Work at Camp

We truly believe that Camp Wayne for Girls has the BEST STAFF.

It isn’t a coincidence, it’s our mission.  We consider the selection of our counselors to be our most important responsibility. We dedicate the time and energy to find the most loving and enthusiastic individuals who enjoy working with children.

We are known in camping for having the highest standards of staff selection. We personally interview hundreds of applicants, searching for the NICEST PEOPLE with the most qualified skills. The top recruits come together and join our returning staff to create a mature, caring, and positive group of counselors.

The Key to a Successful Summer?

Quality of staff! Maintaining a beautiful facility and implementing a dynamic program is only meaningful if staff supports our mission of providing a safe and nurturing environment for our campers. We’ve all had teachers, coaches or mentors that have touched our lives. Think back to these individuals and ask yourself why these people played such an important part in your life. As a counselor at Wayne, you will have the same opportunity to positively impact the lives of children! We think you’ll find that a summer at Wayne will be one of the most rewarding, educational and enriching experiences of your life.

Focus on Growth – with Fun & Silliness Too!

Having fun and being silly at camp is the easy part – this happens every day at Camp Wayne! By reaching for more and focusing on the growth and core development of young people, you will learn as much about yourself as you will about children. Camp Wayne provides both campers and staff the amazing chance to learn valuable life lessons, while having the time of their lives.

Structure

Being a camp counselor is the hardest job you’ll ever love. It is a challenging job that requires a lot of energy and a lot of patience. From wake-up until bedtime (approximately 14 to 16 hours a day), you will be supervising, teaching, and counseling your campers. Most of our counselors are hired to teach a specific activity. You will spend 5-6 hours of your day at your specialty teaching kids from ages 7-15 with various interest and skill levels. If you are enthusiastic, the campers will be more excited to learn. Times for meals, clean-up, and night activities are spent with the campers in your bunk. Throughout the summer there are special events and unique evening activities that will be spent with either your age group, the entire girl’s camp or with Camp Wayne for Boys.

Staff Events

We certainly recognize and appreciate the efforts needed to be a great counselor so we coordinate a variety of staff activities, as well as co-ed events with Camp Wayne for Boys, to make your social experience more enjoyable. Girls’ staff activities include ‘Bond’fires, weekly Tennis Clinics & Art Workshops, early bird Waterskiing, ropes, fitness and more. Co-ed events include Bowling, Casino Night, Movie Night and Kong Pong (think ping-pong on a tennis court with a volleyball!) There are two staff lounges, one with a TV and both with ample wi-fi. Staff are welcome to use the camp facilities on their time off when not in use by the campers. There is also a canteen where you can purchase snacks, hang out and play games like ping-pong and foosball.

Evening Responsibilities & Time Off

Counselors are off 2 out of 3 nights between 9:45-11:00 pm with a 1:00 am curfew. Time off in the evening depends on the age of your campers and the night’s activity. On the third night you are assigned to be on O.D. (On Duty) to supervise campers in your bunk.

You will be assigned to Rest Hour coverage in your bunk after lunch and/or a Free Play post after dinner two to four times per week. Counselors will average about a half hour off during the day time. In addition, every staff member has 5 days off during the summer that fall on the same day each week (i.e. every Monday or every Wednesday) and is dependent on the activity you teach. It’s very common for counselors to carpool with their friends and visit cities like New York City, Philadelphia, Binghamton, and Ithaca.

Camp Calendar

Counselors will arrive 7 days prior to the start of camp for a comprehensive Staff Orientation program. Through workshops, role-play, and interactive games, you will learn our philosophy, skills for working with children and develop close relationships with your peers. The campers arrive one week later and remain for seven weeks. Living with the same girls for over seven weeks allows you and your campers to develop strong bonds with each other that often last for many years.

Salary

The Salary range for counselors is $2,000.00 to $2,200.00 and is based upon the year of school you are in and the amount of experience you have with children and in your specialty. In addition to your salary, a transportation allowance is paid to staff members who travel more than 100 miles to camp and should cover about half of your travel expenses (both will be specified in your contract). All employees receive full room and board as part of their compensation.

A Final Note

Before applying for a position at Camp Wayne for Girls, we’d like you to consider the following factors:

  • Am I available for the entire camp session dates from beginning to end? Do I have any obligations that might conflict with these dates such as summer school, weddings, family obligations, etc?
  • Am I truly ready for the selfless responsibility of taking care of children for 7 weeks? Am I capable of putting the needs of the campers above those of my own?
  • Will I enjoy living and working with children, 24 hours a day, six days a week, for 7 weeks with very little privacy?
  • Is the salary acceptable to me? Do I need to make a certain amount of money this summer?
  • Am I ready to be away from my friends, family and home for two months?
  • Do I need to check with family or friends before making this commitment?