Frequently asked staff questions

What does a staff member do? The Summer Staff facilitate the activities at camp. They lead adventure activities (zipline, low elements, ropes courses, etc.), faith activities, games, group discussions, etc. They also help run things like selling snacks at the canteen, building campfires, taking pictures, etc.

I see Summer Staff and Staff Counselor in the description. What is the difference? Which one will I be? Everyone hired will be hired as a Summer Staff member. Summer staff will be the ones leading activities and faith sessions. Each week, some staff will be assigned to be Staff Counselors for the week. Staff Counselors will stay in the rooms with the campers, help campers wake up and get ready for bed, and monitor behavior in the rooms. Staff Counselors are also often given a small group. They will be with that group throughout the week, doing activities and leading discussions. The Program Director will rotate who is a Staff Counselor to avoid burnout.

Is there a dress code? Yes, in order to set a good example for the campers, staff is asked to adhere to a dress code, which they will receive along with their packing list. Staff will be given camp shirts to wear throughout the week, but specific types of shorts are not required, so long as they meet the dress code. xt goes here

What does a typical day of camp look like? You can go to our “Typical Day at Camp” page to see what average day is like during the summer

When do we wake up? When do we go to bed? Morning staff meeting is usually at 7:30 am (may vary depending on schedule). We say morning prayer together and go over the schedule for the day. Ending time in the evenings depends on the age group. The younger campers are usually in their rooms around 8:30, while older campers usually are not done until 10:00. Staff lights out is at 11:00 pm unless the schedule says otherwise.

Do I need any certifications to be on staff? Every staff member will have to complete Safe Environment training before coming to camp. This consists of an online training video and background check. During staff training, all the staff will complete CPR/First Aid and mental health training. Those who are interested can do lifeguard training as well. Gasper River will cover the costs of all trainings.

Do I have to have attended camp before to be on staff? No! We love having a mix of staff members that have been campers here, been to other camps, and never been to camp at all. We are always looking for fresh ideas to mix things up, and having an outside perspective is key for that to happen.

Do I have to have been a Counselor or Staff in Training to be on staff? While serving as a counselor or SIT are great ways to become familiar with the service side of camp and for us to get to know you, it is not required in order to serve on Summer Staff.

What if I have never led an activity? Everything we ask of the Summer Staff will be covered during staff training. Belaying, teams courses, fire building, small group discussions- we will cover it all! We will also have Training Sundays leading up to camp to help staff get experience on the elements before training. These are not required, so don’t worry if you live far away and can’t make it!

How long will I be at camp? Staff arrives May 20 and leaves July 27. (There is an optional and free retreat called Eucharistic Life from May 13-17 that staff are encouraged to attend to help prepare them for the summer. Lifeguard training, also optional, will also take place that week.) Most weeks of camp last from Sunday to Friday and you have the weekends off.

What is the living situation like? Staff will have their own rooms/houses. Staff sleeping arrangements will be divided by gender. You will have bedrooms and bathrooms, separate from the campers. Depending on the room, you will be with 3-5 other staff members. You will also have access to washers/dryers and leftover food on the weekends.

Do I need to bring a lot of stuff with me to camp? We will send a staff packing list to all of the staff prior to staff training, but you will not need much. You will basically need bedding, towels, and enough clothes and toiletries to get you through the summer (washers and dryers are available).

How far away is the nearest town? How often can we go into town? Bowling green is about a 20 minute drive from camp. We ask staff not to leave camp property during the week unless it is necessary, such as for doctors appointments.

What about food? All meals during camp (Sunday evening-Friday morning) will be provided. Staff will also be given a $10 canteen card each week to buy snacks at the canteen. Staff are more than welcome to eat leftovers over the weekend if they want to avoid eating out a lot. There are also kitchenettes in each building that can be used over the weekend. Staff can bring their own food provided that it is free of peanuts and tree nuts. Due to the large number of campers with serious allergies, we are a nut-free facility during the summer.

What if I have food allergies or dietary restrictions? Our kitchen staff are very experienced with cooking for allergies and restrictions. As long as they know what you cannot eat, they will take care of you.

Are there rules about dating? Summer Staff should not enter into a dating relationship with any staff, SIT, counselor, or camper while employed at Gasper River. Dating is a distraction for the staff and campers and takes away our focus from where it should be- Jesus and the campers.

When do we get time off? Most camps last Sunday to Friday, with a couple half weeks throughout the summer. Staff are off as soon as cleaning is done at the end of camp until staff meeting at 2pm Sundays.

Can I still go on a family vacation? We prefer that staff stay the entirety of the summer because it makes it difficult to run camp when people are missing. Notice of any trips need to be given to the directors and approved.

What are Adventure Activities? Adventure Activities are the different activities campers will do throughout their week in order to challenge them and get them out of their comfort zones. These include Low Elements (a team building course), Jacob’s Ladder and Vertical Playground (climbing activities), Zipline, Rappelling, Giant Swing, time in the river, and archery. Pictures and descriptions of each activity can be found by clicking here.

