Camp- Returning Camp Staff

RETURNING PALI ADVENTURES STAFF

We’re excited to welcome back staff who already know Pali Adventures and are ready for another season on the mountain!

Returning staff may return to their previous position or be considered for a new role based on their experience, qualifications, performance, availability, and the needs of the upcoming season. Opportunities may include counseling, specialty, leadership, health services, transportation, entertainment, electives, and other seasonal positions.

Previous employment at Pali does not guarantee placement in a specific position, specialty, or leadership role.

Work Somewhere You'll Never Forget

Camp is more than a fun way for kids to spend their summer.  Camp is a place where we can make a positive difference in young peoples' lives.  All of the activities at camp are tools that provide opportunities for children to build new skills, form friendships and grow socially.  If our staff is successful, campers will gain self-esteem and self-confidence through their experiences and adventures at camp.  

What It's Like to Be a Pali Counselor

Pali counselors are active, enthusiastic, and ready to jump in. You'll live on-site with your fellow staff and campers and be involved in the full camp experience — from morning activities and meals to afternoon specialties, evening programs, and everything in between.

You don't have to be an expert at everything. What matters most is that you're dependable, positive, willing to learn, and excited to be part of camp.

What You'll Do

• Provide ACTIVE SUPERVISION and support campers throughout the camp day. Early mornings – Late Nights
• Create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive environment.
• Participate in and help lead camp activities and programming.
• Serve as a positive role model for campers.
• Encourage campers to try new things and get involved.
• Support campers with homesickness, behavior, and day-to-day needs.
• Work closely with fellow counselors, specialty staff, and camp leadership.
• Participate in meals, evening programs, staff meetings, and other camp responsibilities.
• Follow all Pali safety policies and procedures.
• Jump in and help wherever you're needed.

STAFF BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS

Our experience has taught us that successful activity instructors are typically hard working, motivated individuals with "child-centered" sensitivity and attitudes/values consistent with our camp mission. These are the type of individuals we are seeking to fill our staff at Pali Adventures.

Taking care of another person's child is an enormous responsibility. Therefore, working as a counselor is an extremely important job. But camp staff members do more than care for and protect their campers. Counselors are significant role models who deeply affect the lives of the children for whom they have responsibility. How they act has a profound impact on the campers' lives. Therefore, it's incumbent upon the camp management to employ individuals who are not only mature enough to recognize the extent of their responsibility for the health and welfare of their campers, but also perceptive and sensitive to their responsibilities as a role model in a children's summer camp setting. 

• Practice clean communication (See below).
• Adhere to camp dress policy.
• Camp staff must under no circumstance be under the influence of or in possession of any drugs, alcohol or tobacco products.
• Ability to accept supervision and guidance.

CLEAN COMMUNICATION

The staff member, to help ensure a positive and healthy work environment, will not gossip about campers, counselors and supervisors.  

• Complaints and concerns go to your supervisor in the chain of command.  
• Disparaging remarks about others are not permitted.
• Camp staff will not use objectional language.
• Staff member will bring enthusiasm to each activity assigned. 
• A positive attitude is a must!!!
• Leadership will be available for staff to ask for help any time they are in need.
• We welcome and insist upon staff asking questions when they do not understand.
• With kids safety at hand, staff must always say something whenever they see or hear anything outside the normal. 
• The staff member in a position of responsibility must always think before they act.

PALI ADVENTURE’s CAMP’S DAILY PROGRAM

• The Daily Activity Program at Pali Adventures features a morning where campers participate in a specialized program in the morning followed by afternoon electives.  

