Summer Employment
Camp CREATE Staff
We believe humans learn by engaging their curiosity and wonder through hands on experiences and exploration. Each week of camp we as leaders strive to ignite, promote and facilitate learning opportunities for students by engaging week-long projects, excursions to places in our community, and collaborating with guest educators, instructors, and peers in completing tasks, team-initiatives, and projects.
Each week of camp, we host guest educators and instructors at who are all highly qualified individuals with years of experience in education, youth development, and leadership. The curriculum for our varied themes are co-designed by the program director and guest educators and are developed to appropriately challenge students and ensure a well-rounded experience with the activities and excursions provided. We believe our camp provides a unique and fun learning opportunity, and it is with such qualified and specialized guest educators that this is possible!
We strive for the best camp experience possible for your child, and selecting staff and educators well-suited for our program is of the utmost importance. We consistently maintain an instructional staff to student ratio of 1:10 or better each week of camp to ensure an individualized experience that your camper will never forget! All of our instructors and educators are First Aid/CPR certified, have passed a criminal background check, and have completed two years or more of college education.
We always make sure to select individuals who are excited to work with and teach children and feel extremely passionate about doing so. Having this combination of skills allows for a well-guided summer camp experience for your child that is coupled with high standards of safety and professionalism.
Learn more about applying to be a Camp Counselor or 
Counselor in Training (CIT) by reviewing the job description posted below.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Work for Camp CREATE
Camp Counselor Job Description
Summer Camp Lead Counselor Position:
Our Summer Camp Leaders are the front line in inspiring, encouraging, supporting and developing our campers, and working together as a leadership team to collaborate and produce a camp day that is safe, flows well and positively engages children. We are looking for experienced, responsible and enthusiastic individuals who are excited to spend their summer working with kids.
Preferred Qualities:
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- Enjoys working with children and facilitating their wonder and learning
- Self-motivated, proactive, flexible, enthusiastic and reliable
- Good time management and organizational skills
- Engaging and positive personality - relates respectfully with people of all background and ages
- Works well as part of a small and cohesive team
Responsibilities:
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- Learn new robotics, STEAM-based (science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics) and nature based curriculum that will be taught to campers throughout the summer.
- Supervise and support assigned cohort of campers based on age group
- Escort campers between activities, during lunches, and on various breaks throughout the day in a timely, organized and fluid manner.
- Work with guest educators, group leader, and your co-instructors in teaching activities, guiding field trips, and managing campers
- Create an inclusive, non-threatening environment through the use of team-building and other engaging activities
- Lead songs, games, activities, and excursions related to our weekly theme
- Oversee camper safety both physically and emotionally
- Function as a mediator in camper conflicts, homesickness, and other behavioral issues, and administer camper disciplinary procedures, when warranted
- Plan and prepare daily equipment needs
- Submit all required paperwork to the director
- Communicate any problems or concerns to the program director
- Keep group check in/out area clean and in a neat, orderly fashion at all times, and be welcoming to families during check in/check out times
- Other duties as assigned by the program director
Requirements:
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- Minimum age: 21
- Available June 28 - August 28, 2021 (Staff Training June 28 - July 1, 2021)
- First Aid/CPR certified
- At least one year or more of experience working with children in a summer camp, youth recreation, or educational setting
- Two years of college or more completed
- Valid Driver’s License and insurance and interest in learning and/or experience driving 14-passenger bus
- Clean background check
- Willingness to complete the Oregon Registry Online (ORO) Certification process
Compensation:
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- Instructors are paid at an hourly rate of $13-$15 based on experience and placement
- Instructors are also hourly compensated for three days of staff training
Application Process:
- Please send resume and cover letter to Director of Camp CREATE, Jenae McCarroll at mccarroll@cascadesacademy.org.
- Application Deadline is April 15, 2021.
It is the policy of Cascades Academy to provide equal employment opportunity, regardless of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental impairment, sexual orientation, veteran’s status or any other status protected by applicable law. Specifically, employment opportunities are and shall be open to all qualified applicants solely on the basis of their experience, aptitudes, abilities and training; advancement is and shall be based on the individual’s achievement, performance, ability, attitude and potential for promotion. Minorities and persons of color are encouraged to apply.
