705 325 3428
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
STAFF & HIRING
WHERE DO WE LIVE?
For Camp Counsellors and Specialists in the Summer, you live in a camper cabin. Camp Couchiching's cabins have electricity, hot and cold running water, toilets and bunk beds. A shower house is nearby. Our cabins host 2-3 staff members plus 8-14 campers in every cabin. Cabins are structured around campers' gender identity.
Spring & Fall Staff live in staff accommodation. Program staff live in bedrooms for 4 people (2 upper bunks, 2 lower bunks) with showers, toilets, heat and electricity in the building. Other staff members live in other staff cabins throughout the Camp. All have heat. If washrooms and showers aren't in the building then they are nearby.
Images of our cabins and the facility can be found here.
HOW DO WE APPLY?
Online applications will be available by clicking the Apply Now button below. You are taken to our database, Camp Brain, for on-line applications, forms, etc.
Please review this document prior to applying on-line- click here
All of your completed applications will be available on our site for the remainder of the application period. You may return at any time to view and print your application. Login here: https://couchiching.campbrainstaff.com/with the username and password you selected. If you have forgotten your password, click the Password reset button under the login button.
HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO WORK AT CAMP?
For the summer of 2024, all program staff (counsellors, specialists) must be turning 17 in 2024 as our youngest aged staff.
For our spring and fall teams, all staff must be 18 years of age or older as of their first day of contract.
CAN I HAVE MY CELL PHONE WITH ME WHILE I WORK?
You are welcome to use your cell phone, electronic devices, digital games and your computer during your down time or on days off. You can't have it with you while you're working in Camp or in your cabin, if you you live with campers/LDP. Your devices are kept in the staff lounge and not with you. Please think this through as your phone can't be your alarm clock, your camera or your sound system during these times.
We do have wifi in some areas of Camp.
During the Spring & Fall, staff don't live with campers/LDPs, so they can keep their phones in their cabin.
CAN I STAY AT CAMP DURING MY TIME OFF?
We really encourage people to leave Camp during their time off. It's good to get away from your workplace to refresh and rejuvenate. Also, at times, there are things employees would like to do on their time off that isn't consistent with the child-centred programming we are running.
During the Spring and Fall, we may require people to leave site at some times for their time off. If we are going to request this, we will let you know a minimum of 2 weeks ahead of time. We typically only require this a few times.
During the Summer, we do require people leave site at every time off. Very few exceptions are made to this. Camp can charter a bus, if enough people are interested, to get people where they're going to at a lower cost to them than public transit costs.
We do try to give people two nights off at a time so travelling makes better sense. We are 1.5 hours north of Toronto and Camp staff can help people get to bus stops for their time off.
DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR ANYTHING?
A good part of being a Camp staff is many of your living expenses related to accommodation and food are covered. Room and board, while you're working, is covered for you.
We do also pay for many people's certifications (certs) and qualifications (quals) and/or people get bonuses because of these certs/quals. During your interview and on-boarding, we'll speak with you if we need you to get on a course.
If you need some medicine or supplies to patch you through to your next day off or when you can order for yourself from Amazon, we can help you out there too.
We will provide you with one uniform shirt. If you lose it or it gets too dirty, doesn't look professional, then you must buy your replacement.
Camp has a very small candy shop. If you choose items from here, they are deducted your pay.
You will need money for your accommodation, food, entrance fees and entertainment for your days off. Staff often share these expenses once you connect with people. Please look at car rental and hotel/air b'n'b costs to get an idea of the area.
If you are from outside of Ontario, you will need money to pay for medical attention from a walk in clinic or hospital. Typically people pay up front then get reimbursed by your insurance.
WHAT IS THE FOOD LIKE?
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
We will provide lists of things you should bring and another lists of some things not to bring.
Camp provides international staff, hired through an agency, bedding, pillows and towels. Other international staff may be able to have bedding, pillows, towels provided by Camp if we have enough to share.
We get good feedback on food! We work towards accommodation most dietary preferences, restrictions, allergies and tastes. You let us know about any restrictions or allergies on the camp forms ahead of time. If it is more complex, we may require you to supplement your special diet at your own cost and on your own time.
Here is a sample day's menu:
Breakfast
Bacon & Egg Breakfast Sandwich, Cereal, Milk/Oat Milk, Fruit, Fruit Juice
Lunch
Burrito Bowls/Taco Salad, Tortilla Chips, Salsa, Sour Cream, Shredded Cheese, Salad Bar, Water, Juice, Brownies
Supper
Butter Chicken, Rice, Naan, Cooked Corn, Garden Salad, Water, Juice, Watermelon
Snack
Packaged Cookies
Please view our Facility & Food Photo Gallery here.