THE BIG PICTURE
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CULTURE OF YOUR CAMP?
We strive to make Nebagamon a very nurturing environment. In addition to our campers having fun while at camp, we want them to take away something more from their experience with us. Ever since Camp Nebagamon’s founding in 1929 we have emphasized the importance of values like tolerance, respect, sportsmanship, and reverence for the environment. We view ourselves as educators and child development specialists, and we expect all our staff members to serve as mentors for our campers. We also oftentimes refer to the “camp family.” There are literally thousands of current and former campers and staff members around the world who include themselves as part of this community. Many of these people keep Nebagamon in their hearts as a place that made a significant impact upon their lives.
HOW MUCH DIVERSITY IS THERE AT NEBAGAMON?
We have a sign outside our main lodge, translated into 30 different languages, that reads “This Shall Be a Place of Welcome for All.” These languages symbolize the native tongues of all the different nationalities that have been represented at Nebagamon since 1929. In other words, our geographic diversity is quite remarkable. In a given year we will have campers and staff from over 40 communities in the United States and as many as ten different countries around the world. We’re also working hard to develop our racial and socio-economic diversity. Through the generous donations of our loyal alumni as well as other friends of Nebagamon, we have been able to raise an endowment of more than $1 million. The interest from this fund supports camperships for kids who otherwise would not be able to attend camp.
THE NUTS AND BOLTS:
WHAT IS THE SCHEDULE ON A TYPICAL DAY?
Although there are no two days alike at camp…ever… a “typical” day looks like this.
WHAT IS NEBAGAMON’S STAFF TO CAMPER RATIO?
Approximately one to two. Each year we hire approximately 130 staff members for 220 campers. This includes cabin counselors, village directors, program specialists, wilderness trip staff, kitchen staff, office employees, and more.
ARE THERE POSITIONS FOR WOMEN?
Yes. We get asked this question by men and women alike–evidently, the fact we’re a boys camp leads some people to believe that we’re almost entirely a single sex environment. That is simply not the case. In fact, apart from the positions of cabin counselor and village director, every other job in camp is open to women. This includes spots on our trip staff, project specialist positions in sailing, target shooting, campcraft, nature, art, photography, or cooking, as well as posts in the office, kitchen, and health center. Generally, women comprise about 25 percent of our staff.
HOW MUCH MONEY WILL I MAKE?
Believe us, we think this is a perfectly valid question. We have a step pay scale for our cabin counselors and trip staff. Everyone in these two categories makes a base salary according to his/her age, and then bonuses are added based upon an individual’s experience working with children, how many safety certifications he/she possesses, and whether or not he/she will be in charge of certain programs at camp. For all other non-administrative positions (i.e., program specialists, health center, kitchen, and office staffs), salaries are determined according to age and experience.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Thank you for your interest in applying to work at Camp Nebagamon. Please fill out the application, then call us at 715-374-2275 so we can talk more about working at camp. In addition, once we have your contact information, we will email some more information to you about working at Camp Nebagamon. Thank you for your time; we look forward to speaking with you soon!
CAMP LIVING
COULD YOU GIVE ME THE LAY OF THE LAND?
Camp Nebagamon sits on 75 acres on the shore of Lake Nebagamon. The lake is a beautiful spring-fed, sand-bottomed (translate that into “no muck”) body of water with a fabulous waterfront that is home to our sailing, sculling, rowing, swimming, windsurfing, fishing, canoeing and waterskiing projects. Campers are divided into “villages” by age. There are four villages that are located around camp: the Swamper Village (3rd and 4th grade), the Logger Village (5th and 6th grade), the Axeman Village (7th grade) and the Lumberjack Village (8th and 9th grade). The Big House is our administration building at the entrance to camp. It sits on the top of a hill and the rest of camp spreads out between it and the waterfront. The Rec Hall (our dining hall and general gathering place) is just down the sidewalk from the Big House. See the Map for a pictorial view of camp.
WHERE WILL I LIVE?
Living arrangements depend entirely on your job. For example, if you are a counselor, you and your co-counselor will live in a separate room that is a part of the campers’ cabin. If you are a nurse or nurse’s assistant, you will live in one of two rooms that are part of our Waldorf Castoria Health Center. A number of our older staff, particularly those that have families, will live in cabins on “The Range” or just outside the gates of camp along the waterfront. There are many other housing locations around camp for non-cabin staff.
ARE THERE BATHROOMS IN THE STAFF HOUSING?
It depends. There is some staff housing that does have a bathroom within the building. However, there are other facilities that do not. For instance, camper cabins do not have bathrooms. Instead the camper villages have a bathroom (we call it a jop) that includes toilets and a showerhouse.
WILL I HAVE A ROOMMATE?
In most cases, yes. There are a few living situations that are single living units. Housing is assigned by the Director prior to arriving at camp.
WHAT ABOUT FOOD?
All staff eat in the Rec Hall along with our campers. It is a great “family” time to share experiences of the day, laugh, and learn more about each other. Cabins sit together and meals are served family style; one camper is responsible for setting the table, serving and replenishing food throughout the meal. There is always a vegetarian option. We also provide separate food for those who have medically diagnosed dietary restrictions. The highlight for many are the announcements at the end of each meal which are both fun but also an important way to communicate to the entire camp family.
HOW MUCH TIME OFF WILL I RECEIVE?
We expect great things from our staff, but we also recognize that working long hours with children is quite challenging and that staff members need time away from our campers to recharge their batteries. Specific schedules vary according to one’s position in camp, but every staff member receives time off in some combination of days, evenings, and nights (after 10 p.m.). Once we know what job interests you, we’d be happy to clarify our time off policy.
WHERE DO STAFF GO ON TIME OFF?
Although camp itself is located in a rustic setting, our close proximity (30 miles) to Duluth, Minnesota and Superior, Wisconsin allows our staff access to restaurants, movie theaters, and shopping that they might not otherwise find in a more remote setting. We’re also fortunate in that we’re surrounded by natural beauty, beginning with our own lake, Lake Nebagamon, and one of the Great Lakes, Lake Superior, the shore of which is only 15 miles away. Staff members often plan time off together, and take day trips to nearby state parks in Wisconsin and Minnesota.