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Staff Application
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Health Staff Application
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Staff Work Dates 2008
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Counselors: June 16 - August 17
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Counselors receiving
Lifeguard Training: June 6 - August 17
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Unit Directors: May 16 - 18 &
June 9 - August 17
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Health Staff: June 13 - August 17
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International Staff: June 5 - August 17
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Production Staff: June 8 - August 19
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For Questions Contact
800-221-3796 or 231-894-1966 employment@bluelake.org
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Location
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Camp Philosophy
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Categories of Staff Positions
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Cabin Counselors
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Unit Directors
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Job Assignments
(Counseling Staff Positions Only)
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Health Staff
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International Program Assistants
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| Administrative Assistants |
Production Manager
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Production Assistants
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Recreation Director
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| Associate Staff Directors |
| Camp Bernstein Director |
| Assistant Health Lodge Director |
Musical & Other Artistic Opportunities
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Staff Performance &
Teaching Positions Available |
Recorded Audition Requirements
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Camp Policies
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Camp Uniform
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Qualifications, Salary, & Work Dates
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Proof of Certification
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Employee Health History
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| Faculty Positions |
| Support Staff Positions (Commuting) |
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From Former Staff Members
"I taught and counseled at blue Lake last summer in the junior camp—Camp Bernstein. It was a life-changing experience. I made some of the closest friends I will ever have over the nine weeks, played in the faculty symphony and a coached quartet, premiered an opera by Niblock, spent nights watching the sunset at the beach, and still had some time to practice.
The kids really admire the college students who work there. Faculty/Staff practice facilities (brand new building) are air-conditioned, as well as the dining areas. The pay was pretty good for a camp position, and it kept me playing, which working at Target would not have. Chicago and Traverse City are within a day's drive for session breaks, but camp is so beautiful many people just stay and hang out at the beach.
My proudest moments are when my students wrote or emailed me this school year to say, 'I got first chair!' They come enthused and excited and I can't wait to back again this summer.
If you are even considering a summer job, I would highly recommend applying to Blue Lake. Have a fun summer while still playing and making a huge difference in the lives of children."
Kristen, Violist
Indiana University Graduate
Blue Lake Staff Member
summers '01 and '02
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"This morning I have been putting together a portfolio of all my experiences, creating a resume, and writing essays about my experiences. Next year I will be looking for a job, and most of what I have learned as a teacher has come from Blue Lake. Teaching, organizational skills, delegation, preventative discipline, and time management are just a few. The list really can go on and on.
In college, we have many theory courses about teaching, but experience is really the only way to learn. In fact, post-Blue Lake, I have become frustrated in some classes as I have already attained so much of the knowledge at BLFAC. I want to know more, not rehash the old. My girlfriend has listed Blue Lake on her resume and many interview questions are directed towards her experiences there. She is looking at working at an all-girls private school, Blue Lake really helped her get her feet into interviews all over the country. She is looking to find a position in math education, but her work with students at an arts camp has proven to be very helpful.
All of my evaluations from faculty have also been a great addition to my portfolio. Teaching the Camp Bernstein sectionals is where I was able to test my ideas, and create a style of my own."
Kevin, Cellist
Lawrence Conservatory Graduate
Blue Lake Staff Member
summers of '98, '99, and '01
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"I was a counselor and trombone player in Broadway Unit, and I went overseas with the Blue Lake International Jazz Band a couple of summers ago with Doc West. I played in the Monster Big Band, and I tried to get involved in almost every activity and ensemble I could while I was at Blue Lake.
The reason that I am writing you this letter is to thank you for all of the wonderful experiences that I had while I was at Blue Lake for the two summers that I worked there. I had no idea how much the experience would affect my life, and I never really took the opportunity to thank you. To tell you the truth, I am finding out almost every day how valuable the experiences that I had a Blue Lake really were!
I had a chance to work with a variety of people on the counseling staff and a very talented group of leaders, I got to work with a variety of age groups of students, I got experience working with parents, I got to listen to a variety of musical styles and groups during the concerts (where else can one go to hear a different concert every night?), I learned a lot about how students think and react to situations, I got practice being in charge of people and responsible for their well-being, I made a great deal of connections musically, I got a chance to play in some incredible musical ensembles, I learned how to work in teams, I learned how to work with people that I don't always agree with, I learned a lot of fun games and activities to do with kids, and most of all, I learned so much about myself!
Working at Blue Lake, though it had many ups and downs, was honestly one of the best experiences of my life, and that is why I feel compelled to write you and say a heartfelt thank you. Thank you for giving me so many experiences, and for making student teaching a little less hectic for me."
