Included on this page:
Essential Functions for All SLCRC Summer Staff
About
Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center (SLCRC), established in 1957, is a year-round ministry of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ. Our 60-acre campus is situated in the rolling hills of Litchfield County and bordered by the peaceful shores of Mudge Pond in Sharon, Connecticut. Nestled among pines, cedars, and maples, five year-round retreat buildings and two seasonal cabin villages, all varying sizes, make it possible to welcome groups as small as 10 and as large as 150 people. Each of our retreat facilities is designed to promote community building, with a large central meeting space surrounded by bedrooms. In addition to comfortable lodging, Silver Lake offers indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, full food services, high and low ropes challenge courses, and more. During the summer months we host a weekly overnight summer camp program where campers get to explore their faith journey while playing, swimming, climbing and making new friends.
Mission
Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center, a year-round outdoor ministry of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ, is called to covenant with God and with the churches and people of the Conference in the work of forming life-sustaining leaders for the church and the world. We seek to provide a safe environment of acceptance regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation, reflecting our unity in Christ and respecting the faith journeys of all of God’s children.
Goal
Silver Lake strives to create an intentional, welcoming Christian community accessible to all. The staff believe that exposure to diverse expressions of humanity is beneficial to all God’s children.
Essential Functions for All SLCRC Summer Staff
All staff will be expected to participate in emergency drills and respond to emergencies as trained. Establish and maintain a positive and helpful environment while living, working, and encouraging a Christian community. Assist with other departments as needed.
Benefits for All SLCRC Summer Staff
Shared housing and meals, laundry on-site, CPR/First Aid certification, welcoming and inclusive team environment, pro deal discounts to outdoor retail companies, skills you can use in the future, and a whole summer at camp.
Application Process
All applications will be processed through the online registration system UltraCamp. You will need to create an account and complete either the 2023 Senior Staff Application or the 2023 Junior Staff (Camp Family) Application, the Summer Staff Signature Page, and the Voluntary Disclosure.
New staff applicants will also need to submit 2 letters of recommendation. All staff will need to have three references. Once your application is received, we will reach out to schedule an interview or to decline your application. After your interview we will try to respond with our answer within 2 weeks.
If you have any problems, please contact slcrc@silverlakect.org.
2024 summer staff applications will open in October 2023
Team Leaders (Coordinators)
Junior Staff Co-Coordinator (Camp Family) Age 23+ in partnership with another Junior Staff Coordinator, supervise the Junior Staff (Camp Family) of approximately 8-12 people ages 16 and 17, in their daily and weekly housekeeping duties, kitchen tasks, and program support tasks. Serve as a mentor and help cultivate lifelong skills of communication, cooperation, work ethic, decision making, responsibility, and accountability. Provide regular feedback to Junior Staff to help them learn and grow. Monitor and Contribute to the well-being of the staff community as a member of the Coordinator Team. $3800 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 18-August 22, 2023
Adventure Team Coordinator Age 20+ oversees the safe operations of the Silver Lake Adventure Program which includes field games, low ropes, and high ropes. Responsible for the supervision and training of staff (3-5 people) on safe operating procedures and effective facilitation techniques. Work with volunteer Deans to create adventure programming that enhances the experience and supports the growth of the campers. Monitor and Contribute to the well-being of the staff community as a member of the Coordinator Team. $3400 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 18-August 22, 2023
Facilities Coordinator (ETF) Age 21+ oversees the safe operations of the Silver Lake facilities, grounds, and vehicles. Responsible for the supervision and training of staff (4-6 people) on maintenance tasks and repairs to keep camp safe, sanitary and aesthetically pleasing. Work closely with the Site Manager to accomplish camp improvement projects. Monitor and Contribute to the well-being of the staff community as a member of the Coordinator Team. $3400 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 18-August 22, 2023
Kitchen Coordinator Age 21+ oversees the safe operations of the Silver Lake kitchens. Responsible for the supervision and training of staff (3-5 people) on prep/serving/cleaning of kitchen as well as meeting all health code requirements. Be familiar with all dietary restrictions and help plan meals with the Food Services Manager. Monitor and Contribute to the well-being of the staff community as a member of the Coordinator Team. $3400 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 18-August 22, 2023
Program Coordinator Age 21+ oversees the coordination of the weekly schedule for summer programs in relation to site utilization, staff support, and ensuring the safe and smooth operation of Silver Lake’s summer program. Responsible for the supervision and training of the Program Specialists (7 people) in their respective areas. Monitor and Contribute to the well-being of the staff community as a member of the Coordinator Team. $3400 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 18-August 22, 2023
Waterfront Coordinator Age 21+ oversees safe operation of the Silver Lake waterfronts (swimming and boating) per American Camp Association guidelines and the Office of Early Childhood regulations. Responsible for the supervision and training of staff (3-6 people) in lifeguard skills and safe boating operation. Work with volunteer Deans to create waterfront programming that enhances experience and supports the growth of our campers. Monitor and Contribute to the well-being of the staff community as a member of the Coordinator Team. $3400 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 18-August 22, 2023
