Can I stay at camp on the weekends when I am "off"?
Yes, if you like, you may stay in your cabin. Since many staff are from far away, there are always a number of staff that stay at camp each weekend. We often show movies for staff in the evenings, and many staff choose to go out for dinner together. There are meals provided for the staff on the weekends as well. All of these activities are optional. Staff who live nearby often go home on the weekends, and sometimes they invite other staff from far away to join them.
We also offer optional staff day trips to New York City, Washington DC, and the Atlantic Ocean for those who are interested. We pay for the bus trip, and you pay for whatever you do once you get there. More details are available after you are hired.
Is there a place to do my laundry on the weekends?
Yes.
If you go home on the weekends, you can wash your clothes there. If you stay at camp, there are a couple of coin-operated laundry machines at camp. The cost per load would be $3-$4 in quarters plus your detergent (similar to the prices in town).
You are also welcome to use one of the coin-operated laudromats in town although you will need to find transportation to get there.
All times assume that you're driving a car: Within 10 minutes - small town of North East, Maryland: Walmart, McDonald's, pizza, gas station, ice cream, laundry, grocery store, bank, post office, seafood restaurants Within 25 minutes - larger town of Elkton, MD: same as North East, but much greater variety Within 35 minutes - Christiana Mall and Newark, DE: small city, major shopping mall, major movie theaters, University of Delaware, many restaurants Within about one hour - Philadelphia, Lancaster, and Baltimore: major cities, international airports (PHL and BWI), professional sports teams, museums, outlet malls, and other large attractions Within about two hours - New York City, Washington DC, and the Delaware beaches (on the Atlantic ocean)
Do I need to bring my own linens if I'm coming by plane?
For staff arriving by airplane, we can provide the following to you at no charge: beach towel, bath towel, washcloth, blanket, fitted and flat sheets, pillow, pillowcase and a plastic storage bin. We do take a security deposit from you at the beginning of the summer. This money is returned to you at the end of the summer when the items are returned to the camp in good condition.
If I'm coming by plane or train, how do I get from the airport/train station to camp?
We'll pick you up! On your staff home page, you have an option to tell us all of your arrival and departure information and whether or not you would like for like for us to pick you up. We will pick you up and bring you to camp and return you at the end of the summer at no charge from any of the following locations:
Airports: Philadelphia (PHL) or Baltimore-Washington (BWI)
Bus and train stations: Wilmington, Delaware
In 2008, approximately one-third of the staff were not US citizens. These 46 staff represented 17 different countries including the UK, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, and Germany to name a few. We expect about the same number in 2009.
Do I need a visa to work at a camp?
Can you help me get one?
Yes. To work in the US at any summer camp, you need a J-1 Visa. Unless you have already applied to a placement agency (like Camp America, Camp Leaders, AICE, Bunac, etc.), we will put you in contact with an agency here in the US to help process your visa paperwork. The cost for the paperwork is approximately $400 US. We prepay the fee for you, and then we deduct it from your first paycheck. You are responsible for arranging and paying for your own travel. We will give you all of the details if you get hired for the staff.
One thing that you may want to consider doing as soon as possible is getting a police background check with your local police. It is a required part of the visa application process and may take several weeks to obtain.
Is there a secure place to keep my passport and other valuables?
Yes. Each staff member is issued their own 1-foot high by 1-foot wide by 1-foot deep locker with a combination lock to store any valuables that will fit.
Although the weeks of staff training are a bit cooler, by the start of camp, hot and humid summer weather has begun. Average high temperatures are in the mid to upper 80's (30°C) with occasional days in the upper 90's and even the low 100's (38°C). Average low temperatures are in the mid to upper 60's (18°C), although the night humidity makes it feel more like the 70's. Average rainfall is slightly over 4 inches per month. The 80-85°F water temperature in the Bay is also quite comfortable.
Yes. The camp has a dedicated high-speed T1 line. You can access the internet during your daily personal time (1.25 hours per day) and on the weekends.
The first check is in mid-July. The second one is in mid-August. The last check is mailed to you near the end of August after camp is over. If you prefer cash, you can convert your paycheck to cash at our local bank in town at no charge.
For Sunday check-in and Friday departure, the staff all wear name tags and Sandy Hill staff shirts which are provided by the camp. You need to bring khaki or tan shorts to wear on Sunday and Friday. Click here to see us in our "camper arrival uniform". This identifies us to the parents and campers. During the rest of the week, you can wear your own shirts, sweatshirts, shorts, or jeans.
You may not wear any clothes that are excessively revealing (very short or ripped shorts, bikini bathing suits, etc.) or that display lewd or otherwise offensive or suggestive text or graphics. Our goal is to make a clean, pleasant, and professional appearance. For a more detailed description of our dress code, see the Staff Standards.
Should I apply if I have to miss part of the summer?
It depends on which position(s) you're applying for and when and how much of the summer you need to miss.
If you are interested in a senior staff position (cabin counselor, ropes staff, waterfront staff, equestrian staff, etc.), you must attend all of staff training (starts June 12th) and any specialty training that is required of your position (starts around June 5th). In general, we can usually cover for you missing one week during the summer (for example - a family vacation). Any more than one week is usually problematic, and you will not likely be offered a position. If you think you have a special situation, please contact the camp to discuss it before applying.
Leaving a week early is also a possibility. About one quarter of the staff finish early on August 14th, and the remaining majority finish after the last week of camp on August 21st.
Junior staff including CITs, Junior Counselors, and Assistant Counselors are exempt from these minimum requirements.
Is there a chance for staff to get to do the different activities that the campers do?
Yes, occasionally. We try to use the training weeks at the beginning of the summer to allow staff to experience some of the different activities at camp. During the camp week on your personal time, you may be able to experience some things too. The general guideline is that your participation in an activity cannot prevent or interfere with a camper's chance to do it. On the weekends when camp is not in session, you can use certain facilities and equipment provided you get prior permission from the directors and are properly qualified to use it. The exception to this is for the horses and speedboats, which are generally off-limits on the weekends.
Sandy Hill Camp and Retreat Center
3380 Turkey Point Road, North East, Maryland 21901
Phone: (410) 287-5554 Fax: (410) 287-0826 Email: info@SandyHillCamp.com