Matt, Trombonist
Western Michigan University Graduate
Blue Lake Staff Member
summers of '97 and ‘98 |
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 Founded in 1966, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is a summer community of the fine arts serving over 5,000 elementary, junior high, and high school students each season through its varied programs. Blue Lake annually employs over 500 faculty and staff, who work together to provide a diverse and enriching learning experience for campers. Although Blue Lake is a fine arts training center, it strives to maintain a "camp" atmosphere in as many ways as possible through the natural environment, rustic facilities, and camper activities.
Location
Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp is situated on Little Blue Lake in West Michigan's Manistee National Forest. The camp consists of 270 rustic cabins, structures, and shelters spread throughout 1,300 acres of wilderness. Located 12 miles north of Muskegon and an hour northwest of Grand Rapids, Blue Lake is within minutes of Lake Michigan beaches and parks.
 Camp Philosophy
Blue Lake's primary goal is to motivate campers with two weeks of intensive instruction, sending them home with an incentive to pursue their art with new enthusiasm. A well balanced set of values -- maturity, citizenship, and appreciation of formal study -- are encouraged by all faculty and staff. Members of the Blue Lake staff strive to make the campers' stay meaningful by teaching them how to become good artists and citizens. Enthusiasm is contagious at Blue Lake as campers discover, learn, experience, progress, and succeed.
Categories of Residential Staff Positions:
Counseling Staff are responsible for helping students adjust to camp life, supervision of campers, and guiding them through their camp experience as an individual and within cabin group dynamics. In addition, counseling staff also serve job assignments to help support and promote arts education for the campers. Counseling staff will be housed in the cabin environment with campers.
Non-Counseling Staff are serving in supportive roles which require members to be in residence because of their schedule and/or job responsibilities. These staff cover a wide variety of positions spanning health, production, international, and administrative needs. Non-counseling staff members are housed on camp but separately from campers due to the nature of their roles. All staff members are required to adhere to the same code of conduct regardless of housing arrangements or job responsibilities.
 Staff Job Descriptions
Cabin Counselors (130 positions available, room & board included)
Central Camp Counselors serve as role models for campers by demonstrating respect and discipline, and by living by the established camp policies. Duties include: live with 10 - 12 campers, eat with your assigned cabin, supervise clean-up details, plan recreational and social activities, launder the campers' uniform clothes every other day, work 15 - 20 hours a week at a specific work assignment (including performing and artistic assignments), and consistently evaluate and act on all campers' special needs, problems, and concerns. Camp Counselors are role models, leaders, supervisors, problem solvers, motivators, friends, and guardians for Blue Lake campers.
Central Camp Counselors/Lifeguards have the same responsibilities as central camp counselors, except that their work assignment is that of a Lifeguard. These counselors also have opportunities to perform with various camp music ensembles or complete other job assignments. Blue Lake will certify candidates with Red Cross certification prior to staff orientation. Candidates for Lifeguard positions must be physically fit, competent swimmers, and available to arrive at camp by JUNE 6 for American Red Cross Life Guard training.
Junior Camp (Camp Bernstein) Counselors have the same responsibilities as Central Camp staff. Work assignments may include teaching sectional and/or technique classes for the Camp Bernstein students. For those interested in these limited sectional/technique teaching positions, a recorded audition is required and teaching experience is preferred. Some counselors may also teach elective classes of art, choir, theater, jazz studies, or history of music, or nature studies. For those interested in these limited elective teaching positions, a resume is required and teaching experience is preferred.
Unit Counselors have the same responsibilities as central camp cabin counselors, except that they are not assigned a specific group of campers. Instead, unit counselors work with a team of other staff members to provide support and supervision to the larger camper group and living area, as well as fill in for cabin counselors who are ill or are called away from camp on emergencies.
Unit Directors (16 positions available, room & board included)
Each unit of six cabins is supervised by one Unit Director. Duties include: supervising the counselors of your designated unit, organizing all required paperwork, planning unit activities, delivering important announcements and information to campers and counselors, assisting campers that need special attention, communicating with camper parents, and any other duties designated by the staff director. Previous camp leadership experience and good communication skills are a must.
Each counseling staff member will serve two to three job assignments in addition to caring for the campers. These assistantships are only open to the members of the counseling staff. Click here for a full list of job assignments (assistantships.)
Non-Counseling Positions Available
Please inquire directly with the Blue Lake Personnel Department (800) 221-3796 or employment@bluelake.org for more details on these positions, including availability, salary, room & board, and application procedure. Please note that these positions require residency on the campus of Blue Lake.
Health Lodge Staff: Work with the camp health directors and nurse to provide a variety of health care services, including basic first aid, medication management and distribution, emergency medical care, and other duties as assigned. Minimum certification required: American Red Cross Community First Aid & Safety (incl. CPR), and valid U.S. Driver’s license. Preferred certifications: Responding to Emergencies, First Responder, EMT, Paramedic.
* Blue Lake can provide minimum certification for candidates.
 International Program Assistants: Inform campers about opportunities through Exchange Program, recruit campers for auditions, and assist with visiting European groups. Previous experience with Blue Lake's International Program required.
