Where is Camp located?
183 Powhatan Road, Otisfield, Maine 04270
What does a typical day at Camp look like?
7:15 a.m. Early bird activities – non-counselor staff are assigned to supervise optional early bird activities for campers (independent quiet activities like reading, yoga, jogging)
8 a.m. Wakeup bell – start the morning off with a fun music playlist! Counselors wake up with campers; facilitators and support staff get ready for the day in their cabins.
8:30 a.m. Lineup – the entire Camp community gathers in front of the lake for announcements and inspirational performances. Counselors, facilitators, and leads sit with their bunks or peers, and activity leads run line up with additional camper or staff volunteers.
8:45 a.m. Breakfast – the entire Camp community eats at picnic tables under the tent or in the dining hall. Vegan, gluten-free options available. Staff eat with campers at designated tables for some meals, and for other meals, eat with one another in the dining hall.
9:30 a.m. Clean up – facilitators and activity leads prep for programming or support Camp operations. Counselors return to the bunk for 30 minutes of cleaning while jamming along to music, following a creative chore chart, etc.
10 a.m. Special activity – counselors support or lead special activity, activities designed and led by campers or counselors. Campers choose the same special activity to participate in every day each week. This is an awesome opportunity to share our passions with one another! Facilitators prep for dialogue.
11 a.m. Activity or dialogue. Facilitators lead dialogue. Some counselors might have a free block while other counselors lead in their designated activity area or support in a different activity area (boating, creative arts, sports). Campers rotate through these activities each day to discover new passions, learn new skills, and find new ways of communicating with one another. While some campers are in activities, others are in dialogue. During dialogue, campers share their stories, learn to hear and see one another across racial, religious, political differences, and build their ability to listen and navigate conflict with respect, empathy, and compassion.
12:40 p.m. Lunch lineup (see Lineup above)
12:55 p.m. Lunch (see Breakfast above)
1:50 p.m. Green swim time for female-identifying youth to swim with the support and oversight of trained lifeguards. Counselors either have a free block or are assigned to be present at the waterfront with their bunk. Facilitators are in prep time or are free. During this time, male-identifying youth have rest time in their bunk with the on-duty bunk counselor.
2:50 p.m. Blue swim time for male-identifying youth to swim with the support and oversight of trained lifeguards. Counselors either have a free block or are assigned to be present at the waterfront with their bunk. Facilitators are in prep time or are free. During this time, female-identifying youth have rest time in their bunk with the on-duty bunk counselor. Seeds of Peace is working towards gender inclusivity in our programming.
3:50 p.m. Activity/dialogue – see above! Some counselors will have a free block while others lead activities; facilitators will facilitate.
5:30 p.m. Snack at line up – we all need an afternoon snack!
5:45 p.m. Community Action at Pines tent – some designated staff will lead Community Action, a time for youth to gather with their regional or school based cohorts to identify an issue in their community and develop an action plan to tackle the issue using our collective power, shared experience, and the skills we gain at Camp. Some staff will have a free block.
6:30 p.m. Line up (see Lineup above)
6:45 p.m. Dinner (see Breakfast above)
7:30 p.m. Field time – free outdoors time for campers. All staff will supervise as assigned on a rotating basis, while other staff have a free evening.
8:10 p.m. Evening activity – evening activities are led by counselors or facilitators as assigned on a rotating basis, and eventually also by campers. Examples of evening activities include bunk nights, open mic, camp-wide scavenger hunts, and cooking competitions. Some staff have a free evening while others are assigned to lead, support, or supervise evening activity.
9:15-1o:10 p.m. Shower time starts – activity leads are assigned to monitor the shower houses while one counselor remains in their bunk.
10:25 p.m. Bunk time – one counselor remains in the bunk (as assigned) to lead a nightly group check-in before bed while the other counselor can remain out of the bunk until midnight.
10:45 p.m. Lights out for campers – one counselor remains in the bunk (as assigned).
12 a.m. Lights out for all Camp – all staff are expected to be back in their cabins to get their rest and recharge for the next day!
What will the rooming situation be for staff?
Counselors and lifeguards live in a shared cabin with campers (2-3 counselors with 8-11 campers depending on the bunk size). Staff sleep in single beds distanced from campers; Campers sleep in bunk beds. A private bathroom stall and sink is located in every bunk. Some bunks have showers inside of the bunk; all other bunks are located near shower houses. The shower houses have private stalls and there is a designated staff shower house.
Facilitators and support staff live in a shared cabin with other staff (two staff to a room), with common areas and bathroom (including shower) within the cabin
Cabins don’t have air conditioning, but they do have the wonderful breeze from the lake coming through the many screen windows!
