‘Camp’ Camp is a great place to share your skills, talents, and knowledge with a community of fun & adventurous LGBTQ folks from all over the country. Our staff program is our version of a “sliding scale,” allowing those on a limited budget to still be able to attend and enjoy Camp. Many of our Staff return year after year, as they discover that working at Camp often feels like play and makes their week a fun and highly rewarding experience.
work a few & save a lot
Staff members at ‘Camp’ Camp are paid via a “work/play” compensation system. About half of the people who attend Camp each summer do so as part of our Staff, taking advantage of the reduced fee schedule in exchange for working during the week. The fact that over 75% of our Staff return year after year is probably an excellent indication that you can work at Camp and still have the best time ever!
Staff positions are available in both the Program and Operations areas of Camp. The Program Staff consists primarily of our Activities Instructors, so those applicants must possess the specific skills and experience required to lead specific activities. If you don’t have the requisite skills to lead an activity, all you need to be a part of our Operations Staff is a positive attitude, a good work ethic, and the ability to work well as part of a team. Program Staff are scheduled during specified activity periods each day. (A typical day at Camp is broken into four activity periods, running either 90 minutes or 2 hours in length.) Most Operations Staff are scheduled to work specific hours throughout the week as necessitated by their particular position.
Each Staff member – from Activity Instructor to Dishwasher – is vital in creating a positive Camp experience for everyone at ‘Camp’ Camp, so we look for team players who can commit to making their individual position their priority the week of Camp, while simultaneously modeling Camp’s culture of community, inclusion, and encouragement. For full details on what we expect of our staff, click here.
staff levels & fee schedule
Staff I (Staff member pays $1300*): Operations or Program Staff who work approximately 12 hours during the week and Activity Instructors who lead one (1) activity period per day.
Staff II (Staff member pays $975*): Operations or Program Staff who work approximately 20 hours during the week and Activity Instructors who lead two (2) activity periods per day.
Staff III (Staff member pays $650*): Operations or Program Staff who work approximately 28 hours during the week or any Staff who works a combination of a Staff I and Staff II level position.
Staff IV (Staff member pays $325*): Operations or Program Staff who work approximately 36 hours during the week, Activity Instructors who lead three to four (3-4) activity periods per day, or any Staff member who works a combination of two (2) Staff II positions. Staff members in this category are generally given at least 2-3 activity periods off during the week to allow them to enjoy Camp activities.
Staff V (Staff member pays $50-125*, depending on position): Executive Operations or Program Staff who work 40 or more hours during the week, any staff position requiring extensive “On Call” hours, or certain Team Leader positions which involve pre-Camp planning hours.
Staff VI (Paid Staff): Operations or Program Staff who work 45 or more hours during the week, Staff with highly specialized skills, or certain Team Leader positions which involve specialized skills and/or extensive pre-Camp planning hours.
*All fees include a 9% Maine Use & Lodging tax.
currently available positions
In addition to the positions listed below, we are often looking to add new activities to our Activities Schedule. If you are an enthusiastic, people-person with a unique, fun Arts & Crafts project, specialized skill, or outdoor activity that you would like to share with a group of fun-loving, adventurous LGBTQ adults, send an e-mail to with your proposal. You may also e-mail us for a more detailed job description of any of the positions listed below. We are also able to combine Staff positions to create a fee level that is in line with your budget (i.e., two Staff II positions can be combined to make an overall Staff IV level position with fees of only $325).
Aerobics Instructor We need an enthusiastic, experienced aerobics instructor capable of teaching fun, all-levels aerobics classes. Being a morning person helps, as we like to offer a 7:00am class each morning to help get our Campers awake and moving. Instructors with experience in specialty classes (hip hop, Zumba, step, cardio-boxing, etc.) are especially encouraged to apply. As long as it’s fun, energetic and adaptable for all skill levels, we’re open to suggestion! (Staff I or Staff II)
Art Instructor We are in need of an individual to help our Campers tap into their inner Picassos by developing a series of fun, creative art classes across a variety of topics and mediums. Whether it’s painting & drawing (watercolor, charcoal, oils – the medium is pretty much up to you), collage, sculpture, or another intriguing creative pursuit, we are open to any number of ideas. (For a sample of past offerings, click here.) Prior teaching experience preferred, though not required; however, you must be comfortable working with all skill levels and be enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable, and excited about your art. (Staff I, Staff II, Staff IV)
Beverage Team We need team players able to assist our Beverage Manager in all aspects of our beverage service, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Duties include assist with maintaining inventory of soda, beer & wine; bar set-up/breakdown and service at evening social events as well as our late-night Best Time Wine Bar; stocking dining hall soda bar for meal times; assist in maintaining beverage station in the Main Lodge throughout the day so our Campers can stay hydrated. Some heavy lifting (5-10 gallon thermoses, beer kegs, etc.) is required. (Staff II; Staff I, as a supplement to/in combination with another Staff position)
Chef/Head Cook Experienced chefs/cooks are needed to assist our Executive Chef with preparing three meals a day for hungry Campers. Professional culinary training/experience required and musthave experience in high-volume food preparation. (Staff VI)
Cooking Instructor We are seeking a professionally trained chef or even an experienced, expert “home chef” who is interested in sharing their culinary skills & knowledge with our Campers. Past class offerings have included Vegetarian Cooking, The Humble Tomato, Healthy Alternatives, Cake Decorating, Middle-Eastern Cuisine, From Bubbe’s Kitchen (Eastern European Jewish Cooking), as well as grilling, dessert, and cheese- and pasta-making classes. Prior teaching experience not required, but you should be comfortable working with all skill levels and enthusiastic about food. (Staff I or Staff III)
Dance Instructor Samba, two-step, modern, jazz, swing, or the Hustle: our Campers are always eager to learn new moves! So we need an enthusiastic dance instructor capable of teaching classes on a variety of dances suited to both beginning and more experienced dancers. Prior teaching experience is not required; however, you must be enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable and excited about dance and comfortable working with all skill levels. (Staff I)
Dining Hall Team We need enthusiastic team players to assist our Dining Hall Managers in making sure that three daily feedings of 200+ hungry Campers go off without a hitch! Duties include: making sure the dining hall is clean before and after each meal; setting up salad bars, replenishing serving lines with dishware, utensils, etc. as needed; and bussing tables with a smile. (Staff IV; Staff I, but only as a supplement to/in combination with another Staff position)
Dishwasher It’s not glamorous, but it’s important. We try to be as green as we can be – and dishwashers are a big part of that effort! All applicants must be able to stand for extended periods on wet floors while twisting, bending, and lifting items weighing up to 30 lbs. (Staff II, Staff IV; Staff VI for those who also have kitchen/prep cook experience.)
