Q: I have never worked at a summer camp before. Does this automatically eliminate me from being considered?
A: Absolutely not. While it can be helpful to have previous camp experience, we have had many incredible counselors who have never worked at a camp before. Whether or not you have previous camp experience, we expect all of our staff to be open to learning and willing to experience new ways of serving and honoring our Lord through our mission.
Q: Do I need to be Catholic to work at St. Therese's Camp?
A: We seek to provide our campers with authentic witnesses of Christ’s love for us through our Catholic faith. While we accept all campers of any religious background, we do expect our counselors to be practicing Catholics and committed to the teachings of the Catholic Church. If you are currently going through RCIA and will be entering The Church on Easter, you are eligible for being hired.
Q: What is the difference between a Cabin Counselor and a Floater Counselor?
A: A Cabin Counselor is assigned to a lead one specific cabin each week. The Cabin Counselor’s primary focus is leading the campers in their assigned cabin.
Like a Cabin Counselor, a Floater Counselor is present and engaged with campers during every part of the daily schedule, and will also sleep in a cabin with campers and Cabin Counselors. A Floater Counselor is not assigned to lead one specific cabin, but serves as a support for both the counselors and campers in the cabins of their gender. The Floater Counselors will provide leadership for the Cabin Counselors and the campers in both cabins of their same gender. The Floater Counselors are also responsible for assisting all Cabin Counselors throughout the entirety of shower time each night and work with the campers to make sure the bathhouse is clean every day. The Floater Counselors are expected to join a cabin each night for night prayer and Winner's Circle (small group in the cabin).
Q: Will I sleep in the cabin with the campers?
A: As staff, we have the gift of being spiritual mothers and fathers for our campers during their time at camp. As part of this responsibility that has been entrusted to us, you would be available to, and responsible for, your group of campers at every hour of the day or night. This includes sleeping in the cabin you are assigned to with your campers.
Q: Am I allowed to carry my cell phone with me during the camp week?
A: We seek to view every moment that we interact with our campers as a moment to interact with Jesus. We also seek to live by example. Campers and camp helpers are not permitted to bring phones with them to camp, and staff is expected to set the example by not having their phone during the camp week either. By leaving our phones in a designated place on camp we free ourselves from the distraction and temptation of choosing our phone before choosing to encounter Jesus in the eyes of our campers. You will have one off hour each day where you can use your phone in the designated staff lounge or camp office, and you will have free use of your phone on the weekend when campers are not present on camp.
Q: What does a typical day of camp consist of?
A: Here is a sample schedule of a typical camp day:
8:00AM – Breakfast
8:45AM – Clean Camp/Half Staff Meeting
9:25AM – Morning Prayer/Spiritual Programming
9:50AM – Flag Up
10:00AM –Activity 1
11:00AM – Activity 2
12:00PM – Lunch
12:45PM – Rest Hour
1:45PM – Activity 3
2:45PM – Mass
3:15PM – Snack
3:30PM – Cabin Bonding
4:30PM – Activity 4
5:30PM – Free Time
6:15PM – Dinner
7:00PM – Flag Down
7:05PM – Night Game
7:50PM – Spiritual Night Programming/Showers
Q: How often will I have time to devote to personal prayer?
A: We serve a very active mission and make our work our prayer. You will have an hour off each day, and you can choose to spend all, or part, of this hour in the chapel. Additionally, you will partake in daily morning prayer, daily Mass, weekly adoration, daily night prayer, and daily cabin prayer time with your campers and fellow staff members.
Q: What activities does St. Therese’s Camp offer?
A: Our campers participate in Waterfront, Arts & Crafts, Target Sports (archery, bb guns, air rifles, and slingshots), Survival Alaska (outdoor/survival skills like building fires, shelters, etc.), and Sports & Games. Cabin and Floater counselors will each be assigned to lead one of these activities for the duration of the summer.
Q: How many people work on staff?
A: Our summer staff is made up of 20 people.
Q: How many campers attend camp each week?
A: We serve 50 campers and 12 camp helpers (high school volunteers) each week.
Q: Will I get paid for my work at camp? If so, do I have to fundraise?
A: You will get paid a stipend for your time spent working at St. Therese’s Camp. You will not need to fundraise any of the money for your stipend.
