Camp and Travel
Support staff are university students who spend the summer working behind the scenes at an American summer camp. They keep the camp running smoothly by working in the kitchen, cleaning, laundry and maintenance teams. Unlike camp counselors, support staff are not responsible for looking after the children, but they are still a valued part of the camp community.
What Does Support Staff Do?
Support staff take care of the everyday tasks that keep hundreds of campers and staff fed, comfortable and safe. Typical roles include:
- Kitchen staff: Preparing meals, serving food, washing dishes and keeping the dining hall clean.
- Housekeeping: Cleaning cabins, bathrooms, offices and common areas.
- Laundry: Washing, drying and sorting laundry for campers and staff.
- Maintenance: Helping with repairs, grounds keeping, gardening and setting up equipment for activities and events.
- Office and general support: Assisting the camp office, stores or transport team when needed.
Support staff usually live together in staff accommodation and take part in many camp events and evening activities during their time off.
Requirements to Become Support Staff
- Be a full-time university student
- Be between 19 and 23 years old
- Have at least an intermediate level of English, so you can follow instructions and communicate with your team
- Be physically fit and comfortable with active, hands-on work
- Be willing to work in the kitchen, cleaning, laundry or maintenance teams
- Be in good health
- Have no criminal record
- Be able to arrive in the US by 15 June at the latest and stay until the end of the camp season (June to August)
- Previous experience in hospitality, catering, cleaning or maintenance is a plus, but not required
Qualities That Make You Stand Out
- Hard-working attitude: support roles are physically active and fast-paced.
- Reliability: the whole camp depends on meals, clean spaces and working facilities.
- Teamwork: you work closely with staff from all over the world.
- Flexibility: you may be asked to help in different departments when needed.
- Positive attitude: a smile goes a long way in a busy kitchen.
A Day in the Life: Sample Schedule
Schedules vary by camp and department, but a typical day for a kitchen-based support staff member looks like this:
| Time | Activity | Support Staff Role |
|---|---|---|
| 06:30 | Wake-up | Get ready before the camp wakes up |
| 07:00 – 09:00 | Breakfast shift | Prepare and serve breakfast, then clear and clean the dining hall |
| 09:00 – 12:00 | Morning duties | Cleaning, laundry, maintenance or meal preparation, depending on your department |
| 11:30 – 13:00 | Lunch shift | Serve lunch and wash dishes |
| 13:00 – 16:00 | Break / time off | Rest, use camp facilities or relax with other staff |
| 16:00 – 17:30 | Afternoon duties | Restock supplies, prepare for dinner or finish cleaning and repair tasks |
| 17:30 – 19:30 | Dinner shift | Serve dinner, wash up and close the kitchen |
| 19:30 onwards | Free time | Join evening programs, campfires or relax with your team |
Support staff usually work in shifts with breaks during the day and get one day off per week, which many use to explore nearby towns with other staff.
Ready to Join the Support Staff Team?
Fill in the form and our advisors will guide you through the Camp and Travel America application.
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