Camper Care Coordinator Age 25+ Provide training for Deans, Counselors, and Staff on how to identify and support campers who need additional support. Access Ultracamp to identify campers who would benefit from additional support and reach out to parents or guardians as appropriate to develop plans of care. Create and implement the plans of care and support systems for campers prior to arrival and throughout the sessions. Monitor and Contribute to the well-being of the staff community as a member of the Coordinator Team. $3000 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 18 -August 22, 2023
Support Staff
Junior Staff (Camp Family) Age 16+17 Under the direction of the Junior Staff Coordinators, responsibilities include cleaning dishes, bathrooms, cabins, and common spaces. Junior Staff will work in the Camp Store and manage the Buddy Board system at Waterfront. Junior staff will also have regular shifts in the kitchen. $1500 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 22-August 22, 2023
Adventure Team Specialist 18+ Work as a team to provide a safe and fun Adventure Program for campers, volunteers, and staff. Plan, teach, coordinate and carry out activities during field games, low ropes, and high ropes, while guiding campers in personal growth and faith formation. Provide program support for night activities as scheduled. $2000 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 22-August 22, 2023
Facilites Staff (ETF) 17+ Work as a team to complete maintenance tasks and repairs on facilities, grounds and vehicles to keep camp safe, sanitary and aesthetically pleasing. Provide campfire support for night activities. $2000 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 22-August 22, 2023
Waterfront Specialist (Lifeguard) 18+ Work as a team to provide safe and fun swimming and boating experiences for campers, volunteers, and staff. Provide program support for night activities. $2000 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 22-August 22, 2023
Kitchen Staff Age 17+ Assist the Food Services Manager and the Kitchen Coordinator in the preparation of food for campers, volunteers, and staff during the summer program. Perform daily and weekly cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing tasks. $2000 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 22-August 22, 2023
Program Specialist: Arts & Crafts/Ceramics 18+ Create and document Arts & Crafts programs that are stimulating, allow for individual creativity using found or natural materials, support the themes and goals of the summer programs, and are age appropriate. Potential to serve as a temporary cabin counselor. Provide program support for games and night activities as scheduled. $2000 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 22-August 22, 2023
Program Specialist: Nature 18+ Create and document Nature programs that are fun, enhance appreciation of Creation, stimulate a passion for environmental justice, and are designed to be age appropriate. Care for any animals living at camp as part of the nature program. Potential to serve as a temporary cabin counselor. Provide program support for night activities as scheduled. $2000 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 22-August 22, 2023
Program Specialist: Garden 18+ Create and document Garden programs that are fun, enhance appreciation for Creation, stimulate a passion for environmental justice, and are designed to be age appropriate. Care for the garden and communicate with the kitchen to best utilize produce. Potential to serve as a temporary cabin counselor. Provide program support for night activities as scheduled. $2000 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 22-August 22, 2023
Program Specialist: Media Specialist 18+ Responsible for photos and videos of all campers and daily activities, producing high quality images for marketing, archival, and other camp use. Produces a weekly slide show and a digital photo collection. Become familiar with audio equipment for use during camp programs. Potential to serve as a temporary cabin counselor. Provide program support for night activities as scheduled. $2000 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 22-August 22, 2023
Program Specialist: Program Assistant 17+ Assist the Program Coordinator and weekly Deans as needed with resources and support for their program needs. Potential to serve as a temporary cabin counselor. Provide program support for night activities as scheduled. $2000 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 22-August 22, 2023
Counselor Placement Assistant 18+ Assists Program Manager in the recruitment, training, and tracking of volunteer counselors. Provides office and administrative support for the summer program. Potential to serve as a temporary cabin counselor. Provide program support for night activities as scheduled. $2000 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 22-August 22, 2023
Health Center Assistant 18+ Provide support to the weekly Camp Nurse, including organizing and maintaining confidential camper medical records, help the Nurse use the online record keeping system and perform housekeeping tasks in the health center. Potential to serve as a temporary cabin counselor. Provide program support for night activities as scheduled. $2000 stipend, room & board included, preferred dates June 22-August 22, 2023
Additional Information
Repeater Bonus = Additional $100 per year beginning 2nd* summer on staff.
*Junior Staff will be their 3rd summer
Repeater Bonus resets when someone becomes a coordinator/team leader.
Certification Bonus = Additional $250 for initial current Lifeguard, High Ropes, or Serve Safe Certification. Additional $50 per certification with a maximum of $500.
Silver Lake Camp & Retreat Center is a ministry of the Southern New England Conference of the United Church of Christ.
Click here to read our Mission Statement.
223 Low Road | Sharon, CT 06069 | 860.364.5526 | Fax: 860.364.1000 | slcrc@silverlakect.org
