FAQ - Everything you need to know
ATTENTION RETURNING STAFF
Do you know someone who would make a great staff member?
How would you like to win a gift certificate from Mountain Equipment Co-op for $100?
Spread the word! Let your friends know what a wonderful and rewarding experience working at an Easter Seals Ontario camp can be.
If they are hired, your name will be entered into a draw to win the Mountain Equipment Co-op gift certificate! One winner per camp!
How old do I need to be to work/volunteer at an Easter Seals Ontario camp?
Applicants must be born in 1993 or earlier.
What experience and certification do I need?
You should have an interest in working with children and youth. Experience working with individuals with special needs is not required as Easter Seals provides an extensive training program called ‘pre-camp’.
You will need to have CPR or First Aid before arriving at camp. If you are applying for a waterfront position, you must be NLS certified.
What will my responsibilities be at camp?
Most staff members are either counsellors or program specialists. As a counsellor you will work as a member of a cabin team. There will be between 8 – 12 campers in a cabin group. Together your team will be responsible for day-to-day care of the camper, overseeing their health and safety, solving camper problems and being a positive role model. Being a counsellor is one of the most rewarding, but potentially challenging, jobs at camp.
Program Specialists are expected to plan and lead a specific camp program. There are 4 activity periods each day and you could run a program in all activity periods. When not programming, you will be assisting in your assigned camper cabin.
The entire Easter Seals Camp Staff is involved in camper care. This includes feeding, dressing, bathing, toileting, and lifting.
What are the other staff members like?
For the most part, our staff members are university/college students or recent graduates from across Canada. Easter Seals Ontario also hires some international students/ graduates and high school students. Each summer approximately 60 people are hired to work at each camp.
What are the campers like?
Campers come from all over Ontario. Easter Seals Ontario is very proud that over 80% of our campers return each summer.
All of the campers have a physical disability. The most common disabilities are cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and spina bifida. Merrywood Camp enrolls 72 campers and 64 campers attend Woodeden Camp each session.
Are there any policies restricting my social activities?
Caring for someone else’s children is a big responsibility. Easter Seals Ontario requires the staff to be ready to accept the challenge that each day can present.
Camp provides an environment that is completely focused on the children and youth, so adult conversations and activities need to be curtailed. You would be surprised by how much campers ‘pick up’ that we wouldn’t think they could. Children are very impressionable and observant! Smoking, consumption of alcohol and the use of drugs are prohibited on camp property or while engaged in camp work off site. Each camp also has a curfew.
What is Pre-Camp?
Pre-Camp is a time to prepare for the campers arrival. It’s a time to learn the routine, to get to know each other and to become a working community. This is an intensive week that will take all your energy and concentration. It can also be lots of fun! There is scheduled ‘free time’, but mostly you’ll be in camp working, getting to know each other, learning your responsibilities, planning for the summer and of course, having fun together. Good preparation means that when the campers arrive, you will be ready. Take some time before you arrive to think about things you can share at camp – stories, games, funny costumes, skits, and songs to teach the group. Think ahead, and come eager and ready to have an amazing summer!
Where do I live if I work at camp?
Summer housing is provided for everyone who works at an Easter Seals Ontario camp. If you are a counsellor, you will live in the camper cabin on a rotation bases. The rest of the time you will live in staff housing on-site. These rooms hold 2 – 4 staff in bunk beds. As Easter Seals camps are residential camps, all staff must live on-site.
Do I get any time off while working at camp?
Camp counselling can be tiring. You are ‘on duty’ almost 24 hours per day. Most days you will have scheduled free time. Our sessions are 10 days long. You will have 3 days off between sessions. Camp employees are encouraged to leave the campsite on their time off. If you have a wedding or special event, you must request the time off well in advance and the Camp Directors will try to accommodate your request. Easter Seals’ priority is the campers and we must ensure that the necessary staff to child ratios in the cabins is appropriate, when assigning time off.
When do I get paid?
Easter Seals Ontario salaries are competitive with other summer camps and salaries are based on the position applied for. You will be paid every 2 weeks – either via direct deposit or by cheque and will also receive 4% vacation pay added to each cheque. Please note: Bring enough money to accommodate you until the first payday.
Will I have e-mail access and cell phone coverage?
We have some computers at each camp for staff to use. Merrywood Camp is on wireless dial-up so it can be slow. Woodeden has high speed Internet. Cell phone reception is good. Some areas of camp have better coverage than others. There are also pay phones at camp. Cell phones are kept in the staff cabins and can only be used during free time. Campers are not allowed to bring cell phones to camp.
If I have any questions, whom do I contact?
You can contact the Easter Seals Ontario Recreation Department directly at 416-421-8377 or 1-800-668-6252 ext 369 or via e-mail at camp@eastersealscamps.org.
