2014 camp work thread

Specialties Camp

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Hi all, I just signed my 2014 contract, negotiations went very well., I will be returning to Camp Indian Head for my fourth season. IHC is a residential camp, of about 600 campers and staff. It is located in northeastern PA, with a 7 week season. We have no special needs that would not be found in a normal school population. I thought I would start another work thread. So please feel free to post anything about getting or having a camp job in 2014. As always I hope to increase communication across what seems to be a very isolated field. If you don't feel comfortable posting the name of your camp, please post any details you feel able to share.

If your new to the field you may want to check out some of the suggested reading on allNurses A camp nurse job description and info piece. https://allnurses.com/camp-nursing/camp-nursing-885302.html

For an excelent article on how to choose a camp, please see: https://allnurses.com/camp-nursing/choosing-a-camp-826577.html

If you have already secured employment you may enjoy my article https://allnurses.com/camp-nursing/10-camp-lessons-834613.html

Good luck , I hope to hear from you all.

Specializes in Pediatric Private Duty; Camp Nursing.

I finally spoke with the owner of my camp this week to discuss my employment this year. Last year the one thing I often mentioned to her was that I really wanted to be more involved w camp life, to get involved w activities sometimes. Before I was a nurse, I was a teacher, so I always have great ideas on things to do and am very interested in getting to know the campers and establishing rapport. Believe it or not, our head nurse actually discouraged developing rapport with the campers, she felt it encouraged them to be frequent fliers. So I ended up feeling quite isolated and lonely, I felt like everyone else, staff and campers alike, was having so much fun while I watched from the Health Center porch. The other nurses were perfectly content with this lifestyle. For me, I was dreading another lonely summer and planned to cut back my commitment from 5 weeks to 3, so my girls could still get some camp.

So the owner came to me with a brand-new plan for me... She would like me to staff the Health Center overnight every night (it's a small camp and seldom are there many middle-of-the-night disturbances) but during the daytime, she wants to use me elsewhere in the camp, kind a multi-purpose person. My role as of yet is to be defined better, but we discussed me overseeing the arts and crafts dept (my big forte), driving shuttles to local trips (waterskiing, etc.) and other driving duties, working alongside counselors to plan their night activities and color war, helping out in the office, and whatever else they might need. Because I'd be doing the overnights in the HC, I'd have mornings off to sleep in if need be.

I was all ready to tell her I was going to work less weeks this year but this new position changes everything for me! I agreed to 4 weeks. I know it'll be a crazy pace, but that's really what camp is about. I'm finally excited about going back this year!

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

WOW that's greet news Sue. I'm glad your job will more match what you are looking to do. Being in overnights should make it esker to avoid "crunchy" work situations.

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Specializes in Public Health, School, Camp.

After three summers as a seasonal camp nurse at three different camps followed by a couple of summers off, I've found a full time year round "camp home". Officially accepted the offer yesterday and am ridiculously excited! Should be starting in about a month or so!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Ortho, Camp.

Congrats, Kaufer01! Full time jobs for camp nurses are as rare as hens teeth. Session one will be here before you know it.

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Specializes in Private Duty, L&D.

Hi All!!! I am a brand NEW Camp Nurse this year. Just accepted my job offer with a camp in Northern Wisconsin, where I live. I must live at camp for 9-1/2 weeks and cannot commute. It will be something to get used to but I am looking forward to it :) My husband is supportive but will miss me.

Along with my summer salary, they also include free tuition for my two sons to attend the camp also.

What should I expect from my first camp experience???

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Specializes in Private Duty, L&D.

What is a "GOOD" salary to expect from being a Camp Nurse?

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Specializes in Public Health, School, Camp.

WI_home_RN - what camp? I am from WI and worked at a camp up there.

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

Yes tell us a bit more about your camp. Special needs or residential? Number of campers? How long are the campers staying? Ect. Living on camp is pretty standard. The 9 1/2 week season is on the long side of normal, but still not unusual. Average pay for a camp nurse is somewhere between $50-$100 per contracted day. However negotiating for tuition is a whole other ball game. I have never done it, but camps love to try and do an even trade work for tuition.

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Specializes in Skilled Nursing/Rehab.

Has anyone on here ever worked at Camp Albrecht Acres in Sherrill, Iowa? It is a camp for children with special needs. I am thinking of applying there, but as a new grad LPN (still in school for RN) I think it would be best if I was able to work with another nurse. Just wondering if anyone has any info on how they do things there...

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Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

Yes new nurses should not be solo. That is a recipe for disaster. Especially in a special needs environment the med pass alone will pin you to the wall if you don't have experience.

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This is wi home rn on my phone acct....camp timberlane for boys in Minocqua, Wisconsin is my camp. They are giving me two full tuitions for my sons in addition to my summer pay. Campers equal about 165 and staff is about 85.

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Oh and the boys can stay all eight weeks or just four.

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