DAY IN THE LIFE
“It's a lot of fun working with campers and very rewarding to know that you make a difference in a child's experience every day.“
- Robert (he/him)
WHAT WILL I DO ALL DAY?
GUIDE YOUTH ON AN AMAZING JOURNEY
Whether you choose a role as a cabin counselor (guiding an age-group who live together through their session) or a program instructor (teaching a specific skill activity to all campers), you'll be mentoring, leading, and guiding your way through the summer.
One of the best things about working at camp is that you also get to experience camp! Even if you've never done it before (that's ok!), you'll love the fun, active days and the opportunity to do things alongside your campers. Think of it like being a guide on a whitewater rafting expedition: you're responsible for getting your boat crew through the experience safely and with maximum fun, and meanwhile, you get to be in the boat feeling the spray of the water on your face too!
Put another way: we know you're looking for a job where you can make a difference, and also where you can have an authentic and amazing summer. Being on staff at Hawkeye isn't your front-row seat to someone else's show, it's your own all-inclusive experience!
Scroll down to check out the what you'd be doing during a typical day here at Hawkeye.
BEFORE THE BELL
Wake up and enjoy the quiet before kids wake up.
Take time for self-care and your morning routine.
CABIN STAFF
Turn on the fun music to start the day right! You and your co-counselor help campers motivate, getting ready for the day, and making their own beds before breakfast. Remind them of the amazing activities on tap for the day!
CAMPER WAKEUP BELL
PROGRAM STAFF
Morning Program Meeting is up first! Get together with fellow program instructors to preview the day. Get prepared for an awesome day of leading activities!
BREAKFAST
Head to the Dining Hall and over to your cabin’s breakfast table. You'll have front row seats for the #1 news source at camp, Hawkeye News. Eat a big breakfast to fuel your day and keep an eye on campers, making sure they fill up on food and great conversation. Play a silly game to see who will bring the dishes up to the dishroom when the meal is over.
CABIN STAFF
You and your co-counselor take the group back to the cabin to sweep up and air out the bunks. Each camper has a #tinyjob. Make it fun to get it done! Any cabin scoring over 85% on daily inspection earns special dessert on Friday!
CABIN
CLEANUP
PROGRAM STAFF
Head to your program area to prep and plan for the Camper Choice period later today. Open the archery shed and set up targets for the first group of the day and warm up your technique.
CABIN STAFF
Campers head to their chosen activity so your cabin group is scattering. Your role is an as assistant at an activity. Get on belay to help campers on the climbing wall, help the guards at the pool, play some D&D. A great chance to meet kids from other cabins!
CAMPER
CHOICE 1
PROGRAM STAFF
Welcome a group of campers who have all chosen your activity and are SOOOOO EXCITED (!!) to see you and be at your program area. Lead a great activity and get your reward immediately: happy smiles!
CABIN STAFF
PROGRAM STAFF
You and your co-counselor meet the group back at the cabin to get them ready and out to the next activity. This is an assigned activity and is for your bunk to do together. Play some Gaga, meet the animals at Bugs & Dirt, or jump off the Rope Swing!
ACTIVITY
PERIOD 1
Welcome an individual bunk group for an age-specific activity. Introduce campers to new skills, games, animals, and challenges. You never know who will show up in your next choice activity once they see what your program is all about!
CABIN STAFF
Lead the kids back to the cabin to change into swimsuits for Free Swim at both pools. You or your co-counselor may have lifeguard or Pole Duty. Nobody has to swim so the vibe is relaxed and it’s a great time for socializing with those from other bunks.
FREE
SWIM 1
PROGRAM STAFF
Some days this will be your planning period. Two days a week you will cover a cabin group during this time on the Cabin Staff's day off. Every other week you'll take a turn on lifeguard or Pole Duty.
LUNCH
Yum! It's time for lunch! You'll head up a mixed table of kids from all across camp. Your role is to eat your lunch (obviously), make sure campers eat their lunch (plus some water for hydration!) and help the kids get to know each other by engaging them in conversation.
CABIN STAFF
Head back to the cabin for reading period.
Take a break from the heat of the day and relax! It's down time for books, cards, naps, and low-key getting to know each other.
