So You Want to Work on Summer Staff… Amazing! We are excited you want to mentor and make an impact upon the lives of the children and youth that we serve. We don’t believe there is one “right” person to serve on our staff. We need staff with different interests, skills, perspectives, and backgrounds to mentor the wide variety of campers that we serve. If you're wondering whether or not working on staff is right for you, check out what we expect of our summer staff below.
Summer Staff Expectations:- Respect and love for children and youth. You’ll be spending all day everyday with kids. You will be their mentors, cheerleaders, and advocates every week.
- A willingness to share your faith and mentor campers. We are a Christian camp, traditionally and theologically Presbyterian, that serves campers of numerous denominational backgrounds. We ask our staff to be open and vulnerable enough to share where they are at in their walk of faith. No faith journey is perfect or complete.
- An open heart and mind. We serve campers from a wide variety of backgrounds. We ask our staff to be open to learning from one another and the campers they serve.
- Adaptability and a strong work ethic. Camp is incredibly fun, fast-paced, and requires flexibility. Our staff are the backbone of creating positive camp experiences. Staff are "on" the majority of each day with campers and need to be able to keep up with the pace of camp. Our mentality is to work hard and play hard.
- A desire and willingness to learn new skills. Not sure you have the "right skills" for camp? Not a problem. We can teach you how to canoe, facilitate low ropes, or lead campfire songs.
- A commitment to teamwork and building a beloved community. Help us ensure that all of our campers and staff feel the full warmth and sense of belonging that camp has to offer. Join us in creating a camp environment where all of our campers and staff feel welcome and encouraged to be their most authentic selves as children of God.
SUMMER STAFF TRAINING:
Each summer we ask our staff to work with us in creating a healthy and safe space for all campers, staff, and volunteers. Summer staff are an integral part of ensuring all members of our camp community experience a safe, welcoming, and healthy environment at Pyoca. This includes fostering the physical, social, emotional, mental, and spiritual health of the entire camp community. Summer staff health and safety training includes, but is not limited to:
- Camp policies and procedures.
- First Aid/CPR/AED training through the American Red Cross.
- MESH training (mental, emotional, and social health).
- Inclusivity and anti-racism training.
- Adventure course facilitation (high ropes, climbing tower, low ropes).
- Waterfront training (safe swimming, boating, and fishing).
- Bible study facilitation.
- And more.
Leadership Staff Training: May 19th - 22nd, 2024
All Staff Training: May 22nd - 31st, 2024 Summer Staff arrive for training two weeks prior to the arrival of our first summer campers. Throughout the camp season staff are expected to take two consecutive hours off each day and will typically have Friday afternoon - Sunday morning off each weekend. Throughout the summer there will be opportunities for weekend event staffing with additional compensation. Summer staff are also eligible to work as seasonal program staff for Pyoca's year-round retreats and programs at camp.
DEVELOP NEW SKILLS:
Lifeguard Certification: All staff have the opportunity to receive lifeguard certification at no cost to them through the American Red Cross. Lifeguard training and certification is led by Executive Director Mike Davis. Lifeguards are hired as a stand-alone support staff position, which includes participating in additional daily program support, as well as an add-on to counselor and coordinator positions. The stand-alone position starts at $325/week. Counselors and coordinators are paid an extra $25/week. The certification course is free and is a great transferrable skill to take away from your camp staff experience. Working as a lifeguard in the off-season is a great option for a part-time job while in school! First Aid/AED/CPR Certification: All summer staff will be certified by Executive Director Mike Davis in First Aid/AED/CPR training through the American Red Cross. Mental Health First Aid Certification: All Leadership Staff, including unit coordinators, the Healthcare Supervisor, and Chaplain will receive Mental Health First Aid training and certification covered by Pyoca prior to staff training. High Ropes Facilitation: All summer staff are trained in basic adventure course facilitation and safety. Interested in becoming a lead high ropes facilitator? Join Executive Director Mike Davis for facilitator training.
Lifeguard and High Ropes Facilitator training sessions are held one week prior to the start of official staff training. Staff are compensated for their training.
POSITIONS AND SALARIES:
Each summer we hire a wide variety of positions, all of which are essential to the successful operation of camp. Leadership staff typically have at least one year of prior camp experience at Pyoca or another youth camp. For more information on current available positions, see below. Leadership Staff: Explore Camp Coordinator (2nd - 4th grade), Discover Camp Coordinator (4th - 6th grade), Challenge Camp Coordinator (7th - 9th grade), Day Camp Coordinator, Media and Craft Coordinator; minimum 21 years of age. Counseling Staff: Camp Counselors; minimum 19 years of age. Support Staff: Lifeguards and Kitchen Assistants; minimum 16 years of age. Staff salaries range from $325 - $450 per week and are posted alongside each position. Staff are paid for their two weeks of training prior to campers arriving, as well as any other advance training, and have opportunities to work events at camp throughout the fall and spring retreat seasons. SUMMER STAFF DEVELOPMENT:
The personal, spiritual, and professional development of our summer staff is just as critical to our mission as the care and nurture of our campers. Over the summer staff are expected to set S.M.A.R.T. goals and will meet with our Assistant Program Director Tom once a week for a general check-in and to follow-up on the progress of their goals. Staff are then evaluated at the end of the summer based on their overall performance and ability to meet these goals. INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:
Love camp, but aren't sure if it fits in with your long-term career goals or internship requirements? We'd love to chat about how to make camp a continued part of your professional development. We have worked with staff members to develop internships in healthcare, photojournalism, education, outdoor recreation, and more. Send us an email and let's chat to see if an internship at camp is right for you this summer.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
For questions related to working on summer staff, please contact Assistant Program Director Tom Smith at tom@pyoca.org.