What will the amount of free time/down time look like for staff?
- Periods off each day and some evenings.
- Time to be on-site away from campers in staff cabin spaces, staff dock (with lifeguard on duty), low-risk day trips, staff lounge, staff office, campfires, public beach, etc.
- Time off in the evenings (staff need to be back to their cabins by midnight).
- The staff lounge and most areas of Camp have working wifi and staff can find a private corner on Camp.
- Staff may not enter pubs or institutions serving alcohol during the Camp session. There will be opportunities for organized, inclusive, COVID-19 safe outings in between sessions. Staff may not eat indoors at restaurants during time off. The use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products are prohibited both at Camp and in any area in proximity to Camp, including during staff free blocks. Staff may not be under the influence of drugs or alcohol at any time during the session. We will plan a few fun staff outings during the summer between sessions.
- Staff can explore area nature preserves and enjoy local ice cream stands.
What will food be like? Any healthy options? Do we have info about the vendors?
Food Services Director Mike always provides a well-balanced and nutritious meal! Fruits, snacks, and PB&J stand available in between meals. Coffee available to staff. Dietary restrictions are taken into consideration: vegan/vegetarian options always as well as gluten free when needed.
What will staff orientation look like?
- Emergency Procedures and Management / Health & Safety
- Identifying child abuse, mandatory reporting, inclement weather, missing child, using walkie-talkies, waterfront protocols, COVID-19 protocols, etc.
- Community Building
- Daily logistics
- Instruction, scenarios, and workshops tailored to Camp community and Camp setting
- Positive youth development
- Critical education pedagogy
- Youth-adult partnerships
- Trauma-informed engagement
- Culturally-responsive education
- Principles of experiential/informal outdoor education
- Implicit bias
- Conflict resolution
- Activity design
- Programmatic area specialization
What is dialogue?
Campers participate in dialogue sessions for 90 minutes every day. They remain in their same dialogue groups, with the same two adult facilitators, for the duration of the Camp session. Dialogue is a youth-led space where Campers explore and unpack issues around identity, power, privilege, and community, and share with a supportive group the many complex perspectives and identities that make up their different lived experiences. In dialogue, youth are considered the experts on their own experiences, and they, as a group, lead the content of the conversation.
Facilitators are guides, and are there to simply structure the process to ensure it is honest, meaningful, challenging, and trauma-informed. The purpose of dialogue is not to come to consensus or agreement, but to more deeply understand the differences that each individual brings, to listen and to be heard in all of our complexities, and to learn something new about oneself and others. Participants leave the dialogue experience with the courage, curiosity, and communication skills they need to engage others back home and throughout their lives in difficult or complex conversations and discussions.
Dialogue is NOT group therapy nor a clinical or therapeutic session. During dialogue, campers gain skills in building communication and understanding across lines of difference. These skills include:
- Asking questions of understanding
- Critical thinking
- Making space + taking space / group dynamics
- Building empathy
- Conflict engagement and resolution
What type of Camp/personal check-in structures will exist for staff?
Staff affinity groups or staff support groups will be arranged and lead for counselors by a designated facilitator.
Staff will have check ins with Activity Leads throughout the summer.
What support do staff receive?
In our interviews for Camp, we will ask you a few questions related to the beautiful intensity of Camp life, such as: How do you recharge in intensive social environments? What are your self-care practices?
Staff can look to the Camp director, program director, and leads for guidance in youth engagement, youth development, activity design, and conflict resolution.
We are working with an experienced licensed social worker to finalize our mental health policies and protocols to ensure we are responsive to youth needs.
All campers and staff who partake in therapy are encouraged to continue to do so virtually while at Camp, and we will adjust staff schedules accordingly.
How does Camp protect the mental health of all non-campers, including staff?
Camper and staff applicants undergo a red flag screening process to determine if someone’s mental health indicates Camp may not be the best fit for them at this time. We will also be working with a mental health professional to review our policies on mental health and overall well being of the Camp community, as well as have a social worker either on site or on call if a crisis occurs.
We also encourage both campers and staff to continue their telehealth therapy while at Camp. And we require a therapist to affirm that a camper is able to attend Camp if they attend therapy for a diagnosed condition like depression or anxiety.
What is the Camp attire?
All staff and campers will wear a Seeds of Peace shirt or sweatshirt daily. Staff are given five Seeds of Peace t-shirts and two Seeds of Peace sweatshirts. Laundry is done weekly. Bring clothes for a diverse range of Maine summer temperatures: some days will call for shorts and Crocs, where other days may be sweatpants, boots, and a rain jacket. See the full packing list below.
How does laundry at Camp work?
We are using an outside laundry service which provides laundry bags for each staff member and returns the laundry washed and dried. Laundry is sent and returned once every 7-10 days.
