Summer Employment Opportunities
Pilgrim Center is located on Green Lake, the third
largest and the deepest lake in Wisconsin. Green Lake is 70 miles northeast of Madison and
90 miles northwest of Milwaukee. Our facilities involve over 25 buildings including 12
cabins, two dining rooms, a large multi-purpose program building and two year round
retreat centers. Situated on 22 acres of land on the shores of Green Lake, Pilgrim Center
provides a beautiful setting and modern facilities for an extensive summer program.
Pilgrim Center is one of two camp programs in Wisconsin affiliated with the Wisconsin Conference United Church of Christ.
A variety of camping programs are sponsored at Pilgrim. A majority of
our camp sessions are youth oriented, though we do offer several sessions for families and
adults. Youth camps include "Tenderfoot" camps for first time campers,
Intermediate, Junior, Jr Hi Adventure, and Sr Hi Sailing and Adventure Camps. Our adult
and family events include a Family Labor Day Camp, a Single-Parent Family Camp, and camps
for "Mom & Me", "Dad & Me" and "Grandparent &
Me" -
for parents or grandparents and K-2 children.
Our site and programs host many people of very different backgrounds and interests. Thus, folks who work on staff must be accommodating, understanding and flexible. They must be willing and able to work in a close knit staff community, and still be open, friendly and helpful to our guests.
Camp is a rewarding "job". We work hard together, play hard together, and form life long friendships with one another. Our impact on each other's lives and those of our campers is immeasurable.
If you are interested in further pursuing a rewarding summer opportunity in a caring Christian setting, I invite you to contact me at your earliest convenience. I'd be happy to send you an application - and set up an interview time with you!
Until then,
- Jeff Puhlmann-Becker, Managing Director
- 920-PILGRIM (voice)
- 800-729-6750
- e-mail jeff@ucci.org
Pilgrim Center Summer Employment Opportunities
Positions available: Program Director, Cabin Counselor Rotation, Naturalist - Nature Program Specialist, Arts and Crafts Resource Staff, Waterfront Director, Maintenance and Kitchen Assistants
General Qualifications and Compensation and Benefits
Program Director - The Program Director is the person who holds responsibility for the schedule, logistics, activities and education opportunities for the week. With the impressive resources on the Pilgrim Center site and in the Pilgrim Center library the Program Director designs the program and schedule to meet specific goals and objectives for the week. One of the primary responsibilities of the Program Director is that of the theme introduction each day. They Program Director also creates resources and provides direction to the counselors who will lead activities throughout the day which will reinforce the theme. This person also coordinates the schedule and programmatic needs with the site program resource staff and kitchen staff as needed.
The Program Director works with the counselors to provide a meaningful and exciting experience to dozens of campers each week. As the Program Director, this individual will act as leader and supervisor to the counselors -- and at the same time provide care and support to them.
The Program Director must be at least 21 years old and have substantial work and/or education experience in a child, education, counseling or similar setting.
Counselor Rotation - Counselors will be employed on a "rotating responsibility" schedule. Typically, a counselor will be with a cabin group for two one-week sessions, then will be scheduled in a maintenance or kitchen position for a week. Counseling responsibilities include active participation in pre-camp orientation sessions conducted by the program director of the individual event, and responsibility for working closely with a "family" group of campers. In terms of responsibilities for working with campers, counselors attend to the needs of each individual camper for a safe, healthy and happy experience at camp; provide love, care, concern and help throughout the day; communicate promptly with the program director about joys, concerns or problems that emerge in the group; help the individual campers grow in interpersonal relationships through honest sharing and trust; and work with a cabin family as they plan their activities and thus develop decision making skills. While a staff person is scheduled to counsel for a session, this persons' efforts will be directed to uphold the program and goals of the program director of that particular event. All counselors must be at least 18 years of age. Previous camp counseling experience (or equivalent) very helpful.
Naturalist and Craft Resource Staff - Provide program resources and expertise to weekly program directors. Schedule activities with creativity as necessary to facilitate program director's theme and goals. Share leadership responsibilities in all-camp activities, and actively participate in the broad spectrum of camp life. Help in other areas as needed, although program is the primary focus of these positions. Must be at least 18 years of age, and demonstrate expertise in related program area. A sense of challenge and adventure, and ability to motivate people a must.
Waterfront Director - Implement and enforce waterfront and boating safety rules, including a buddy system, and any applicable health and safety guidelines in accordance with Wisconsin State regulations and American Red Cross Standards. Assume responsibility for all camp sponsored waterfront programs, supervise all water-related activities. Schedule waterfront activities with creativity as needed to facilitate director's program theme and goals. Share leadership responsibilities in all-camp activities and actively participate in the broad spectrum of camp life. Help in other areas as needed, although program is the primary focus of this position. Must be at least 18 years of age and possess a valid Red Cross Lifeguard Training certificate. Previous experience in Outdoor Ministries, specifically in this program area, is extremely helpful. Must be able to accept responsibility and delegate tasks when necessary.
Maintenance and Kitchen Assistant(s) - Help maintain related areas, whether they be the kitchen or the site and facilities, in a clean, attractive and organized manner, in compliance with all state and OSHA requirements. Perform duties as needed, in consultation with the department head. These people must have a basic knowledge of kitchen and maintenance concepts, and must be able to carry out tasks without supervision. Most persons in these positions will be on a rotation schedule, which will include camper counseling. (See Counselor Rotation description above.)
- be willing and able to work in cooperation with others in our community to accomplish the common goal of providing a safe, friendly atmosphere in which we and others may develop a more keen appreciation for nature, each other, and Christ.
- be flexible and willing to help to make the whole camp experience positive for campers and staff alike.
- possess exceptional communication skills.
- be wiling to accept the responsibility of being a role model for hundreds of young people during the summer.
- posses a Christian conviction, sympathetic to the program and ministries of the United Church of Christ, with knowledge of its patterns of camp, conference and retreat programs.
- show genuine concern for the well being of the camp's guests, and get along and work well with others.
- have the ability to work well in a staff relationship and serve persons from a wide range of ages, interests, and backgrounds.
- be able to accept responsibility, suggestions, and praise.
- have a sensitivity for a rapport with people.
Compensation for the above positions range from $185/week (first time counselor) through $275/week (Program Director) plus room and board. Salary is dependant on your experience, education and specific camp-type qualifications (WSI, Lifeguard training, EMT, CPR, etc).
On site housing facilities are modern and comfortable -- electricity, running hot and cold water, carpeted and air conditioned!
Staff have regular access to phones, internet, email and other links to home, family and friends.
Food service for all of our guests and staff is top notch. We serve home made entrees, fresh steamed vegetables, a full salad bar and home baked breads and desserts. Most meals include vegetarian options.
This is the place for you this summer. The living quarters are comfortable, the food good and the work meaningful and life-changing!