Scroll through our frequently asked questions below to get the answers you need – or feel free to call or email us to learn more about being a staff member at Skyland Camp & Retreats.

Tell me about Skyland Camp & Retreats.

Since 1917, campers have come to Skyland and found something amazing: Themselves. At Skyland, campers learn to embrace their own true selves, challenge their limits, and build some of their most meaningful connections with others.

With no more than 50 campers per session, each individual is an important member of the Skyland community. In fact, even the youngest and newest campers have opportunities to grow, lead, and contribute. Staff members provide individualized attention that helps campers find mentors of all ages. It is not uncommon for someone to leave Skyland feeling like she has gained a few grandmothers, lots of cool moms, aunts, older cousins, and scores of sisters.

What are Skyland’s Values?

The following values guide us both as an organization and as individuals in our work.

• Loving Kindness – We show consideration towards others. We listen, value the voices of others, lend a helping hand, and stay connected.

• Collaboration – We acknowledge the skills, contributions, creativity, and experience that we all bring with us. We listen to each other’s feelings, opinions, and ideas.

• Curiosity – We embrace saying “I don’t know”! We ask questions, stay in the moment, and we never grow bored of learning new things.

• Service – We value what the practice of service teaches us about ourselves and our relation to others. We are attuned to and care about each other’s experience, needs, and expectations. We treat each other, and ourselves, with grace.

• Integrity – We conduct ourselves with honesty, fairness, truth, candor, and respect. We treat others as they want to be treated. We focus on the collective good.

How old do I need to be to work at Skyland?

• LEAD Counselors – 16 years old
• Jr. Counselor – 17 years old
• Counselors: 18+ years old
• Administrative staff: 20+ years old and a college graduate or equivalent experience. Additional experience may be required depending on position.
• Maintenance/Housekeeping/Kitchen staff: at least 16 years old.

What are the campers like?

Skyland serves a diverse array of campers! We love welcoming youth and adult campers to Skyland, and strive to create a space where all are welcome and comfortable.

At Girls Camp campers are girls entering 1^st – 10^th grades. Some are outgoing, adventurous, and excited and some are quiet, curious, and just learning to take risks and try new things. Skyland campers represent a variety of states in the U.S., from the Southeast to the Midwest and all the way to the West Coast.  We’ve even had campers and counselors from other countries!  They come from all different kinds of families and backgrounds. Some campers are third- and fourth-generation Skylanders, and others are the first in their families to ever attend camp.

What are my responsibilities as a staff member?

While each person at Skyland has a specific role and responsibilities, we work together as a team to provide the best experience for campers. Skyland hires people who go beyond the basics – people who will use their thoughtfulness, creativity, and ingenuity to make camp special. The job description for the position for which you are applying explains the specific responsibilities and essential functions for your role. The collaboration and versatility that each staff member brings to the team is part of what makes working at camp such a rewarding job.

What is a Camp Counselor?

For our girls’ camp, counselors are the front-line mentors and teachers for Skyland campers. They are both cabin and activity counselors. They live and sleep alongside their campers in the cabin, facilitate effective (and sometimes goofy) bonding activities during free time, and help campers who might be learning new skills for the first time. During our adult camps, counselors will be housed in staff-only residential areas and will be responsible for leading activities and assisting with hospitality tasks.

In their activities, counselors are the people who make the activity happen, from planning for each of the different age groups, to gathering supplies to leading each activity with campers. Counselors will also have special “additional duties” like planning an evening all-camp Clubhouse activity, handing out mail during mail call, or setting up s’mores for the fire, among others.

Who are my co-workers?

While many staff members are former campers, we also hire plenty of staff who are new to Skyland. Many counselors are college-aged students or graduates interested in leadership and personal growth, youth development, teaching, and exploring the outdoors. Administrators share similar interests and are often professionals in the activities they teach or in their administrative roles. The other part of the staff is our amazing team of maintenance and housekeeping staff, who are local employees responsible for much of the upkeep around Skyland Hill.

Do I work all summer or can I pick just a couple of weeks?

Skyland is able to provide flexible contract dates for staff. View our staff dates and explore our programs to decide which dates suit you and your summer schedule best.

What will my living situation be like?

During Girls Camp, residential staff members live with campers in the facilities provided by the camp. During Adult Camps, residential staff members live in staff-only facilities, separate from campers.

Living facilities are permanent buildings and cabins that combine the comfort of the indoors and the excitement of living in the fresh air of the Great Smoky Mountains. Living facilities are equipped with screened-in sleeping porches where campers and staff sleep and often spend free time. Staff members have rooms separate from campers in which to keep personal belongings. All living areas have restrooms and most have showers.  There are additional showers located near the cabins in our “shower house”.

