‘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.
We’ve left the complete details of our traditional Staff program below for your consideration should you like to join us in the future even though we won’t be gathering in person this year due to the global coronavirus pandemic. Details on potential virtual staff positions can be found in the Currently Available Positions section near the bottom of the page.
work a few & save a lot
Staff members at ‘Camp’ Camp are paid via a “work/play” compensation system. Just over 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.
Monthly payment plans are available for all levels of Staff fees. The earlier you apply and are accepted, the lower your monthly payments. (A $25 Payment Plan Administrative Fee applies to all payment plans.)
*All fees include a 9% Maine Use & Lodging tax.
currently available positions
‘Camp’ Camp 2020 will not be taking place this summer due to the COVID-19 pandemic. You can read our official response to the coronavirus and initial details about a planned virtual edition of ‘Camp’ Camp here.
We may be in need of volunteer staff the week of August 23-30 to lead fun, engaging virtual activities or workshops that appeal to LGBTQ folx ages 21 to 70+ in exchange for free access to our entire week of community-building virtual programming. As we’re currently in the very early stages of planning our first-ever virtual program, we’ll be updating this page with our needs as plans develop throughout May & June, so keep checking back.
If you have a proposal for possible programming or have experience leading some of the activities noted below in an online/virtual setting, feel free to e-mail us.
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!
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 enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable, and excited about your art.
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.
LGBTQ History Instructor Our Campers have shown great interest in learning more about LGBTQ history the past few years, so we are seeking an instructor who can put together a series of classes (preferably stand-alone sessions) where Campers can explore and discuss important LGBTQ figures, activists, and events. An experienced Queer Studies or History teacher is ideal, but we are open to proposals from anyone who has a solid knowledge of and passion for our collective LGBTQ history. In addition to general LGBTQ history sessions, we’re also open to offering other sessions with more focused/specific topics and are open to proposals from anyone who has knowledge of and passion for a specific topic within our collective LGBTQ history. (Past specialty classes have included “Today’s Trans Youth” and “Spotlight on ’70’s Sisterhood.”)
Writing Instructor We are need of an experienced author to lead daily writing sessions to help teach our Campers to get thoughts and words onto paper in a positive, reaffirming setting. Prior teaching experience preferred, but is not required; however, you must be enthusiastic, knowledgeable, personable and excited about your craft and comfortable working with all skill levels. Published authors preferred; must provide writing samples.
Yoga Instructor An experienced/certified 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.
