Youth Leader Interest

Thank you for sharing more about your child's interest in joining our youth leader program at our classic Monkey Business Camps. Youth Leaders play such a vital role at camp, assisting the staff in creating the magic, fun and safety our camp is known for!

If your child is a returning youth leader, you can fill out this shorter version.

The youth leader program works best for kids who:

1) show a strong interest in mentoring younger children and kids look up to them
2) love the outdoors & camp in general- “It’s a lot of fun!”
3) have very good social emotional and group dynamic skills 
4) show strong capacity for kindness
5) can commit to coming entire session signed up for, every day, for all hours 8:25-4:35, unless there is sickness that requires them to be out last minute.  

If you wish this was true for your child, or only certain aspects are, it is best to wait and start out smaller, like perhaps with doing babysitting for a neighbor and seeing if there is some interest.

Counselors in Training (CIT): Ages 11+
Junior Counselors (JC): ages 14+
JCs mentor the CITs, so if they have not been to our camp before, we begin them in the CIT role. You can request discounted mid-tier JC pricing in this application for older CITs, if your child has a lot of experience at other camps. 

Camp Hours: 8:25-4:35pm, with mid day half hour break; and weekly team meetings, which are usually Tuesday afternoon.

There are fees for this program. For specifics, see camp webpage.

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* 1. Parent/Guardian Name

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* 2. Parent/Guardian email address

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* 3. Please enter a cell number where we can text you in the case of an opening. Depending on the timing, we sometimes e-mail AND text, especially when more last minute.

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* 4. Name, date of birth and pronouns of potential youth leader. For example, Peter, 6.2.2011, uses they/them pronouns.

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* 5. Will they attend with sibling(s) or do they want to attend with a friend?  Please note, that we try to group friends together, but not always possible.  Please add more about any details regarding that here.

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* 6. Current school (or name if homeschooled)

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* 7. New to Monkey Business Camp or Return?

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* 8. Which camp sessions do you want to register for? Choose all that apply. If you are unsure about all now, e-mail office@monkeybusinesscamp.com later with any updates. We recommend no more than 6 week sign-ups for youth leaders, and for new  youth leaders who have never been to camp before, only 3 weeks.

If you do not see a session listed, that means it is full for new youth leaders or entirely full. You can make a note below to be added to the waitlist.

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* 9. I can commit that my child will attend all dates of camp (they are only on weekdays) if accepted, and will show up on time daily at 8:25 and stay until the end of each day at 4:35 (note, if coming with sibling, it is okay for them both to come 8:30 and leave 4:30).  I will schedule appointments or vacation time after camp hours or on weekends.  Of course, for sickness, they should stay home.

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* 10. I understand that my child, as a youth leader does not have flexible arrival or pick up times, like campers do. The staff need their assistance at the start and end of the day.

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* 11. I understand part of the orientation to camp is for my child and myself to read youth leader handbook to help us orient to camp and the youth leader role.  I will also make sure they fill out a review question survey by Sunday, May 19th or asap if after that time.

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* 12. Can your child attend the Youth Leader In Person Appreciation and Orient?
Date and Time: Wednesday, May 22nd, 5:15-8:00 (arrival from 5-5:15)
Location: Tilden Meadows site
Youth Leaders will get a chance to tie dye a T-shirt that we will provide, eat a delicious dinner and dessert, pick up their gear, and learn about helping out this summer, our 26th! 
This is highly recommended not to miss, but if you absolutely cannot make it, you can still attend camp as a youth leader and you will orient in other ways, reading the handbook and then once on site at camp.

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* 13. Tell us about your child's interest in being a youth leader at our camp. Do they have any experience in this role or with volunteering or working with groups of kids?  Especially if they are new to camp, it is helpful to get more information here.

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* 14. The youth leader program works best when kids have 1) shown a strong interest in mentoring younger children and kids look up to them 2) a love of the outdoors & camp in general- “It’s a lot of fun!”, 3) very good social emotional/group dynamic skills & show strong capacity for kindness, and 4) ability to put the campers needs before own. Do you agree these things apply currently to your child?

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* 15. Share more about the above in regards to your child and include some qualities they will bring to camp

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* 16. Which three would your child be most called to help kids with at camp?

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* 17. What were some activities they enjoyed when they were younger and what are some now?

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* 18. What could be a challenge for them?

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* 19. Older CITs (usually 13+) may be offered mid-tier JC pricing, especially if they have a lot of experience as a youth leader at our camp (or other camps or doing child care/babysitting for groups of kids). Would you like to request that?

If your child does not qualify for Older CIT pricing but you still need financial assistance, please see more details about how to apply, whether you are new to financial aid or if you have received before and would like to receive again this year.

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* 20. Financial Aid:
1) If your child is a former camper who received financial aid in the past two years, and financial situation remains the same and you would like for them to be considered for the same financial aid for this year, please check YES below.
2) If your child is new:  Apply for financial aid here.
At times, some sessions become closed to financial aid, as funds have been used.

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* 21. Anything else you would like to share that was not covered on this survey?

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* 22. IMPORTANT TWO NEXT STEPS BEFORE WE CAN GET BACK TO YOU:
A) to help start transition into idea of being in a  youth leader role, whether your child has been a camper or not, please send a video or a link to a video (if file too large) of your child answering these 5 questions.  This usually takes just a few minutes, although with prep time for them to think about answers before, a bit longer: 
1) Name a couple things you are most excited about camp if you were to join Monkey Business at Tilden Park.
2) Name a favorite board or card game that you'd like to play with the kids.
3) Is there anything that makes you nervous about being a youth leader?
4) Name an adult in your life who you look up to and what you admire about them?
5) Why do you think kids like you?

B) e-mail Zach Bigelow that you have filled out interest survey and with the video or video link: programs@monkeybusinesscamp.com

Once we have both your interest survey and video/video link, our aim is to get back to each person as soon as possible, but sometimes things get very busy with camp, so please reach out to Zach at the e-mail above, as needed.

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