Counselor Application deadline: January 31.
Decisions are announced by February 28.
Campers are split into groups of 12. Each group has its own counselor. In addition to group counselors, there are 1-2 “floating” counselors.
Counselors must reside in the dorm from Sunday night through Friday afternoon.
Counselors must be age 18+ by the start of camp. Our typical counseling staff includes experienced chess coaches, chess parents, and young adult players, and many former campers.
Parent counselors may room with their child or room separately. Young adult counselors usually room with another counselor. Older adults will be given a single room.
Counselor Expectations and Responsibilities:
Counselors shepherd their 12 campers around and help maintain order in the classroom. They also do bed checks, wake ups, supervise recreation activities, and assist camp in whatever way that is required.
This job requires a very high energy level – often working non-stop from 7:00am through the nightly staff meeting at 11:00pm.
Good counselors act as surrogate parents for their group, reminding campers to brush their teeth and eat healthily. Group counselors are usually a “13th member” of their group, and may participate in the Castle Challenge and evening activities. They may also receive an evaluation by their instructor.
Counselor Requirements:
Functioning well with a minimal amount of sleep is a necessity. A sense of responsibility and urgency is also required. Counselors must follow directions efficiently, and work as part of a team with other staff members. Counselors do a lot of walking all week and will lead recreation activities.
The best counselors keep things in perspective and maintain a sense of humor. (Remember, camp is supposed to be fun.) Prior experience supervising children in Scouts, sports, school, church, and other organizations is a big plus.
Highly rated players are preferred for group counselors, who are “teaching assistants” to the instructors. Most group counselors are rated 2000+, with some rated over 2400.
All counselors must pass a background check.
Counselor Compensation:
Counselors receive room and board, staff polo shirts, a camp t-shirt, and optional entry into the Grand Prix Tournament. Counselor pay starts at $300 for new counselors, while more experienced counselors may receive more.
Really though, nobody does it for the shirts, food tournament entry, or the cash. They do it because they’re just as nuts about chess as the campers, and they want to be fully immersed.
Applying to be a counselor should never be viewed as a way to get “free camp.” Nor is it for parents who are only concerned about watching their own kid like a hawk and ignoring the rest of their group. Counselors are expected to put all of the campers’ needs above their own.
How to Apply:
We generally have a lot more people who want to be counselors than we have spots!
New applicants should apply here, explaining why you are interested and why you think you would be good at it. Provide two references, preferably from people who have direct experience watching you supervise children. Interviews may be arranged after you apply.
Past counselors just need to notify us that they are re-applying (use the link above or email us).
Questions regarding counselors: campdirector@castlechess.org