Social Security Application – IMPORTANT FOR INTERNATIONAL STAFF: All International staff must apply for a Social Security Card. We will provide you with the application with your hiring paperwork with instructions. We schedule an appointment during the week of staff training for all of our staff to apply in person.
Notes relating to the part of your job as Activity Instructor:
1. All staff employed as Cabin Counselor/Activity Instructor as stated in your Agreement of Employment will instruct three out of four classes a day, Monday through Friday.
2. A number of staff will be asked to instruct four classes each weekday and given an additional hour off (Optional Rec).
3. If you have indicated “Able To Lead” or listed a “#1” next to an activity on your application, it is likely that you will be assigned to teach this activity for at least one period a day and you may be the sole instructor for that activity. You may even teach this activity all three periods. If you are not teaching your number one skill, you will be assigned to classes based on the level of expertise you have listed on your application.
4. Activity lesson plans are created by our Program Director prior to the summer season. If you are teaching activities that you feel incredibly passionate about and would like to create additional, personalized lessons, you are welcome to do so and have them approved by our program directors.
Activity Lesson Plan
5. Activity instructors need to prepare plans for rainy days and for days when adaptations are required due to extreme heat.
6. We do expect that classes will be well planned, progressive in nature in order to meet the needs of campers who have previously taken that class, age appropriate, challenging, safely conducted, and fun. Activity instructors are expected to be involved with the classes, not sitting on the sidelines. Our goal is for each participant to feel that her time has been well spent in your class, that she has increased her personal proficiency in that particular activity, that she has enjoyed learning from an excellent role model, and that she be eager to return to class the next day.
Notes relating to Optional Rec:
Optional Rec is available from 4 to 5pm Monday through Saturday, and 12 to 5 pm on Sundays.
During optional rec, staff are assigned to various areas of camp to supervise campers or to provide an activity. All lifeguards and other staff who have demonstrated a proficiency in swimming or boating are usually assigned to the waterfront. Other staff are asked to run “Specials”. These are activities that you prepare and offer to campers that are not offered during the activity classes. Some examples include a session in Irish step dancing, a frog hunt, or a tetherball tournament. Other staff are assigned to be ODs (Officer of the Day) in each Unit to supervise campers who stay in their cabins. Some staff will be assigned to prepare a one hour crafts program. Riding staff may be assigned to the stables for this time period depending on the number of lessons being taught that week. There are also staff assigned to play recreational sports, tennis and supervise farm activities.
Noteworthy Information:
Tattoos and body piercing: Hopefully, you have read the Staff Policy that accompanied your Agreement of Employment and noted the section relating to tattoos and body piercing. If you have any question whatsoever about the acceptability of a tattoo, please contact Alison immediately at [email protected]
Do not arrive at camp with any body piercing other than ears, nose stud, and/or belly button. If you do arrive with a nose ring, tongue ring, eyebrow stud, or inappropriate tattoo, your relationship with Mohawk will be immediately terminated.
Alcohol: Possession or consumption of alcoholic beverages by any individual under the age of 21 is against the laws of the State of CT and the policies of YMCA Camp Mohawk. Please familiarize yourself with the section of the Staff Policy that explains our position at it relates to alcohol. We are aware that many of you are from countries where it is legal to consume alcohol younger than age 21. If you are under the age of 21, we ask that you conduct a personal evaluation and honestly determine if you can abide by our local laws and policies. Better to decide now that you will have difficulty with this issue and seek another place of employment than end up being prosecuted by authorities for underage drinking or having your visa revoked.
Cell Phones: We have excellent service on Verizon and ATT phones, but poor service on other networks including Sprint and T-Mobile. There are outlets in each cabin that will allow you to charge your phone.
Laptop Computers: We provide wireless internet service both inside the staff lounge and within 25 feet of the building so you can use your laptop at a nearby picnic table.
A personal note from Patrick: Many of you are traveling from overseas to experience the culture of the USA. You will discover that allegiance to a particular sports team is a large part of daily life for many folks. During the summer, the only sport that really matters is baseball – and Camp Mohawk is Red Sox territory. When you arrive in New York, you will be besieged with all sorts of New York Yankee images – signs, hats, t-shirts, etc. Don’t be taken in by this inferior team to our south. If you’re planning to buy a hat for the summer, why not support a true championship team – the Boston Red Sox.
