Working at summer camp is a rare opportunity to reach your full potential as you help others reach theirs.
Being a staff member at Camp Laurel is more than just a summer job, it’s an unforgettable experience in a beautiful surroundings, and a rare opportunity to grow while helping others do the same.
History
Camp Laurel, a co-ed summer camp in Maine for boys and girls, was founded in 1949 and has operated continuously ever since. Originally located at Lake Awosting, New York, the camp has called Readfield home since 1965.
Location
Camp Laurel is located in the heart of Maine’s Central Lakes Region, just 17 miles west of the state capital, Augusta. The camp spans 160 pristine acres of woodlands and boasts 2,000 feet of shoreline along Echo Lake, with access to over three miles of exceptionally clear water. The area is known for its warm, sunny days and cool, comfortable evenings.
Campers
Each year, Camp Laurel welcomes 250 boys and 250 girls from all over the United States as well as a few foreign countries. The campers range in age from 7 to 16. The return rate for campers is excellent. Many campers follow older brothers and sisters to camp.
Aims & Goals
Sending a child to camp is an act of trust, and at Camp Laurel, we honor that trust every day.
We provide a safe, healthy environment where campers can discover new skills, nurture their natural talents, and experience the rewards of group living. Our program encourages both emotional and physical growth, helping each child build confidence, resilience, and a positive self-image.
We foster a close-knit, family atmosphere by keeping enrollment limited, offering continuous skill development, and focusing on personal growth for every camper. Above all, our goal is to create an unforgettable summer that inspires courage, confidence, and a lasting sense of self-worth.
Our Program
Camp Laurel’s program is unique in that it offers campers a certain amount of freedom in selecting activities. There is a “core” program of swimming, tennis and team sports in which all campers participate. After that, campers select and focus on activities of their choice. It is possible for a camper to specialize in several activities throughout the summer, such as tennis, waterskiing, theatre, hockey, studio art, etc.
The scope of our program recognizes the individual needs and interests of the campers. We avoid a very intense atmosphere, but have an extensive inter-camp and tournament program for campers desiring more competitive athletics.
Staff Requirements
Each year, the Camp Laurel team is chosen from students, graduates and faculty from schools and colleges throughout the United States. We seek people with personality, character, stability and warmth. Most importantly, we look for staff members with a sincere desire to work and live with children. Our camper-to-counselor ratio is better than 3:1.
Staff Recreation & Time Off
Camp life is structured, busy, and rewarding, so high energy is essential. We want you to love your work and still have time to recharge. Along with scheduled time off, staff can enjoy camp facilities in the evenings when not in use by campers, including a fully equipped lounge with internet and TV, a modern fitness center, and organized games under the lights in volleyball, soccer, and basketball. We also offer regular trips to Augusta and provide transportation to various popular Maine destinations on days off.
Helping You Get Started
It’s not easy to adapt to a new situation, even if you are an enthusiastic person. We make the transition for you as easy as possible with a good deal of training and support:
- A one-week staff Orientation prior to the campers’ arrival allows the chance to get to know your fellow staff members as we prepare for the summer. We use a variety of formats to acquaint you with situations that will arise during the season. By the end of Orientation, you’ll have a good view of our perspective on camping and our expectations.
- Staff meetings are held regularly in small and large groups to enable us to communicate freely and discuss issues and areas of concern.
- We have an open-door policy at camp. You are welcome and encouraged to approach the head counselors or directors with any of your concerns.
For more information – please email us at staff@camplaurel.com