"Being a part of Camp Stanislaus was the most formative experience of my life.  Working with the Brothers of the Sacred Heart, fellow counselors, and especially the campers taught me, through experience, many lessons that help me everyday.  As a father, husband, and as a physician, I carry the joy and richness of Camp Stanislaus with me all the time."
R. John Lassere, former counselor

Who Are Our Staff Members?
The staff at Camp Stanislaus consists of counselors and instructors chosen principally from among the teachers, coaches, former campers, and graduates of the Brothers' schools throughout the south.  Additionally, several Brothers assist with the daily operations of the camp in many different capacities.  There is approximately one staff person for every three campers. Approximately 65% of the staff members return on an annual basis.

Special Training
Most staff members have been certified in Boater Safety, CPR, First Aid, and lifeguarding.  On a daily basis, Camp Stanislaus emphasizes safety, leadership, camper enjoyment and camper development.  During the two-week orientation, the staff attends many workshops on all the activities.  These workshops include leadership, behavior and anger management, child welfare, activity instruction, and camp policies and procedures.

Basic Qualifications Of Our Staff
The qualifications are simple.  We want caring individuals who serve as Christian role models to the campers and who demonstrate leadership skills, self-motivation, dependability, self-discipline, a desire to learn new skills, and a willingness to work with young people.

Role Of The Staff
The staff serves as role models to the campers.  This is a principal factor when hiring because a camp can only be as good as its staff.  It is critical to the success of camp that we employ dependable, self-motivated, and caring individuals to care for the campers and who live a life of faith believing in the presence of God.  Their constant interaction with the campers contributes to the overall development of our campers.

Internal Leadership Development Program
Internal leadership development is a program of hiring, training, and promotion with the goal of cultivating staff from the campers.  Camp Stanislaus has an absolute commitment to this program.  Both in faith and in practice, the Camp Director and senior staff continue to make this a centerpiece of our "leadership mindset.”  Camp Stanislaus is committed to nurturing, selecting, and training our best campers to become leaders.  

In practice, this means…

• Camp gives top priority to homegrown leaders.
• Camp takes very seriously the competitive promotion of the older campers to the   position of counselor-in-training.
• Camp rigorously evaluates and trains the staff.
• Camp holds all members of the staff to the same high standards. 
• Camp treats all levels of leadership fairly.
• Camp wants the staff to understand the great responsibility that leadership entails.
• Camp wants the staff to continue to have fun as they enjoy their camp experience.

"I remember the good times we had rebuilding the pier, nailing our initials into the pier, and then later being questioned by Brother Noel as to where all the nails were going.  In addition, there have been some long lasting friendships with fellow counselors that have withstood the years."
Matthew Scardino, former counselor

Building Long Lasting Friendships
While working at camp a staff member will develop a life long friendship with his co-workers.  Often they visit each other during the school year, attend each other's weddings, and keep in touch for the rest of their lives.  A bond is formed among the staff as they will share many laughs and much hard work throughout the summer.  During orientation they will endeavor for long days as they get the sailing program ready or prepare the ski boats at the ski camp.  Then, when the workday is finished, they will sit around simply enjoying each other’s company with more jokes and laughter.  This is how their friendships form.

Having Fun at Camp
Once Camp begins and the campers arrive, the staff jumps right into their roles of providing a fun, safe, and learning experience for the boys.  The staff participates in many of the activities at camp along with the campers.  For example, when the campers go to the Wavepool, the counselors enjoy the outing as well.  It is not all-hard work, but they always remember that the campers' safety, enjoyment, and development are the most important responsibilities of their day.

"When you're tired from a day of skiing, sailing, laughing with friends, and teaching young men, you're doing something right."
Sonny Schindler, former head counselor

Swimming Abilities and Lifeguard Certifications
Given our location and number of water activities, lifeguard certification is strongly encouraged for all staff.  A course is scheduled during the staff orientation for those who are not certified before coming to camp.  There is no charge for this course, and camp pays an additional stipend of $200 for being a certified lifeguard.  Moreover, Mississippi state law requires the camp to have a specific number of lifeguards for all water activities.

Staff Benefits
Camp Stanislaus provides a competitive salary when compared to other summer camp programs.  There are three payroll periods.  The first is at the end of orientation, and the staff receives a payment of $300.  The remaining salary is divided in half for two pay periods. These include the end of the first three week session and the last day of "post camp". No money is needed on the camp facility by the staff.  Camp provides all meals, laundry service, snacks, and two camp shirts.  Additional shirts may be purchased if a staff member wishes.

Time Off
In order to get some needed rest, the staff receives necessary free time.  Nightly, most counselors are off duty from 9:30PM to 11:30PM. Counselors have free time to exercise, rest, or take care of personal business during their off period each day, Monday through Friday. Each of the counselors will also receive a long day off during the week.  The counselor is off from 8:00PM until 6:00PM the next evening.  The counselor may leave the camp facilities for the duration of his long day off.  

Activity instructors are off duty after dinner until 11:30PM and do not receive an activity period off during the day.  They are also off from Saturday at 8:00PM until Sunday at 6:00PM, which is their long day off each week.  Opening day does not count as an off day for these staff members.

Staff Special Meals
In addition to the three delicious meals served to all of the staff and campers at breakfast, lunch and dinner, the staff receives special meals from time to time.  For example, after mass on Sunday evenings when the campers are in bed, Dominos pizza or Popeye’s chicken is ordered for the staff to enjoy.  In addition, there are a few nights when everyone enjoys boiled shrimp or crabs.  Nightly, the canteen is opened by two assigned counselors to cook for the staff.  There is ice cream, soft drinks, hamburgers, fries, and more available for the staff between 9:30PM and 10:30PM.  The staff is well fed during the summer, and there is no charge for any of these additional items.  It is all covered by Camp Stanislaus.

Resume Builder
Working at a summer camp is a wonderful addition to your resume or college application.  Employers like to see that you worked with children since it helps define the personal character of an applicant.  In addition, a description of your experience will include words like motivating people, responsibility, maintaining a schedule and organizational skills.  All are key principles that employers consider when hiring staff or that college admission boards use to evaluate new student applications.

Personal Rewards
As a member of a summer camp staff, you have the opportunity to make a difference in a child's life!  The daily interaction between a staff member and camper can be instrumental in helping a camper develop his self-confidence, leadership, personal motivation, and respect for others.  At the end of the summer, many campers "walk a little taller" because of the positive influence of the staff.  The campers take that with them as they return to their families and school.  It is a wonderful feeling to have a parent tell you how much their child has changed because of his camp experience.  That is what makes it such a rewarding experience.