Camps offer many special opportunities. Many of them you may not have considered! Here are some examples:
PRE-CAMP TRAINING: For almost a week before the campers arrive we will teach you everything you need to know about working with children in a camp setting. From nurturing through homesickness, to discipline and bullying, from fostering self esteem to building teamwork, you will become a better, teacher, programmer and leader.
LEARN VITAL JOB SKILLS: Today’s employers will tell you that no matter what education and training you have, it is the soft skills (communication, teamwork, leadership etc.) that are most important when they hire. These are often the skills that are not taught as part of a school program, and can be far more difficult to learn. At camp, these tools are also critical. After training you in many of these “soft skills” that employers look for, you will receive feedback during the summer, helping you to develop further. These skills will prove to be invaluable when you apply for future jobs.
BUILD PEOPLE SKILLS: If you are considering any kind of career working with people, and of course, especially children, then a camp job offers you experience only found in a camp setting. Day in and day out, you will be working closely with peers and children, meeting their needs and helping them solve problems that will often require you to think “outside the box.” The leadership experience you gain will be unparalleled.
GAIN EXPERIENCE: Many employers from CEOs of large corporations to professionals and small businessmen will tell you that the best partners and employees they’ve had, have worked in a camp setting. Few jobs will give you the kind of intense experience and training that a camp job will. Successful work and leadership skills in a camp environment can help you walk away with a great reference for future opportunities.
MEET PEOPLE: Camps usually draw people from all types of backgrounds. You will have the opportunity to meet new people from different places and learn from them. You may have the opportunity to to draw on their expertise in a sport, art or outdoor adventure program to broaden your own experiences.
EARN MONEY: When comparing camp salaries with typical day or city jobs, up front, camp salaries may often appear less competitive. Keep in mind that in addition to salary, camps will also pay for your meals, accommodation and most of your entertainment while you are away. Don’t forget how much you typically spend going out with your friends! Salaries are paid in one lump sum at the end of the season that can go right into the bank.
CHANGE LIVES: Perhaps most importantly, the children you work with at camp will remember you for the rest of their lives. Think of how fondly you remember some of the people that may have taken an interest in you over the years. You will help them learn skills, make new friends and build self-confidence that may change their lives forever.
WHO ARE OUR STAFF?
Our staff are a diverse mix of ages and backgrounds brought together by their interest in working with children. We look for a combination of junior counsellors (senior high school students), senior counsellors (college/university students) or professional instructors that have a strong background in one of our particular program areas. Our staff categories are as follows:
UNIT HEADS – Male and female supervisors, in charge of 4 to 5 cabin groups (40 - 60 campers) and their counsellors. Unit Heads are responsible for the adjustment and welfare of each camper and staff member under their supervision, wake-up, bedtime, unit programming, general camp administration, parental contact and staff evaluations, reporting to the directors. Unit Heads are mature camp people, senior college or university students or grads.
ACTIVITY HEADS – Supervisors and instructors coordinating a particular activity area during the day. In charge of all activity programming and staff supervision, Activity Heads are generally teaching for several hours throughout the day in addition to developing their program during the evenings. Activity Heads are also encouraged to be fully involved in all aspects of “after hours” programming while certain extra responsibilities (such as night duty etc.) will also be assigned. Activity Heads are people with a strong background in a program area, ideally having taught, coached, trained or learned throughout college or university or beyond.
PROGRAM COUNSELLORS – The bulk of our staff is made up of these counsellors working in a dual role. Counsellors work in teams of two in a cabin with 8 – 12 campers, looking after their general welfare from wake-up to bedtime, including meals and evening program. During the day, campers each have their own individual schedules so most counsellors work at a specific activity in which they have a strong background and are comfortable teaching. Senior counsellors are generally college or university age students (19 and up) while Junior counsellors are senior high school students.
Note: A minimum of Bronze Medallion is required to work on the waterfront, though Bronze Cross is preferred.
FLOAT COUNSELLORS – A small number of counsellors, usually working with our younger campers (ages 9-12) will be designated as “Floats.” Floats will have a similar role to Program Counsellors, but will have skills in several areas and will assist in the instruction of activities as needed. Floats will also spend extra time working with their campers as needed and planning camp-wide or unit programming.
GENERAL COUNSELLORS – A small number of counsellors working with our youngest campers (ages 7-9) will not work at an activity area during the day. Instead, this group of staff work together to ensure that the younger campers receive the extra level of support and supervision that they often need during the day and will organize daily cabin activity periods. General Counsellors may also assist in planning camp-wide or unit programming.
CANOE TRIPPERS – Leaders for our out of camp Canoe Tripping Program, trippers will guide small groups of campers and staff through wilderness canoe routes, out of camp from 2 to 6 days at a time. Trippers must have exceptional leadership and people skills in addition to top swimming, canoeing and first aid certifications.