Counselor in Training (CIT) Role Description
Summer Camp Counselor in Training (CIT) Position:
Our Counselors in Training (CIT’s) are an important part of our leadership team, as they directly support the mission, vision, organization, movement and transitions of our camp experience. Counselors in Training are provided the opportunity to observe, learn and grow from working closely with experienced leaders in a fast paced, dynamic and engaging environment. Each week a CIT completes the responsibilities and expectations set for their volunteer role, they will receive a certificate for 40 hours of service completed. We are looking for responsible, flexible and enthusiastic individuals who are excited to spend their summer working with kids.
Preferred Qualities:
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- Excited to engage with kids in positive educational and recreational activities
- Able to maintain high energy and positivity, while also having patience and compassion with you
- Open to learning new skills
- Welcoming and warm to all campers and families that attend our program
- Willingness to assist throughout the camp in any way that is needed
- Hardworking and collaborative with others while also able to take on projects independently
- Counselors in Training are 12-16 years old
Daily/Weekly Responsibilities:
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- Arrive by 8:30am ready to help set up camp and stay until 4:30pm to break down and debrief the day - every day of the week (Monday-Friday)
- Work with camp staff in managing campers, overseeing safety, and assisting during field trips and activities in any way that is needed
- Engage campers in activities, such as helping them with projects, playing games and supporting arts and crafts
- Escort campers during transition times - between activities, during lunches, and on various breaks throughout the day
- Be fully engaged with campers throughout the day
- Supervise campers in their assigned groups
- Communicate any problems or concerns to instructors or program director
- Keep group check in/out area clean and in a neat, orderly fashion at all times, and be welcoming and respectful to families during check in/check out times
- Complete any other duties as assigned by the program director
Daily Packing List:
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- A backpack
- A refillable water bottle
- Personal lunch (Nothing microwavable)
- Appropriate clothing for activities and weather
- Appropriate attire that does not have anything related to alcohol/drugs
- Proper footwear (no flips flops)
- Sun block or sunscreen
- Swimsuit (nothing too revealing)
- Towel
- Name tag
Click here to learn more, and apply.
Meet The 2020 Camp CREATE Staff
2020 Counselors
Brighton Fowler
Where are you from and what brought you to Bend?
I am originally from Springfield, Vermont and my family moved to Sisters, OR when I was 7 years old. I just returned to Bend from working in Asia, specifically Yangon, Myanmar (aka Burma) where I was an international school teacher working in the early years program at Yangon International School. It was a great experience for me and I loved the country and the culture and of course, my students! I am back in Bend to connect with my family and embark on a new journey in Central Oregon while I take the time to enjoy the outdoors and all that the area has to offer. I am an avid hiker, biker, fisherwoman, surfer, and skier. I love Bend and the surrounding areas and I am excited to be back after some time away!
What is something you are looking forward to experiencing at Camp CREATE this summer?
I am most looking forward to the Outdoor Leaders session of camp! I was an Outward Bound instructor for many summers and I just love taking kids out into nature and the thrill and excitement that it brings to everyone involved. Outdoor learning is fun, engaging and most importantly experiential! It will be awesome to share in the great outdoors with the students and get the opportunity to play, laugh, and exercise while we are outside in nature.
How does your background and experience inform your excitement for approaching this unique camp experience?
I am a certified teacher, international school educator, and previously an outdoor leader/ ski instructor. I bring a wealth of experience in education and camp-like scenarios working with early years students. I love, love, love working with young students and sharing with them my passion for education, play, exploration, and inquiry! Camp Create will be a great opportunity to for me share what I love about STEAM learning and the outdoors with a wide variety of students and their families.
Elsie Charles
Where are you from and what brought you to Bend?
What is something you are looking forward to experiencing at Camp CREATE this summer?
How does your background and experience inform your excitement for approaching this unique camp experience?
Jenna John
Where are you from and what brought you to Bend?
I am originally from Eugene, OR and I am currently a student at Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR. I ended up in Bend when the COVID-19 quarantine began because my significant other lives here and classes moved to remote teaching. I figured I would stay for summer and enjoy Bend for all it has to offer. Socially distant of course.
What is something you are looking forward to experiencing at Camp CREATE this summer?
I am really excited to go explore Central Oregon better in the Spelunk and Splash camp. Considering I am from the valley, I am super excited to be able to learn about Central Oregon's rock and water landscapes and ecology alongside the campers! Although the inevitable sunburn is something I am not looking forward to.
How does your background/experience inform your excitement for approaching this unique camp experience?
