Day in the Life: Program Staff

For the most part, Cabin Staff and Program 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 Program Staff:

7:30 A.M. Reveille (you may hear a bugle, but you’ll want to get an alarm clock, as you can’t always hear the bugles in Program Staff Housing): You’ll wake up, make your bed, get ready for the day, and possibly have your quiet time. As soon as you are ready, you will want to hurry to the Dining Hall to help set tables.

8:05 A.M. Flag: Campers will run down to the flagpole, the Honor Council will raise the flag, campers salute, and then attendance is called. If you have not already made it to help set tables, now is the time!

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. After breakfast, some staff will help sweep the Dining Hall.

9:25 A.M. Morning Assembly: Some days you’ll be at the Pavilion for praise and worship and a devotion, and some you will be able to break off for a staff small meeting or devotion. If it’s a day where you’re enjoying Morning Assembly with the whole camp, jump in and help make it great!

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 and engaged with campers as you teach your class all morning long.

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

2:15 P.M. Call to Quarters: Campers go back to their cabins to prepare for Rest Hour, all staff meet up for a quick post-lunch staff Huddle meeting, and you can pick up your mail.

2:30 P.M. Rest Hour: On many days, you are free for an hour to do whatever you would like. Some staffers like to nap or check their phones, and some like to grab a group (with a lifeguard!) to go to Putt Cove or even get their run in. Just make sure you do something that is restful to you! Some days, you may be setting up for an event or working on a project with the rest of Program Staff at this time.

3:30 P.M. End of Rest Hour: Campers prepare for afternoon classes and can visit the Watermelon Table. You head to your department area to get ready for your next classes.

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

5:30 P.M. Free Period and Clean Up for campers: Campers can take showers, play on the Pageant Court, go play tetherball, or hang out in their cabins. Some Program Staff will be assigned different activities during this time. Be ready to jump in and serve when asked! If you’re not assigned somewhere, this is a great time for you to take a shower if you’d like to, or grab a few minutes to yourself. As soon as you are ready, you will want to head to the Dining Hall to get ready for dinner.

6:05 P.M. Flag: Same as in the morning. If you have not already made it to the Dining Hall to help set tables, now is the time!

6:15 P.M. Supper: Same as breakfast. Be inside and ready before the girls get dismissed from Flag. After supper, some staff will help sweep the Dining Hall.

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 our community. You will often assist with running events at Evening Program or staying behind to help clean up. Attendance is required, but you’ll want to be there anyway!

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. Program Staff need to help Cabin Staff and campers return to their cabins by not distracting them (your conversation can wait until tomorrow!). Some Program Staff will assist with cleaning the Pavilion, Counselor Hut, etc. at this time. Once cleaning duties and/or any other special duties are finished for the night, there might be some sort of meeting for all Program Staff in the Pavilion; otherwise, you will be off for the night.

9:20 P.M. Lights Out: All lights out in camper cabins. You are free from this point until midnight!

9:30 P.M. Taps

9:40 P.M. Taps at Main Camp

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