Staff Life
Our staff are our strength
Explore how Camp Manitou offers the unique opportunity to change lives all while learning skills, gaining experience and earning money.
Staff life at Manitou
As someone considering working at camp as a summer employment option, we hope to provide you with some information on choosing to apply to Camp Manitou. We certainly think that working at Camp Manitou is the best of many great choices out there, but if you have never worked at a camp before, it can be a confusing option when compared to a more typical city job. Most people know why working at camp can be fun and the experience of a lifetime but there are also tremendous benefits that you may not have considered when looking at your future full time employment or lifelong decisions. Camps offer many special opportunities, many of them you may not have considered!
For almost a week before the campers arrive we will teach you almost 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. The intense training and experience gained in a camp setting are highly valued by employers, providing strong references for future opportunities.
In today’s job market, soft skills like communication and leadership are crucial. Camp provides a unique opportunity to develop and receive feedback on these skills, improving future employability. Camp jobs offer unmatched experience in working closely with peers and children, fostering leadership skills applicable to various people-oriented careers. While camp salaries may seem less competitive upfront, consider the additional benefits such as covered meals, accommodation, and entertainment. Salaries are paid in a lump sum at the end of the season.
Most importantly, working with children at camp allows you to make a lasting impact on their lives by teaching skills, fostering friendships, and building self-confidence.
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 highschool students), senior counsellors (college/university students) or professional instructors that have a strong background in one of our particular program areas.
Unit Heads
Supervisors overseeing 4 to 6 cabin groups (40 – 60 campers) and their counselors. They handle camper and staff well-being, daily routines, programming, camp administration, parent communication, and staff evaluations. Unit Heads are experienced camp individuals, typically senior college or university students or graduates.
Program Counsellors
The majority of the staff working in a dual role. They manage 8 – 12 campers in a cabin, overseeing their welfare from wake-up to bedtime. During the day, they work at a specific activity based on their expertise. Senior counselors are typically college or university-age students (19 and up), while junior counselors are senior high school students. Bronze Medallion is required for waterfront work, and Bronze Cross is preferred.
Support Staff
Hired for specialized roles such as Registered Nurses, Office Assistants, and Maintenance Staff. Proficiency in their particular area is required.
Activity Heads
Supervisors and instructors managing specific activity areas during the day. Responsible for activity programming and staff supervision, they often teach for several hours and develop programs in the evenings. Activity Heads are encouraged to participate in after-hours programming and may have additional responsibilities like night duty. Ideal candidates have a strong background in a program area, gained through teaching, coaching, training, or learning during college or beyond.
Float Counsellors
A small number of counselors, often working with younger campers (ages 9-12), designated as “Floats.” They have a role similar to Program Counsellors but possess skills in multiple areas, assisting in activity instruction as needed. Floats spend extra time with campers and participate in camp-wide or unit programming.
Canoe Trippers
Leaders for the out-of-camp Canoe Tripping Program, guiding small groups through wilderness routes for 2 to 6 days. Trippers need exceptional leadership, people skills, and certifications in swimming, canoeing, and first aid.
Specialists
Usually older staff assist the Activity Director without sleeping in a camper cabin. They focus on specific activities like Waterski, Tennis, Fine Arts, or bring unique skills to camp.