Can you accommodate my dietary preferences or allergies?

At Skyland, we pride ourselves on serving wholesome, made-from scratch food and using plenty of local produce. Three meals each day are served family-style and each table accommodates six or seven people. As role models to campers, it is important that staff members eat what is served and encourage campers to try new things. Healthy proteins and fresh fruits and vegetables are plentiful at each meal and a healthy salad bar at lunch and supper and oatmeal bar at breakfast provide a variety of choices.

Staff also has access to a shared refrigerator and storage space for food they may want to have available, provided that it is kept in sealed containers, eaten only during time off periods, and not eaten in front of campers. Unfortunately, Skyland is not able to accommodate severe or life-threatening food allergies, but does provide vegetarian and vegan options, as well as options for gluten and dairy sensitivity (100% gluten and/or dairy-free cannot be guaranteed). If you have specific dietary concerns, let us know and we’ll be happy to discuss options.

Will there be bugs, spiders, and other creepy crawlers?

Absolutely! Don’t be surprised if a Daddy Long Leg spider dances on the mirror while you brush your teeth in the morning.  On a rare occasion, we may see a harmless black snake sunning himself in the nearby woods. One of the benefits of working and living in the outdoors is interacting with all of the other cool creatures that inhabit our world.

How are we paid?

Skyland offers a competitive seasonal camp compensation package that includes weekly compensation, full room and board, weekly laundry service, and paid time off.  You will receive payment at the end of the summer.

Can I bring my car?

Of course! Some staff members drive their cars to camp, and we provide staff parking in which to keep those vehicles. Often staff members appreciate having their vehicle at camp so they can use it on their time off. If a staff member does not have a car, they usually take their time off with someone who does, or another staff member may lend them their vehicle.  Those who choose to bring a vehicle to camp assume all risks and liabilities.

Does Skyland have a religious affiliation and/or service?

Skyland is an independent camp and has no religious affiliation. Campers and staff of all faiths and beliefs are welcome to join and strengthen our community. In its early years Skyland (like many camps in that era) adopted some Christian practices. While most are no longer in practice, some of those rich traditions are still present today. You’ll see those traditions in the pre-meal blessings, or songs of thanks, as well as in our Sunday night Vespers service and some choir songs.

Vespers is a Clubhouse event held on Sunday evenings. It is a non-denominational service in which values such as friendship, loyalty, gratitude, and stewardship for the earth are honored. Vespers is also a beautiful opportunity to learn about, celebrate and respect the traditions of religions and cultures from across the world.

Do staff members wear a uniform?

On most days, no. Staff are free to wear what they choose, permitted it is appropriate for the population and activities of the camp. Shorts, t-shirts, closed-toe shoes and occasionally Teva/Chaco style sandals are common camp attire, plus warmer layers for cooler days and nights. If you’re in the riding ring, you should wear jeans or riding pants, and boots. If you’re at the swimming pool, you’ll wear a swimsuit. Please don’t bring anything that advertises or is related to drugs, alcohol, sex, violence, tobacco, or, that suggests intolerance or lack of respect for others. Staff members will receive at least one Skyland staff shirt to wear on special occasions, such as on opening and closing days and our weekly Vespers service. More on what to wear and bring can be found on the staff packing list.

What if I get sick?

The camp nurse and infirmary are available to camp staff just as they are to campers. If further medical attention is required, we will help you make arrangements to receive that attention. The costs of prescriptions, doctor and hospital visits, and any other services rendered are the responsibility of the individual staff member and that of their insurance company. Staff must submit health forms and release waivers prior to arriving at camp.

Will I be able to stay in touch with friends and family at home?

Yes, although it may not be the frequency to which you are accustomed. We encourage staff to use the opportunity to ‘unplug’ at camp, just like the campers do. What a great time to make use of good ‘ol fashioned snail mail! You may decide to bring cell phones and laptops, though individuals who do so assume all risks and liabilities. You are welcome to take care of any personal business on time off, including use of cell phones and laptops and keeping in touch with people away from camp. These special technology privileges should not detract from a staff member’s work nor be used in the presence of or made evident to campers since they are not allowed to have cell phones, computers or tablets at camp.

How does time-off work?

Residential staff members receive 24 hours of paid time off each week.   Staff time off is scheduled in either one chunk or two 12-hour blocks depending on the needs of camp. In addition, residential staff members have daily time off, either through a free activity period or other accommodation during which they do not have assigned camp responsibilities. Staff members use free time to take care of personal matters, relax, and explore the offerings in the surrounding area. Time off is coordinated by camp administration. 

Who do I contact with questions about my application?

Please contact our hiring team at mailbox@skylandcamp.com or (828) 279-6826.