STAFF FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 

I Have a Few Questions About Camp Staff 

What would I do as a staff member at Kia Kima?
That’s simple! You would have the MOST FUN you have EVER had with some of the BEST friends that you have ever made at the BEST place on earth – Kia Kima Scout Reservation! Best of all, you even get paid for it! 

Wait! You mean I don’t have to do any work?
Well, not exactly! There is a lot of work involved with the best Boy Scout summer camp in the United States, but it is all FUN! 

Well, what kind of work would I do?
That depends on which area in camp you work. Many of our staff work in one of ten program areas, those areas that are directly involved in merit badge and program instruction. These staff members spend their days working with the Scouts and leaders, instructing merit badges and specialized skills. Most people associate summer camp with merit badge counselors, but at Kia Kima, they constitute only sixty percent of our entire staff. The rest of the camp staff can be found selling snacks in the Trading Post, answering telephones in the Administration Building, preparing food in the Dining Hall, maintaining the camp equipment in the Barn, keeping Scoutmasters happy, building campfires, leading vesper services, building new facilities, advising the Program Director…or hard at work at hundreds of other jobs! At Kia Kima, there is ALWAYS a place for you to work! 

So, is it a “real” job?
It sure is! Unlike other “real” jobs, however, we have more fun. Just like a real job, you will have a specific job description, a supervisor that you must report to, deadlines, regulations, policies, procedures, and best of all, a paycheck! From May to July, Kia Kima is a large business, with a clientele of over 2,000 people, an employee base of 55 people and a corporate campus of 1,500 acres. Our clients are found throughout the United States, but are concentrated along the southern great plains. Just like a “regular” business, Kia Kima employs professionals in marketing, webpage design, program development, business administration, education and counseling to continually develop and enrich one of the most successful Boy Scout summer camp in the nation. I mean, just check out this website! Although it is a summer camp, the Kia Kima Program Committee works with the Camp Director and Program Director year round to develop new programs and promote the summer camp. 

Excuse me, but you said PAYCHECK?
That’s right! Kia Kima pays its staff members. Each staff member is paid a weekly salary based on his or her age, experience and level of responsibility. Staff members are given paychecks every two weeks. 

And money isn’t the only benefit!
Kia Kima also provides its staff members with hundreds of other “perks” of the job. All staff members are given a place to live and three meals delicious meals a day. The camp staff is also given on the job training, health insurance, registration in a BSA Venture Crew, discount on uniform parts, weekends off, and a chance to develop social skills and learn more in one summer than in twelve years of education! This is only a small list…just wait until you get to camp! 

But I have a boss?
Kia Kima is divided into fourteen program or business areas. An area director supervises each program area. A manager supervises the business areas. These supervisors have been selected for their positions because of their unique abilities to handle situations and solve problems. Each area director has been chosen to fill his role because of his experience at summer camp and his dedication to the ideals of the Scout Oath and Scout Law. Unlike most jobs, you area director is more than your boss, he is also your friend and mentor-someone that will hang out with you when you are not working and someone that will show you the ropes, and help make you the best staff member around! 

Does the Area Director have a boss?
Just like a regular job, there is a corporate structure to summer camp. Your area director reports to the Program Director. The Program Director is directly responsible for the daily and overall operation of the Kia Kima program. The Program Director reports to the Camp Director, who is the professional representative of the Chickasaw Council and the Boy Scouts of America. 

What is the schedule like?
As with any job, there is a schedule that staff members must adhere to. Assembly for breakfast, which is required, is at 6:50 a.m. It’s early, but necessary if the Scouts at camp are to get everything done that day! Taps blows at 10:00, and most of our staff head to bed not long after that! Sleep is very important at camp, and believe me, after the first day, you will want as much of it as you can get! 

What do I wear at Kia Kima?
The camp staff is a very proud bunch! They love their job and they love Kia Kima. We like to show our loyalty to the camp and our commitment to the Boy Scouts by wearing the correct uniform while we are at camp. We recommend that staff members purchase at least two “Class A Venture ” uniform shirts, and a number of “Class B” uniform parts. A complete uniform consists of the correct shirt, shorts, socks and belt. Uniform parts can be purchased at cost by staff members at the Chickasaw Council Service Center or the camp Trading post. Staff members are expected to wear Class A to breakfast and dinner and Class B to lunch. Adverse weather may require different uniforms to be worn. Your uniform will be inspected regularly. Be sure you purchase the green Venture Shirt and gray Venture Shorts.

