Being a camp counselor is one of the most demanding jobs you can choose, but it can also be one of the most rewarding. Caring for someone else’s children is a huge responsibility. Working as a camp counselor will allow you the opportunity to grow on a personal level and gain valued leadership experience. The camp staff is a team of individuals who all work together to benefit the campers. We rely on our team of counselors to lay the foundation each summer for the basis of our camp community. Every counselor at Merrie-Woode is a leader and a mentor. We are looking for counselors who value respect, hard work, and integrity, but also imagination, fun, and creativity. We are looking for serious minded people who aren’t afraid to be silly and cut loose!
How much will I get paid?
Merrie-Woode counselors are paid a weekly salary for the summer. Base salaries start at $290 per week for a college freshman. This salary increases depending on qualifications, certifications, and experience. Room, board, and laundry service are provided. The salary shall be paid in regularly
scheduled installments during each session.
How much time off will I get?
We have a generous time-off schedule. Each counselor will have around a 29 hour period off each week, from 5:30 PM until 11:00 PM the following night. In addition to regular leave, each counselor may take additional time off once a week, from 5:45 PM to 7:45 PM. Any requests for special leave time should be documented and cleared through the Directors before the start of summer. Other than designated leave times, counselors are on duty at all times.
What are Merrie-Woode campers like?
Merrie-Woode girls generally range in age from 7 – 17. They love camp! You’ll find that most of our campers return summer after summer and look forward to coming to Merrie-Woode all year long. They are curious, enthusiastic, and love to be challenged. Many of our campers are very goal oriented and want to feel as though they have accomplished something at camp…that may mean progressing through leveled programs in their activities, keeping their cabin clean all summer, trying new foods in the Dining Hall, or simply being away from their parents and making independent decisions for the first time. Our June and Main Sessions typically have an average return rate of about 90%. Many of our campers are second, third, and even fourth generation Merrie-Woode girls in their families. In our August Session, you will typically find more girls who are new to Merrie-Woode and summer camp in general.
Where will I live?
Most counselors live in cabins with campers. Cabins are rustic wooden structures with screened windows and electricity. A typical cabin consists of 1 – 2 counselors and 4 – 6 campers. These cabins share clean, modern bathhouses directly behind the cabin line. Older campers live in cabins with 2 counselors and 8 – 10 campers and built-in bathrooms. The cabin group is very important at Merrie-Woode. It is from this group that most of campers’ memories will linger. It is also the place where a great deal of important growth can take place for your campers. Some specialized activity staff members, trip leaders, male staff members, and adult staff leaders live in private cabins or non-cabin staff housing.
What are meals at camp like?
All on-duty counselors are required to attend meals, which are served family style in the Dining Hall. Family style means that there is a set meal served on each table. In addition to what is served, in the mornings there are Breakfast bars that can include fresh fruit, yogurt, granola, grits, and more. At lunch, and dinner we have the additional salad bars, with soup served at lunch. Our Dining Hall accommodates those who are vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free, vegan, and more as well as those with allergies. Meals are an important time to build camaraderie and friendships with campers and fellow staff members and a great time to foster community.
What will my schedule look like?
Merrie-Woode has a fairly structured daily schedule, although there is free time built in to each day. During the activity periods, staff members teach in their assigned activity areas. You will teach or assist four activity periods each day. At Merrie-Woode, we seek a balance between busy activities and free time to talk and build friendships. We want counselors who enjoy spending their free time out and about with campers, playing tether ball, soccer or just visiting. Each night a different Evening Program is held for the entire camp community. For a more detailed look at the camp day, take a look at our Daily Schedule. Regularly scheduled activities run from Monday through Saturday. Sundays at Merrie-Woode look different from any other day. Sundays begin with sleep-in, quiche and cinnamon rolls for breakfast, and then a full staff meeting followed by a non-denominational Christian Chapel service. More free time is built into the Sunday schedule with plenty of time to enjoy cabin bonding and unstructured play. Special Sunday activities are held in the afternoon, and we end our day with a big camp cookout and evening campfire.
Do I wear a uniform?
For convenience and as part of our commitment to a non-competitive community, all campers and counselors wear uniforms. For counselors, the uniform is a forest green polo shirt (provided by camp) and khaki shorts/skirts/skorts or blue jeans (provided by the counselor). On Sundays, the entire community wears white bottoms (provided by the counselor) and white polo shirts and green ties (provided by camp).
Am I qualified to teach an activity? What if I’ve never taught before?
Most of our camp staff members are students in college and not professional instructors. Each activity staff works under the leadership of a qualified Activity Head. We will provide training at orientation sessions to help you learn to pass your knowledge and skills on to eager young campers. All you need to be an effective activity instructor is a passion for what you enjoy, a desire to share that on to children, and a lot of enthusiasm! We are here to help give you the tools to do so!
What should I expect at Orientation?
For the first five days of camp, you will be involved in a comprehensive orientation. When you first arrive at camp, you will be assigned a temporary cabin with other staff members for the orientation period. During orientation, we will cover most of the information and skills you will need to successfully fulfill your job responsibilities this summer. Our schedule will be similar to the camp schedule in regard to wake-up times, meals, and evening activities. During orientation, you will receive your cabin assignment and your campers’ names. We will finish orientation in time for you to have an afternoon off or go out to dinner before getting ready for Opening Day!
Do I have to work all summer?
Due to school schedules, we realize that not everyone is available for the whole summer; however, we do give priority to those who can work all three sessions. Our general policy is to hire individuals who can work at least two of the three sessions.
How old do I have to be?
Counselors must be 19 years of age or have completed their first year of college. In certain cases, with proper training and experience, a Counselor may be 18 years old. Counselor Assistants must be at least 17 years old and graduated from high school by the summer.