Focused, Driven, Creative, Responsible
No on-paper qualifications are required, but you'll be working with potentially dangerous equipment and tools - so previous experience with woodworking can only help your application. Most projects will be quite simple, as you'll be working with kids, so if you're interested, it's worth applying and finding out more about this role!
Woodworking is one of the coolest activities at camp - you'll love helping the kidsget their hands on the power tools and machines on the bench. What better than helping them realise their creative visions and giving them something to take home to their families.
You will also develop your own skills, becoming a master carpenter by the end of summer if you weren't one already. If you want to increase your chances, show off your skills with an online profile or portfolio of your work!
Teaching woodworking means your projects will change from day to day. In the morning, you could be perfecting the basics, teaching a group of younger campers to make a picture frame, and in the evening you’re watching your set creations come to life in the camp play.
Of course, you will come up with fun and engaging session plans for campers of all ages and abilities, incorporating projects ranging from small boxes to chairs and benches.
Make sure you bring a sense of responsibility to this role, as you’ll have to show campers the safe and proper ways to handle woodworking equipment.
Short answer - it might not be a problem. For most activities, you won't need any particular qualifications to teach your activity at camp. For others, we may be able to provide training before camp starts - you'll still need a decent amount of experience in your activity, but we'll make sure you're ready before the campers start arriving. The best thing to do is apply for the role you want, and if it doesn't work out, you may be able to lock down a similar role. Whatever you end up doing, you'll still be fully trained for camp!
Most importantly, being an activity specialist gives you the opportunity to develop your skills in an area that you are passionate about, getting experience that’s not available anywhere else. Whilst you’ll be teaching your activity 5 or 6 periods a day, you’ll generally have more time off, with many specialists staying overnight with other specialists rather than campers. You’ll also get to know the whole camp, spending your days seeing different groups of campers into the activity and seeing them grow both in the skill and as people.
Campers come down to sessions in divisions (age groups). These can vary in skill level, but usually are made up of 10-30 campers. You’ll then be paired with an individual camper or a group, and don’t worry - you’ll be supported by your fellow specialists and counsellors.