• https://paliadventures.com/camp-programs/specialties/

• All college-enrolled staff are assigned to cabins and reside with campers together with another counselor. An counselor must enjoy working with children and have the strong desire to act as excellent role model for our campers.
• Our programs are designed to be SAFE, FUN with primarily free play and basic instruction. 
• Counselors are expected to take care of and maintain the camp’s equipment. Also, it is expected that the Instructor(s) will keep the facility, and storage sheds clean and neat.
• Staff members are expected to bring to camp a watch for use in their employment. Please note: Cell phone usage by staff members is restricted at camp to certain times and locations (never in front of the campers) the cell phone cannot satisfy the watch requirement. Phones may be carried in a fanny pack or backpack and should not be visible to campers. (Camp is not responsible for damage to phones carried at work).
• Prior to attending the camp's staff development week, the staff member is expected to read the camp's Staff Manual which will be posted online in late March. 
• Staff members are required to be on Camp and perform assigned duties at all times except during scheduled off time. 
• On-Site staff members are employed for a 15-hour day, six-day work week. On-site staff members are provided with housing, meals, and access to facilities. Some on-site staff members may work on a modified shift.
• Staff members will be off weekly from 2:00pm (latest) on Saturday to 11:00am on Sunday morning.
• Each staff member will work 3 weekends (out of 8) during the summer.
• Each staff member will be scheduled for one full night-off (7:00pm) Monday through Thursday.
• On-site staff members may not leave Camp at any time between noon on Sunday and noon on Saturday without permission from their immediate supervisor. If you plan to be on Camp during the weekend, please inform the senior staff member in charge so provisions can be made for your safety.
• Counselor’s other on-site staff members will receive one evening off each week (Off-Off) when they leave Camp. Staff members must sign out and check in with the Camp Director or Assistant Camp Director.

COUNSELOR ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Serve the campers as a positive role model.
• Camp staff members will actively supervise campers both in assigned cabins and at assigned daily activity sites and during the evening activity programs.
• All campers should feel comfortable, safe and included.
• Learn the likes and dislikes of each camper in your care by showing genuine interest.
• Recognize and respond to the opportunities for problem solving in the group.
• The counselor is responsible for the health, safety and welfare of each camper within their cabin group and with whom they come into contact. E.g. drinking water, daily showers, teeth brushing, active supervision during rest period, application of sunscreen & lip balm, appropriate attire for the activity they will be attending, etc.
• Develop opportunities for positive interaction between campers and staff.
• Provide opportunities for each individual to experience success during camp.
• Carry out established roles in enforcing camp safety regulations.
• Know where your campers are at all times. 
• The staff members must never leave campers unsupervised.
• Ability to communicate and train campers in activity safety regulations and emergency procedures.
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental and other hazards related to the activity.
• Ability to communicate and work with groups participating (age and skill levels), and provide necessary instruction to campers and/or staff.
• Physical strength to spot and attend to campers and/or staff who need assistance.
• Abilities to observe camper behavior, assess its appropriateness, enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures, and apply appropriate behavior-management techniques.
• Physical ability to respond appropriately to situations requiring first aid.
• Cognitive and communication abilities to plan and conduct the activity to achieve camper development objectives.

IN SUMMARY

We’re here for the kids. Every decision you make should be done with the following creed in mind…

“Is this in the best interests of the camper and the camp?”

• The job description should not be construed to imply that these requirements are the only duties, responsibilities, and qualifications for this job. Incumbents may be required to follow any related instructions, acquire related job skills, and perform other related work as required by the camp director or his/her designees.
• The staff member understands that employment at Pali Adventures is an at-will employee.
• The staff member agrees to follow all camp rules, regulations and policies stated here, in the staff contract and in the staff manual (by reference).
• The staff member is expected to maintain standards of mandatory reporting. This includes reporting all questionable incidents pertaining to a child or staff member’s action of questionable incidents pertaining to a child or staff member’s actions. 

Position Requirements

What We're Looking For

• Previous experience working with children is preferred but not required for every position.
• Ability to work as part of a team in a fast-paced residential camp environment.
• Dependability, flexibility, and a positive attitude.
• Willingness to participate fully in the camp experience.
• Ability to follow safety procedures and Pali policies.
• Specialty experience, certifications, or licenses when required for the position.

Staff Training & Camp Life

All staff participate in required on-line pre-season trainings and in-person position-specific training. Staff live on-site throughout the camp season and should be prepared for an active, hands-on work environment.

Compensation:

Pay dependent on experience and specialty skills between $450-$700 weekly with leadership roles ranging from $650-$1200+ weekly. 

Dates of Employment:

Come Make This Summer Count

At Pali, you aren't just filling a summer position. You're helping campers discover new interests, gain confidence, make friends, and have experiences they'll remember long after they leave the mountain.