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  Staff > Job Descriptions


Available Positions

Position Currently Available - Executive Director

To review the job description, please click here.

Please read our Goals & Philosophies and look at the Overview of our Summer Programs. Then click on a link below to find out more about our various staff positions to see if Tamarack is right for you!

The Commitment of a Role Model

As a staff member, whether directly connected with kids as a counselor, or indirectly as a specialist or support staff, you are an important role model for children and expected to maintain the integrity of the camp community. All staff must be motivated, patient & flexible. Applicants should know that any form of physical or emotional abuse of children is never allowed under any circumstances. Staff must also commit themselves to not being involved with alcoholic beverages or drugs while at camp, or engaging in personal social/sexual activities around campers. We feel that these rules are so important, that if they are not followed, immediate dismissal would result. We also feel strongly that children at camp should not be exposed to things that are inappropriate or that they are not ready for. This includes such things as encouraging anti-social or sexually acting out behavior, the use of profane and abusive language, and inappropriate dress. If any of these limits are not reasonable for you, or you are not certain you can live within this type of framework for a summer, Tamarack is not your best choice for a work experience.

Campsites

Camp Maas-Ortonville at the Tamarack Recreation Area, is 45 miles north of Detroit, and provides camping programs for about 650 boys and girls, ranging from age 7 - 16 years. We also operate several travel trips out West and to Alaska as well as two outpost camps, the Charles N. Agree Outpost Camp near Wawa, Ontario, Canada, and Camp Kennedy, near Munising in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. These programs are designed for small groups of teens that want more outdoor camping adventure in a wilderness setting.

Salaries

We feel that our pay scale is competitive. Previous camp experiences and school level are the criteria for determining staff salaries.

Jr. Counselor & Sr. Counselor at Camp Maas

Required Dates:
Pre-camp training – Begins 2nd week of June
Contract ends when camp finishes – 2nd week of August

Requirements:
Must have completed 11th grade by June
Canadians MUST be 18 years old before June 1st
Experience working with children preferred

Job Description:
These are some of the expectations of a junior or senior counselor:

  • Live in a cabin with up to 10 campers
  • Be responsible for the care and well being of the campers
  • Be a friend, teacher & role model
  • Lead or assist up to six, hour-long activity periods
  • Be responsible for developing & implementing creative programming
  • Sit with your campers during all meals and all-camp gatherings
  • Participate in a 2-5 night camping trip with your campers

You can expect to have 2- 3 days off during a session. These will be arranged at your pre-camp training.

Detailed Job Description of Camp Maas Counselor
Daily Staff Schedule & Responsibilities – Camp Maas

Specialist at Camp Maas

Required Dates:
Pre-camp training – Begins 2nd week of June
Contract ends when camp finishes – 2nd week of August

Requirements:
Must have completed 11th grade by June
Canadians MUST be 18 years old before June 1st
Education, certification or experience in the desired specialty area
Additional qualifications/certifications depending on the specialty
Previous teaching experience with children preferred

Job Description:
These are some of the expectations of a specialist:

  • Be a friend, teacher & role model
  • Lead approximately six, hour-long periods a day
  • Instruct and assist campers & counselors in your area
  • Prepare & clean up materials for each activity period
  • Live in a camper village
  • Sit with your campers during all meals and all-camp gatherings
  • Participate with campers when not needed in your area

Due to the nature of the specialty activity schedule, Specialists should not expect to participate in the overnight camping trips.

You will have 2-3 days off per session. Days off will be taken when your specialty area has no assigned activities.

List of all Specialist Positions
Detailed Job Description of Camp Maas Specialist
Daily Staff Schedule & Responsibilities – Camp Maas

Supervisor at Camp Maas

Required Dates:
Pre-camp training – Begins 1st week of June
Contract ends when camp finishes – 2nd week of August

Requirements:
Must be at least 20 years old
Previous leadership experience
Experience working with children
Previous overnight camp staff experience

Job Description:
Village & Specialty supervisors spend the summer supervising staff in their area, while making sure that every child is happy and cared for. Because of the importance of this position, we urge you to regarding opportunities for being a village supervisor. Supervisor positions fill up quickly, you must apply by Nov. 1st.

These are some expectations of supervisors:

  • Supervise 6-16 staff
  • Supervise 30-100 campers
  • Communicate with camper parents
  • Attend weekly supervisor meetings
  • Run weekly staff meetings with the staff your area
  • Monitor & develop relationships with your campers
  • Participate in an overnight camping trip ranging from 2-5 days
  • Evaluate your staff and campers

Due to the nature of the specialty activity schedule, Supervisors of specialty areas should not expect to participate in the overnight camping trips.

You can expect to have 2- 3 days off during a session. These will be arranged at your pre-camp training.

