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If you’re passionate about changing the world and positively impacting a child’s life, aren’t afraid of hard work, and want a job that is fun, exciting and energizing then there’s no better way to spend your summer than working as a Girl Scouts of Alaska camp team member!
We hold our staff to extremely high standards because our goal is to bring together a team who can change the world. If you work at a Girl Scouts of Alaska camp, you will work together with others who are passionate about positively impacting children’s lives and making the world a better place.
Explore the Extraordinary Adventure of being a camp team member below!
The Camp Staff Experience 
Below are some of the key tasks you’ll do this summer. They aren’t all your responsibilities, but the list will give you a good idea of what you will be doing.
Changing Lives
Everything you say and do has the potential to change a child’s life so:
- You’ll put the needs of your campers ahead of your own wants.
- You’ll take primary responsibility for your campers' emotional, physical, and mental well-being.
- You’ll recognize problems before they occur and problem-solve them when they do.
- You’ll help campers build real relationships with each other and model this by working in partnership with the whole staff team.
- You’ll help your campers to develop their character strengths.
- You’ll challenge your campers to learn from failure and help them experience success.
- You’ll think outside the box and always look for a new approach to connect with campers.
- You’ll step up and embrace challenges.
- You’ll empower girls to try things for themselves and be courageous and confident.
All of Camp is Program
Everything we do at camp, from walking down the road or cleaning the latrines to canoeing or tie-dying, is programming for girls so:
- You’ll work with your assigned group of campers for the entire time they are at camp.
- You’ll create and lead original, age-appropriate activities that engage your campers.
- You’ll guide your campers in fully and successfully participating in camp programming.
- You’ll enforce camp health and safety policies and procedures.
- You’ll supervise all aspects of your campers’ day, including wake-up, meals, rest hours, getting ready for bed, and nighttime.
- You’ll maintain appropriate boundaries with campers, keeping your personal life personal.
- You’ll actively communicate with your staff partner and camp director about impending and ongoing camper issues.
- You’ll partner with parents to discuss what their child has learned and how they have grown during their time at camp.
The Logistics
There is always a lot going on at camp so:
- You’ll prepare for, and actively participate in pre-camp training and staff meetings.
- You’ll meet regularly with your camp director to let her know how things are going with your campers and your staff partner and to make plans to move forward.
- You’ll turn in all paperwork on time.
- You’ll follow all camp rules and policies.
Your Life as a Staff Person
Whether you work at sleepaway camp or a day camp, you’ll give 100% of your attention and efforts to your campers. While you are at camp, many of the comforts of home are gone, but you’ll gain so much:
- You’ll be surrounded by a team of co-workers and supervisors, all working towards a shared, life-changing goal.
- You’ll impact every girl who attends camp, whether you know it or not.
- You’ll create memories that will last a lifetime (for yourself and your campers).
- You’ll gain valuable, marketable life skills that will help you succeed in any future endeavor.
What You Gain from a Summer at Camp
It’s not just campers who grow from going to camp. Working at summer camp is one of the best ways to gain real-life experience that will serve you for the rest of your life. Here are some of the critical professional skills you’ll gain:
Character Strengths
Often called life skills or soft skills, we define character as the ways an individual acts, thinks, and feels that benefit them and the world as a whole. Character strengths like grit, gratitude, and willpower are not only essential to being a successful camp staff member but are also life skills that all employers are looking for. These life skills will serve you no matter your life goals!
Direct, Honest, Effective Communication
Our camps believe in communicating directly and honestly with peers, supervisors, and campers. This means drama, gossip, and cliques are not tolerated. We don’t talk about other people behind their backs and don’t engage in passive-aggressive behavior. You’ll handle problems directly and help campers do the same.
Leadership
Girl Scouts is the premier leadership organization for girls. It’s not just girls who gain leadership skills by attending camp. Everything you say and do, how you interact with your peers and supervisors, your attitude when things get tough, your ability to be kind and compassionate, and see things from other people’s perspectives all contribute to leadership. As a staff team member, you’ll call on these skills and develop them alongside campers.
