Thinking of working at Kintail? Here are some answers to questions you might be asking!
- Camp Kintail
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
Updated: 17 minutes ago
The consensus is that summer camp jobs are demanding but very rewarding and worth while. You will learn countless new things, have a fantastic and adaptable resumé, and you will make friends from all over the world to visit as you travel through life! So is it worth it? Yes! If you're thinking about working at a summer camp this year, or in the future- here are some details about Kintail to help guide your decision making!
Don't take our word for it- just read the blog posts written by our staff over the years and you'll quickly see collection of stories demonstrating personal growth, joy, and gratitude.
Click to see the answers!
What is the summer work schedule like?
Camp staff work 6 days a week.
Work begins Sunday at 1:00
Work ends Friday at 5:15
1 week off guaranteed each summer
*scheduled before camp arrival
Day camp staff: Lead a morning activity, attend chapel, eat breakfast, then greet Day Campers as they arrive- taking attendance and interacting with campers and parents. They spend the day with children doing activities around the camp, including beach time after lunch. The children go home between 4:30 and 5:00. Day Camp staff help set the tables for dinner, eat supper, and clean an area of camp. Once your area has been cleaned and checked for the day you are done work- usually around 7:00/7:30. Your 2 hours off from 7:30-9:30PM each day.
Overnight staff: Staff care for children all day and night. They have 2 hours off scheduled each day and live/ work with a co-counsellor caring for 8-12 campers. The day starts with morning activities and chapel, meals and activities through the day and evening until it's time to get everyone's teeth brushed and in bed. We schedule the 2 hours off back-to-back and spread out who has time off in the morning, afternoon, or evening. If you have specific requests to accommodate time-differences/ to allow you to call home please let the Summer Camp Director or your check-in person know!
Weekends: Staff may stay on-site on weekends to work a 5 hour shift- recieving a full days pay. Wi-Fi, laundry, food, and accommodation are provided for staff working.
Is Camp Kintail Inclusive?
Yes, we are inclusive and Rainbow Registered.
We believe that God's loves everyone.
We welcome all. All genders. All sexual orientations. All countries of origin. All Races. All religions.
Kintail is a safe space for all who build safe spaces.
Kintail is not a space for hatred or bullying of any kind.
Where will I live?
Most often- staff will stay in a cabin with a co-counsellor and 8-10 children. On the weekends, staff who stay at Kintail will move to a staff cabin. There will always be wifi, access to laundry facilities, and meals available to staff at the camp. We have under-bed-bins and plastic 3-drawer towers for International staff to borrow to make moving and accessing your belongings more convenient. We also supply International staff with a laundry bag to borrow to use for your dirty clothes along with a few other small welcome items.
What's the food like?
Tea & Coffee
Staff are welcome to tea and coffee all day long.
Juice & Pop
Juice is available at meal times. Kintail does not serve pop to campers or guests. Staff are welcome to purchase their own colas during your visits to town.
Snacks
Kintail is a nut-free facility. Staff are kindly asked to only purchase nut-free personal snacks and treats. Fruit and small pastries are out in the dining hall throughout the day.
Typical meals
Pasta buffet, Roast beef dinner, Turkey dinner, Mac N’ Cheese, Shawarma, Pulled Pork, Pizza, Pancakes, Waffles, Eggs Benedict, and more! If you work weddings, you’ll also enjoy some premium dinners and desserts! We sometimes have things like Poké Bowls, Sesame Chicken, Shepherds Pie, and other more unique menu items to keep things interesting!
Extras
At breakfast there is always yoghurt and cereal available along some form of fruit. At lunch and dinner Kintail provides a full salad bar with a rotation of toppings and a rotation of cold salads (pasta salad, coleslaw, quinoa salad, bean salad, etc.).
I'm a picky eater
Honestly, no problem. Many campers are pickier eaters too. You can always ask for a grilled cheese sandwich, a leftover from another day, or some cereal if you prefer. The same goes for all guests!
I have food allergies
No problem, we will have alternatives on the counter for you and someone will be able to point out what is safe or not safe for you to eat on the buffet!
How religious is Kintail?
Religious stories at Kintail are about love, kindness, sharing, courage etc. Staff and campers don’t have to be Christian. All staff and campers participate in the following faith practices:
Grace before meals
FLASH (Daily Bible Study and activity for campers)
Chapel (Songs, a skit, and a Bible Story before breakfast)
Christian songs at Campfire
Staff FLASH (Bible study led by a chaplain for the Kintail staff after dinner)
Devotions (Campers and counsellors share gratitude and a prayer before bed)
It’s not like in the movies- the goal is not to convert anyone or get into difficult topics. The goal of faith at Kintail is to introduce children to the Bible in an approachable way and to share the belief that something bigger out there loves you. That we should care for each other and the planet.
What does a camp counsellor DO?
Kintail has a community-structure to work. Everyone chips in where needed, and completes a variety of tasks to keep things running smoothly! Camp counsellors...
Do site maintenance like gardening, moving wood, digging holes, etc.
Support campers safety, health, friendships, and over-all fun
Welcome and help all guests
Stay overnight in cabins with campers to keep them safe and help through the night
Eat with campers to make sure everyone gets enough food
Play games and have fun with kids
Lead activities like archery, low ropes, and disc golf
Teach kids that God loves everyone
Clean bathrooms, mop floors, do dishes, and more
Clean rooms when guests leave to prepare buildings for new occupants
Camp counsellors ALSO
Leave camp with fantastic resumes
Make life-long friends
Get paid to play with kids and swim in the lake
What is camps cell phone policy?
Counsellors must work incredibly hard to ensure that campers never see you on your phone. If you are on your time off, please take your phone calls and social media time to a private space where children aren't reminded of their technology back home. Campers are not allowed cell-phones, ipads, or any other wifi-connectable devices at camp- this can be very tough for young people. This is an important rule to keep our campers under 18 safe in our care. We have fantastic wifi and keeping in touch with your family shouldn't be difficult.
Where can I read blog posts by Kintail staff members?
Here are just a few!
Grace “Koru” Jourdain
International Staff - Taranaki, New Zealand
Vela "Tritium" Bird
Empathy Under pressure: What working with kids taught me about leading adults
Carolyn "Dahlia" Congram RN Taranaki in New Zealand
3 lessons from camp that have made me a better healthcare provider
Elliot "Slate" Smith
International Staff - Taranaki in New Zealand
Sophia "Rata" Niblock
International Staff - Dunedin, New Zealand
From Dunedin, New Zealand to Camp Kintail
Amber "Fauna" Morton
International Staff - Edinburgh, Scotland
What's it like to work at Camp Kintail?
What activities do the kids do?
High Challenge Course
Waterfront & Watercraft
Hiking Trail
Garden & Nature
Camp Wide Games (Primetime)
Arts & Crafts
Fire Building & Bannock
Disc Golf
Shady Chute 100ft Slide & Slingshot
Geocaching & Orienteering
Sports & Games
Campfire
Low Ropes & Team Building Initiatives
Archery
Amazing Race
And more! Details about each of these activities can be found here!
We really hope to see you this summer. If you are interested in applying for a position at camp, check our openings and apply online as soon as you can! We are happy to answer any questions not covered here and look forward to hearing from you.
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