Do I get any time off at camp?
Working at camp can be busy and even stressful at times. We all need a chance to relax and take a break from the exciting schedule of summer camp. Each staff member is given one night off a week. Nights off are great opportunities to spend time with friends from camp and travel into Hardy or Ash Flat, go to Wal-Mart, eat real food, play putt-putt, whatever! Our staff can chose between Monday, Tuesday or Thursday night to take off. If you are unable to drive, there should be plenty of people going into town. Remember, if you are under 18 you must have a parental note to ride with another person. The staff is also given almost twenty-four hour off each weekend. Once tent crew has been complete and the last troop has left camp, the staff will be dismissed. Usually it is well before noon, but the official dismissal time is at 12:00. The staff is not expected back at camp until 11:00 on Sunday. 

But what about the girls at the beach?
Well, this summer, they may have to come and see you on Friday nights! At Kia Kima Scout Reservation, the total dedication and commitment of each staff member is expected and necessary if camp to be successful. Although exceptions to this rule can be arranged through the Program Director, staff are not permitted to be absent from their duties for any length of time. Extenuating circumstances and special requests should be submitted in writing to prior to staff week. If you have any serious concerns, please supply these on your staff application. We are happy to work with you in your situation. 

What is “Tent Crew”?
Tent Crew is everyone’s favorite job at camp! Troops at Kia Kima are given the opportunity to select which campsite their troop will stay. Some of the sites contain Boy Scout tents and platforms. As a result, the camp staff uses Saturday morning and Sunday afternoon to set up the campsites and make adjustments in the numbers of tents in the site. It’s hard work, but like everything else at Kia Kima, it’s also fun! 

When does camp begin?
Summer Camp 2008 will officially kick off for the camp staff on May 26! Although the first of the Scouts will not arrive for another week, the camp staff will spend a week getting to know one another, developing our skills as managers, counselors, instructors, customer service specialists and completing the physical preparations required for each area. We will operate on weekly cycles until July 12. The last few days of the summer are used to shut the camp down and prepare for the fall and winter programs.

What about smoking?
The use of tobacco products, alcohol and narcotics by members of the Camp Staff is strictly prohibited at any time during the course of employment. Violation of this rule, in any form, shall result in immediate termination and if applicable, intervention by law enforcement. 

Where will I live?
At Kia Kima, each staff member is provided, at no cost, a place to live for the summer. Although some of the facilities could use improvement, most are very comfortable, and by the end of the summer, feel just like home! Your quarters while you are at camp is indeed your home away from home. We encourage all staff members to develop their quarters and make them as comfortable as possible. Be careful with what you bring too. Although rare, damage to or theft of personal property does sometimes occur. Please note that Kia Kima is not responsible for damage or theft. 

What if I get sick at camp?
No problem! Our Health Lodge staff is trained to handle most any minor accident or illness. Any serious illness or problem will be directed to one of the local hospitals. As a member of the camp staff, you will be covered under the health insurance policy of the Boy Scouts of America. 

Can I wash clothes at camp?
Of course! There are several different washer/dryer sets located throughout camp. Each of these is available for staff use. Be sure to bring laundry detergent. Bar soap won’t work so well in the machines! 

What about talking to my friends back home?
Staying in touch with your family and friends is important and we encourage all of our staff members to keep in touch with everyone from back home! There are pay telephones in the Staff area that are available for use by the staff. Mail via the United States Postal Service is received and sent six days a week.

Can I have visitors?
Yep! Every Friday night is Family Night. Your family and friends are all invited to come to camp and visit with you, see where you live and what you do! During the rest of the week, we ask that families and friends allow you to focus on your responsibilities to camp and the program! 

How will I learn all that I need to know?
We will teach you! At Kia Kima, we develop our staff members. Your training will begin at Staff Interview Day. This will be followed up with Staff Training Weekend, held in March. During Staff Week, you and your fellow staff members will participate in intensive training led by our National Camp School trained leadership team. In fact, the training program developed by this training team has been a model for several camps across the United States. Your training will not end at the end of staff week. Staff meetings, staff lunches and every day on the job are used as exciting educational opportunities! 

Okay…I’m sold! Now what?
Fill out an application. Once you have applied, your application will be immediately submitted to our staff database and you will receive an e-mail confirming the receipt of your application. In a few weeks, you will receive a letter regarding staff interview weekend.

What is the CSD Program?
The Camp Staff Development Program provides an opportunity for Scouts to learn about working on staff at Kia Kima. Participants live, eat, and sleep as staff members for two weeks rotating through the different areas of camp. In addition, several training programs and hands-on exercises during the two week period provide participants with excellent knowledge and background for working on staff. Scouts participating in the CSD program have an advantage in applying for staff the following year. If you have questions about the program, you can e-mail us or fax the CSD application.

Who is Eligible?
There are several requirements to be eligible for the CSD program. 

• be a registered member of a Boy Scout Troop or Venturing Crew
• be at least 15 years of age before arriving at camp or have completed the 9th grade
• have experience in unit leadership
• be in good physical condition (a current medical form is required)
• have an interest in instructing Scouting skills to others through a rigorous training course.