Camp Gifford

Youth and teen summer camps and retreat facilities

Employment

“Our mission is to use nature and the great outdoors as a setting to share the gospel of Jesus Christ, teach environmental awareness, encourage pro-social behavior and safely provide an opportunity to every camper for fun and adventure.”

• Apply for a job or to volunteer
• Fill out a reference for an applicant
• Information for FOREIGN applicants

-Page down for jobs available-

About Employment with Camp Gifford

Each summer we employ 35-40 staff and volunteers for eleven weeks of ‘adventure’. Jobs that are available range from Dishwasher to Program Director to Wilderness staff. Applicants need to be available for the entire summer – must be willing to live at camp during the week – be able to express and verbalize, in word, attitude and action, the love of Jesus Christ to the children – have hearts filled with love to share – be willing to give love (joy, peace, patience, kindness, …, etc.) unconditionally to all of our campers – and have a burning desire to share the gospel.

This summer (2012) applicants should be available to work from June 17th (the beginning of Staff Orientation Week) through August 3rd – 17th (depending of job).   Staff receive time off between camps and a minimum of two hours off each day. Contact us for more complete information.

Applicants must be willing to submit to a background check and must be legally allowed to work in the United States. Some jobs require special training and/or certification (e.g., Health Card for Kitchen Staff), certain jobs also have minimum age requirements. A list of available jobs is below.

Why work at Camp Gifford?

The pays not real great, the hours are long, the campers are sometimes extremely frustrating, it uses up your whole summer… Hmmmmm, maybe I’m not making a very good case here. Okay, there really are some excellent reasons to come work with us this summer: You get to spend the whole summer living and working with a diverse group of Christian believers – you’ll find yourself making life-long friendships as you spend days and nights working side by side with others; You will have an ability to express yourself in a new, unique and unusual way – singing silly (and sometimes out-right stupid) songs, creating and performing weird and amazing skits, participating in dramas for campfire and chapel services; You will have an opportunity unlike any other to radically change and influence the lives of children – an opportunity to re-direct their purpose; to give them focus; to help them set goals and KNOW that they can accomplish them with the help of Jesus Christ; You may be the person that changes the life of the next Billy Graham! You may encourage a child who thinks they’re stupid (maybe because they’ve been told that so many times by others) to set their sights on becoming a doctor or missionary; Your impact on a child’s life could be felt a thousand times over as that child goes on to help and change the lives and destinies of others.

What can you do this summer that is important than changing lives?

This is who we are looking for:

People who are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. People who enjoy challenges (over ten weeks of camp you will definitely be challenged). People who are not afraid to admit that they make mistakes, but are willing to accept help and positive criticism to change (humility). People desiring to be of service to Jesus Christ by serving “the least of these”. People who can make a commitment to work through the summer. Most positions don’t require degrees or special training – I believe that God provides His people with the tools necessary to accomplish His will. You just need to be willing to be a servant – and willing to be malleable and learn. No (hurtful) attitudes, no pride, no gossip, envy, discord, bitterness….we want “…love, joy, peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22a). Do you want to serve Christ? Do you want to learn to be more like Christ? Then “come on down”. By now I’m sure you can’t wait any longer!

Jobs

All salaries include Room and Board and require that you spend the night at camp Monday through Friday.

All jobs require the ability to show and teach the love of Jesus Christ in word, action and attitude. Each employee will be expected to share their personal Christian experience with the children, and pray with and teach the children.

