instructor

camp counselor

conseiller

Great Big Theatre Company

I have experience working for many different camps and with many different theatre programs, and I have never seen one so disorganized as this. It seems that management has bitten off more than they can chew and the slack falls on the shoulders of counselors. They need regional managers to help them but unfortunately are more concerned with money than anything else.
Management's biggest problem is that they do not properly listen to employees or show that they care by actually dealing with problems. Sure, they will thank you and compliment you whenever they see you face-to-face, but they rarely do anything to fix actual problems. Instead, management tends to panic and fixate rather than solving anything, leaving counselors to deal with situations for which they are underqualified and underpaid. Some situations even compromise camper and counselor safety (not receiving camper medical information before camp starts, inadequate first aid kits, insufficient counselor to camper ratio, and volatile/violent parents and children [but can a ten year old really compromise my safety?? Yes. They absolutely can.])
A chorus from myself and the many different counselors I worked with over the summer was, "I don't get paid enough for this..."
If you do decide to work here, make sure it is not your first job as situations will arise wherein you need to be firm and say "NO". You really need to know your rights as an employee and be able to stand up for yourself rather than bend over backwards (because you WILL be asked to do so). Training will not prepare you to do this job, so make sure that if you go into this, talk to former employees when management isn't around to get the information you really need. However, you will have a difficult time finding returning staff; nobody I worked with this summer will be there.
This camp is usually great for the kids, but awful for the counselors.

When I worked for this company (sometime between 2012-2014) it was very disorganised. There was very little supervision from the owners/operators, and they didn't seem to know much about how to be employers.

An example: For my first interview, they asked me to meet them at a business that no longer existed. They hadn't bothered to check. Thankfully, we were able to meet nearby, but it was just luck that I had my phone with me. Other people who were supposed to attend the group interview were not so lucky.

Another example: A paycheck of mine went missing. I asked them to send it again, they tried to tell me the cost to cancel the check would come out of my pay, even though I provided them with the correct address in the first place. I had to send them screen shots of the labour laws in order to receive the full amount. It was awkward. 

Also: At the time of my hiring, I don't recall being asked for a vulnerable persons record check, even though I was to be left unsupervised with children. This may have changed since then, however.

Perhaps it's changed since then, but I can't recommend the company based on my experience.

Overall a fun summer job. Management makes you do long training that's not that helpful, but overall they listen to your concerns and inquiries. There are many different locations so you don't build a relationship with the owners of the camp, which sucks because you won't be rewarded for being an exceptional camp counsellor. I'd recommend that you do it for a summer (apply quickly after they put up the application) and have fun working with the kids (they're the best part). But you don't have to come back, unless it's your only option, especially because since they don't require much experience they just hire whoever

What is the best part of working at the company?
They are supportive and pay on time!

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
They may need to adjust curriculum to fit different groups. This will help teachers not struggle in class.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Friendly and supportive. Teachers are thoroughly trained and guided. Teachers are assisted with transportation to work location.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Short meeting to discuss challenges of previous work day. Solutions are given.  Teacher is assisted with transportation to work. Teacher has a 1 hour lesson with less than 15 kids. Teacher gets help from classroom assistant.

Great company to work for! The owners are well organized and strive to ensure that each childs experience is memorable. A great company to work for if you enjoy teaching and the arts.

Had a great time teaching one of the sessions in Hamilton, the owners are wonderful and great with communication. To be able to put together a show by the end of the session was such a fun process with the class sizes

everyone i worked with was lovely, it was just more managment that was the issue. some people were un-qualifed in areas they were placed, there was an odvious prefrence to kids who payed over those who were there on subsity

As a camp counsellor I was able to gain experience working with kids in the arts and to support various age groups.  It was an enjoyable and rewarding way to spend several summers.

Pros:
Can meet a lot of great, talented people while working here. 
The kids are adorable 
you get to help create theatre!

Cons: 
Management can be disorganized at some points 
parents can be rude 
long days - constantly working overtime  

Working for Great Big Theatre Company is very rewarding. The typical day involves opening up day camp location and running activities all day. The last day includes a show which must be well prepared.

Top Job Titles	Average salary
Instructor 1 salary reported	$50.00 per hour
Camp counselor 2 salaries reported	$20.50 per hour
Conseiller 1 salary reported	$27.12 per hour

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