Conflict Resolution
It’s impossible to avoid conflicts; avoiding them means you aren’t standing up for what is right. You’ll resolve issues at camp by talking, compromising, and being empathetic, kind, and compassionate. You’ll help girls gain conflict resolution skills by modeling actions, facilitating conversations, and creating an atmosphere where girls can negotiate the ins and outs of relationships.
Teamwork
You’ll have your own individual goals for your time at camp. You’ll also be part of a team working towards the goal of changing children’s lives. Ultimately, you’ll be evaluated on how well you not only perform individually but how you contribute to the success of the team and the camp.
A Paycheck
It’s not the main reason anyone decides to work at camp, but your paycheck does matter. Click on the links below to see the pay rates for positions at each camp. Remember, at sleepaway camp, we provide your room and board!
Staff Expectations
The policies laid out below cover some of the most common questions we get asked before staff arrives and during pre-camp training. Some of them may seem unnecessary or silly, but our experience has taught us that this is the best way to meet the needs of our campers and fulfill our mission.
How long is the camp season?
The length of the camp season depends on the camp's location and position. (dates include training days)
- Camp Togowoods:
- June 18-August 9
- Camp Singing Hills:
- June 2 – Aug 4
- Travel Camp Staff
- June 2 – August 10
Note for all camps:
All staff should plan to arrive at camp the day before your start date to get settled and get a good night’s sleep so you can participate in a full day of training the next day. All staff are expected to participate in training and fulfill their job duties through the end of the camp.
Can I have visitors during the summer?
Having family or friends visit you at camp can be a lot of fun! There are a couple of things you need to do BEFORE you have a visitor. You will need to talk with the camp director to get approval for the visitor. When you have a visitor at camp, you are responsible for ensuring they follow all the camp rules and policies.
Will I have time off?
Working with kids demands your best. That is what makes it so exciting and exhausting (and time off necessary).
If you work at day camp, you’ll have your weekends off and your evenings free after you finish up your day at camp.
If you work at sleepaway camp, you’ll have two hours off each full day of camp. You will have off from after dinner the day campers leave (Friday) to late morning when the campers arrive (Sunday); there is a full day between (Saturday) when campers leave and arrive for the next session.
When can I make phone calls or use the Internet?
Our camp believes that everything you do and say has the potential to impact a child’s life, so we limit our personal phone calls and technology use to time off only. Cell phones and the internet can be used only during time off (unless your job duties require) and only in the staff lounge/break room.
The camp has a phone and internet connection for camp business purposes only. You can give your family and friends the camp phone number if they need to reach you in an emergency.
Can I bring my pets to camp?
We are committed to providing a safe place for all girls to attend camp. Not only do many girls have health issues related to animals but many girls are afraid of one animal or another. This means that we do not allow staff to bring or keep pets of any kind at camp.
How do I take care of my healthcare needs during the summer?
There is a designated healthcare staff at all our camps. At our resident camp, we have a healthcare director on staff. At both day camps, our camp directors have advanced first aid certification and serve as our healthcare staff. All our camps work with local clinics to ensure our campers and staff have access to the healthcare services they need during camp.
You’ll be away from your normal healthcare providers and pharmacy for the summer. We suggest talking to your regular healthcare providers to find out how to contact them during the summer. Also, ask them how to handle common medical issues like colds, sore throats, and intestinal issues so that you can plan for them. Finally, it is worth checking with your insurance company and pharmacy to see if you can get a 3-month supply of any prescription medication(s) to avoid refilling them during the summer.
How do I do my laundry?
If you work at sleepaway camp we have a washer and dryer that you can use for free. We’ll even provide the detergent! Camper laundry has priority, and you’ll share the machines with your co-workers, so you’ll want to bring enough clothes for at least two weeks.
If you work with our community day camp, you will occasionally have access to a washer and dryer in the community where you are hosting camp. Sometimes, these machines will be free, and sometimes, they will be coin-operated. You should have enough clothing for at least a few weeks at a time!
How do I get mail during the summer?