Do I get to choose what activities I work? The Program Director will make the schedule each day and assign staff to the different activities. However, if you really want to get checked off on a certain activity, we will do our best to put you on that activity when possible. If you are particularly gifted or excited about certain activities (leading music, building fires, etc), let us know!

What does getting checked off mean? Once you are checked off on an activity, you are certified to lead it on your own. In order to be checked off, you must have documented at least 10 hours of experience on the activity and be observed setting up, leading, and taking down the activity.

Do I have to get checked off on all the activities? If you are not comfortable leading one of the activities, we will not force you to get checked off on it. You might still be scheduled to assist someone who is checked off on it.

Will we get to participate in the Sacraments during the summer? Yes! All of our camps except the 3rd/4th grade camp will have daily mass. Middle and High School camps will also have confession and adoration every week.

Do I have to be Catholic to be on Summer Staff? No, it is not required to be Catholic to be a staff member. However, all staff members are required to teach Catholic Church teaching. If you are a strong, practicing Christian and are willing to teach Catholic teaching, you can still be considered for a staff position.

What if I don’t agree with Catholic Church teaching? All staff members are required to teach Catholic Church teaching. Wrestling with the faith is a normal and natural part of living as a disciple. We all struggle with different aspects of Church teaching. If you are willing to teach what the Church teaches and be open to learning why the Church says what She does, you can still be on summer staff.

What if I don’t know a lot about the Catholic faith? We are all learning about our faith all the time! We do not require or expect all of our staff members to know everything there is to know about the Catholic Church. We simply ask that you are open to learning about the faith, committed to teaching Catholic Church teaching, and willing to go to others for help if you do not know the answer.

Do I have to attend an Interview Weekend? We require all applicants to attend an Interview Weekend. If you absolutely cannot attend an Interview Weekend, we will arrange a time for you to come to Gasper River to meet with us, help with a group, and have a face-to-face interview. We require that all applicants come to Gasper River and meet with us in person.

What are Interview Weekends like? The goal of the interview weekend is for applicants to gain a better understanding of what it means to work at Gasper River and for us to see if they would be a good fit for the position. Applicants participate in games and activities for us to observe how they work within a team and in a leadership role. Applicants will also be leading and participating in small group discussions as well as participating in worship and Mass while they are here. We will have time for applicants to learn details and ask questions about the job. Finally, all applicants will have an individual interview with members of our Hiring Committee.

When will hiring decisions be made? We aim to make our final decisions a week after interview weekends. You should know if you have been hired by mid-March

How do you choose who to hire? We take many things into consideration during the hiring process. We check with references as well as observations from the interview weekend. Above all, however, we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us choose who is being called to serve on staff. We pray all year that God send the right people to work here during the summers. All of our decisions are guided by prayer and the Holy Spirit.

If I don’t get hired as Summer Staff, can I still be a part of camp? Yes, if you are not hired, you can still apply to be a volunteer counselor or Staff in Training. We also encourage you to apply again in the future! There have been times in the past where staff members were not hired one summer and selected the following summer. Trust in God’s will and where He is calling you to be.

What are the duties of the HCP? The HCP is in charge of administering medicine to the campers, counselors, and SITs. This includes checking in meds on Sundays, passing out and documenting meds throughout the week, and returning meds at pick up. The HCP will also address any medical emergencies, injuries, or complaints of campers and administer over the counter medications when necessary. The HCP will also keep track of all campers with epi-pens and asthma inhalers. Finally, if there is a medical problem that requires parental consultation, the HCP will contact the parents and discuss the situation with them.

What are some typical problems the HCP will address? The most common problems campers have are headaches, dehydration, allergies, bug bites, and stomach problems. There will be some cuts and scrapes to deal with as well. God willing, we won’t have any serious injuries to deal with.

What are the HCP’s duties in an emergency? The HCP will be in charge in a medical emergency. Should a camper have to go to urgent care or the emergency room, the HCP will contact the parents and take the camper along with another staff member.

What supplies/equipment will I have access to? We have a nurse’s station fully stocked with first aid supplies and over the counter medications. If, over the summer, you find there are additional supplies that we need to keep in stock, we will make sure you have what you need.

What qualifications are required to be the HCP? To be eligible for this position, you must have a minimum of 1 year in Nursing/EMT/Medical school or have CMT certification, and be a strong practicing Christian. You must be qualified to administer first aid, dispense prescription medications, assess need for and administer OTC medications for issues such as headache, heartburn, and bee stings, and assume charge during emergency medical situations.

Will I be at camp the whole summer? Yes, because things can happen at all times of day, we do ask the the HCP stay at camp when camp is going on. You will have your own bed and bathroom in the nurse’s station. Most weeks of camp last from Sunday to Friday and you will have the weekends off.

