2026 - 2027 Education and Recreation Staff Application

Afterschool Instructor - As the afterschool instructor you will be asked to facilitate a quality experience for 10-18 students from local grade schools. With your group you will be responsible for leading check in/out, group games, snack, academic enrichment based on a preplanned cirriculum, camp style activities (boating, archery, hikes, climbing wall, etc.), mentoring a high school intern, and group behavior. This position goes from September 14 - October 13 on Monday and Tuesday afternoons from 2:45pm-6pm. This program will run again in the Spring with dates to be announced soon. 6-8 paid positions available, volunteers are also welcome.

OE School Group Support Staff - As an OE School Group Support Staff, you will be called in to support programming for larger school groups during the Education and Recreation Season. During this time, you may be asked to lead a group, facilitate an activity, assist with meals, or provide additonal logistical support. Day Trips for Schools are Mondays and Tuesdays. Overnight Trips for Schools are Wednesday-Fridays. Staying overnight is not required. 6-8 paid positions available, volunteers are also welcome.

Weekend Event & Campground Staff - As a weekend event & campground staff member you will be asked to work with a small team to facilite the programming and logistics for the weekend. Staff on the weekend are expected to work from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon, helping with daytime activties, nighttime campfire programs, meal logistics, and facility cleaning. Staff can apply for one or all of the avaialbe weekends. 12-20 paid positions available, volunteers are also welcome. 

Camp Ondessonk is committed to providing a Catholic, faith based, fun, safe, educational, and inclusive experience for all campers, staff, parents, and volunteers. With this in mind, we require all staff to behave in a mature and responsible way and respect the rights and dignity of others while they are at Camp Ondessonk, participating in camp sponsored activities, or representing Camp Ondessonk in any way.

If you are selected and accept a position at Camp Ondessonk, you will commit to acting as a positive role model and mentor to our campers. It will be a lot of hard work, BUT you can expect to end the season with a better sense of community, self-value, faith, work ethic, and commitment to others.

All staff are expected to read, understand, and adhere to the following Code of Ethics:

1. I promise to strive to meet the mission and vision of Camp Ondessonk, putting the Catholic core values of the organization at the forefront of all that I do in my role as a staff.
2. I understand that my duty is to protect children at all times. In doing so, I will:
   
   1. accept personal responsibility to protect children from all forms of abuse, including:
      
      1. Physical Abuse – Striking, Shaking
      2. Verbal Abuse – Humiliation, Degradation, Threats, Profanity
      3. Sexual Abuse – including inappropriate touch, displays, acts
      4. Mental Abuse – Hazing, Neglect, Manipulation, Teasing, Bullying
   2. never leaving a camper unsupervised and by following the “Rule of Three” at all times.
3. I promise to be a positive role model for youth at camp and acknowledge I am a representative of camp and the Diocese of Belleville to camper families during my off time both outside of camp and online. In doing so, I will:
   
   1. exhibit the highest ethical standards and personal integrity.
   2. conduct myself in a manner that is consistent with the discipline and teaching of the Catholic Church.
   3. maintain an attitude of respect, loyalty, patience, courtesy, tact and maturity.
   4. be innovative, try new activities, participate with enthusiasm, and sing as loud as I can.
   5. show initiative, be responsible, and do things without being asked.
   6. continue to be positive, enthusiastic, and energetic when I am tired, sweaty and dirty.
   7. display humor and a positive attitude in response to stress and change.
   8. treat campers, CITs, and staff of all races, religions, cultures, and backgrounds with respect, dignity, and consideration.
   9. refrain from the use of profane or abusive language in the presence of campers or where campers may hear or see.
   10. refrain from inappropriate conversations with campers or in places where campers may hear that include topics such as politics, relationship status, sexual activity, gender identity opposing Catholic teaching, drinking, smoking, and others specified in the staff manual or by administration.
4. I promise to be a good staff member. In doing so, I will:
   
   1. support and aid other staff and volunteers when the time and need arises.
   2. express dissent quietly, thoughtfully, respectfully, and never with campers present.
   3. respect the possessions and belongings of staff, volunteers, and campers, as well as the facilities and equipment of Camp Ondessonk.
   4. take care of myself and recognize my personal needs so I can be the best counselor I can be.
5. I promise to make good decisions. In doing so, I will:
   
   1. treat with confidence and respect the personal information I learn from or about campers, volunteers, and staff (subject to the policies on reporting abuse and neglect).
   2. adhere to the zero-tolerance policy for the use, possession, distribution or being under the influence of alcohol, cannabis, or illegal drugs at camp.
   3. not smoke, vape, or use any tobacco or e-cigarette product on Camp Ondessonk property.
   4. refrain from intimate displays of affection with anyone else.
   5. not bring weapons onto camp property.
6. I will use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, and acknowledgement and anticipation of each camper’s unique needs. I will use positive reinforcement and encouragement rather than competition, comparison, or criticism. I will make expectations clear and avoid power struggles with campers.

The Diocese of Belleville and Camp Ondessonk strives for justice in employment practices and promotes equal employment opportunity for all persons in recruitment, hiring, training, transfer, promotion and separation from employment. Employment decisions are made on the basis of qualifications that meet the needs of Camp Ondessonk, and not to discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, or any other categories protected by Federal, State, or local law.

The information provided in this application is true, correct and complete. If selected, any misstatement or omission of fact on this application may result in my dismissal. I grant permission to check my  references and release Camp Ondessonk & the Diocese of Belleville from any and all resultant liability. Further, I grant permission to Camp Ondessonk to release this application and attendant documents to the appropriate search committees. I understand that by inserting a date in the below acknowledgement that it absolves and releases Camp Ondessonk & the Diocese of Belleville from any and all liability for any and all legal action involving relinquishment of the information to others. If selected, I will abide by the policies and procedures of Camp Ondessonk & the Diocese of Belleville Child Protection Policy. I understand that acceptance of an offer of a counselor in training does not create a contractual obligation upon Camp Ondessonk to employ me in the future. I understand not following or living up to Camp Ondessonk's values, policies, and procedures I could be asked to depart my position.