I am seeking a degree from Oregon State in microbiology, which is a very interdisciplinary biological science. I also do a lot of arts and crafts in my free time, so I am very excited to participate in a camp experience that encourages STEAM thinking in our youth. Often times people assume it is either art or science but they are truly complementary and only limited by creativity.
Patrick Oldham
Where are you from and what brought you to Bend?
I grew up in Corvallis and moved here in 2011 to get out of my home town for a while and start my college career at Central Oregon Community College and eventually graduate from OSU-Cascades with a bachelors in early childhood education.
What is something you are looking forward to experiencing at Camp CREATE this summer?
I love working in the STEAM realm, so I am very excited for Tech Town, Arcade Entrepreneurs, as well as any time we get to get hands on with LEGO robotics.
How does your background/experience inform your excitement for approaching this unique camp experience?
My background of childhood education, working with various ages of kids, and now what will be my third summer with Camp CREATE has me excited about hanging out with kids again after an unfortunate end to the school year. I really miss being around their energy and creativity, and even though this summer will look much different than the past, I'm ready to have some fun with our campers!
Matthew Scheafer
Where are you from and what brought you to Bend?
I grew up in the little tiny town called Bend, Oregon that really isn’t that small anymore, and have stayed in the area because of the amazing people and the easy access to outdoor adventure. Growing up here, I was always driven to be outside and come up with amazing things to do with nature. With so much offered in Central Oregon, I never ran out of things to do but was always so excited when I got to go to a camp for the week and make new friends.
What is something you are looking forward to experiencing at Camp CREATE this summer?
With a science and education background, STEM is always exciting to me and one of the big reasons I am so excited to be part of the Camp CREATE staff. Being curious is something I love when working with students because it gives us the opportunity to use our minds to think critically and develop our own questions. Then we get to put them to the test and explore the endless possibilities.
How does your background/experience inform your excitement for approaching this unique camp experience?
I hope to bring a new energy to challenging times and develop challenges that are not only engaging, but are so exciting that the campers can’t wait to go home and talk all about it. With the weekly themes, I am excited to bring my classroom experience into the activities and create exciting memories with every camper. Although times are tough, I know that together we can have a summer that will go down in history as one to remember!
Jules Dunlap
Where are you from and what brought you to Bend?
I am from a small town in Kentucky, near Louisville. Shortly before completing my undergrad I visited Bend and fell in love with the community, the value of local business, and most of all the outdoor recreation culture.
How does your background/experience inform your excitement for approaching this unique camp experience.
My studio arts education along side my camp experiences with both 4H and kids with disabilities has established a strong structure to dive into Camp CREATE as we focus on STEAM themes and activities. STEAM ends up being an ecosystem in which science, tech, engineering, art and math feed one another. Camp CREATE is the opportunity to see the fruition of these intersection of these skills.
What is something you are looking forward to experience at Camp CREATE this summer?
Toy Makers! I am looking forward to Toy Maker's week to experience how campers express their unique personalities and passions by combining their artful inclinations and engineering skills. There is something special when form meets function and I can't wait to see the toys that are crafted.
Madelin Potter
Where are you from and what brought you to Bend?
I'm from San Tan Valley, Arizona. Most of my family lives here in Bend. The opportunity to work with children in a science and technology based experience is a great reason to move up for the summer and escape the heat of the Arizona desert.
What is something you are looking forward to experiencing at Camp CREATE this summer?
I'm so excited to work with everyone in the maker's space and see what kind of creative ideas we can turn into reality, together!
How does your background and experience inform your excitement for approaching this unique camp experience?
I am currently studying exploration systems design at Arizona State University, which is focused on designing and building different space crafts like satellites and rockets; but before I started that, my background is in Firefighting and EMS, so safety plays a huge role in my everyday activities and I'm really looking forward to bringing both of those skills to Camp CREATE.
Tegan Hulsey
Where are you from and what brought you to Bend?
I was born and raised in Central Oregon, and while I have ventured outside of Oregon for several new opportunities, I always seem to find my way back to this beautiful place.
What is something you are looking forward to experiencing at Camp CREATE this summer?
I am looking forward to being a part of Camp CREATE and helping kids bring out their creative side while learning new things! Though I am especially excited for the Safari Station week.
How does your background/experience inform your excitement for approaching this unique camp experience?
I have worked with children in several educational settings such as several daycare facilities and schools, although have yet to have the chance to work in a setting like Camp CREATE! I am excited to work with children in a creative, fun learning environment again, this summer!