Beyond having a summer full of fun, working at a summer camp helps build invaluable and translatable skills you can take into any future endeavors.

Communication Skills

• You will be communicating with people at every level of the organization. Campers, co-workers, administrators, and even parents.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

• You will be challenged to think on your feet. No two days of camp are ever the same and you will need to be able to adapt on the fly to ensure both safety and fun for participants and other staff.

Interpersonal and Leadership Skills

• You will model professionalism and compassion by managing a group of campers, while contributing to the
  growth and development of each individual participant

Collaborative Skills

• You will receive training and implement teamwork and community building with both campers and co-workers. Learning how to work with various personality and leadership styles as well as conflict resolution skills between campers and coworkers.

And so much more!

Our wonderful staff is made up of talented people from a variety of backgrounds, ages, and Eagle’s Nest experience. Many of our staff members are brand new to Eagle’s Nest and are from all over the country and the world. Others have been members of the Eagle’s Nest community in some capacity—as Eagle’s Nest campers, The Outdoor Academy students, or Hante Adventures participants—who return to work for Eagle’s Nest. The majority of staff members are in college. We also have several staff members who have finished their undergraduate studies and are looking for summer teaching or trip leading opportunities. Most of our staff members are 20 – 30 years old. Almost all of our staff members have a background that includes experience in teaching, working with children, outdoor leadership, and/or working in community service.

You will be teaching four activity periods each day, either as the “lead” instructor or in an assistant role. Eagle’s Nest offers a wide range of activities, including arts classes, athletics classes, outdoor classes, and “special” classes that are often

created by our inspired staff members. During the application and interview process, you will have the opportunity to express the types of classes that you are most qualified for and interested in teaching. We hope for staff members to have the opportunity to teach a variety of classes throughout the summer.

General cabin responsibilities

You will live in a cabin with about 12 campers, three counselors (total), and a Junior Counselor. As a cabin counselor,r you will be responsible for helping the campers with day-to-day activities, serving as a mentor, and being their substitute parent. You will help them with many things, including cabin clean up, homesickness, interpersonal relationships, bed wetting, etc.

General program responsibilities

As an activity instructor, you will be working with at least one other staff member per activity to teach campers skills in their chosen class. Your primary role is to ensure our campers’ safety and skill development. You will also be responsible for planning and implementing a class lesson plan. Class content should be taught in a way that meets our program goals. Some of these goals include working within a team, learning good sportsmanship, and individual skill development.

General community responsibilities

Organize and lead or help to lead several all-camp evening activities each session and at least one weekend activity during the summer.

Be present at all “All Camp” activities (evening activities, square dances, cookouts, Capture the Flag, ceremonial times, etc.) except when on a day off or night out.

Be present at flag raising in the mornings and goodnight circle in the evenings.

Be a Table Parent. Care for the campers during meal times and check in with them throughout the day.

The majority of our staff are cabin counselors and live in cabins with the campers and at least two other staff members. Each cabin counselor has a single bed and space for their personal belongings. The cabins are fully screened “open air” cabins with bathrooms inside the cabin. Cabins have electricity and hot running water.  Other support and leadership staff live in separate staff housing on campus. Staff members who bring cars will be able to park on campus. We also have storage available for personal bikes.

Eagle’s Nest’s salaries are comparable to other ACA-accredited camps in our area. The range of payment is $300 to $400 per week. Salary is calculated for each staff member according to their experience, certifications, and responsibility level. In addition, room, board, and laundry are provided, as well as workers’ compensation for time on duty.  Summer staff also receive discounts on gear.

Working at a residential summer camp requires a great deal of energy and commitment. Time off is an important way for staff to reset and recharge. Staff members have a minimum of two hours each day in which they are not obligated to specific duties. In addition, camp provides 24 consecutive hours off per week, one night off per session (roughly 5:00 p.m. – 12 a.m.), and one “lunch out” (12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.) per session. We have a staff lounge with phones, computers, wireless internet access, and a refrigerator.

There is a great amount to do in the surrounding areas during your time off. Most staff members spend time with other staff who share their same time off and go off campus to explore Brevard, Hendersonville, and Asheville. These areas are great places for concerts, festivals, movies, or meals throughout the summer. There are also multitudes of campsites, day hikes, and waterfalls to enjoy in the surrounding areas, as well as an array of shops and restaurants to visit.

Staff members arrive about 2 weeks prior to the arrival of campers for staff training. This All Staff Orientation period is a wonderful opportunity to come together and learn more about the mission of Eagle’s Nest, the community we aim to create and uphold, and ways in which we can nurture and teach the campers who are attending during the upcoming summer. All Staff Orientation is mandatory for all staff members unless indicated otherwise.

During Orientation, all staff members will participate in Clinics. These clinics are designed to help staff acquire technical skills in canoeing, rock climbing, outdoor classes, horseback riding, and general programming.  We also offer a lifeguard certification course during this time. These clinics cover additional information about the policies and procedures for the program in which they will be teaching.

7:30 AM – Rising Bell, help your campers get up and get ready for the day, this included tidying up their spaces, making their beds, and brushing their teeth.

8:00 AM – Flag Raising, most mornings we will gather in the Quad for flag raising. Different cabins will be assigned to run flag raising each morning.

8:15 AM – Breakfast, every counselor will be assigned to a Table Family. These Table Families consist of 2 counselors and 6-8 campers from various cabins. You sit with the same Table Family for the entire session. Meals are a great time to check in with your campers, tell stories, and have fun!

9:00 AM – Cabin Cleanup, every day campers will help clean their cabins, this includes sweeping, moping, cleaning the sinks, toilets, and shows, taking out the trash, etc. Counselors help supervise cabin clean up.

9:30 AM – 11:45 AM – 1st and 2nd Period, counselors will teach classes in areas in which they have skills. These classes range from general arts and crafts to rock climbing.

11:45 AM – Cabin time, this is a time to get campers showered and ready for lunch. It is also a good time to check in with your campers and see how their day is going.

12:15 PM – Lunch

1:15 PM – Rest period, counselors will supervise their campers in a quite time. This is a good time to rest, write letters home, read, etc.

2:15 PM – 4:30 PM – 3rd and 4th period

4:30 PM – Cabin time

5:00 PM – Dinner

6:15 PM – Twilight, this is a choice period for campers. They can choose between 5 different activities. This is a teaching period for some counselors.

7:30 PM – Goodnight Circle

8:00 PM – Evening activity, this could be anything from a dance party to a campus wide scavenger hunt. Counselors sign up to help plan and lead these activities.

* Bedtimes vary by age group.