Social Work and Counseling Summer Internship
ADVENTURE. BIG SMILES. SINGING. LAUGHTER.
STARRY SKIES. CAMPFIRES.
GROWING CONFIDENT GIRLS.
Maine Sleepaway Camp
Camp Tapawingo
Camp Tapawingo is an accredited summer camp adhering to Covid-19 protocols
General
Working at Camp Tapawingo is a rewarding experience. You develop practical leadership skills, immerse yourself in a vibrant and engaged community, and positively impact your campers. Interns at Camp Tapawingo are considered staff. The majority of our camp staff teach and live in a camper bunk.
The Social Work and Counseling Internship
Summer camp is a great opportunity to get many hours of experience in a fun environment. This is a "grow by doing" experience. What differentiates our interns from our staff is your desire to take this experience one step further. Our interns connect this experience to their academic work. Tapawingo offers multiple Internship opportunities because of our belief in creating a learning and growth experience for all community members. In this Social Work and Counseling Internship you have two primary roles:
- Bunk Counselor - this is both individual and group work. You are trained and supported in creating a safe and growth oriented space for your campers to thrive.
- Instructor - this is an opportunity to share your passion(s) with our campers. You will lead programs in one of our activity areas. Training is provided as needed.
The following are part of the Internship:
- Journaling - reflect on your experience
- Project - select and complete a project that fits your goals and camp's needs. An idea for the coming season: co-create a guide for Evening Circle. Every night our bunks circle up to process their experience or to have a conversation about a selected topic. Currently we have a 1 sheet write up for this that could be expanded.
- Individual Supervision - close support by your direct supervisors with every other week verbal and written reviews. Partial supervision provided by a licensed clinical supervisor.
- Group Supervision - meet with internship participants throughout the camp (Counseling & Social Work Internship, Teaching & Coaching Internship, Arts Education Internship, etc) for training, conversation and engagement.
- Workshop Facilitation - to co-facilitate a training session with other Interns and one of Camp Tapawingo's Trainers.
Academic Credit
Most of our Interns receive academic credit, some opt not to. If the current structure of our internship does not meet the academic requirements of your college then let me know. We are willing and able to make adaptations so that you can participate in this program and receive credit.
Bunk Counselor
Live in a bunk with campers and a co-counselor. Your campers will need your guidance and support throughout the summer. They will lean on you when they miss home or are dealing with a personal issue. They will also seek your maturity when scheming their bunk prank, for our camp this means surprising a person or group with a laughter filled surprise! Our bunk supervisors support you to be able to grow a cohesive bunk community and to support the individual needs of your campers.
Typical Day:
- Bugle
- Meals as a camp
- Coaching / Instructing
- 1 teaching period off to participate in other activities (e.g. learn to sail)
- Support one of your campers or your bunk through a challenging moment (e.g. homesickness or clique issues)
- Receive guidance and support from your supervisors as an instructor and as a bunk counselor
Employment Notes:
- Pay - starting pay is $2700 + partial travel reimbursement + housing + meals + certifications as needed for your position + training
- Training - 2 week training institute plus on-going training throughout the summer.
- Getting To Camp - camp will provide a travel stipend plus provide transportation from the Portland Maine airport and bus terminals to Tapawingo and vice versa at the end of the season.
- Time Off - 6 days and 6 nights off over a 9 week period, 1 teaching period per day, additional daily time off
- Housing - this is camp! Nothing fancy, it is rustic and comfortable. Female staff get to will live in bunks with campers while male staff live in separate quarters.
- Food - cafeteria meals as a camp. We accommodate most diets, allergies and sensitivities.
- Internships / Academic Credit Available
The word Tapawingo means "Place of Joy", hopefully the description we are providing begins to explain how we achieve our name. Working at Camp Tapawingo is signing on to a summer of adventure. I encourage you to contact us to learn more about this experience.
Your Skills:
- Experience working with children, preferred
- Experience in the area that your are interested in teaching
- A team player
- Willingness to try something new
- A desire to make the world a better place
- A growth mindset
Our Values:
- Inspire our campers towards greatness
- Empower our campers to overlook barriers
- Be present for our campers - both physically and mentally
- Pitch in where needed
- Be safe & be fun!
We hope to receive your application! Please reach out to JD if you have questions, JD@camptapawingo.com
Application at: http://www.camptapawingo.com/Summer-Camp-Job-Applications
Hiring begins January 1. Applications are reviewed from November 1 until all positions are filled.