Staff Information Page:

Staff Orientation – Staff orientation begins at 12noon on Tuesday, June 10, 2008. This time is packed full of activities to help you get to know your fellow staff members, counselor trainings, activity trainings and to familiarize you with our site and procedures. Orientation is a probationary period and new staff will not be paid for this time. Also, time off is limited, so we suggest you are prepared for camp when you arrive for staff orientation.

Location – Mountain Camp is located on beautiful Ice House Lake. We are at least 30 minutes drive from the nearest town, Pollock Pines, CA. Sacramento is 75 miles to the West, and South Lake Tahoe is 45 miles to the East. San Francisco is ~170 miles to the West and is a 3.5 hour drive.

Living Arrangements – All summer counseling staff live in rustic cabins with 8-12 campers and one other co-counselor. Cabins do have electricity, but they do not have plumbing. Shower houses are located nearby. You will sleep on a bunk bed that has a mattress provided by camp. You will need to bring linens or a warm sleeping bag and pillow.

Transportation to camp – Camp will provide shuttles from Sacramento Airport on Sunday, June 8th and Monday, June 9th, between the hours of 10am and 5pm only. Please make flight reservations accordingly.

Transportation at camp - Summer staff members are responsible for providing their own transportation during time off.

Time Off –
Daily – Our day consists of four 1.5 hour activity periods. Most of our summer staff will work 3 of these 4 periods and have one of these periods off. These time periods are ideal for taking advantage of our natural local workout facilities (swimming, biking, hiking, running), using the staff computer, writing letters, showering, taking a nap, etc. In addition to your period off, every other night you will be off from 9:30-11:00. You will check out with the director on duty at 9:30pm and must be back on site and checked in by 11:00 pm.
Weekly – Staff members receive one 24 hour period off each week. Our day off begins at 5pm and ends at 5pm the following day. While there are many different places to see in the area, we are surrounded by beautiful forests and encourage you to go hiking or camping on your time off. Also, we’re approximately 45 minutes away from South Lake Tahoe, a great area to eat, shop and rest while away from camp.0

Food – Staff and Campers will be provided with 3 meals a day, plus a snack. Breakfast is typically a hot option with a cereal bar and fresh fruit. Lunch and Dinner have a hot option with a salad bar and a peanut butter and jelly table. There is a vegetarian option at every meal; however we cannot accommodate any other dietary restrictions. You are welcome to bring your own food to camp; however it cannot be stored in the cabin (due to pesky animals) and must be stored in the staff loft or staff refrigerator

Staff Loft – The staff loft is an area designated for staff members to spend time off, watch a movie or relax away from campers.

Personal Cell phones – Cingular/AT&T phone service are currently the only providers with cellular reception at camp (Staff members may only use personal phones during their time off and never in their cabins or around campers). Purchasing a Cingular/AT&T Pay As You Go plan will be beneficial for summer communication with friends and family.

Camp Phones – Mountain Camp has 3 cell phones that are used only by directors at camp for administrative purposes.

Computer Access – The staff area at camp has 3 computers available for use only during time off. These computers are connected to the internet via satellite and, unfortunately, reception is slow.

Laundry – Mountain Camp has 2 washing machines available for limited laundry service. We have a fluff and fold laundry service that is local and clothes can be dropped off with our store run and returned back to camp for a fee.

Weather – Although most of the summer our temperature stays between 60 – 90 degrees Fahrenheit, the beginning of the summer is typically very cold (We have had snow in previous years). Staff members will need a warm sleeping bag or extra blankets to keep warm at night. Also it is important to bring long sleeved clothing and a winter hat (although we are in California, we are not on the beach!).

Evening Program – Every night campers and counselors participate in an evening program activity. These include activities such as Beach Party, Dance, Capture the Flag or Olympiad Night. Staff are assigned responsibilities during evening program and will help plan and perform one evening program each session.

Night Activities – Every cabin will participate in one (post Evening Program) Night Activity each week. These activities include Night Kayaking, Night Hike, Star Gazing, etc. These activities are assigned and may conflict with your night out. All counselors must attend these night activities.

S.W.A.T. – Every other night, you will be onsite after campfire and responsible for keeping the campers safe and quiet.

Generator - Mountain Camp is powered by a generator. This means that during the hours of 11pm and 6am, we have no power. It will be necessary for you to have a flashlight (or headlamp) and some staff bring battery powered lanterns as well.

Curfew – The curfew for all of our summer staff is 11:00 pm (Trust us, you’ll be tired).

Personal Belongings – Please be reminded that you are living in a cabin with 8-12 campers ranging in age from 7-15. Most of your belongings will be in the cabin with you and Mountain Camp is not liable for any lost or stolen property. Staff are able to put small valuables (passports, plane tickets, cash, etc.) in our office lock box, and may store prescription medications with our nurse.

Visitors – Due to security concern, Mountain Camp does not allow summer staff to have visitors while camp is in session.

Use of Camp Equipment – Mountain Camp has equipment available to staff for personal use during time off. Campers always have first priority to all equipment checked out by staff, and any equipment used by staff must be returned in the same working condition. Staff is responsible for any damage to equipment while in their possession.

Alcohol, Tobacco, Drug Policy – Smoking is not permitted on camp property. The use of any controlled substances is absolutely prohibited while you are a staff member at Mountain Camp. Absolutely NO alcoholic beverages may be brought onto camp property and no one is to return to camp under the influence.

Check Cashing – Summer staff will be paid after each 2 weeks of camp. Mountain Camp banks with First Republic Bank and the nearest location is in San Francisco. There are check cashing stores in South Lake Tahoe, Pollock Pines, Placerville and Sacramento, all within an hour of camp. Also, South Lake Tahoe and Placerville are home to many state-wide banking institutions. Our local Safeway store has been known to cash checks as well from time to time.