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If you read the overview section, you'll no doubt recall that we encouraged you as a prospective staff member to ask a lot of questions of all the camps where you think you might like to work. The reason for this is simple: the more you know about the different camps, the more informed your decision will be when you finally decide to commit to one. The following is a list of Frequently Asked Questions and our responses to them.
How would you describe the culture of your camp?
How much diversity is there at Nebagamon?
What is Nebagamon's staff to camper ratio?
What is the staff's male to female ratio?
How much money will I make?
How much time off will I receive?
Where do counselors go on time off?
How do I apply?
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CULTURE OF YOUR CAMP?
We strive to make Nebagamon a very nurturing environment. In addition to our campers having fun while at camp, we want them to take away something more from their experience with us. Ever since Camp Nebagamon's founding in 1929 we have emphasized the importance of values like tolerance, respect, sportsmanship, and reverence for the environment. We view ourselves as educators, and we expect all our staff members to serve as mentors for our campers. We also oftentimes refer to the "camp family." There are literally thousands of current and former campers and staff members around the world who include themselves as part of this community. Many of these people keep Nebagamon in their hearts as a place that made a significant impact upon their lives.
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HOW MUCH DIVERSITY IS THERE AT NEBAGAMON?
We have a sign outside our main lodge translated into 18 different languages that reads "This Shall Be a Place of Welcome for All." These languages symbolize the native tongues of all the different nationalities that have been represented at Nebagamon in the last 75 years. In other words, our geographic diversity is quite remarkable. In a given year we will have campers and staff from over 40 communities in the United States and as many as 10 different countries around the world. Although we haven't yet achieved the same degree of success, we're also working hard to develop our racial and socio-economic diversity. Through the generous donations of our loyal alumni as well as other friends of Nebagamon, we have been able to raise an endowment of more than $1 million. The interest from this fund supports camperships for kids who otherwise would not be able to attend camp.
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WHAT IS NEBAGAMON'S STAFF TO CAMPER RATIO?
Approximately one to two. Each year we hire approximately 120 staff members for 240 campers. This includes 54 cabin counselors, four village directors, a program director, 12 program specialists, 20 wilderness trip staff, 13 kitchen staff, four office employees, three caretakers, an M.D., one nurse, two nurse's aides, along with Adam, Stephanie, Adam Fornear (Assistant Director), and Nate Engle (Business Manager).
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WHAT IS THE STAFF'S MALE TO FEMALE RATIO?
We get asked this question by men and women alike–evidently, the fact we're a boys camp scares some people into thinking we're almost entirely a single sex environment. That is simply not the case. In fact, apart from the positions of cabin counselor and village director, every other job in camp is open to women. This includes spots on our trip staff, project specialist positions in sailing, riflery, campcraft, nature, art, photography, or cooking, as well as posts in the office, kitchen, and health center. Generally, women comprise about 25 percent of our staff.
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HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I MAKE?
Believe us, we think this is a perfectly valid question. However, if salary is going to be your primary criterion, we're not sure you'd be a good fit at Nebagamon. Having said that, we have a step pay scale for our cabin counselors and trip staff. Everyone in these two categories makes a base salary according to his/her age, and then bonuses are added based upon an individual's experience working with children, how many safety certifications he/she possesses, and whether or not he/she will be in charge of certain programs at camp. For all other non-administrative positions (i.e., program specialists, health center, kitchen, and office staffs), salaries are determined according to age and experience.
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HOW MUCH TIME OFF WILL I RECEIVE?
We expect great things from our staff, but we also recognize that working long hours with children is quite challenging and that staff members need time away from our campers to recharge their batteries. Specific schedules vary according to one's position in camp, but every staff member receives time off in some combination of days, evenings, and nights (after 10 p.m.). Once we know what job interests you, we'd be happy to clarify our time off policy.
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WHERE DO COUNSELORS GO ON TIME OFF?
Although camp itself is located in a rustic setting, our close proximity (30 miles) to Duluth, Minn./ Superior, Wis. (combined population: 120,000) allows our staff access to restaurants, movie theaters, and shopping that they might not otherwise find in a more remote setting. We're also fortunate in that we're surrounded by natural beauty, beginning with Lake Superior, the shore of which is only 15 miles away. Staff members often plan time off together, and take day trips to nearby state parks in Wisconsin and Minnesota.
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HOW DO I APPLY?
Although many camps offer on-line applications from their websites, we do not. We believe it is most valuable to speak with you to get a sense of how you may fit into a Nebagamon summer before having you spend time filling out an application. Moreover, we'd like you to see our video and view some of our other literature before you submit an application. After speaking with you, we'll send you an email link which will take you to an on-line application as well as send you an application packet with information about Nebagamon. We look forward to hearing from you. You can reach our winter office at 763-476-7676.
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