Camping: Camp Staff
Camp Miakonda - Cub Scout Day Camp
Camp Miakonda's Cub Day Camp runs 5 weeks, Monday through Friday, and serves Cub Scouts in grades 1-5. Discover more about Cub Day Camp.
Camp Frontier - Boy Scout Resident Camp
Camp Frontier's Boy Scout Resident Camp runs 7 weeks, Sunday through Saturday, and serves Boy Scouts from all over the midwest ages 11-18 years of age. Discover more about Camp Frontier.
The Camp Staff Member
Between the wild-eye eagerness of a Tenderfoot Scout and the dignity of a gray-haired leader, all campers fall under the influence of a group called the camp staff.
Staff members come in assorted sizes, weights, shapes, colors, and types. They have varied interests, hobbies, personalities, religions, and personal habits. Still, they share one creed—to help every camper reach the highest possible degree of Scouting know-how and to have fun in doing it.
Staff members are a composite. They must have the energy of an erupting volcano, the drive of a rocket, the memory of an elephant, the understanding of a clergyman, the wisdom of a judge, the tenacity of a spider, the patience of a general, the diplomacy of an ambassador, and the common sense of a member of the Supreme Court.
Staff members must possess knowledge, know-how, and skills, but most certainly they must possess a deep and abiding appreciation of, and respect for, campers - individually and en masse. They must understand the camper who has the energy of a dynamo, the squeal of a pig, the stubbornness of a mule, the antics of a squirrel, the spryness of a grasshopper, the curiosity of a cat, the slyness of a fox, and the mysterious mind of the wise old owl.
They must have leadership skills and know-how to cope with the sometimes inconsiderate unit leader who "knows all and sees all', who pushes your temper to the ignition point, who has the lungs of a dictator and the explosiveness of an atom bomb — the leader who enjoys nothing better than putting you on the spot and causing you to feel uncomfortable.
Staff members must know how to spot many things: the tendency toward home-sickness of a first-year camper, the hazing tradition in some units, the lack of a program in others, the inability of a camp leader to meet the many problems faces. Staff members must know how to handle their own day-to-day issues - who to report to in case of trouble and which decisions they can make for themselves and which decisions they should defer to a higher up.
Staff members should never be clock-watchers—instead, always go the extra mile to make camp more enjoyable. They are there to serve and not to look upon their assignment as a personal vacation. No matter how much their backs ache, they are hired to see that their department is the best in camp. Despite their personal likes and dislikes, continually smile and be steadfast, truthful, and understanding. They keep plugging. They will be remembered long after others are forgotten. Someday, somewhere, some young adult will come up and say, "Hi, remember me?"
