WHO ARE THE TEEN STAFF?

The Teen Staff consists of young people who are former campers between the ages of 15 to 17 and are familiar with how camp works. These counselors-in-training have crossed the line from being nurtured into becoming responsible and caring young adults that make camp magical for the campers. They are role models that work to honor Camp Winnarainbow's mission statement.

JS1, JS2, and Jr. COUNSELORS: WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE?

JS 1 (1^st year Junior Staff): JS 1s are half camper and half worker. They pay half the camp fee and are learning on the job. Not as much will be expected of them as of a more experienced staff member. However, as a staff trainee, it will be expected that they take on an assisting and supportive role in the tipi as well as in camp in general.

JS 2 (2^nd year Junior Staff): JS 2s come on a quarter pay basis. They are more like counselors and have more responsibilities.

JC (Junior Counselors): JCs have the most responsibilities on the Teen Staff. A JC is a step away from being a counselor. They will be given more duties, may substitute for counselors on their days off and are expected to participate in the Adult Staff development meetings. Two JCs per session will be chosen as the Teen Staff Coordinators.

TEEN STAFF DUTIES

• Always present for tipi clean-up, bedtime and wake up.
  
• General support and encouragement for the campers in their group.
  
• Assisting with the supervision of campers under the guidance of the Adult Staff member assigned to their tipi group.
  
• Gathering their tipi's laundry on laundry day.
  
• Staying sensitive to their campers and alerting Adult Staff to any problems.
  
• Knowing all staff and camper rules.
  
• Helping campers know camper rules and boundaries.
  
• Working with their campers when it is their turn to do dishes.
  
• Being a role model for the children and youth at camp.
  
• Being prepared to assist in emergencies by becoming trained in First Aid, CPR and conflict resolution.
  
• Daily store ordering and delivery.
  
• Doing a variety of jobs as listed on the daily schedule. These include: assisting the nurse(s), helping at the lake or waterslide, being a crossing guard on the path to the lake, helping set up the dining area for meals, helping clear the dining area after meals, assisting performing arts teachers with their classes, assisting the costume department before and after shows and general clean-up.

TIPIS

Most Teen Staff members will live in tipis and will work helping the adult counselor with the campers. All will be assigned a tipi group to assist in the duties mentioned above. JS1s and JS2s will be trainees, and therefore will act as an assistant to the adult counselor. JCs will take more responsibility in the tipi.

The Adult Staff members in a tipi will always have the main responsibility for the campers' wellbeing.

REQUIREMENTS

• Must have attended at least one session of Kids Camp at Winnarainbow.

• The minimum age to be on Teen Staff is 15 by the time your granted session begins in the summer.

• If accepted, teen staff members must attend a day-long training in Berkeley in early June. (Exceptions can be made for those living outside California).

HOW TO APPLY

In order to apply, the prospective teen staff member needs to send an email or letter requesting an application to Timmy Yuen by the end of February. Be sure to include a mailing address.

Emails should be sent to: timmy@campwinnarainbow.org

Letters to:

Camp Winnarainbow Teen Staff Program

Attn: Timmy Yuen
1301 Henry Street
Berkeley, CA 94709

After Timmy receives the request, he will mail out the official Teen Staff application, which is then due by the second week in March.

Camp Winnarainbow receives many more applications than there is space for, so it can be quite competitive and often many qualified applicants must be turned down. All applicants will be notified by mid-April.