The format for 2025 is the same as last year! Camp will run in one session from July 31st-August 8th for campers, with staff arriving on July 28th and departing on August 10th. Please keep that in mind when you're checking your availability to come work at camp! 

Before you begin...

Camp is an energetic environment. You are outside for most of the day, even just walking between buildings. Once campers arrive, you are also involved in managing small- to medium-sized groups. You are often around people and often around noise (although there is also time for peace and quiet). Please keep that in mind when applying as staff.

Chilawee is a camp with a Catholic spirit. Daily Mass, Rosary, confession are all available and the talks and mentoring are conducted in a way consistent with Catholic principles. No one is compelled to attend any of the spiritual activities. 

You will be required to submit two letters of reference as part of this form. References should be from the professional world if possible and not from family members. If you have worked in a position involving children, we require a reference from your supervisor in that position.

Staff positions at Chilawee are volunteer and unpaid. We do offer an honorarium to our staff members in thanks for their hard work at the end of the camp period. For 2025, this will be $300 for department heads and $175 for other staff. 

Medical information will be collected later via a different form when you have been offered a staff position.

Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Use
Chilawee Trails is a drug, alcohol, and tobacco free environment. We have a Drug, Alcohol and Tobacco Policy in place which includes ZERO TOLERANCE for drugs (including cannabis in any form), alcohol and tobacco in the camp environment. Vaping is not permitted. We reserve the right to dismiss any staff member who does not adhere to this policy.

Dress Code
1. A top should be long enough to remain tucked into the attire below. No midriff should be showing.
2. Spaghetti strap and halter tops should not be worn.
3. T-shirts should be in good taste, without inappropriate messaging.
4. Undergarments (including bras) must be covered.
5. Shorts and skirts should be at least mid-thigh length (one hand above the knee).
6. Sleepwear should adhere to the above guidelines and avoid transparencies.
7. Bathing suits must be one-piece. They should not be cut too low at the top or too high at the thighs.

The intention of the dress code for the staff is to promote a professional attitude to their job at camp. We try to make the dress code as clear as possible with objective measures (i.e. only one piece bathing suits) so that determining compliance is fair and objective.

Electronics
Video games and personal electronics are not welcome at the camp as they promote social isolation. Cell phones cannot be used during work hours. Staff members and parents are asked to respect, support, and enforce this policy.

LEAP training course
All staff members are required to complete the LEAP training PRIOR to camp. Information on a LEAP training session near you will be available through the website (chilaweetrails.ca) & Chilawee’s social media accounts. You are required to contact the organizer near you to make arrangements to attend.

Vulnerable Sector Records Check
Applicants 18 years of age and older are required to complete and hand in a vulnerable sector police records check PRIOR to camp. Upon request, the camp will provide you with a volunteer letter for your local police force which should allow you to receive the check without paying a fee. Applicants under the age of 18 will be required to submit a voluntary disclosure statement regarding criminal activity.

Harassment
It is the intention of Chilawee Trails to create an environment that fosters friendship and kindness. Through the mentoring program, both campers and staff are given an opportunity to identify and work on individual shortcomings, including unkindness, to promote personal growth and development. Harassment, defined as aggressive personal pressure or intimidation, will not be tolerated at camp. We reserve the right to dismiss staff who persist in these behaviours.

We make an effort to place applicants where we think they would best fit; one of the factors is personal preference. Below are descriptions of the different positions.

Cabin Staff 

Counselor - the main leader of a cabin, in charge of 7 campers and supporting your CIT in her role. You will help your campers get to know each other and fully participate in the camp. You will mentor some campers one-on-one and support them in completing chores, drama, crafts and trips.

Counselor-in-training (CIT) - the assistant leader of a cabin, supporting counselor in their role and co-responsible for the 7 campers. You will learn how to lead your cabin and will assist your campers in settling in at camp. You will mentor some campers one-on-one and support them in completing chores, drama, crafts and trips.

