Staff FAQ

See our Apply Now page.

Head Staff, Lifeguard, & Ropes Course training week: Sunday, May 28th-Sunday, June 4th, 2023

All staff training week: Sunday, June 4th-Saturday, June 10th

Session 1 for Campers: Sunday, June 11th-Tuesday, July 4th

2nd Session Only Staff Training: Thursday, June 29th-Tuesday, July 4th

Intersession staff training: Thursday, July 6th-Saturday, July 8th

Session 2 for Campers: Sunday, July 9th-Tuesday, August 1st

Staff Depart: Wednesday, August 2nd

Receiving mail at camp is just as much fun for staff as it is for counselors. Family and friends can send mail and packages to the camp address and they will be put in your cabin’s mail bin in the office (unless it’s too big! Then we return it- just kidding! It will be placed next to the mail bins for pick-up.) We have computers with internet access in the office as well as the staff lodge available during time off for staff to use e-mail and skype. We also have wireless internet throughout camp for those who choose to bring computers.

Getting dirty is a central part of summer camp and getting clean again should be just as easy. During the summer, a schedule is set by bunk for laundry, which is done once a week. Each bunk staff has a separate laundry bag for the staff to have their laundry washed separately (not with the camper’s laundry) and they will get the clean laundry back the same day. There are washers, dryers, and laundry detergent in the staff house available to you as well.

There is a phone at the staff house exclusively for staff personal use. Local calls are free and international staff is encouraged to purchase phone cards before the summer to be used during camp to call home.

Most cell phones have reception at camp and you are welcome to use them during your off periods when the campers are not around. Cell phones may be left OFF in the cabins only when they are locked up in the lockers provided in the staff area of the cabin. Phones may not be taken to camper activities. No campers are allowed to use staff personal cell phones for any reason.

When you choose to spend your summer at CYJ, we recognize that you’re making a commitment to us and our campers and we want to invest in your personal and professional growth. Check out our Staff Benefits Package to learn more about our salary scale, information on our referral program, and all the benefits of becoming a staff member at CYJ. 

Being a counselor is a highly demanding (and rewarding) 7-day-a-week, 24-hours-a-day job, which is why time off is so important. Each session you will have the opportunity to take two (2) non-consecutive days off (24 hours). There is also a 72 hour recovery period between the sessions for you to relax and re-energize for the next group of campers. Each day, staff members get an hour off as well in order to rest or deal with personal matters.

While pets are technically not allowed, we can’t stop you from bringing imaginary pets. (We recommend a spaghettiger, a dangerous yet delicious companion.)

You’re welcome to bring your car to Camp, (or truck, for that matter – we are in Texas after all!) Staff vehicles must be registered at the camp office upon arrival to camp at which time you will receive a parking pass to tag on your car for the summer. You may use your vehicle to take your friends with you out of camp for days off, etc. No one may transport campers without the written permission of the camp director.

It is always fun to show your family and friends how much fun you are having at CYJ – just be sure to make arrangements with the Camp Director well beforehand. We can only accommodate a limited number of guests at camp at a time, so our guests are scheduled on a first come, first served basis.

Here at CYJ, we realize that role models come in all shapes and sizes, and some even have tattoos and body piercings. However, our staff is admired greatly by our campers and, as a result, they tend to mimic everything you do, say, and wear – including tattoos and piercings. Therefore, we request that while at camp, you cover them and do not bring attention to them when speaking with the campers. (We have made exceptions in RARE circumstances.) We ask that you please let us know during the interview if this will be an issue for you.

The use, possession, or distribution of alcoholic beverages and/or drugs is not permitted on any part of camp property at any time and will result in immediate dismissal. This policy is as serious as it is uncomplicated.

Not that it’s exciting to talk about, but if you have a work-related injury while you’re at camp, your medical expenses will be covered by CYJ’s workman’s comp. If it’s not work-related (for example, on your time off you decided to go skydiving and your chute didn’t open), your own carrier or your parents’ carrier covers the expenses.

We do our best to coordinate staff arrival and departure times throughout the summer so that we can be efficient with our airport runs and so no one misses out on important staff training.  Please check our Staff Travel Summary before you book any transportation so you know exactly when you are expected to be at camp.  We don’t want anyone having to Uber to camp because they missed the airport shuttle!