Driver Be the all important first-impression of ‘Camp’ Camp! You’ll pick-up Campers at the Portland airport, bus & train stations, greet them with a smile, and help them with their luggage. Drivers also run errands and drive Campers to off-site activities throughout the week as needed, then return Campers to airports on the last day of Camp. Current/valid Driver’s License and copy of current Driving Record from your home state are required; must be good with directions and comfortable driving a 14-passenger van on the curvy back roads of rural Maine and in Portland city traffic. (Staff I, but only as a supplement to/in combination with another Staff position)
Jewelry Instructor If you are an experienced silversmith, share your skills with our Campers by teaching them how to create enviable hand-made rings to flaunt to all their friends back home. Prior teaching experience is not required; however, you must be enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable and excited about your art and comfortable working with all skill levels. (Staff IV)
Kitchen Staff Experienced prep/kitchen workers who can assist our chef in food prep and assist the Dining Hall Staff with maintaining/stocking our buffet lines are always a good thing! (Staff IV, Staff V, or Staff VI)
Knitting Instructor Once upon a time, we offered knitting instruction on a whim – and it became a ‘Camp’ Camp craze! It’s been off the schedule for several years now, and we’d love to see if lightning strikes twice. To do that, we need an experienced knitter (crocheting skills helpful, but not necessary) who can teach the basics to novices, as well as assist more advanced knitters with projects and ideas. Prior teaching experience is not required; however, you must be enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable and excited about your craft and comfortable working with all skill levels. (Staff I or Staff II)
LGBT History Instructor (Special Topics) Our Campers have shown great interest in learning more about LGBT history the past few years. While we already have someone to lead some general LGBTQ history sessions, we’re also open to offering other sessions with more focused/specific topics. (Last year’s classes included “Today’s Trans Youth” and “Spotlight on ’70’s Sisterhood.”) While an experienced Queer Studies or History teacher is ideal, we are open to proposals from anyone who has a solid knowledge of and passion for a specific topic within our collective LGBTQ history. (Available only as a supplemental role to another position; additional $150-200 credit off fees up to Staff I level, depending on number of topics)
Maintenance & Logistics Staff Our M&L staff assists our Operations Manager with the set-up and break-down of Evening Social Events and other events throughout the week. The M&L staff is also responsible for cleaning the camp grounds & facilities before Camp starts and after it ends, as well as other light maintenance & housekeeping tasks throughout the week. Must be able to handle heavy lifting of 50+ lbs. (Staff III [requires departure date of Monday, August 26])
Massage Therapist/Instructor Share your gift of touch and the healing power of the hands. We are looking for experienced male and female massage therapists to provide massage services to Campers during the week. You should be comfortable working on both men and women of all ages and body-types. Opportunities also exist to teach classes on the basics of massage if interested. Must be willing/able to obtain licensing for the State of Maine. (Compensation is paid per massage, please for details.)
Photographer We are seeking experienced photographers to assist our Lead Photographer in capturing great, colorful shots that document the essence of the wonderful people who attend Camp and the activities they enjoy. Opportunity to lead some Photography classes also available. We must see a portfolio to hire and require that you use a digital camera. (Staff II, Staff III or Staff IV)
Social Media Assistant We’re always trying to increase our social media presence and can use the assistance/advice of someone with a strong insight into the intricacies of Instagram and Facebook (and, to a lesser degree, Twitter). If you love analyzing social media trends and hashtag combinations or have experience developing creative social media campaigns, we can use your assistance in letting everyone know that Camp is the best time ever! The hours required for this position would be both prior to and, to a lesser degree, during the week of Camp. Experience working with social media scheduling platform Later.com helpful, but not required. (Staff IV, Staff V, or Staff VI, depending on experience)
Waterfront Staff Our waterfront is one of the most beautiful, relaxing, and popular places at Camp, and we are always in need of Red Cross-certified lifeguards or WSIs to keep our lakefront safe for swimmers and to teach swimming, sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, and kayaking. Current lifeguard and CPR/First Aid certifications are required. We are especially interested in finding a certified lifeguard with watercraft experience who can also be our lead canoeing/kayaking instructor. (Staff II or Staff IV)
Yoga Instructor An experienced yoga instructor is needed to teach a class suitable for all skill levels. You should be able to teach the basics to first-timers and help more advanced students further develop their practice. (Staff I or Staff II)
apply
To apply for our Staff, simply complete the Online Staff Application Form by clicking on the link below. You may also download the application and mail it to our office.
Be sure to complete the application form in its entirety, as incomplete applications will not be considered. Please allow at least 2-4 weeks for processing and review of your application.
All Staff must be available for Staff Training beginning at noon on Saturday, August 17. Please do not apply if you cannot be in Maine in time for Staff Training.