Health and Safety Staff

Nurse - the first point of contact for any injury or illness at camp, you will be responsible for managing the first aid station, coordinating those staff who are trained in first-aid, and dispensing medications to campers and staff. You will be supported by an off-site camp physician and on-site assistant. All supplies will be provided.

Nurse's Assistant - the main on-site support for the camp nurse. You will assist in all the nurse's activities and provide first-aid support where necessary.

Lifeguard/Assistant Lifeguard - the team managing the waterfront at all times, you will be responsible for guarding during swim times and canoeing. You are responsible for running swim tests for all staff and campers and adjusting the rules of the waterfront as needed to ensure a safe environment.

Sustenance Staff

Head Cook - the main leader of the kitchen, in charge of the kitchen assistants who make up the rest of the team. You are responsible for executing the menu prepared pre-camp and adjusting as required. The food order and menu will be prepared before camp begins and you will be involved in this to ensure continuity. It is important that you are able to positively lead the kitchen team and create a supportive environment as the kitchen can become stressful.

Kitchen Assistant - the members of the kitchen team, you are vital to the success of camp. Having full, nutritious meals on time allows the rest of the camp activities to operate successfully. Chore rotation and meal responsiblity will be decided amongst the team before campers arrive. It is important that you are able to work effectively on a team and handle high-paced periods.

Camp Maintenance Staff

Head Groundskeeper - the main leader of the grounds team, the head groundskeeper is responsible for setting up the garbage/recycling system at camp, communicating with campers and staff about same, and maintaining the smooth running of the bathrooms. All of this is done with the support of the rest of the grounds team. The grounds team also helps to set up Mass and Rosary.

Grounds Assistant - supporting the head groundskeeper, the grounds assistants also manage different grounds chores such as refilling toilet paper and paper towel, providing cabins with cleaning supplies, emptying garbage and recycling bins, and dumping the food compost in the on-site bin. The grounds team also helps to set up Mass and Rosary.

On-site Director - working on a team of three, these senior staff are responsible for managing and supporting the staff team. Directors should be the first-responders for any non-health realted issues at camp. You will mentor several staff members over the course of camp and be expected to be available at all times to support your staff team. The schedule for a director is unpredictable.

Camp Activity Staff

Sports Director - the main leader of the sports team, you are responsible for planning and executing the sports program at camp which includes morning sports, archery, surivival, evening camp-wide games, and three separate hiking trips for different groups of campers.

Sports Assistant - assisting the sports director, the sports assistants will often be running different sessions of sports, archery or survival independently because several of these sessions run concurrently. You will need to be both capable of independent work and a good team player.

Canoe Director - the main leader of the canoe team, you are repsonsible for planning and executing the canoe program at camp which includes several morning sessions of learning and practice canoeing as well as three separate canoe trips for different groups of campers. It is important that you have experience canoeing and feel extremely comfortable teaching tehcnique and safety to others while out on the water. During staff training days, you will be training the rest of the staff team in canoe rescue.

Canoe Assistant - assisting the canoe director, you will be responsible for training staff in canoe safety, teaching campers the basics of canoeing, and leading one canoe trip independently. You will need to be comfortable in the canoe and in the water.

Crafts Director - the main leader of the crafts team, you are responsible for planning and executing the crafts program at camp, which includes several lengthy afternoon sessions for campers ages 9 to 14. You will need to account for different skill levels and ensure that the crafts can be adequately completed within the time given.

Crafts Assistant - assisting the crafts director, you are responsible for supporting campers of different ages and abilities to complete the chosen crafts. You will need to be confident in your crafting ability as well as able to teach patiently.

Drama/Dance Director - the main leader of the drama/dance team, you are responsible for planning and executing the drama and dance programs, which include supporting each cabin in producing and rehearsing and performing a skit and a dance routine at the end of camp. You should feel confident in both your public performance and physical dance ability. You are also responsible for directing the two talent shows. You should feel confident in directing campers into producing skits that are enjoyable for the audience.

Drama/Dance Assistant -  assisting the drama/dance assistant, you are responsible for supporting the cabins in developing an enjoyable skit in line with the pre-decided drama program. You should be confident in your public performance abilities and your ability to coach others.