing on the dotted line for this generation of camp staff often means only a temporary commitment until something better comes along.

A Meeting of the Minds: Camp Directors, Higher Ed, and College Students

Camps need staff to run their programs; colleges/universities have various requirements for students regarding coursework and internships; and students are usually pulled between what they want to do and what they have to do to meet school and parent demands. How can we create a win-win situation for all involved?

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