Welcome to Our Camp Family

BEING FIRST TIME STAFF IS DAUNTING - WE'VE GOT YOU!

You show up for Training Weekend and everyone is greeting each other like they've been friends forever.  You know no-one.  That's daunting!  As the Kindest Camp Around we promise it won't take long before you feel like you've been our friend forever.  We celebrate all our new staff and are really glad you are here - we've got your back.  We promise!

Thoughts to a New Staff Member
From an "Old" One...

You will feel overwhelmed, out-of-place, & clueless at times!  We all did our first year! Even those of us who had been to camp many times as a camper or to other camps as staff. Each camp is different and each group of staff are different. The good news is that Butano Staff are not cliquey, they will welcome you with open arms if you let them!

You will make mistakes!  We gave you so much information on how things are done, we know you can't possibly remember it all.  Do your best and ask questions! That's all we ask.

Try to relax and go with the flow ("Siemper Gumby!").  We know this is a lot to ask of a new staff member, but things do seem to go better if you can try to not stress, be yourself, and go with the flow.  Somehow it all works out!
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You will feel like your Tag is the only one who misbehaves, doesn't eat, gets homesick, etc!  Being staff with a Tag is an added level of stress.  All staff with Tags worry about how their child is behaving, how they are handling camp, etc.  You are not alone!  Know that the Tag staff is picked because of their ability to handle whatever comes up with the Taggies and they've seen it all.  Your Tag will not be the first (or the last) to do something!

You will need to ask questions!  Again, we gave you so much to learn, we know you won't remember it all.  Ask questions!  Of anyone!  One of the best parts of camp is being with such a wonderful group of adults who are all happy to help you, we just need to know you need it!

There are many different "styles" of camp counselor and we need them all! Some are boisterous cheerleaders, some like to be crazy, some are totally over-the-top happy all the time and some are quiet, some are steady, some are go-with-the flow people.  Campers bond with staff of different personality types so we value them all!

It will get easier!  We promise!  The first year is always the hardest.  If you see staff fully in "camp mode", know that it wasn't always that way.  They had to go through everything above to get there, just as you will.  Trust us, it does get easier!

Camp is a unique refuge from the "real" world.  Enjoy it!  Camp is one of the few places where you can unplug; get a break from your kids (someone else has to take care of them!), cooking, and laundry; where you can breathe in nature; and be among a community of friendly adults who all want to have a good time and help each other.  This is what keeps bringing us "old" staff back year after year.

We are excited you've chosen to join us in this wonderful experience that is "Camp"!