A: Absolutely not. While it can be helpful to have previous camp experience, we have had many incredible counselors who have never worked at a camp before. Whether or not you have previous camp experience, we expect all of our staff to be open to learning and willing to experience new ways of serving and honoring our Lord through our mission.
Q: Do I need to be Catholic to work at St. Therese's Camp?
A: We seek to provide our campers with authentic witnesses of Christ’s love for us through our Catholic faith. While we accept all campers of any religious background, we do expect our counselors to be practicing Catholics and committed to the teachings of the Catholic Church. If you are currently going through RCIA and will be entering The Church on Easter, you are eligible for being hired.
Q: What is the difference between a Cabin Counselor and a Floater Counselor?
A: A Cabin Counselor is assigned to a lead one specific cabin each week. The Cabin Counselor’s primary focus is leading the campers in their assigned cabin.
Like a Cabin Counselor, a Floater Counselor is present and engaged with campers during every part of the daily schedule, and will also sleep in a cabin with campers and Cabin Counselors. A Floater Counselor is not assigned to lead one specific cabin, but serves as a support for both the counselors and campers in the cabins of their gender. The Floater Counselors will provide leadership for the Cabin Counselors and the campers in both cabins of their same gender. The Floater Counselors are also responsible for assisting all Cabin Counselors throughout the entirety of shower time each night and work with the campers to make sure the bathhouse is clean every day. The Floater Counselors are expected to join a cabin each night for night prayer and Winner's Circle (small group in the cabin).
Q: Will I sleep in the cabin with the campers?
A: As staff, we have the gift of being spiritual mothers and fathers for our campers during their time at camp. As part of this responsibility that has been entrusted to us, you would be available to, and responsible for, your group of campers at every hour of the day or night. This includes sleeping in the cabin you are assigned to with your campers.
Q: Am I allowed to carry my cell phone with me during the camp week?
A: We seek to view every moment that we interact with our campers as a moment to interact with Jesus. We also seek to live by example. Campers and camp helpers are not permitted to bring phones with them to camp, and staff is expected to set the example by not having their phone during the camp week either. By leaving our phones in a designated place on camp we free ourselves from the distraction and temptation of choosing our phone before choosing to encounter Jesus in the eyes of our campers. You will have one off hour each day where you can use your phone in the designated staff lounge or camp office, and you will have free use of your phone on the weekend when campers are not present on camp.
Q: What does a typical day of camp consist of?
A: Here is a sample schedule of a typical camp day:
8:00AM – Breakfast
8:45AM – Clean Camp/Half Staff Meeting
9:25AM – Morning Prayer/Spiritual Programming
9:50AM – Flag Up
10:00AM –Activity 1
11:00AM – Activity 2
12:00PM – Lunch
12:45PM – Rest Hour
1:45PM – Activity 3
2:45PM – Mass
3:15PM – Snack
3:30PM – Cabin Bonding
4:30PM – Activity 4
5:30PM – Free Time
6:15PM – Dinner
7:00PM – Flag Down
7:05PM – Night Game
7:50PM – Spiritual Night Programming/Showers
Q: How often will I have time to devote to personal prayer?
A: We serve a very active mission and make our work our prayer. You will have an hour off each day, and you can choose to spend all, or part, of this hour in the chapel. Additionally, you will partake in daily morning prayer, daily Mass, weekly adoration, daily night prayer, and daily cabin prayer time with your campers and fellow staff members.
Q: What activities does St. Therese’s Camp offer?
A: Our campers participate in Waterfront, Arts & Crafts, Target Sports (archery, bb guns, air rifles, and slingshots), Survival Alaska (outdoor/survival skills like building fires, shelters, etc.), and Sports & Games. Cabin and Floater counselors will each be assigned to lead one of these activities for the duration of the summer.
Q: How many people work on staff?
A: Our summer staff is made up of 20 people.
Q: How many campers attend camp each week?
A: We serve 50 campers and 12 camp helpers (high school volunteers) each week.
Q: Will I get paid for my work at camp? If so, do I have to fundraise?
A: You will get paid a stipend for your time spent working at St. Therese’s Camp. You will not need to fundraise any of the money for your stipend.