What should staff bring to Camp?
- Comfortable pants like athletic pants, sweatpants, or jeans (5-6)
- Shorts (5-6)
- Socks (10 pairs + 2 warm pairs)
- Underwear (10) / Bras (10)
- Sweatshirts for sleeping (2)
- Pajamas (2 sets)
- Swimsuit that is comfortable for watersports (boating and swimming)
- Sneakers (1 pair)
- Rain boots or waterproof shoes (1 pair)
- Flip flops or shower shoes (1 pair)
- Raincoat (1)
- Hat and/or scarf (1)
- An outfit or clothing that represents your culture or that you feel most comfortable in to wear for an evening activity
- Toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, shampoo, hairbrush/comb, sunblock, bug spray, pads/tampons (we will provide extra if you run out)
- Basket or bag for toiletries (the showers have hooks outside of them, and it is much easier to walk back and forth to the showers when you have all of your items in a bag or waterproof basket)
- Shower shoes (if in a camper cabin)
- Towel for swimming (1)
- Flashlight or headlamp (1)
- Reusable water bottle labeled with your name (2)
- Medications – will be collected and stored in the Health Center on arrival (if you are in a camper cabin)
- Anything that makes you feel at home in the space we are creating together at Camp
Are linens provided?
Yes! Seeds of Peace provides every staff member with one towel, sheets, a pillow, pillowcase, blanket, and sleeping bag. We even make your bed for you before you arrive. You do NOT need to bring your own blankets, but can if you would prefer, as well as anything that will make you feel most comfortable!
Where do most of the campers come from?
Stay tuned!
Is there a place just for staff at Camp?
The staff lounge! And really all of the Pines Side of Camp is just for staff. The staff lounge has a fridge, a TV, and games, as well as a table where you can use your laptop and access wifi. Many of our Camp counselors come here on their time off. We also have rooms in the staff office/lounge where you can go if you hold any meetings or a therapy appointment in privacy. You can definitely bring a hammock and create a peaceful Pines Side reading or napping spot. During time off, you can also use the public beach or check out with security and go on a run off Camp.
Are drugs or alcohol allowed at Camp?
No. As outlined in the Staff Handbook, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are strictly forbidden at Camp and staff are forbidden from being on or near the Camp property while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
What are the Camp COVID-19 protocols?
We require all staff and campers to have full up-to-date vaccinations against COVID-19 (either both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or one dose of Johnson & Johnson vaccine, PLUS a booster dose six months after the last vaccine dose. Check our COVID-19 protocols for updates.
How do I get to Camp?
We will be reaching out to arrange transport. When possible, we will ask staff to carpool and help others get to Camp. Seeds of Peace will arrange transportation for staff (buses or flights) up to a financial limit. Staff are responsible for their own ground transportation to their local bus station or airport.
How do you support youth?
We believe that youth-centered, supported adults can provide critical mentorship and guidance to youth at Camp. We believe in youth voices, and believe that adults learn as much from youth as youth learn from adults. At the same time, Camp staff are responsible for youth well-being. This means that staff are expected to prioritize youth well-being at all times, to set clear limits, high expectations, and healthy challenges. Staff are expected to accept campers for how they want to be seen and heard, and to relate to one another with deep respect and care. Youth need caring relationships with adults they can trust. We expect staff to set clear limits, high expectations, and healthy challenges and support them in taking positive risks and avoiding negative ones. In short, they need you to be the very best you can be!
How much work is all this really?
Camp is very structured and demanding and being on staff has been called “the toughest job you will ever love.”
The campers are in this camp setting for a two and a half week session and our responsibility to them is 24 hours a day. Seeds of Peace campers are teenagers that are engaging with each other across lines of difference—sharing meals, living spaces, and learning experiences with one another. As their perceptions and attitudes shift, they will form new relationships, hear different opinions and perspectives, begin to understand issues in their schools, communities, and world, and will hopefully gain commitment to work for change at home as well.
You will need to support campers through new experiences, especially dialogue during which they will talk about issues surrounding identity, power, privilege, and community. By the end of the potentially transformative two and a half week session, they have learned a lot, developed new skills, and made new relationships. You will be there to support them through this while also hopefully having a transformative experience of your own.
Summer camp is a lot of work, and you need to ensure your own mental health and well being. Camp leadership will do its best to support you and help guide you through this process, and you will have time to decompress during free time and time off.
The end of Camp can be difficult for campers as they have made this place feel like home, been open and honest with others, and may have found their voice, and leaving the “camp bubble” can be hard for everyone. It is helpful knowing that the lessons learned at Camp will continue to make the world a better place and the memories and connections will last.