READING PERIOD
PROGRAM STAFF
Time Off. You have time for you. You can check email, call home, nap, shower, hang out in a hammock, or do nothing at all.
CABIN STAFF
Time Off. You have time for you. You can check email, call home, nap, shower, hang out in a hammock, or do nothing at all.
CAMPER CHOICE 2
PROGRAM STAFF
Inspire another group of campers who have chosen to visit your activity area and can't wait to jump right in!
CABIN STAFF
You and your co-counselor meet the kids back at the cabin to get ready for another bunk activity - perhaps you'll go play soccer, go to the Adventure Course, or do arts & crafts. Depending on the day, this could also be assigned shower time for your bunk.
ACTIVITY
PERIOD 2
PROGRAM STAFF
Welcome an individual bunk group for an age-specific activity. Teach, lead and mentor campers to learn new skills and develop interest in all the cool activities your area has to offer!
CABIN STAFF
You and your co-counselor bring the bunk group to its last activity period of the day. After they transition in and are settled, you leave your co-counselor and the program counselor to run the activity and head off for your bi-weekly scheduled check-in with your supervisor.
PROGRAM STAFF
ACTIVITY
PERIOD 3
This is the last block of the day where you'll teach an organized activity to a bunk group of campers. Perhaps you've had two of the older bunks earlier in the day, and now you've got the little ones! A fun change of pace to end the program day.
CABIN STAFF
PROGRAM STAFF
Back to the cabin to change into swimsuits for Free Swim at both pools. You and your co- counselor get a feel for the group. You’re not required to hit the pool again. Maybe instead you'll bring the group to shoot hoops, socialize at the campfire area, or get face paint on before dinner and Capture the Flag later.
FREE
SWIM 2
OR CABIN
CHOICE
Depending on coverage needs and the evening activities schedule, you may have a bonus planning period during this time to get ready for activities you'll be running a few days from now. Or, you'll help prepare for tonight's evening activity - will it be Capture the Flag, Campfire, the Un-Talent Show...or something else?
DINNER
It's free seating for campers - they can sit in a different place each night if they want (mixing groups at meal times is one of the ways we help build community at camp!). We treat meals like another activity period, so you're heading up a table, filling up on good food and converstaion, and making sure the campers do too. In fact, you'll notice that some of the same campers will choose to sit with you consistently...dinner is a great opportunity for mentorship outside your cabin group. No meal is complete without chants and singing! Plus...did someone say dessert?
CABIN STAFF
Socialize outside the cabin area and get ready for evening activity. Make sure campers have long sleeves and bug spray! Visit with campers, check in with them about the day, and practice that Un-Talent Show routine one more time!
CABIN
TIME
PROGRAM STAFF
Program staff work with the Program Coordinator to deliver evening activities for the whole camp. Finish any set up and prep needed, and get ready to help camp end the day with a spectactular experience!
EVENING ACTIVITY
When the bell rings for evening activity, the energy is pumping! Everyone in camp gathers to participate. Maybe you're running the flag in Capture the Flag, tying a Camp Hawkeye necklace on for a new camper at the Welcome Campfire, or hiding with your secret password for Counselor Hunt. A fun way to spend the evening with the whole community!
CABIN STAFF
Time to wind down. Head back to the cabin with your group. Kids change, brush teeth, and get ready for bed.
WIND
DOWN
PROGRAM STAFF
Help break down and put away the evening activity or head to the cabin to help groups with nighttime routine.
CABIN STAFF
Time for quiet nighttime routine in the cabin. Read the group a book, and everyone tucks in to their bunks for some flashlight time before heading off to sleep.
LIGHTS
OUT
PROGRAM STAFF
This is unassigned downtime for you, which you can use to unwind from the day, or use to prepare for Night Duty if it's your night on (once a week).
STAFF TIME
You'll have Night Duty responsibilities about once a week. Otherwise you'll have time off in camp once campers are settled. The staff member on Night Duty will check in at the cabin; if your group is quiet and sleeping (or well on their way), you'll pass off supervision to Night Duty and go have your time off in camp. You can socialize with other staff, grab a snack, check email, get online, relax, and unwind away from campers.
