Who is eligible for Summer Staff?      
We are looking for college students with the following characteristics:

• Must be a graduating high school senior or college-aged student. In other words if you graduated in May of 2024 or earlier, and you will be 18 years of age or older before our start date (May 12th), you are eligible for Summer Staff.
• Must enjoy working with youth and want to see lives changed. That is why this camp exists, so this must be the most important motivation for any staff member.
• Must have an outstanding work ethic. The job is very demanding, so we do not tolerate any laziness.
• Must exhibit high moral character and must be a positive role model for campers. Staff are required to be someone that campers can look up to. 
• Must thrive in a team atmosphere. Staff will be in a high-stress environment with other college students. Teamwork is critical.
• Must have the maturity to handle the responsibility and stress of camp life. We have a massive responsibility with being entrusted with these youth.
• Must have a positive and upbeat attitude. Camp life is hard, so a positive attitude is a vital to the success of the team.
• Must want to grow and be stretched. We not only invest in the campers, but we invest in the staff. You will be challenged to grow.

What do the Summer Staff do?

The primary job of the staff is to serve the campers and to set an example for them in every way. 

• Staff are responsible for overseeing recreational areas, conducting programs, and preparing the facility for campers.
• In short, the staff serve. We do whatever is needed, from cutting the grass to conducting programs!

Salary and Experience      
The starting salary for first-year staff who complete Staff Training is $350 per week. This is for a week - Sunday afternoon through Friday afternoon. Staff lodging and meals during the week are provided. Staff will go home on most weekends. There are many weekends that we have campers, and we will ask some staff to stay. Please plan to work at least one weekend during the summer. Weekend pay is based on a rate of $9 per hour. 

No experience is necessary to be on staff. We do give first preference to those with FFA or FCCLA background or those who participated in the Wildlife Camp or Horse Camp programs. 
 

Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center Training Classes

The Georgia FFA-FCCLA Center offers two training classes that you can choose from. Lifeguard or Horseback Riding Instructor.

Lifeguard: Staff will have the opportunity to become a certified lifeguard. Our lifeguards can be trained as Deep/Waterfront or Shallow guards. Both types are trained together using similar training techniques. However, the physical depth at which you are certified to rescue is different. To find out more about what each of these will entail you can visit the American Red Cross website. We prefer all of our guards to attempt Deep/Waterfront certification because this will allow them to guard all of our aquatic recreational areas. However, if you feel that it is only within your capabilities to be a Shallow guard, that is totally fine and doesn't disqualify you from this training class.

Horseback Riding Instructor: Staff will be trained in barn management, horse health, and learn to instruct campers on proper riding technique. We prefer that staff have some horse experience prior to taking this training course, but it is not mandatory as long as you are comfortable around horses. We have a well-experienced instructor who will be training all our instructors, as well as, managing all horseback riding activity with campers. There will never be a time when you are solely responsible for instruction. 

*Note: All Summer Staff will be trained as Team Building Instructors, as well as, given the option to train as a Shooting Sports Instructor and/or a High Ropes Instructor. The above options of Lifeguard or Horseback Riding Instructor are the two mandatory training class options. If you are inexperienced in both but more comfortable with one over the other, make that one your first choice. If you are uncomfortable with both choices feel free to reach out to me through email (cjordan@gaaged.org) so that we can discuss your options. 

Camp John Hope FFA-FCCLA Center Training Classes

The Camp John Hope FFA-FCCLA Center offers three training classes that you can choose from. Lifeguard, Low Ropes Instructor, and Shooting Sports Instructor.

Lifeguard: Staff will have the opportunity to become a certified lifeguard.

Low Ropes Instructor: Staff will be trained as an instructor on the Center's Low Ropes Course.

Shooting Sports Instructor: Staff will be trained to be an assistant instructor at the shooting range.

You will be required to have two recommendation forms completed on your behalf by someone other than a family member. If you were a member of FFA or FCCLA, one of your recommenders should be an advisor, if possible. 

Upon the submission of your Summer Staff Application, you will receive a Recommendation Letter Form link that you will be required to dissiminate to your two designated recommenders. The Recommendation Letter Form link will be emailed to you within forty-eight hours of completing the application. 

Note: Your application is not complete until all recommendation forms have been completed by your recommenders. 

You will receive an email upon completion of your 2024 Summer Staff Application. Please allow up to 2 business days upon completion of your application to receive this email. 

The email will consist of: 

• A link to the Recommendation Form that will need to be distributed to your two recommenders.
  • If you were an FFA or FCCLA member, one of your recommenders should be from your advisor, if possible.
  • One from someone other than a family member

• A request for you to choose which group interview weekend you would like to attend.
• Information on an Introduction Video Assignment that will need to be completed before your application is finalized. 

Questions? Contact cjordan@gaaged.org

Click "Submit" below to submit your application!