Why Work at Summer Camp?
If you're facing
another summer of the same job at home ... think again. Working at camp is one of the most rewarding
summer jobs imaginable. The impact you have on campers reflects on you and your character. The friends
you make will last a lifetime. Check out working with us here at Camp White Eagle and find out whether
the best summer of your life is waiting to happen!
Each summer, we ask potential summer staff, “Why do you want to work at camp?” The answers are generally focused on “impacting the lives of kids” or “I want to do something different this summer.” No one says, “Because I need to make a lot of money.” It’s true, camp doesn’t pay as much as working at the mall or the local fast food place, but camp isn’t about what you put in your bank account at the end of the summer; it’s about what you put into your mind and your soul. Working at camp is about personal growth and development, quality relationships, camp community, excellence in a job well done and most of all, the most fun you can have in a summer!
No matter what camp you choose, the camp should be accredited by the American Camp Association and you should feel that the camp is a good “fit” for you. If you love being with children, being a mentor, acting goofy most of the time yet knowing when to be serious, enjoying the outdoors, making amazing friendships, and most of all being able to walk away at the end of summer saying “How do I get to be on staff again next year?” then camp is for you!
Why Work with Us at Camp White Eagle?
The relationships
that you make at camp are amazing. Not only will you meet fantastic, diverse campers, but you’ll
meet fun, vibrant, spirited staff also. After working at camp, you’ll walk away with a deeper
sense of self and appreciate the impact that you had on a young child’s life. Once you work at
camp, you’ll never want to go back to anything else. The magic of camp is contagious!
Personal Development and Empowerment: The Benefits
Staff members receive a competitive salary, plus room and board. While at camp, you gain experience in working with a diverse group of children and adults. Living and working in a supportive camp environment will leave you with a sense of community that is irreplaceable.
Staff members take part in a mandatory training period. During this time, you are educated about child issues, coached on conflict resolution and team building techniques, and taught time-management and communication skills. Camp provides many opportunities to develop leadership skills. All of these skills can be used outside of camp and make you more marketable no matter what career you choose.
Community: Who We Are
Since 1951, Camp
White Eagle has provided for children a secure summer camp environment that encourages the discovery
of self and a sense of wonder in the natural world. We continue to help children build a sound foundation
in the art of harmonious living, skill training, and enjoying rewarding, educational, and fun experiences.
As part of the camp community, staff members establish quality relationships with each other during
camp, and are also able to spend limited time off together on a somewhat frequent basis (occasional
evenings, when not on duty, or on designated time off). On their time off, groups of staff often organize
trips to Rockford, Chicago, and Madison, Wisconsin, to enjoy shopping, restaurants, outdoor activities
and movie theaters.
Excellence: Who We Hire
Our staff members must have a strong desire to work with children. They should also be willing and able to spend three months away from home in an outdoors environment, and be prepared to live with little privacy. All of our staff members are certified in CPR and First Aid. Overall, we are looking for energetic people who are willing to challenge themselves while supporting our mission of empowering diverse groups of people via enhancing their communication skills and engaging in community building. Staff members serve as positive role models for children of all ages and must take that responsibility seriously.
Fun: Camp Life
Working at camp is a blast! Our program is based on helping campers maximize their potential and having a great time while doing it. The emphasis is on providing an environment full of positive, fun energy.
Safety
Safety is our top priority for everyone in our camp family—campers and staff alike. As an ACA-accredited camp, we comply with ACA standards for certification, as well as state and county health and safety regulations. We ensure the physical and psychological safety of campers and staff by providing safe and health-promoting facilities, and practices that increase safe peer group interaction and decrease confrontational peer interactions. Beginning with Natasha and Kevin, we model behaviors that accept and affirm all.
Environment
The camp is located in Illinois’s beautiful northwestern country, just over 100 miles west of Chicago. The camp borders Leaf River, which winds through the camp, supplying a peaceful soundtrack to camp life. The lake is 5-acres large and is surrounded by gorgeous cedar, red oak, hickory and walnut trees. The city of Rockford is a mere 30 miles away, offering conveniences such as shopping malls, movie theaters, and numerous restaurants.
Job Descriptions
Camp Kupugani Counselors live with and supervise 8-10 campers in a cabin, teach several activity periods each day, maintain correspondence with parents, run evening and division activities, and work as a cabin team member with other staff. For a full job description, click here!
Camp White Eagle Program Staff Members organize a program of instruction for an activity area for several activity periods each day plus do evening activities, teach campers, keep records, oversee maintenance of equipment, supervise/train staff and get to know campers and cabin staff well, while living in a separate staff cabin. Program staff members also rotate through a food service staff rotation, helping to set up, prepare, serve, and clean up before and after meals. For a full job description, click here!
Nurses/Health Aides handle all medical and health issues. We employ health care staff to work with a resident physician.
Office Staff Members help answer phones, greet visitors, distribute mail, coordinate camper travel and transportation, and handle accounting aspects of our business.
Support Staff Members oversee supplies, computers, website, drive campers and staff in our van to off-camp activities, make needed purchases, and do all the background projects that keep our camp operating efficiently.
Apply Now!
For a 2008 Camp Kupugani counselor application or required reference forms, please e-mail kupugani@gmail.com.
For a 2008 Camp White Eagle Program Staff Member application or required reference forms, please e-mail campwhiteeagle@gmail.com.