We have 6 programmers at each of our three camps.  Programmers each have a specific program area that they run, and then they work together as a team to create the theme of the week and activities that will give campers the best week of their summer! 

The six program areas are:

1)Outdoor Pursuits: This individual is responsible for running the camp out portion of our program.  Each of our camps has a location onsite where buddy groups take turns “camping-out” for an evening of camp.  The OP programmer will serve dinner and breakfast, plan super fun camp activities and hang out with campers! They will sleep in the campout area for three nights per camp session. The OP Programmer will also undergo extensive training during orientation in running the Giant Team Swing and helping run the Climbing Wall.  Having food-safe is an asset. 

2)Rec and Games: This person is responsible for running the Climbing wall,  the Giant Team Swing and other sports.  They are required to have an Adventure element facilitation certification.

3)Aquatics - Pool: Requires an NLS Pool Certification.  This person will run the pool programs!

4)Aquatics – waterfront: Requires an NLS Waterfront Certificate.  For the waterfront programmer for both Squamish and Winfield a commercial driver’s license (Class IV in BC) is an asset.  The waterfront programmer will run waterfront activities including swimming and short canoeing expeditions. 

5)Arts and Crafts: This programmer will run the arts and crafts activities for campers!  Some experience planning and running activities necessary. 

6)Multimedia: This programmer will be responsible for all things multimedia at camp.  They will run programs that inspire campers creative side using technology at camp.  This technology includes digital camera's, video camera's, website and projectors.

In certain weeks, the programming team will be expanded when we have some camp partners join us, including Special Education Technology BC, BC Wheelchair Sports and Sportability.  

While each programmer has a very specific role to play at camp – equally important is the role that they play on the programming team.  It is really important that everyone on the team has a positive attitude and is interested in stepping outside their comfort zone to create a magical and fun vibe at camp!

Rate of pay: The rate of pay for Arts and Crafts, Multimedia and Outdoor Pursuits is $64/day.  NLS and Rec and Games is $70/day.  Both include room and board, and are eligible for a $4/day bonus upon the completion of the entire summer.

A Typical Day at Camp as a Programmer!

No day at camp is typical but below is an explanation of what the flow of a day might look like...

7:30 - Rise and shine!  Each morning, the programming team meets up at the programming office at 7:30 am to have a programming meeting.  At this meeting, you will go over the days events, and organize who is doing what.  If the meeting ends before breakfast, you can use the time to set up, prep for any of the upcoming events or get into costume.

8:30 - Hungry staff and campers will pile into the dinning hall for a delicious breakfast.  Once groups are relatively settled, the programming team will burst into the dinning hall, be LOUD, and capture the whole camp’s attention.  You might give an update on the ‘Captain Hook’ watch and then introduce the Regular Programs that are going on in the morning.  You might tie your regular programs into the weeks’ theme.  For example, canoeing at the lake might be ‘ship training for pirates’ or the rock wall might be ‘sail climbing’.  Once you’ve made your announcement, you can grab a plate and eat with your buddy group (ie. The group of campers that you are part of for that week).  Make sure not to wear a hat at the table or you will get called on for a song.

9:30-10:00 - Use this time to set-up the 10 am regular program. 

10:00-12:00 - The programmers will be facilitating the regular program in their area.  For example, the rock wall and pool will be opened, and they will be making pirates hats in the Arts and Crafts..

12:25 – Programmers Unite!  Better have a quick meeting to plan this afternoon’s announcement!

12:30 - Lunch time.  Once again, the programming team will come in and make an announcement. Perhaps there is a bad guy sighting in the dining hall.  Oh my goodness!!  We better get the whole camp to come together this afternoon in an All-Camp activity to try and catch the bad guy!

1:30-2:00 - Use this time to set up for the All-Camp or go over once last time how it will play out.

2:00-4:00 - The programming team will be running an All Camp activity.   Typically, each programmer will facilitate a station, and the buddy groups will rotate through the stations.  Examples of stations are: pirate training at the low ropes, obstacle course, making pirate hats, writing a song to lure the bad guys etc.  The All Camp might end by trapping the bad guy or some climatic show down with the whole camp around.

4:00-4:15 - Some programmers will clean up from the All-Camp while others will be giving out juice and snacks to counsellors to give to their campers.

4:15-5:15 - This hour is known as ‘Rest Break’.  Campers and some staff will hang out in the dorms while the majority of staff get a break! 

5:30 - Dinner time!  Once again, the programming team gets the attention of the dining hall (make sure to be creative!)  You might comment on the great work by the campers at the All Camp and reward them with some fun activities in the evening.

7:00 - Once again, programmers will be facilitating Regular Programs.

8:30 - Juice and bedtime snack!  Programmers will hand out the water and fruit to counselors to give to campers.

8:45 - Programmers might join their buddy group in the dorm and spend some quality time with some campers by reading them a story etc.    

9:30 - Evening meeting - a chance for the team to meet up and debrief the day. What worked well, what could we improve on?  What is the plan for tomorrow?  How can we keep the energy flowing?!

We have a dorm duty system provided by counselors and programmers on a rotating basis.  2 programmers will generally do dorm duty on the last night of each camping session.  They will head into the dorms at 8:30pm and they will stay up in the dorms until 7:30am the next morning, at which point they will go to sleep for the day – waking back up in the later afternoon to participate in the weekly debrief.  Most staff end up really liking dorm duty!  

Days at camp are long!  At the end of the day you might wonder how you will possibly do it again tomorrow – but at the same time you wonder – how could you possibly not!! The days become a blur….but you will never forget those absolutely magical moments!