Day in the Life: Cabin Staff

For the most part, Program Staff and Cabin Staff days look very similar! No matter where you’re placed, your days are going to be full, and give you lots of opportunities to connect with campers and counselors alike and have a lot of fun.

Here’s what a day could look like if you were on Cabin Staff:

7:30 A.M. Reveille (you’ll hear a bugle): You’ll wake up, make your bed, get ready for the day, and engage with your campers as they complete the job they have on the job wheel. You may have time to get a shower here (but just know you cannot take a shower before Reveille). If you choose to get up early for a Great Day Group, quiet time, etc., you must be back in your cabin when Reveille blows, so plan accordingly!

8:05 A.M. Flag: Your campers will run down to the flagpole, the Honor Council will raise the flag, campers salute, and then attendance is called. During this time, you are finishing up your preparation for the day. If you are an inspector, you are inspecting a cabin on cleanliness, or you are getting your table ready for breakfast. If a camper has wet the bed (it happens occasionally), this is the time when you change her sheets.

8:10 A.M. Breakfast: Make sure you are situated at your table before the campers are dismissed from Flag. You may get coffee and/or fruit at this time, but once Soupie blows, head back to your table.

9:25 A.M. Morning Assembly: Some days you’ll be sitting with your campers in the Pavilion for praise and worship and a devotion, and some you will be able to break off for a staff meeting or devotion. If it’s a day where you’re with your campers, be all in and participate with them!

9:50 A.M. - 1:10 P.M. Morning Classes: You’ll have five class periods in the morning where different groups of girls will come take your class. You’ll be on your feet, teaching and engaging with campers in that activity all morning long.

1:20 P.M. Lunch: You’ll eat with the campers at your table and hear all about their morning classes.

2:15 P.M. Call to Quarters: Campers go back to the cabin to prepare for Rest Hour, and you get your campers’ mail from the mailroom after our quick post-lunch staff Huddle meeting.

2:30 P.M. Rest Hour: One of the best times of the day! All campers should be on their own beds. No talking. No games. This is their time to rest or write letters. You distribute their mail at the beginning of Rest Hour. You may never withhold camper mail – always pass it out at the start of Rest Hour.

3:30 P.M. End of Rest Hour: Campers prepare for afternoon classes and can visit the Watermelon Table where they can get a cold slice of watermelon on their way to class. You get them going and then head to your department area to get ready for your next classes.

3:50 - 5:30 P.M. Afternoon classes: Same as the morning, you’ll have two classes in the afternoon. During Main Camp, that final class will be a Club period, where you might be teaching a Club that is different from your regular activity area.

5:30 P.M. Free Period for campers and Clean Up: Campers can take showers, play on the Pageant Court, play tetherball, or hang out in their cabins. You can take a shower now and spend time with your girls. You should NOT be in the Counselor Hut. This is the time to be in your cabin and helping your girls with their jobs!

6:05 P.M. Flag: Same as in the morning. If you are an inspector, you will inspect the cabin again.

6:15 P.M. Supper: Same as breakfast. Be ready before the girls are dismissed from Flag. Head back to your table before Soupie blows.

7:45 P.M. Evening Program: This could be just about anything, but you will head to that night’s location and enjoy the event with your girls. Be ready to jump in and help when asked, including set up and clean up afterwards! It takes our whole staff team to pull off the great Evening Programs we have.

8:45 P.M. Crackers: Campers and staff can get a little snack before bed - two Nilla wafers!

9:00 P.M. Call to Quarters: Campers get ready for bed. You are helping them settle down for the night. All counselors need to be in their cabin at this time.

9:20 P.M. Lights Out: All lights out. You are giving your devotion at this time. All campers are on their own beds. You have a flashlight to give your devotion. You will finish your devotion in 5 minutes, so that you have 5 minutes to tuck your girls in and tell them goodnight. (You have 20 minutes total in Main: 10 for a devotion and 10 for tuck-ins.)

9:30 P.M. Taps: No talking or reading under the covers. Everyone goes to bed!

9:40 P.M. Taps at Main Camp

10:00 P.M. - 11:55 P.M. Counselor free time (some nights): If your girls are settled and quiet, on some nights you may leave your cabin. This is your time to go check your phone in the Counselor Hut or run an errand in town. On nights counselors leave their cabins, we have a Patrol in place to watch the cabin area - you will learn more about Patrol when you get to camp, but it’s so important! If your girls are loud and/or homesick, it is in your best interest to not leave the cabin that night. If you are tired, please listen to your body and go to sleep with you girls. Trust us – it is worth it!

12:00 A.M: All counselors in their cabins: Please be back at camp and in your cabin by midnight each night (if not well before). Sleep is so important to keep you functioning with the day to day demands of camp life.