Administrative Assistants: Work directly with the Program Coordinator to provide administrative and clerical support in operating the camp’s student programs. Previous experience in a professional office environment preferred.
Production Manager: Assist the Program Coordinator with maintaining production schedules for Blue Lake's main performance and rehearsal locations. Supervise a small staff and oversee maintenance, scheduling, equipment usage, performer needs, and security.
Production Assistants: Assist the Production Manager with maintaining production schedules for Blue Lake's main performance and rehearsal locations.
Recreation Director: Supervise, coordinate, and promote all camper recreation offerings. Maintain and supervise use of all camp pools. Train and supervise staff of 15 - 20 life guards and eight recreation assistants. Supervisory and training experience preferred. Minimum certification required: American Red Cross Life Guard Instructor and Management; CPR-PR and Standard First Aid.
Associate Staff Director: Work directly with Staff Director to assist counseling staff with needs and concerns, and assist with administrative duties as requested by staff director. Supervise all session breaks, stay-over and early-arrival campers, and camper transportation. Extensive experience with Blue Lake counseling and administration required.
Camp Bernstein Director: Work directly with the staff director and program director to plan the Junior Camp's schedule and activities and maintain its ideals. Supervise a staff of 18 counselors in a variety of duties. Extensive experience with Blue Lake counseling and administration required.
Asst. Health Lodge Director: Work together with Health Director to supervise health lodge staff, maintain work schedule, communicate with camper parents, and complete other duties as assigned. Previous experience at Blue Lake required, experience at Health Lodge preferred. Minimum certification: American Red Cross Responding to Emergencies with CPR-PR.
Back to Faculty Job Descriptions
Musical & Other Artistic Opportunities
Staff members are encouraged to audition for positions in Blue Lake's Festival Band, Festival Orchestra, Staff Symphonic Band, Staff Choir & Vocal Ensemble, and Jazz Ensembles. These groups rehearse daily and perform regularly scheduled concerts in Blue Lake's Summer Arts Festival. With a recorded audition, staff members can also participate in faculty-coached ensembles, such as string quartets, brass quintets, woodwind quintets, euphonium-tuba ensemble, and other chamber groups. Those who qualify may also teach sectionals and technique classes with Blue Lake's junior campers. Blue Lake also offers a solo competition to staff during the summer.
Those with backgrounds in art, drama, and dance have opportunities to assist faculty and students in those areas, as well as explore their own artistic growth through individual studio time and/or participation in staff groups (such as theater improv, etc). Those who qualify may also teach minor classes in art, drama, jazz studies, history of music, nature studies, or beginning instruments with Blue Lake's junior or central camp students.
Camp Policies
In an effort to provide our campers with a safe, pleasant, and nurturing environment, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp has developed extensive regulations regarding proper and professional conduct. Counseling Staff members are considered influential role models for our campers and are expected to support these Blue Lake standards and follow Blue Lake policies. Applicants must sign a Staff Pledge of Conduct upon receipt of their contract. Those who are unable to support camp policies need not apply.
Camp Uniform
Staff members are required to wear the camp uniform at all times except when within the housing area. The official uniform shirt and fleece are required and are available at a discounted price for employees at the camp store. The remainder of the uniform is supplied by the camp employee and consists of solid navy-blue shorts, slacks, skirt, or jeans; navy-blue knee socks or white crew socks for women; white crew socks or navy blue dress socks for men; substantial athletic shoes (closed toe/heel).
Qualifications, Salary, and Work Dates
Applicants for staff positions must meet the following criteria: 1) at least 18 years of age, 2) at least one year of college after completing high school, 3) interest and aptitude in working with young people.Prospective Unit Directors must have previous camp counseling experience.
Counseling Positions
Work dates for 2008 Counselors are: June 16 - August 17. This includes one week of paid orientation. Extended work dates for some positions are available to cover pre- and post-camp duties. Please inquire on application.
Work dates for 2008 Unit Directors are: May 16 - 18 and June 10 - August 17. This includes 11 days of paid orientation. Extended work dates for some positions are available to cover pre- and post-camp duties. Please inquire on application.
Salary for Blue Lake Counseling Staff: $1,350 - $2,250 plus room and board. Salary is based on years of college study and/or degree(s) earned.
Non-Counseling Positions
For work dates and salaries offered to health staff, camp nurses, production staff, international staff, administrative personnel, and other non-counseling positions, please see the enclosed information and call the Blue Lake Personnel Department at 800-221-3796.
Proof of Certification
Those applying for jobs which require proof of certification (Waterfront Director, Camp Nurse, etc.) must have a photocopy of the certificate on file with the personnel department before an applicant will be considered for the position. The date of expiration must be visible.
Employee Health History
All employees of Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp are required to have a health history form on file with the camp Health Director before arriving on camp. All information is required and kept confidential.
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Twin Lake