Message from David Hughes, "Chief Fun Officer"

"Can you doodle?" Camp Doodles is seeking enthusiastic, caring, fun people to join our CILT/Junior Counselor Leadership Training Program.

If you want to make a difference and are ready to work hard and have fun, we hope you will consider joining our exceptional staff and quality camp program.  This is a perfect opportunity for people who enjoy working with children, and it looks great on your college applications. 

We love working at camp and hope you will join us for what is sure to be a really fun summer!

Apply Online NOW

JOB DESCRIPTION:
Our goal for the leadership prorgam is to provide an enjoyable and safe summer experience appropriate for older children (entering grades 7 - 10 in the fall). The experience will include leadership training and the opportunity to assume some daily responsibilities at Camp Doodles, along with much of the fun and excitement that accompany the rest of our summer program.It is our hope that the CIT's will begin to develop some of the skills that will enable them to assume additional leadership responsibilities in the future, perhaps as counselors and directors at Camp Doodles!

Because of the age of the participants in our CIT & Junior Counselor program, CIT's and JC's are considered campers. It is important to remember that CIT's are considered campers, not staff members. At times, the CIT's and JC's will work together in their own group under the supervision of a Camp Doodles staff member. They will use this time to meet and bond with other CIT's, learn how to help with the various camp games, activities, and responsibilities and to receive feedback and support in their role as camp leaders.

Under supervision the volunteers assist the camp counselor and director in daily activities for the participants of the day camp program. The volunteers provide extra “eyes” to keep a watch on the campers, and mainly help provide the one-on-one attention that all children deserve.

Camp Doodles only seeks volunteers who want to make personal contributions to the community and the children they serve.  Leading children, protecting their safety and helping them grow into worthy adults is challenging and serious work. Being a staff member is very much like being a parent - the real reward is the knowledge that you have given a big part of yourself to many children and those children will carry that part of you with them for their whole life.

TYPICAL TASKS:
-          Assist the counselors in leading the various camp activities; participate in song leading, skits, swimming, arts & crafts, and nature projects, and enforce regulations pertaining to the health and safety of camp participants.
-          Facilitate one-on-one time with campers.
-          Provide on very light discipline, referring problems to a counselor or the Camp Director.
-          Participate in and create skits and songs.
-          Brainstorm new activities and cool games with other staff members.
-          Attend all volunteer training meetings and participate in discussions.
-          Help with care and maintenance of equipment.
-          Have fun!!!!

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

Volunteers are typically entering 8th-10th graders with some knowledge of games, sports, crafts and basic camp skills...but mainly people who enjoy working with children. 

* Be entering 7th - 10th grade

* Be genuinely interested in the opportunity (don't apply if it is only your parents that really want you to do this - do it because you want to)

* Enjoy working with children

* Be ready for a challenge (it's hard work and quite tiring!)

* Be easy-going and fun (working with kids can be unpredictable and sometimes one needs to just 'go with the flow.

NOTE TO PARENTS:

Dear Families:  

We welcome your child’s application to join us in what is sure to be yet another awesome summer!  We hope that your child will find themselves learning numerous life-skills while engaged in the day-to-day activities of a responsible, role-model for our camp children. It can be a challenge for children of this age to make the transition from a camper into a role of responsibility and we greatly enjoying working with our volunteers to help them understand, navigate and (hopefully!) appreciate this transformation.

We recognize that this may very well be your child’s first experience working in a professional environment, particularly when they are one of the people ‘in charge’. We are happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have and we strongly prefer that your child contact us (via e-mail or phone) on his/her own.   We set our expectations of professionalism from the very beginning.

There is an application fee for all volunteers. All volunteers receive leadership training, on-going supervision and a cool “STAFF” camp t-shirt. A check is required to finalize your child’s application. Typically our younger volunteers (Counselors-In-Leadership-Training - CILT’s) work for 2 to 3-weeks at a time while the older ones may elect to work longer periods of times. While we are willing to make exceptions, our program is designed to have volunteers work at least two consecutive weeks.

It is very rare that we are not able to accommodate your child’s availability. Please be sure to mark the mandatory training date and times firmly on your families’ calendar as it always saddens us when we have to tell someone they cannot help out at camp because they missed this important training/orientation.

We’re looking forward to an amazing summer together!!

Sincerely,

David Hughes & The Camp Doodles Team

LOGISTICS:

- All volunteers must complete a volunteer application and receive references. Explained in application.

- All volunteers must attend training. Training dates listed on application form.

- Most volunteers work 1-2 weeks, ideally consecutively.

- Entering 7th grade CIT's may register as a "Super Camper" using a regular camper registration form for additional weeks outside the 2 week CIT maximum.

- Leadership Training cost is priceless, and we have a $150 application fee for new volunteers and $100 for returning volunteers.  The cost to attend our leadership training program is then $75/week