Regular paid positions

• PROGRAM DIRECTOR – Responsible for overseeing (and participating in) all summer programming; managing and directing of staff; generally ensuring camp runs smoothly. Proof of programming ability or experience will be expected. Base pay is $220.00 per week plus room and board. Minimum age, 21.
• RECREATION DIRECTOR – Assists the Director in every phase of Summer Camping Program. Requires the ability to lead others effectively. Maturity and stability are important. Base pay is $200.00 per week plus room and board. Minimum age, 18.
• VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR – This position works with our large base of young (and older) volunteers. You need to be able to balance the needs of the volunteer, the program and the camp (when sometimes all three are in conflict). Position is also responsible for spiritual teaching of volunteers. Base pay is $200.00 per week plus room and board. Minimum age 18.
• CAMP HEALTH MANAGER – Provide first aid and emergency care to campers and staff. Dispense all medications. Maintain staff and camper health logs. Work closely with area doctors to maintain a good continuum of care. Base pay is 300.00 – 500.00 depending on qualifications. Minimum age 18, preferably 21. Must be a RN, LVN, LPN, EMT or second year nursing student with good references.
• CRAFT DIRECTOR – Purchases all craft supplies. Plans and oversees all craft programming. Must have knowledge of working with lanyards, plaster, etc. (camp stuff). Base pay is 150.00+ (depending on experience) per week plus room and board. Minimum age 18.
• WATERFRONT DIRECTOR – In addition to lifeguarding responsibilities; oversees all waterfront activity, helps in many programming areas, fills out week ending reports and summer brief. W.S.I. required. Base pay 180.00 per week plus room and board. Minimum age, 18.
• LIFEGUARD – Primary responsibility is to guard the waterfront. In addition you will be called on to help with general programming. Lifesaving Certificate required. Base pay $160.00 plus room and board. Minimum age, 18.
• LEAD COUNSELOR – Supervises and supports counseling staff (either male or female). Experience in summer camp counseling is necessary. Must be mature and responsible. Base pay is $200.00 per week plus room and board. Minimum age, 18.
• COUNSELOR – In this position you will oversee approx. 8-11 children for five days and six nights, twenty-four hours a day. Tiring, but truly rewarding. Base pay is $190.00 per week plus room and board. Minimum age, 18.
• FIRST COOK – Assists Foodservice Manager in operation of Camp Kitchen. Must have cooking experience and ability to lead and organize others effectively. Health Card is required. Base pay is $175.00 per week (depending on experience), plus room and board. Minimum age, 18.
• SECOND COOK – Assists First Cook in operation of Camp Kitchen. Must have cooking experience and ability to lead and organize others. Health Card is required. Base pay is $150.00+ per week (depending on experience), plus room and board. Minimum age, 17.
• WILDERNESS DIRECTOR – Responsible for planning and overseeing the Wilderness Camping program for youth ages 13-17. Applicants need to have outdoor education experience and knowledge of camping skills, lots of creativity and endurance. Base pay is $240.00 per week plus room and board. Minimum age, 21.
• WILDERNESS COUNSELOR – Responsible for continuous supervision of youth ages 13-16 in a Wilderness Camping program. Knowledge of camping skills and/or outdoor education is beneficial. Base pay is $210.00/week plus room and board. Minimum age, 18.
• LOGISTICS PERSON FOR WILDERNESS PROGRAM – Responsible for behind the scenes work at our Wilderness Camp. Help with cooking, programming, delivery of supplies, etc. Base pay is $100.00 per week plus room and board. Minimum age 17. Health Card is required. Good organizational skills and some cooking experience is necessary. Extra pay is available for Lifeguard cerification.

Staff-in-Training (SIT) positions

• THIRD COOK – Assists in meal preparation and clean-up of meals. Health Card is required. Weekly pay is $50.00 per week plus room and board. Minimum age, 16.
• KITCHEN HELPERS – Help in kitchen by: Washing dishes, cleaning, mopping floors, some food prep. Health Card is required. Weekly pay is $50.00 per week plus room and board. Minimum age, 15.
• DINING HALL MAINTENANCE – Maintain the cleanliness of the Dining Hall. Set tables prior to meals. Maintain bathrooms within Dining Hall. Weekly pay is $50.00 per week plus room and board. Minimum age, 15.
• MAINTENANCE – Cleans, sweeps, picks up, etc. Helps Camp Caretaker with everything ranging from cleaning bathrooms to camp renovations. Weekly pay is $50.00 per week plus room and board. Minimum age, 15.