Regardless of what camp you work at, you’ll have limited access to technology while you are there. Writing old-fashioned letters is a great way to keep in contact with friends and family (and a wonderful surprise to receive during your week). Mail can be sent to our Anchorage office, and it will be brought to your camp location. Mail will be delivered to Togowoods and Singing Hils weekly. We cannot guarantee getting mail to staff working at Community Day Camp.
First Name, Last Name
Camp Name Staff (Ex. Camp Togowoods Staff)
2000 w International Airport Rd Suite C1
Anchorage AK, 99502
Is there a curfew?
Sleepaway camp staff who are not on time off are expected to be in their units with campers from the start of nighttime procedures through the end of morning procedures. Staff are also expected to remain in their units with campers after lights out.
Are there requirements for physical appearance (i.e., piercings, tattoos, etc.)?
Girl Scouts of Alaska welcomes all invaluable staff members regardless of physical appearance. We value characteristics deeper than the surface. That being said, we know that children model everything adults say and do. We also know that first impressions matter and allow us to get to the deeper stuff. This means that if you have an inappropriate tattoo, it needs to be covered up at camp. It also means we don’t talk about our own physical appearance or comment on others.
What are the policies about drugs, alcohol, and tobacco?
Girl Scouts of Alaska does not tolerate the possession, use, or distribution of any illegal drugs or alcohol at any time on Girl Scouts of Alaska property, in the conduct of Girl Scouts of Alaska business, off property, or during non-working hours if it affects job performance. Violating this policy will result in immediate action up to and including termination.
Girl Scouts of Alaska is completely tobacco-free, including sites that are owned, leased, and/or operated by Girl Scouts of Alaska. This includes smoking, vaping, chewing, and any other form of tobacco.
How does food work?
At day camp, you’ll bring your own lunch and eat it with campers each day. At times, there may be restrictions due to allergies to staff or campers.
In the traveling day camp, you’ll either purchase your food in each community or pre-purchase and package your food (during staff training) to be mailed to you throughout the summer. We’ll help you figure out which option is the best fit for you.
At sleepaway camp, your meals will be provided. Camp serves a well-rounded, KID-FRIENDLY menu. Staff are expected to sit with girls and eat the same food as campers. Staff who have individual food needs (food allergies, vegetarianism, gluten-free, etc.) will be offered variations of food that fit their needs.
Is there a dress code?
Camp staff are expected to present a clean, professional appearance. Inappropriate (revealing, low cut, extremely tight or short, profane, etc.) clothing is prohibited. Camp will provide you with a staff shirt to wear on opening and closing days and other occasions as assigned by your camp director.
The Application Process
Before you begin the application, here are a few things to remember…
If you haven’t read the other website sections related to summer camp, please do so before applying. These sections help you better understand what working at camp is all about – the challenges and the opportunities!
When filling out the application, please take your time and be thoughtful about your answers; it is a chance for us to start to get to know you. As you can tell from reading about our camp, we are committed to having invaluable staff.
Are you excited by the possibility of joining a team committed to excellence and focused on a mission of “building girls of courage, confidence, and character who make the world a better place”? Take the next step now:
Here are the steps to becoming a camp team member with Girl Scouts of Alaska:
- Read through the sections of the website that relate to summer camp so you know what camp is all about and what to expect.
- Complete the online application, including a few short answer questions and 3 professional reference contacts. (Note: There is only one application for all the camps, regardless of the camp you are interested in working at.)
- After applying, you will receive an email confirming that we received your application. In that or a follow-up one, you will find directions to schedule a phone interview. Again, there is only one interview regardless of the camp you are interested in working at. After the interview, we’ll let you know within two weeks whether we’d like you to join our camp team.
- If offered a position, sign and return the hiring paperwork. We take this commitment very seriously. For the protection of our camps and our campers, we run background checks on every person we offer a job to. If we receive negative results on the background check or from a job reference after we receive your signed contract, we reserve the right to rescind the job offer.
Questions? Contact camp@girlscoutsalaska.org or 907-248-2250
