Summer Employment

Check out our Cabin Counselor Packing List

Cabin Counselors are paid a weekly stipend of $325 and receive housing, meals, and snacks for the entirety of their time at Camp. Seasonal staff will receive First Aid and CPR training paid for by Camp and have the opportunity to further their skills through lifeguard certification, challenge course certification, and archery facilitation. Staff interested in becoming a lifeguard will receive a bonus following completion of their contract and be reimbursed for their certification or renewal course.

Apart from a First Aid and CPR certification, Seasonal Staff do not need additional training prior to arrival at Camp. Cabin Counselors and Leadership all take part in Counselor Training Week (CTW) during early June. CTW is a time for you to build a community with your co-counselors while learning the skills and tools necessary to thrive at Camp. This week is split between planning and learning how to facilitate Camp activities and open discussions about life at Camp, for both yourself and our Campers. You’ll learn about our traditions, songs to sing at flagpole, and how to help your homesick Camper finish their breakfast.

Cabin Counselors are typically off by 3 PM on Closing Day of each session until 10 AM on Opening Day of the following session, though times may vary based on the preparation needed for the next session. Before departure on Closing Day, Cabin Counselors collaborate with Leadership to clean Camp, restoring cabins and activity spaces to their initial condition.

Cabin Counselors also have one day off each week from 8 AM to 5 PM. Checking out with Leadership before time off and checking back in upon return are required. Cabin Counselors may also coordinate with their co-counselor for additional downtime during the week, utilizing rest hours, mornings, nights, and more for personal activities like exercise, meditation, connecting with friends and family, or simply resting.

Our Campers’ medical care is entrusted to our dedicated 24/7 medical team, referred to as the ‘Med Team.’ This team is led by a Med Lead, often a Medical Doctor (MD), who oversees a skilled group of healthcare professionals, including Nurse Practitioners (NPs), Physician Assistants (PAs), Residents, Medical Students, Registered Nurses (RNs), RN students, and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). Their primary responsibility is to manage the medical care and treatment of all campers, staff, and volunteers throughout the summer.
As a Cabin Counselor, your role is to be a positive role model, ensuring the well-being and safety of our Campers while creating memorable experiences for them. While you are not responsible for providing medical care, you play a crucial role in monitoring campers’ well-being. If a Camper requires medical attention or medication, your responsibility is to recognize the need and promptly bring the Camper to Med Korner for assessment and any necessary medical care. This ensures that our Campers receive the appropriate medical attention while enjoying their time at Camp!

People often struggle to think of working at a Camp as a “real job” and we promise it is because of the personal and professional development that takes place at Camp. Maybe it’s hard to conceptualize what Camp looks like on your resume. We’re here to help!

We recognize our seasonal staff have responsibilities outside of Camp, including pursuing an education. To support your academic goals, we offer flexibility regarding your summer class schedule. We encourage all summer courses to be conducted online and asynchronously to accommodate your camp commitments. However, it’s important to note that balancing multiple summer courses while fulfilling your responsibilities as a Cabin Counselor or member of Leadership can be challenging. We are committed to assisting seasonal staff who choose to enroll in online summer classes to the best of our ability.

If you’re interested in receiving course credit as part of your employment at Camp or to fulfill internship hours, please reach out to the Camp Director, Taryn, at campisgood@campholidaytrails.org. We will work collaboratively to ensure that your course requirements align with your camp responsibilities, allowing you to make the most of your Camp experience.

We understand that transportation can be a concern and are committed to assisting you with your travel needs. Whether you’re arriving by air or train, we’re more than happy to arrange pick-up from the airport or Amtrak station. Additionally, we can coordinate with fellow counselors who may reside in your area to help you get to Camp. Once you’ve arrived at Camp, you’ll quickly form connections and friendships with your fellow counselors. This means you’ll likely have the option to ask a co-counselor for a ride into town or for any other transportation needs that may arise.

It’s important to note that while we provide support for transportation to and from Camp, for time off, counselors are responsible for their own transportation arrangements. We encourage collaboration among counselors to coordinate travel during your time off, including over the weekends. Please don’t let transportation concerns hold you back from becoming a part of our dedicated team!

Yes, although connecting with nature, campers, and co-counselors take center stage. To facilitate this, we operate as an ‘unplugged’ community. This means that electronic devices such as cell phones, smartwatches, computers, tablets, and more should stay in the Staff Annex during sessions. Our policy serves multiple purposes, including ensuring the safety of the Campers under your care, fostering your undivided attention and engagement with Campers and co-counselors, and providing you with a well-deserved electronic break.

In case of emergencies or essential calls from family and loved ones, our main office can be contacted. If you anticipate an important call, such as a graduate school or job interview, please let Leadership know and we will make arrangements to accommodate your needs. As for regular communication during sessions, Counselors will use walkie-talkies to stay in touch with Leadership and Med Team.

We believe in the power of deep connections that are formed by living alongside your Campers and co-counselors. Most of our cabins are designed to accommodate two counselors and up to six Campers. Occasionally, a program volunteer, ages 15 years or older, may become a part of your cabin.

Your role as a Cabin Counselor is instrumental in crafting a warm, playful, and engaging cabin experience that contributes significantly to the Camp Magic. Each session, you and your co-counselor will welcome a new group of Campers into your cabin. This presents a unique opportunity to foster genuine relationships and create memorable moments. We encourage a spirit of creativity and fun within your cabin, often adopting a unique cabin theme. This could involve transforming your cabin into an underwater adventure or becoming spies for the week, complete with a “laser” obstacle course. The possibilities for imaginative cabin culture are endless, making each session at Camp Holiday Trails an adventure on its own!

Our daily schedule is as follows:
8 AM Flagpole + Breakfast
9 AM Tidy Bowl
9:45 AM First Activity
11 AM Snack*
11:15 AM Second Activity
12:30 PM Flagpole + Lunch
1:30 PM Rest Hour
3 PM Snack
3:15 PM Free Time + Swim
4:45 PM Clean Up
5:15 PM Flagpole + Dinner
6:30 PM WOW Hour
7:30 PM Evening Program
8:45 PM Snack*
9 PM Cabin Time
*Please note that during Partner Sessions, only afternoon snack is offered.