Detailed Job Description of Camp Maas Supervisors
Daily Staff Schedule & Responsibilities – Camp Maas

Counselors & Trippers at Agree Outpost Camp

Required Dates:
Pre-camp training - Begins 1st weekend of June**
Contract ends when camp finishes - 2nd week of August
**Trippers - Contract begins after school ends

Requirements for Trippers::
Completed 11th or 12th grade by June
Canadians MUST be 18 years old before June 1st
Experience working with children preferred
Tripping/overnight camping experience preferred
Must be a non-smoker

Requirements for Counselors:
Completed High School by June
Canadians MUST be 18 years old before June 1st
Experience working with children
Tripping/overnight camping experience preferred
Youth group or leadership experience preferred
Must be a non-smoker

Job Description:
Agree is a rustic wilderness program for high school teens located in Northern Ontario (please see camp description). The focus of this program is hiking, canoeing, rock climbing and group living in a remote location. Because of the uniqueness of this program, we urge you to contact the Director of the program for more information.

These are just some of the expectations for Agree staff:

  • Obtain lifeguard & first aid certification
  • Live in a remote wilderness location
  • Be responsible for the care and well being of the campers
  • Be a friend, teacher & role model
  • Plan & lead all camping trips
  • Sleeping in tents while camping
  • Assist with all meal preparation and clean up
  • Be responsible for developing & implementing creative programming

Due to the nature of this program, staff cannot have days or time off for the duration of the program. This is a 24-hour a day job. No alcohol consumption or drug use will be allowed at any time during this program – violating this policy is basis for dismissal.

Detailed Job Description of an Agree or Kennedy Staff Member
Daily Staff Schedule & Responsibilities – Agree & Kennedy

Counselor at Camp Kennedy

Required Dates:
Pre-camp training – Begins 1st weekend of June
Contract ends when camp finishes – Last week of July

Requirements:
Must be at least 19 years old by June 1st
Experience working with children
Tripping/overnight camping experience preferred
Youth group or leadership experience preferred
Must be a non-smoker

Job Description:

Camp Kennedy is a rustic wilderness program for high school teens located in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (please see camp description). The focus of this program is hiking, canoeing, rock climbing and group living in a remote location. Because of the uniqueness of this program, we urge you to contact the Director of the program for more information.

These are just some of the expectations for Kennedy staff:

  • Obtain lifeguard & first aid certification
  • Live in a remote wilderness location
  • Be responsible for the care and well being of the campers
  • Be a friend, teacher & role model
  • Plan & lead all camping trips
  • Sleeping in tents while camping
  • Assist with all meal preparation and clean up
  • Be responsible for developing & implementing creative programming

Due to the nature of this program, staff cannot have days or time off for the duration of the program. This is a 24-hour a day job. No alcohol consumption or drug use will be allowed at any time during this program – violating this policy is basis for dismissal.

Detailed Job Description of an Agree or Kennedy Staff Member
Daily Staff Schedule & Responsibilities – Agree & Kennedy

Travel Trip Staff

Required Dates:
Pre-camp training – Begins 2nd weekend of June
Contract ends – Late July or early August

Requirements:
Must be at least 20 years old by June 1st
Experience working with children
Tripping/overnight camping experience preferred
Youth group or leadership experience preferred
Supervisors must be at least 21 years old by June 1st

Job Description:
Our travel trips involve working with our high school campers doing a variety of outdoor adventures in various National and State parks (please see program description). These trips travel from 5-7 weeks living in tents, preparing their own meals and doing a number of backcountry overnight trips. Because of the uniqueness of this position, we urge you to contact the Director of the program for more information.

These are just some of the expectations for Travel Trip staff:

  • Attend first aid & safety orientation
  • Be responsible for the care and well being of the campers
  • Be a friend, teacher & role model
  • Live in tents with other staff for the duration of the trip
  • Plan & lead all camping trips
  • Assist with all meal preparation and clean up
  • Be responsible for developing & implementing creative programming

Due to the nature of this program, staff cannot have days or time off for the duration of the program. This is a 24-hour a day job. No alcohol consumption or drug use will be allowed at any time during this program – violating this policy is basis for dismissal.

Detailed Job Description of a Travel Trip Staff Member
Daily Staff Schedule & Responsibilities – Travel Trips

Counselor for Bubbie-Zaydie Weekends

Required Dates:
Every weekend from Fathers Day weekend to the 1st weekend in Aug.

Requirements:
Must have completed Freshman year by June 1st
Canadians are not eligible for this position due to Visa laws
Experience working with children preferred

Job Description:
These are some of the expectations of a Bubbie-Zaydie counselor:

  • Be responsible for the care and well being of the campers
  • Be a friend, teacher & role model
  • Lead or assist up to six, hour-long activity periods
  • Be comfortable working with both young children and grandparents
  • Sit with your campers during all meals and all-camp gatherings
  • Participate in all activities
  • Live in a cabin with other staff

Weekend camp begins at 2:30 p.m. on Fridays and ends at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays. For more information, contact the Director of the program.

Medical Staff

We are always looking for clinic assistants, nurses and physicians to work at Camp Maas for the summer. Dates for positions vary. Housing, childcare and/or summer tuition discounts for camp will be provided for medical staff with children. Please contact our Executive Director, , for further information.

 

 
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