SUPPORT STAFF – We also hire several people for specialized positions including Registered Nurses, Office Assistants and Maintenance Staff. These people must be proficient in their particular area.
WHY WORK AT MANITOU?
We believe that more then any other camp, at Manitou, we bring all the key elements of camping together. Combining the magic of a beautiful northern Ontario setting, the fun and adventure that comes from an interesting camp program, our group of talented staff, the top notch camp facilities that we teach in, the diverse mix of campers and staff from all over the world, or even the experienced team of camp directors you would be working with, the Manitou experience doesn’t only change the lives of our campers, but usually our staff as well. We also believe that our staff get better training, support and supervision then in any other camp program.
There is so much more to tell you about our program, facilities and philosophy. Far too much to pack in here. To really get a feel for what Manitou is all about, if you haven’t yet , we suggest you visit our web site. You’ll find details about our specific programs, slide shows and photos and bios of some of the staff that are currently part of the Manitou team. Visit us soon!
ADDITIONAL CAMP INFORMATION?
DATES - In 2005, our season runs from June 30 to August 18. All staff will be required for our pre-camp training period beginning June 25 or earlier, depending on position. Some staff may be required before or after these dates as well. Our office staff can give you more specific information about the position for which you are applying.
SALARY - Exact salary may vary depending on factors such as age, experience, qualifications etc. However, complete accommodation and meals are provided in addition to salary, payable upon completion of your contract. Laundry is not included in your salary package, but is available to you at cost.
| Activity/Unit Head | | from $2,000 CDN (seasonally) |
| Senior Counsellor (age 19 and up) | | from $1,200 - $1800 CDN |
| Junior Counsellor (age 17 – 18) | | $300 - $800 CDN |
LOCATION AND TRAVEL - Manitou is located in McKellar, Ontario, 20 minutes northeast of Parry Sound and just over 2 ½ hours north from Toronto. Transportation is available to and from Toronto on designated travel dates. You would be responsible to get yourself to and from Toronto if necessary and possibly to camp if you are unable to take advantage of our scheduled transportation.
If you are not a Canadian citizen, you will be required to obtain a medical and work visa. The cost is approximately $150 CDN. or the equivalent in your currency. Please keep your receipt as the camp will reimburse you for the visa portion only – unfortunately, there is no reimbursement for the medical portion. We would send you the necessary medical forms with your contract and work with you on obtaining a visa.
TIME OFF - Each staff member will be entitled to one scheduled day off per week excluding the first and last weeks of the camp season running from dinner time one day until dinnertime the next. Most nights, staff members are able to sign out after camper curfew (about 10:30 PM) and are due back before staff curfew (1:00 AM)
APPLYING FOR A JOB
All staff are expected to put forth their best efforts, work in a team environment, placing the campers first and foremost. Staff must therefore act as strong role-models at all times and put in the necessary hours, whether day or night. As role models, our staff also all abide by strict policies in many areas including alcohol, smoking, curfews etc. Our mission is to ensure that each and every camper has a positive and nurturing experience filled with friends, fun and fulfillment. This is the goal that each of our staff members pledge themselves to.
The experience of being a camp staff member is one that is sure to be unique and filled with memories that will last a lifetime. There is no question that camp is a demanding and high-energy environment. But nowhere else will you achieve the same type of rewards or fulfillment. If you think that you are a strong candidate for a camp position, we want to hear from you!
Please take a few moments to fill out the application form that is included. That form can me mailed or faxed to us in Toronto. It would be helpful if you could also include a current resume, a recent photograph (to help us recognize you) and two letters of reference. These pieces are not mandatory, but will help us greatly through the hiring process.
Once we have received and reviewed your information, we will be in touch quite quickly if your skills and experiences are appropriate. If we can consider your application, we will ask you to make yourself available for a personal interview in Toronto. If you are more then a few hours outside of Toronto, a telephone interview may be possible.
If you have any further questions about the application process, or working at Manitou, don’t hesitate to contact our office, or search our web-site.
Thank-you for taking the time to consider Camp Manitou among your summer employment options. We hope that we will have the opportunity to discuss having you join us for a fantastic summer experience.
If you are reading this, then you are considering working at camp as one of your employment options. There are many great choices out there and of course, we think working at Camp Manitou is the best one. If you have never worked at a camp before, it can be a confusing option, especially when comparing it to a more typical city job. It is easy to understand why working at camp can be fun and the experience of a lifetime. But summer camp can also be more then that and there are tremendous benefits that you may not have considered when looking at your future full time employment or lifelong decisions. We hope to tell you a little bit about working at Manitou, so that you can make the most educated choice possible.
