Camp Staff

Structure

• Traditional Camp ages 7-15
• Counselor in Training 10th & 11th graders
• Junior Counselor 12th graders

All these programs combined fill our camp at about 100 campers for capacity. We have about 32 program staff and about 5 support staff. Everyone is included in all camp activities as their job allows.

Minimum requirements for Employment

We like first time counselors to be 21 years old by camp. Riding Instructors can apply at age 19. We do hire some “under-21ers” from our reservoir of alumni Trekkers and CIT’s and as I say, “we do make exceptions for exceptional people”.

Current CPR and First Aid certificates are mandatory. Other certifications welcome and sought after are all the ones listed on our application. Any certificate that gives you more credibility and experience is valuable to us.

Staff must be willing to hike, sleep out on the ground (we will do this at least once a week), smile when they are hot and tired, learn basic environmentally sound camping practices, will need a skill or two to teach, and must bring their own personal clothing and equipment suitable to perform their duties. Personal mountain bikes, kayaks, water skis, etc. are welcome. A SLEEPING BAG IS REQUIRED!!! (This is no joke!) Chapstick and a water bottle will become your best friends.

A valid driver’s license and clean driving record are preferred. 

Season

Mandatory staff training begins one week prior to the first day of our first session of camp, see dates/rates page. The safety clinic for our equestrian center staff typically takes place during the week prior to staff training and quite often either our Lifeguard Training and/or Challenge Course training does as well. Our training calendar varies a little bit from year to year so please confirm your dates of availability before accepting a position. Staff week will cover all aspects of resident summer camping, safety, discipline, interaction, expectations of children, administration and staff in our training. Our camp offers one of the longest and most comprehensive staff trainings in the business and our hope is that this training allows you to feel supported, informed and able to do the best job you can do.

PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS

Exams ARE REQUIRED AT YOUR OWN EXPENSE AND MUST BE SUBMITTED PRIOR TO ARRIVING AT CAMP. We recommend you get on it and use your college health clinic. Click here for the Health Form.

Background Checks

ALL STAFF MUST HAVE A BACKGROUND CHECK PERFORMED ON THEM AS PER STATE LAW FOR EMPLOYEES WORKING WITH CHILDREN TO SCREEN FOR SEX OFFENSES. We will conduct checks on the last five counties in which your social security number has been used after you are hired. We also call the current 900 number that is available for convicted sex offenders. All counselors must also submit a disclosure form (sent to you after your application has been accepted). This form asks more thorough questions about possible involvement in abuse to minors. Final hiring will depend on a satisfactory response to this form, and a clear background check.

Riding Staff

Riding applicants with a Pony Club certificate in B or HA levels are preferred. The advanced instructor MUST have a Level 4 Certificate from CHA or B/HA level certificates in Pony Club. Riding applicants must be under 200 lbs. for our horses safety. You must have the physical condition to stand in the hot sun and dust at least 3 hours per day and lift 50 lbs.

You will participate in a 5 day safety clinic. This clinic is a demanding and informative week spent evaluating where you are as a riding instructor. You must be a confident rider to do well in the clinic although you are being evaluated on your teaching style. Basically, you can’t teach what you don’t know. At the end of the clinic, you are tested at the level you are most able to teach. Many of our instructors test out at Level 1 for their first experience. We pay all of your clinic fees (about $600) and take care of your room and board. Once you are hired, we will supply you with the books, materials and information necessary to participate.

Housing

For the most part, campers and staff sleep in cabins. Some staff do sleep in tents. Our cabins have flaps and screens over window openings, doors, are roofed and have bare wood floors. There is electricity, electrical outlets, bunks with mattresses and covers. You supply your bedding. The two centrally located shower houses have flush toilets and (sometimes) hot showers. You are definitely “one with nature” at times. Yes, we have bugs, too!

Compensation

Domestic staff starting salary is $400 per week for a 9 week summer. International staff salary varies depending upon hiring agency. All staff work six days per week with 24 hours off each week. All staff have at least one activity hour off each day. Staff have on-duty meals where they are supervising children. Room and board are covered for on-site full time staff.
Work hard, play hard!

Social Media

We will use social media accounts as a means of hiring. If your account is public, we can see your pictures and posts and will certainly keep them in mind in the hiring process.

Drug Testing

Coppercreek Camp conducts periodic, random DRUG TESTS of our employees during the summer. We believe wholeheartedly in trying to provide the safest and healthiest environment for our camping children. We are a resident children’s summer camp and drugs do not have a place in our community. Please don’t apply if this if part of your lifestyle. We will also not hire any counselor that smokes tobacco.