Join Camp Staff!

This page will be updated as we begin hiring and filling job positions.

Our goal for First Term opening is August 2025!

Administrative Positions:

• Headmaster of Vitality: Sheillagh O’Brien
• Headmaster of Serenity: Virginia Leah Gaffney
• Headmaster of Sagacity
• Headmaster of Alacrity: Sabine Idalia Gray
• Director of Funds and Grants
• Director of Educational Materials
• Director of Accessibility
• Director of Scholarship
• Director of Student Affairs
• Director of Staff Affairs and Compensation
• Director of Public Initiatives
• Speaker of the Membership
• Speaker of the Student Body
• Speaker of the Staff

Officer Positions:

Requirements: Must be 18+ with high school diploma or GED, proficient in communications, responsible for time and material management, have experience in child care, experience with disabilities, chronic illnesses, and neurological conditions. Officers are expected to represent Camp at the “front of the house,” handling interactions between guardians and Camp, transitional periods of enrollment and departure, and responsibility for supplies and efficiency.

• Captain of Vitality House
• Captain of Serenity House
• Captain of Sagacity House
• Captain of Alacrity House
• Medical Technician
• Head Librarian
• Head of Recreation
• Supply Manager
• Office Manager

Staff Positions:

Requirements: Must be 18+, proficient in communications, responsible enough to handle time and material management, have experience in child care and care for persons with disabilities or chronic conditions

• Vitality House manager
• Serenity House manager
• Sagacity House manager
• Alacrity House manager
• Assistant to Med Tech
• Kitchen Staff (5 staff members)
• Barn Staff (5 staff members)
• Librarians (2 staff members)
• Recreation Leaders (2 staff members)

Prefectry Positions:

Requirements: Must be 16+, enrolled in high school or a graduate with a diploma/GED, be patient and experienced in leadership, child care, and have the responsibility to handle time and material management. 

• Vitality (2/20 Campers)
• Serenity (2/20 Campers)
• Sagacity (2/20 Campers)
• Alacrity (2/20 Campers)
• Jr. Med Tech (1/20 Campers)
• Library (1/30 Campers)
• Labs (1/30 Campers)
• Outdoor Rec Areas (1/30 Campers)
• Indoor Rec Areas (1/30 Campers)
• Office (1/50 Campers)

Camp Oak Hallows relies heavily on volunteered time and donations, as is essential for keeping tuition and program costs down for students and Campers. “Room and board” are included as compensation for staff members. Wages are tiered as above and standard for all staff members, not determined hourly.

Are you a good fit for Camp employment? Answer Y/N to the following and tally up your answers at the end.

1. I am responsible for my time and don’t struggle to manage my schedule
2. I am responsible for my materials and don’t struggle with preparedness
3. I am respectful of people and don’t discriminate against others
4. I am respectful of my environment and care about the state of my world
5. I practice safe behaviors without having to be reminded
6. I engage in conversation easily and people find me likable
7. I don’t often find myself homesick or in need of retreat
8. Spending prolonged amounts of time on-Camp will not hurt me physically or emotionally
9. I am patient and understanding with children
10. I like being outdoors and know how to do so safely and responsibly
11. I like physical activity and have few mobility issues
12. I am calm and collected under pressure
13. In the event of emergency, I have no problem remembering what to do
14. When my co-workers need help, I will offer my help, even if I’m supposed to be “on break.”
15. If a sick Camper woke me up at 3am, I would take them to the Infirmary, and not just tell them to go back to bed
16. I can handle the Texas heat, and know how to keep myself and others cool
17. I usually remember to wear sunscreen and to reapply
18. I would go through training (such as becoming a lifeguard or Med Tech) to be more helpful at Camp if upper-level staff asked me to
19. I’ll only complain about chores a little bit, and still get them done
20. I am ready to have limited access to my personal technology and won’t get burned out if I have to wait until Lights Out hours to check social media
21. I understand that different Campers need different things, and I am prepared to figure those things out and do my best to provide that care
22. I use deodorant and engage in good hygiene and grooming behaviors without having to be reminded
23. I would be proud to work for Camp Oak Hallows
24. I would only sometimes count down the minutes to my break, and never show my frustration or eagerness in the presence of Campers, families, or other non-Staff personnel
25. I have my physical and mental health in check, and know the warning signs of oncoming stress or difficulty relating to my personal health

How’d you do? If you answered at least 3/5 (15) of these questions with a “Yes,” you should consider applying to camp. If you found yourself more often thinking, “That’s not me,” maybe now is not the best time to consider employment for Camp Oak Hallows.

When you work for Camp, you’re not just caring for yourself. You’re caring for Campers, your fellow staff members, and the environment you’re living in. It is essential to have not only your personal health under control and well attended, but also be prepared to face the stress of caring for the lives around you. Sometimes, Camp life can be more stressful than life off-Camp, but it’s important to remember that for many of the people and animals around you, Camp is home, and respecting Camp is the first step of being a part of it.

