Questions:
- When should I plan to arrive at Camp?
- What kind of training will I receive?
- What certifications should I consider getting in order to improve my chances of being selected by Adirondack?
- Is there a uniform requirement?
- Do I get time-off?
- Where do I sleep?
- What are my responsibilities?
- When will I get paid?
When should I plan to arrive at Camp?
A list of seasonal summer staff dates is available here. Our ten-day Adirondack Leadership Course begins around mid-June and is required attendance for everyone. Camp staff will get to know each other, understand the nuts and bolts of the job, and understand Camp’s facility, philosophy and program.
What kind of training will I receive?
Our Leadership Training program is an intense and comprehensive training course that includes in child-centered teaching techniques, group management, and team building. Our orientation is fast-paced, interactive, and highly engaging. Staff have hands on experience in mentoring, problem solving, and how to make activities terrific. At the heart of our orientation is how to reinforce the core Adirondack Camp traditions, philosophy and values. Equal time is also given to special topics, from which one can benefit for life, such as – Finding Fun in every Nook & Cranny, Building Individual Camper Experience Plans and Choreographing Chaos.
What certifications should I consider getting in order to improve my chances of being selected by Adirondack?
- All Camp Staff: First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer
- Swimming Staff: First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer AND American Red Cross Lifeguarding with Waterfront Module
- Wilderness Adventure Counselors: First Aid and CPR for the Professional Rescuer, American Red Cross Lifeguarding with Waterfront Module AND Wilderness First Aid, Wilderness First Responder or Responding To Emergencies advanced, backcountry medical certification.
Is there a uniform requirement?
Adirondack Camp counselors are expected to wear comfortable outdoor attire and footwear that is appropriate for all audiences and for each activity or occasion at Camp. Campers and staff “dress for dinner” each evening and are expected to be in uniform from our formal flag-lowering ceremony before dinner (Retreat) through to the end of the evening. Camp staff uniform is the white staff shirt we provide and navy or khaki shorts or pants provided by staff.
Do I get time off?
Adirondack Camp counselors get approximately 36 hours off each week; one full day and an additional night off. Other evenings at camp are spent having fun with your cabin, or rotating time out of the cabin for in-service training, to use the staff phone, Internet, and/or staff lounge.
Where do I sleep?
One of the things our counselors tell us they love the most are our cabins! In addition to teaching an activity, counselors also live in our intentionally rustic open-air cabins with campers. Adirondack campers are boys and girls ages 7-16. The age group that best suits every counselor will be determined during the Leadership Training.
What are my responsibilities?
In order to provide the most consistent family atmosphere, Adirondack Camp staff live, work and play with the campers twenty-four hours a day. Counselors are responsible for the well-being and safety of campers in the cabins, teaching activities, leading evening programs and generally during non-teaching activity times in Camp.
When will I get paid?
Staff are compensated in accordance with their contracts of employment in three installments during the course of the season. The final paycheck constitutes half of the negotiated salary and is distributed upon successful completion of contract terms and cabin/equipment checkout.
