WHY DOES SOMEONE NOT WORK OUT
The Top Ten Reasons Why An Academy Staff Member Doesn't Work Out:
We understand that your past may be full of cherished memories at Trefoil Academy. We also understand that working a camp is not for everyone, particularly such a heavily program intensive residence camp. This camp is a marathon, not a sprint.
We want you to be successful and most of all, happy. By showing you the “hard” side of camp, please don’t forget that there is the “bright” side as well. At camp, we do make a difference.
1) Unable to Put the Campers First At All Times
If you are the type of person who craves heavy recognition . . .
If you are the type of person who constantly needs to be in the spotlight . . .
If you are the type of person who believes that you must receive before giving help . . .
If you are the type of person who requires constant privacy on a daily basis . . .
You will really struggle at camp. Your work environment and your living situation are the same. You will be in very tight quarters with lots of people. Any privacy is an illusion. Furthermore, the campers always come first, and you need to do it with a smile.
So, what do we mean when we say "campers come first"? It means sacrifice. If you are exhausted and heading to bed but hearing a crying camper, you take care of that camper. If a camper comes up to you and says they have no more dry pairs of socks because they opted to jump in a puddle, you give them your last pair of clean socks. If your team is about to win against another team and you are given the opportunity to take the winning shot, you give the ball to a camper even if it means your team might lose.
Just because you design something does not mean the campers will be interested in exploring that aspect. It is a sandbox. You need to be okay with that and embrace the journey.
2) Unable to Practice Productive Communication
If you are the type of person who enjoys talking behind people's backs aka gossiping . . .
If you are the type of person who loves when there is drama among one's friends . . .
If you are the type of person who feels the need to hide things when you need help or are unable to ask for help . . .
Please do not apply.
Gossip is quite damaging to the staff community and those who engage it may be sent home. There is enough going on at camp at already that we do not have the time or energy for drama.
If you are the type of person who bottles in their frustration rather than productively talking them out . . .
You will really struggle at camp. We are living in tight quarters with close to 120 people. There will be miscommunications. We have a wide range of personalities, and you must be able to work things out in a productive manner.
3) Not Flexible in Nature
If you find change paralyzing . . .
If you get upset when things do not go the way you want them to . . .
There is a reason our motto is "Adapt. Improvise. Overcome. Mischief Managed". Please note that the first three words focus on how to handle life's plot twists. Logistic parameters will change and despite our best efforts, you may not always have advance warning. It is important for you to go with the flow.
Your job description as an academy employee is "to do whatever it takes." It doesn't matter what role you are assigned, everyone is expected to cheerfully help out and do so without being asked. Medical staff babysits the Director-On-Duty station. Kitchen staff helps unclog toilets. Counselors help in the kitchen. Admin staff runs supply errands.
4) Ego
If your response to feedback is to either become aggressive or mentally shut down . . .
If you feel that your idea of truth is absolute . . .
If you care more about how feedback is given rather than feedback itself . . .
If you are unable to consider other people's perspectives and feelings . . .
You are going to be miserable at camp and find this is a very hard environment to work in.
5) Unable to Cope With Stress/Lack of Resilience
If you respond to stress or making mistakes by shutting down or procrastinating . . .
If you respond to stress or making mistakes by becoming grumpy or verbally aggressive . . .
If you feel you are the exemption to needing sleep, taking your break and/or otherwise, not engaging in proper self-care . . .
Please strongly consider seeking employment elsewhere. While camp is an amazing place, it is a constant high-stress environment. You need to be able to cope with it in a healthy manner.
6) Not Willing to Be An Authority Figure and Consistently Enforce the Camp Rules and Policies
If you do not wish to be an authority figure . . .
If you feel that camp rules and policies do not need to be consistently enforced . . .
Please do not apply. This is a risk management concern. If one is not part of the solution, then one is part of the problem.
Our camp policies and rules are in place for important reasons, and the director is always available to explain these during the preparation season. Understanding the reasons behind these policies will help you communicate them more effectively to the campers.
Camp industry is a high-risk industry, and these rules ensure that it remains a safe haven for everyone. Regardless of personal feelings or trust in individuals, these policies must be strictly enforced—without exceptions. Each of us serves as a role model and authority figure, and this is a shared responsibility. Failing to uphold this means shifting the responsibility to someone else. That is not a good team player.
7) Not Willing to Take Initiative
If you need to be constantly told to do things and need constant reminders . . .
If you prefer for someone else to constantly make decisions for you . . .
This is not the right environment for you.
Those who don’t take initiative often struggle as camp staff because they often rely too heavily on others for direction and decision-making, hindering their ability to respond effectively to the fast-paced and dynamic camp environment.
Without the willingness to step up and contribute ideas or solutions, these individuals often become disengaged and negatively impact the team morale and collaboration.
Additionally, a lack of initiative can lead to missed opportunities for personal growth and skill development, making it difficult for them to adapt to the responsibilities of camp life. When one makes decisions, one is accepting accountability for the outcome. Ultimately, effective camp staff members need to be proactive, adaptable, and self-motivated to create a positive and enriching experience for campers.
8) Not Willing to Be Accountable and Follow-Through
If you frequently blame others for when things go wrong . . .
If you have a habit of consistently providing excuses rather than solutions when things happen. . .
If you find yourself often shifting responsibility to others when things happen . . .
If you have a habit of over-promising and under-delivering/not delivering . . .
This is not the right job for you.
Camp staff members who lack accountability and have poor follow-through can create significant challenges in maintaining a safe and organized environment. When responsibilities are not met, it can lead to disruptions in activities and affect the overall experience for campers.
Additionally, a lack of reliability undermines team cohesion, as other staff members have to then compensate for those individuals’ shortcomings, leading to frustration and decreased morale. Ultimately, accountability and follow-through are essential qualities for camp staff to ensure a positive and supportive atmosphere for everyone involved.
9) Not Willing to Be Part Of A Team
If you feel “I” is more than important a “we” . . .
If you feel that there is little value in getting to know your fellow teammates and it is not a priority . . .
If you feel that any tasks should only be done by the most experienced individual present . . .
Individuals who are not willing to be good team players often struggle as camp staff because teamwork is essential for creating a supportive and engaging environment for campers. Their inability to collaborate effectively can lead to miscommunication, conflicts, and a breakdown in the team dynamic, ultimately affecting the overall camp experience.
Additionally, a lack of cooperation can hinder the implementation of activities and responsibilities, placing an unfair burden on other staff members.
For a successful camp experience, it is crucial for staff to work harmoniously and support each other.
10) Wrong Primary Motivation
After a long and very hard day at camp, it is your primary motivation that is going to drive you to pick yourself up again and dust yourself off.
If the primary motivation for applying is one of the following:
I am concerned I am getting too old for camp.
I am concerned there is nothing left for me to explore.
All my friends are now staff but I am a camper.
I am not really interested in learning to be a leader. I am just curious about what the staff do.
I want the paycheck.
Please consider waiting another year before applying or seek to volunteer in some other capacity. We have the ability to tailor a camper's experience so that it both challenges you constantly while giving you new horizons to explore. Furthermore, there are leadership opportunities that are restricted to campers only. Please reach out to Ash no later than one month before camp.
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If your main motivation for applying is to create a safe space where individuals can discover and explore their passions free from negativity,
and you want to offer a sanctuary for the next generation of geeks by bringing an immersive video game to life,
we would be very eager to receive your application.