Staff Rules and Guidelines

• No staff member will engage in private romantic, sexual, or otherwise “adult” relationships with a Camper or student, no matter the age or “innocence” of the relationship.
• No staff member will use drugs, smoke, or drink alcohol in the presence of a Camper, student, or non-Camp personnel such as families and guardians while on-Camp or off-Camp while representing Camp (in Camp clothes or vehicles.)
• No staff member will engage in inappropriate behavior on- or off-Camp such as illegal, disruptive, lude, or discriminatory activities, even when off-duty, and especially not in the view of Social Media. Staff should never be “high,” “drunk,” or inebriated while on-Camp without the express, direct consent of Admin, even while off-duty. This will result in removal from Staff.
• Personal technology such as cell phones, tablets, computers, and gaming devices should not be used for personal entertainment during on-duty hours (don’t watch Netflix while your Campers are doing a craft project.) Limit use of personal technology to the occasional photo op, playing appropriate music for your group,  emergency situations, and off-duty time. Remind Campers to limit their personal technology use to times specifically designated for the use of personal technology. Kapers Time is not the time for texting Mom and Dad, that can wait for lunch or a Free Hour. You don’t have to stop and look at every picture immediately after you take one, or post it on the spot.
• Try to represent Camp Oak Hallows in the best way possible. Wear Camp attire, use sunscreen and bug spray, speak in respectful terms, and maintain a positive attitude – even if on the inside you’re seething and want nothing more than to play The Quiet Game for the next several hours.
• Follow prescribed methods of behavioral correction and misbehavior punishment.
• Be accessible to Campers, students, families, and other staff members as much as possible. The occasional need for Me Time is understandable, but you shouldn’t be disappearing to the Don’t Talk to Me Closet more than twice a week for short periods of time.
• Be energy efficient, and help others be efficient too. Don’t leave fans or lights on when you’re not using a space. Only plug-in when low on battery, and you really need to charge. Try not to run AC and heat outside of the 70s range. Only use undamaged equipment and wires. Don’t leave vehicles running when not in use.
• Be water efficient, and help others be efficient too. Try to keep showers short. Shave with a bucket of water and towel without the water running. Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth or wash your face (you don’t leave the Coffee tap running while you’re drinking.) Water plants with a can instead of a hose. If you find something running but no one seems to be around, turn it off.
• Be time efficient, and help others be efficient too. Campers like to stay busy, and having downtime can lead to homesickness, boredom, frustration, and can call attention to depression, anxiety, or other discomfort. Make transition time minimal. Try not to let the entire group slow down for just one or two Campers. Facilitate learning and engagement whenever possible. Keep an “Instant Activity” list on you for emergencies.
• If you can share it, share it. If you don’t want to share it, don’t let others know you have it. If you can’t share it, be kind when you tell those who ask for it that it’s not for sharing or can’t be shared at the moment.
• Expect the unexpected. There is no such thing as a dull day at Camp. Every day brings new challenges, and Experience Points add up fast. Regular meetings and communication flow among staff and prefectry will encourage growth as a team and help keep Camp strong as a family. Sometimes Campers who were fine just two seconds ago are suddenly throwing up something pink and slimy. Sometimes a scraped knee can seem like Life or Death. Sometimes, even though I’m pretty sure I signed up for us to use the pool right now…,  you may find yourself needing quick thinking skills and a little cooperative energy.
• Be honest. Don’t take on tasks you’re not ready for. Speak up when you’ve been pushed into being responsible for things you’re not confident in your ability to manage. Never be afraid to ask for more time or supplies or help. Know your limits, communicate them. Don’t try to look more responsible than you are, because Campers can see right through unpreparedness, and will have no problem throwing a curveball or calling you out. Improvisation is fine, as long as you tell an Officer or Admin what’s going on. Don’t try to keep problems under wraps. If they get too big to manage, you don’t want to be caught having to explain why you didn’t report a bullying situation earlier.
• Be understanding. Campers and students come from all kinds of backgrounds. Some are just here for the view of the stars. Some are here because home life isn’t safe, or maybe there is no “home” right now. When you see a Camper in need, find a way to fill their needs without calling out that need. If you think it’s possible, try communicating with a Camper about the need before you try to fill it- there’s a difference between “I forgot my toothbrush” and “I don’t have enough clothes for the week, or a way to do laundry.”
• Try new things! Help Campers try new things! Just also be safe about it, and use your better judgment when it comes to Campers requesting to try things. If you’re not sure, ask an officer or Admin.
• Do your best to respect others and their properties the way you expect yourself and your properties to be respected. Don’t be a hypocrite when it comes to who’s really allowed to be using their phone right now. Pranking someone is an invitation to be pranked. Spraying a hose at someone is an invitation to be sprayed. You get the idea. (If you don’t, maybe you shouldn’t be applying for a job as subjective as this.)
• Know when it’s time to be a leader, and when it’s time to be led. Be respectful of your fellow Camp members, both youth and Staff. Taking the lead is honorable and often fun, but stepping back is not shameful, or weak. It takes just as much respect and confidence to be a Captain as it does to be an assistant, or even just a part of a group. Getting up and leading a game is great, and having the spirit and drive to do so makes you a great addition to Camp- but don’t fight for the spotlight. Try not to compete with others when it comes to whose ideas are being utilized at the time.
• Have ideas and share them. Some people aren’t artsy, some aren’t athletic, and some really aren’t into math… but everyone’s got something. Try to participate in the endless innovation of Your Thing. Invent games, design craft projects, lead tutorials, just be a part of the ingenuity and growth of Camp and its stockpile of ideas and resources. If you’re shy about your ideas, feel free to submit them in writing, or have a personal meeting with an officer or Admin. There is no shame in shyness or presentation anxiety!

We hope to see you soon!

Love, The Headmasters