What do Counselors do? Counselors assist the staff in supervising and providing a great experience for the campers. They do this through leading a small group and staying in the bedrooms with the campers. As small group leaders, counselors will help guide their groups to and from their adventure activities, participate in games and activities with their small group, and assist the staff in monitoring camper behavior. In the bedrooms, Counselors will help campers wake up and get ready on time in the mornings, help the Staff Counselor supervise FOB time (quiet rest time) participate in Accompany Time (end of day reflection), help campers get to bed on time, and assist the Staff Counselor in monitoring camper behavior.

When do Counselors have to be at camp and when do they leave? Counselors should arrive on Sundays in time to attend 2 pm staff meetings. On Fridays, Counselors can leave when campers are being checked out (11 am).

Do Counselors get time off? Yes, Counselors get time off each afternoon while the campers are at Free Time in order to rest and/or pray.

Is there a dress code for Counselors? Yes, in order to set a good example for the campers, everyone is expected to adhere to the camp dress code, which you will receive at training.

Are there rules about dating? Counselors should not enter into a dating relationship with any staff, SIT, counselor, or camper while employed at Gasper River. Dating is a distraction for the workers and campers and takes away our focus from where it should be- Jesus and the campers.

How old do you have to be to serve as a Counselor? Counselors must be at least 16 years old by the time they volunteer.

Do Counselors have to complete trainings? Yes, Counselors are required to attend a training over zoom in the spring. Additionally, anyone that will be 18 or older by the time they serve will have to complete Safe Environment training.

Do you have to have been a camper in order to be an Counselor? No, anyone 16 or older is able to apply to be a Counselor.

How often can you be an Counselor? There is no limit on how many times you can be an Counselor. However, you can only be at camp two weeks in a row (in any capacity- camper, counselor or SIT) before having to taking a week off.

Do you get to choose which weeks you serve a Counselor? We will do our best to accommodate everyone’s requests for when they would like to serve. Depending on demand, you may not be able to serve every week you request.

Can you be a Volunteer Counselor and SIT? Yes, many of our SITs also serve as Volunteer Counselors. To apply for both, simply select both under “Position Preferences” on your application. Reminder: you can only be at camp two weeks in a row (in any capacity- camper, counselor or SIT) without taking a week off.

What do SITs do? SITs primary role is to help with meal preparation and clean up. SITs will help prepare food, serve food to campers, clean the dining room, wash and put away dishes. SITs will also stay in the rooms with campers at night and assist Staff Counselors with monitoring camper behavior. SITs may also be asked to help in other areas to help camp run more effectively, such as in the office or with adventure activities.

What do SITs do when not in the kitchen? When you are not needed in the kitchen, you are encouraged to hang out with the campers and assist the staff. If needed, you may use this time to rest and/or pray. You may also have the opportunity to get time on the adventure activities that you can document as experience if you are interested in being on Summer Staff in the future.

When do SITs have to be at camp and when do they leave? SITs should arrive on Sundays in time to attend 2 pm staff meetings. On Fridays, SITs can leave as soon as deep cleaning of the buildings is done (usually around 1 pm).

Is there a dress code for SITs? Yes, in order to set a good example for the campers, everyone is expected to adhere to the camp dress code, which you will receive at training. You will be given a camp t-shirt to wear on Sunday and Friday in order to help parents identify Staff and SITs. Additionally, while in the kitchen, SITs must wear closed-toe shoes, have their hair up (and off their shoulders if long) and under a bandana, hat, or hairnet.

Are there rules about dating? SITs should not enter into a dating relationship with any staff, SIT, counselor, or camper while employed at Gasper River. Dating is a distraction for the workers and campers and takes away our focus from where it should be- Jesus and the campers.

How old do you have to be to serve as an SIT? SITs must be at least 16 years old by the time they serve.

Do SITs have to complete trainings? Yes, SITs are required to attend a one zoom training before the summer. The training sessions are: May 3, 2023, 5:00-6:30 pm (central time) or May 30, 2023, 1:30-3:00 pm (central time). This training is for both SITs and Volunteer Counselors, so will count if you are applying for both. Additionally, anyone that will be 18 or older by the time they serve will have to complete Safe Environment training.

Do you have to have been a camper in order to be an SIT? No, anyone 16 or older is able to apply to be an SIT.

Do you get to choose which weeks you serve as SIT? We will do our best to accommodate everyone’s requests for when they would like to serve. Depending on demand, you may not be able to serve every week you request.

How often can you be an SIT? There is no limit on how many times you can be an SIT. However, you can only be at camp two weeks in a row (in any capacity- camper, counselor or SIT) before having to taking a week off.

Can you be a Volunteer Counselor and SIT? Yes, many of our SITs also serve as Volunteer Counselors. To apply for both, simply select both under “Position Preferences” on your application. Reminder: you can only be at camp two weeks in a row (in any capacity- camper, counselor or SIT) before taking a week off.