Red Pine Camp

Working at Red Pine Camp as a junior staff is an achievement in and of itself - you're chosen out of a pool of many campers that typically have spent at least three summers doing their Leaders In Training program. 
The typical day for dishwashers is having breakfast with waitstaff, doing the breakfast dishes, a break, lunch, lunch dishes, a break, dinner, then dinner dishes. The workload varies depending on which "position" you choose to do within the dish pit. (Note that some tasks are more physically demanding, so you will have to deal with the aches and pains.) Typically, your total work hours per day come in at around 8 hours. However, the thing about working at camp is that you are constantly "on" if you aren't in your cabin. You will feel like eyes are always on you. Since a missing person drill can happen at any time, you end up being on your toes from morning 'til you go to bed. You get one day off per week. 
The workplace culture is heavily reliant on the traditions of staff of years gone by. Sometimes this tests your values in order for you to feel accepted within the junior staff. For a teenager this can be damaging and even disillusioning. If there's one thing I learned about working at Red Pine it's that you have to stick by your values even if the people around you might view you as "stuck up" or a "buzzkill". The hardest part of the job is the social aspect. Expect high school-like conflict. The directors try really hard to implement inclusive and accessible programming, and I believe their efforts can change the culture of junior staff. However, as teenagers tend to be, there is still exclusion, bullying, peer pressure, etc. (More so behind closed cabin doors.)
The most enjoyable part of working at Red Pine is the accomplishment you will feel when you know you've done something right- whether that's helping out a camper when you're on break, cleaning your 200th plate, saying "no" to something that makes you uncomfortable, or simply choosing to go to bed early instead of going to an evening activity. 
I formed great bonds with my co-juniors, despite my own challenges. Stick to your values and boundaries, and the right friends will come along.

When I was a dishwasher a typical day would be to clean the breakfast dishes, have a break until lunch, clean the lunch dishes, have a break until dinner, clean the diner dishes, then I would have the entire evening to spend time with my friends or go help out with the evening program. As a lifeguard the day would depend on which shift I had but throughout the shift I would guard the pool, help people into boats, put boats away, enforce the rules of the waterfront, build/repair things (mostly stairs or railings), teach swimming lessons, etc... Since the managers were all great and often seemed more like friends then bosses. The co-workers were what took the job from being good to incredible! I made a lot of friends there that I can see myself having for the rest of my life. The hardest part of the job was probably the work load at the beginning. Since I was only 16 my first summer it was the first time I worked full time 6 days a week and we didn't get much free time for the first few weeks since we were slow. Once i got used to working constantly it wasn't a problem but the first 2 weeks or so were very tiring. I don't think I could pick out one thing as the most enjoyable since there are so many great things but the friends I made was probably my favorite part.

What is the best part of working at the company?
The company allows immigrants like me to build a Canadian experience. I can enhance my leadership and communication skills. I can practice my knowledge like a nurse.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
After assessing some campers determine which situation requires evaluation in a hospital or virtual appointment.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
The company recognizes your efforts, and also they support your leadership decision.  The position has a safe and comfortable workspace with all the supplies necessary to care for campers.


What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Hour clinic to care for campers, some hours for communicating and interacting with campers and their families, and checking the first aid boxes and AED.

Overnight summer camp for two months.I worked full time and would get one day off a week. In the average day I would wake up at 7:00 AM, set up dinning hall tables, serve food to campers, and clean up. This process would repeat at lunch and dinner as well. Every week I would be assigned new tables, usually three or four tables of ten people. After breakfast I would have a short break and then meet at group of kids down by the lake to teach a 45 minute swimming lesson. Overall Red Pine Camp was an amazing experienced that prepared me to work as a team and as a leader. It taught me how to properly handle certain situations without further escalating them as well as time management skills.

Last summer I really enjoyed working at red pine camp as a junior staff member because it was an experience like no other Throughout the summer many 16 to 18 year old kids got to create life long bonds and great friendships to the highly intimate and collaborative environment at the camp.

This is by far one of the most fun jobs you will ever work. The experience of camp life is unlike any other. All of the staff love what they do and are engaged in their jobs, which makes it a very positive work environment.

Fun days working with kids, management was excellent and very friendly, I learned many social skills that helped me excel in interpersonal relationships. The hardest part of the job was not swearing in front of the children. The most enjoyable part of the job was getting to be outside everyday.

Great opportunity for students to learn more about jobs, exciting Workplace, great environment and culture, regular management turnover creates complications

Red Pine Camp is an absolutely incredible place to work. It is such a fun and bonding experience. Working at Red Pine was the best summer of my life thus far. You don't do it for the money, you do it for the experience. The most difficult part is having to leave your family and friends for ~3 months.

No matter which department you're in, you will always find every aspect of the job extremely fun and eventful. Working alongside your friends is a great highlight especially when you're in an environment where you will always be cared for and appreciated by your peers and your camp directors.

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