Camp Echo Staff Newsletter
You are on this list because you were either on staff, participated as a CIT or volunteered during Summer 2022, worked at Camp Echo recently, are an interested alum, are on the Camp Echo Advisory Group, are interested in applying for summer 2023, or you just really like Camp Echo!
Note: Being on this list does not carry with it the guarantee of a job at Camp Echo in 2023.
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Summer 2023 Staff Application is LIVE!
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The staff application for summer 2023 is now live on CampInTouch.
Returning Staff Applicants
Please login to your CampInTouch account and follow the link on your homepage to the staff application.
New Staff Applicants
Deadlines to Apply!
December 1, 2022: Team Leaders
January 1, 2023: Activity Specialists, Trip Guides, Teen Staff
February 1, 2023: Traditional Camp Counselors, Support Staff, Wellness Team, Junior Staff (Round 1)
March 1, 2023: Junior Staff (Round 2)
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Help us build the best staff team yet! |
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REFER APPLICANTS! Do you work with someone who has a special skill set or would just fit right in with the Camp Echo squad? Would they make camp a better place for staff and campers? Word of mouth is the most common way that we get new staff at camp. Pass this opportunity along to others early and often. We will be sending $50 coupons to the Camp Echo online Trading Post to anyone who refers someone that is hired and completes their paperwork. (Application link for new staff!)
Don’t forget to attend our Zoom call next Monday, November 7 from 7-8 PM CT where we will share more about some of the updates to staff structure and programming for Summer 2023 as well as be available to receive questions and feedback.
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Summer 2023 Program & Staffing Updates
Programs
Trailblazers! Adventure Trips for 7th and 8th graders are returning! This trip will be a reboot of past adventures, with a twist. Trailblazers will spend a week in Traditional Camp before heading on trail with their counselors and an Adventure Trip Guide. Great opportunity for gradual skill/experience progression for campers AND staff.
On-Site Teen Trips! Our teen groups at Outpost & Birches, as well as our LITs & CITs, will have more time off-camp next summer. We are finalizing details for wilderness groups to do multi-day off-site trips camping at local state parks and/or canoeing local rivers and our leadership groups to visit state parks and/or other YMCA camps.
9th Grade Explorers! 9th graders will not be in Traditional Camp for Summer 2023, returning to our previous model of a leadership/service focused transition from Traditional Camp into Leadership programs. One week of camptivities (like Voyagers) before shifting to a more specialized week 2 curriculum.
Staffing
Activity Unit Leaders & Specialists: The addition of Activity Unit Leaders will give greater support and leadership to our activities throughout camp. A land and aquatics Unit Leader will develop and support Specialists while filling in gaps as necessary to support counselors who are working as instructors.
Dining Hall Stewards: In a continued effort to improve the food service experience at Camp Echo, we are hoping to hire two Dining Hall Stewards for Summer 2023. These Stewards would enhance the various “extras” that make a big difference at camp: salad bars, choice bars, snacks, beverages, and more. They will also work with staff and campers to ensure the Dining Hall is clean and organized at the end of each meal.
Pay Increase: We are thrilled to announce a seasonal staff pay scale increase of over 20%. Base pay for Traditional Camp Counselors is increasing from $330/week to $420/week. It is impossible to put a dollar value on the impact of our camp staff, but we are proud to be able to make this investment in our team and be on the leading edge of camp pay amongst YMCA camps in our region. (Review the Experience Guide linked below for more details on Summer 2023 pay and benefits.)
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Echo Office Assistant Position (Evanston, IL) |
Interested in joining the Echo staff team before Summer 2023? Come work with Lindy and Kristin in the Log Cabin at the Y. We're hiring a part-time Office Specialist to support camp's year-round administration and operations. The Office Specialist will work with Lindy and Kristin (and even Bernard!) about 20 hours/week. To apply, send a resume and cover letter to echoinfo@mcgawymca.org.
Please spread the word to anyone you think may be interested in this exciting opportunity!
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Check out the links below for important information about job descriptions, pay scale, and summer dates!
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In case you missed some of the best of the best from flag raising!
Did you know that Lake Superior is so big that you could pour all of the other Great Lakes into it, plus an extra two Lake Eries??
If you have a fun fact or joke to share, please email Lindy.
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Summer 2022 Staff Highlights |
Summer 2022 was incredible. Fun, hard, rewarding, challenging, and exciting for many reasons, and for our staff team, unforgettable! We had 167 staff throughout the summer. Our counselors, trip guides, support staff, wellness team, unit leaders, and kitchen staff provided unforgettable experiences to campers while striving to keep everyone safe and healthy and having fun, no matter the challenges.
Read below for some summer highlights!
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Ultimate Echo Warrior
Staff have fun, too! This summer, Kathryn Campbell hosted the Ultimate Echo Warrior competition. Congrats to this summer’s winner…
Amanda Aguiar !!!!
Great job Mandy girl. Keep those random skills and talents practiced throughout the year in preparation for Ultimate Echo Warrior 2023.
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End of Summer Awards
Each summer staff are asked to vote on awards for their peers. Below are the winners of the 2022 End of Summer Awards.
Below are the winners of the 2022 End of Summer Awards. They rock!
Good Guy: Nancy Hollingsworth
Rookie of the Summer: Diesel Armstrong & Isa Calazans
Unsung Hero: Celia Sanchez
Whatever It Takes: Jordyn Raymo
Volunteer of the Summer: Pat Hughes
Good Rookie: Lindy Tracey
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Starting in 2006, staff who worked more than 10 weeks at Camp Echo during the summer were awarded the "All Summer All Star" gifts. Past gifts have included a framed photo, a water bottle, a blanket and more!
The gift was a full-zip hoodie, designed by your favorite camp director, Bernard. The gift also included the traditional ASAS sticker. Start thinking about what an awesome gift idea for 2023 would be!
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15+ Week Staff
While we define "All Summer All Star" status as 10 weeks of work throughout the summer, we had some extra special rock stars that showed up early and/or stayed through September. Shout out to all the seasonal staff who worked 15 or more weeks!
Kat Stein, Daniel Loaiza Orozco, Marian Serna, Mike Ramirez Mayorga, Steven Burgos Sanchez, Ana Clara Couto, Atanu Dhar, Liam Melville, Amanda Aguira, and Celia Sanchez
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SPIRIT - MIND - BODY,
McGaw YMCA Camp Echo
1000 Grove St, Evanston, IL, 60201
P 847.475.7400 x259
The Y: For youth development, healthy living and social responsibility
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We send this newsletter out biweekly on Wednesdays, alternating with our other communications to the greater Echo community including parents and alumni.
If you are not interested in receiving this staff-focused newsletter but do wish to receive other communications from Camp Echo, please reply to this email and let us know so we can take you off this newsletter list. If you click unsubscribe at the bottom of the email, you will be completely removed from all of our Constant Contact lists!
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