FAQ
You can apply online by clicking HERE. Once we have received your application, we will contact you to set up a mutually convenient time for an interview. If you are offered a position, SLDC will send you a contract. All hiring decisions are subject to final verification of references and background checks, as well as final approval by camp.
There will be additional paperwork that will need to be completed prior to the start of camp including but not limited to medical forms, Cell Phone Policy and Personnel Policy. You will also receive a Staff Orientation Handbook that you should read before the start of Staff Orientation.
Yes! Spring Lake is committed to giving its staff all of the necessary tools to enable them to have a successful experience working at camp. You will be provided with a comprehensive Staff Orientation Handbook and will also be required to attend pre-camp in-person orientation sessions where we will go over expectations, responsibilities and strategies for navigating working at camp. If you are a lifeguard or Adventure Challenge Specialist, dates will be provided for training and certification classes for your area.
Camp starts on Monday June 24th and ends on Thursday August 15th. We are closed on July 4th and 5th. Staff is expected to work all 37 days. If your school/job doesn’t end until after camp begins, or if you have another issue preventing you from working the entire season (ie college orientation), please indicate the dates you are unavailable on your application.
Yes! All general staff are given a 30 minute break each day. We have a dedicated break area where staff can relax, recharge and socialize. Cell phone use, while not permitted in other parts of camp, is allowed at the break area. Specialists and lifeguards have a scheduled lunch period where they can take their breaks.
Many of our staff members first experience camp when they join our staff and that is absolutely fine. We provide extensive staff training and our returning staff members (many of whom are former campers) are excellent role models who take the time to help mentor new staff. At SLDC we value the variety of experiences and backgrounds that our staff members bring to our camp family and we love to see first timers learn to love camp the way that we do.
It definitely is! While many of our staff members want to go into fields where they will work with children, just as many of them have other career paths in mind. The skills that you get when you work at camp translate to any field that you may work in. Although camp is about giving a great summer experience to our campers, at SLDC we also realize the importance of helping our staff grow and become the best versions of themselves. At camp, you learn to work as a team with your co-staff and supervisors, as well as to work with people of all ages - from young campers to your peers to Directors that may seem “old.” Communication is key at camp and many of our staff members learn how to communicate effectively at camp - whether it is going to a supervisor with a problem, presenting a new idea to try at camp or discussing a performance evaluation. Camp teaches you to be flexible and creative like when plans have to change due to weather and camp also gives you the opportunity to challenge yourself and to try things that you have never done before. Future employers appreciate the skills that camp counselors bring to the table and our Leadership Team loves to share the skills you have when they are asked to provide a reference for you.
Our staff salaries are competitive and vary by the position for which you are hired. Staff is paid at the end of weeks 2, 4 and 6 of camp, as well as on the last day. We are a “tipping optional camp” and many of our camp families do choose to recognize our staff’s hard work by tipping them at the end of their child’s session.
Many of our staff members earn additional money working at camp before the start of the season and on weekends at our corporate picnics.
In addition to salary and tips, we offer a $100 perfect attendance bonus as well as a $100 refer a friend incentive.
Lunch, including a main entree, salad bar, dessert and a variety of options is served to all of our staff, as well as a morning coffee bar and snack, and ice cream at the end of the day. We are a “nut aware” camp and ask that no outside food be brought to camp.
Transportation will be provided to staff that cannot drive to camp.
We also do a variety of staff events and incentives throughout the summer. In addition, we have numerous service projects, both during the summer and the off-season, and we encourage our staff to help us give back to the community.
