Employment Guide – Camp Fire Central Puget Sound

About Camp Sealth

Camp Sealth is one of the oldest and most successful summer camps on the West Coast. In the summer, over 2,000 youth ages 4 to 17 participate in day and overnight camp, and in the spring and fall, Camp Sealth provides outdoor education and retreat space for local schools and non-profit groups. We’re accredited by the American Camp Association, meeting hundreds of standards for program quality, health, safety, facilities, and administration.

Location

Camp Sealth is located on Vashon Island, WA in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. The 400 acre property includes over a mile of saltwater beach on Puget Sound, plus evergreen forests, wetlands, and wildlife. It’s also conveniently located about an hour away from both Seattle and Tacoma.

What Makes Us Unique

We’re proud to be part of Camp Fire, a national youth agency with a strong focus on inclusion, leadership, and valuing youth’s voices. Camp Sealth selects summer staff who share the same values and who have a genuine desire to make a positive impact on kids.

  • Inclusive: Camp Sealth welcomes campers and staff from all of backgrounds and abilities, and values the uniqueness of each individual.
  • Leadership: We encourage all youth to be leaders, giving every camper the chance to become more confident and independent among their peers.
  • Camper Choice:  Kids have a voice and get to make decisions for themselves at camp; they help plan the schedule and make decisions with their group.
  • Outdoors: We encourage kids to explore and learn about the outdoors, to gain outdoor skills and to value the natural world.
  • Professionalism & Communication: Camp Sealth holds its staff to a high standard, and part of that means agreeing to maintain an environment free from gossip, drama, and negative talk. Staff are trained to use techniques for clean communication and are strongly encouraged to seek out positive and constructive solutions to resolve conflict.

Qualifications

All staff must be at least 18 years old, except for Kitchen Assistant/Rovers. Staff must be currently certified in First Aid and CPR and pass a criminal background check. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must have a visa or permit to work in the United States. In addition, all staff must believe in the values of Camp Fire and willing to uphold Camp Sealth’s policies and standards.

If you are under age 18, you may consider applying to either the Counselor-In-Training or LEAD program instead.

Certifications

Some positions require staff to have specific certifications; you may apply for a position even if you have not yet completed the required certification, as long as you do so before your employment begins. Camp may be able to help you find certification or sponsor some of the cost.

Salaries & Bonuses

Sealth staff are paid a weekly rate for their employment; rates vary by position. Returning staff receive an additional bonus of $5 per week for each full season previously worked (max. $25 per week). If you stay the whole summer, and miss no work days, you will receive a $200 bonus at the end. Staff who refer others to camp and stay on for the season will receive a $100 bonus per person.

Benefits

Food and lodging is provided for all positions, in addition to workers’ compensation insurance, time off between sessions, and at least two hours off each full day of camp. We will also be providing two paid days off for all staff. All staff also receive 48 hours of paid sick time. Other perks include laundry on site, a staff lounge with wi-fi, coffee/cocoa bar, staff recreation activities and a beautiful setting. Water front views while being immersed in nature!

Dates of Employment

Coordinators & Unit Leaders – June 9th to August 27th
All with Specialist in their job title – June 15th to August 26th
All with Counselor in their job title – June 18th to August 26th

If you are traveling internationally or from afar this summer, please consider arriving to camp a day or two before your first work day. This will give you time to transition to our time zone and camp schedule.

All staff are expected to attend staff training weeks. Time off (up to one week) must be requested prior to hire. If you need more than one week off, this can be discussed in your interview. We may have some flexibility depending on the position applied and the schedule changes requested. Exceptions may be made for returning staff, who can apply for half-summer positions (minimum four weeks).

View the Full Summer Staff Schedule

Transportation

The cost of transportation to Camp Sealth is entirely your own responsibility. We can provide a pick-up at the airport, bus, train, or ferry terminals at the beginning and end of your employment. Camp Sealth will also provide transportation for occasional staff recreational activities on break days, but all other transportation to/from camp is your own responsibility.

Internships

Talk to your college advisor about whether the position(s) for which you are applying will qualify. We will be glad to provide any information, reports, or evaluations required for you to obtain college credit.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Camp Fire is an equal opportunity employer. In its programs and in employment, Camp Fire is available to all people without regard to race, gender identity, creed, national origin, sexual orientation, economic status, or mental or physical disabilities. Camp Fire is committed to diversity.