We welcome your interest in summer employment with Camp Cayuga.  Before you complete our online staff application, please read the pages in this ‘Employment’ section. We believe the information will enable you to make an intelligent decision about your summer employment.  Our hope is that a forthright presentation will attract individuals with a high success potential and discourage those who might not do well in the camp environment.

ELIGIBILITY & AGE REQUIREMENT

Although many staff members return year after year, each summer we hire a number of individuals who will be spending their first summer at Camp Cayuga. Staff applicants must have completed one (1) year of college or must be at least 19 years of age. Our staff members are high-caliber individuals who are attending or have attended fine colleges & universities throughout the United States, as well as England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, and other English-speaking countries. Our youngest counselor is entering his/her sophomore year of college. Some counselors are graduate students who are 22-23 years of age. The average age counselor is 21 years old.

ESSENTIAL QUALITIES

Working at camp is not an easy job, and it can be very difficult at times. To do well in camp, it's important to have a genuine interest in children. Unless you truly enjoy living & working with kids on a 24-hour basis, it is best not to seek employment at a summer camp. Job satisfaction has to be a key element in your desire to work at a summer camp. Since camp positions, for the most part, do not pay as well as other summer jobs, the rewards you derive from working with children must be significant. Otherwise, the job will grow very tiresome during the course of the summer and your desire to continue employment will wane. Enjoying your time with our campers is critical. Being able to relate to children and assume responsibilities of care & supervision are essential qualities of a successful staff member.

ROLE MODELS

As part of Cayuga's staff, you become a role model for our campers. Your behavior will have a big impact upon the lives of these youngsters! It stands to reason that we’re seeking individuals with high moral character. Our staff members exhibit integrity, good sportsmanship, fortitude, and honesty; and work hard each day to provide our campers a positive & memorable camp experience.

COLLEGE-AGED APPLICANTS

We're seeking multi-talented counselors who are qualified to instruct more than one activity. Most counselors will be instructing different activities throughout the day or week. This flexibility affords variety in the instructor's schedule, and provides the daily program with the means to operate 60+ activities each period each day without any interruptions.

MEDICAL STAFF APPLICANTS

Cayuga’s medical staff consists of RNs, NPs, PAs, LPNs, and EMTs who need to be licensed in Pennsylvania. (Temporary license can be obtained.) In addition, we usually hire 2 assistants who are nursing students and/or medical students. The camp nurses must have experience with children and young adults in the areas of health and medical emergencies. We expect our nursing staff to respond to campers with sensitivity, and have the ability to enjoy working with them on a daily basis. Medical staff are provided a private bedroom with a private bathroom.

SENIOR STAFF APPLICANTS

Cayuga's senior staff team is comprised of mature adults who are parents with children, professional educators, guidance counselors, and/or coaches. Senior Staff are responsible for the key areas of Cayuga's operation. All positions require strong leadership & management skills, an outgoing personality, and the ability to be organized & work hard. Activity Directorship positions also require the ability to ensure top-quality instruction at all skill levels, and conduct training sessions with instructors in order to evaluate and qualify them prior to campers arriving. Senior Staff receive free camp tuition for their children.

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

If you're not a United States citizen, you must obtain the appropriate legal documents authorizing your job position in the United States at Camp Cayuga. This includes a valid work visa, green card, or valid J-1 visa. Without proper legal documentation, you're ineligible to apply for employment. To learn how to obtain a J-1 visa, go to ‘Instructions’.

SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS

To evaluate your potential for success this summer, ask yourself:
* Have you enjoyed working with children previously?
* To what extent have you worked with children?
* Can you live and work with children on a 24-hour basis?
* Can you acclimate to the camp community with its rigid schedules?
* Are you enthusiastic & fun? Are you patient & understanding?
* Can you carry-out and enforce the camp’s rules?
* Can you maintain your stamina & fortitude throughout the entire summer?