Boating staff work with the Michigania fleet of 50+ boats (butterflies, hobie cats, flying scotts, ensigns, kayaks, canoes, paddle boards, windsurfers, and a walloon). The staff teach lessons, lead excursions, skipper boats, and maintain the Michigania fleet. It is required that boating staff become lifeguard-certified before their start date at Michigania.

Staff working in the camp store interact with campers of all ages when they come to purchase candy, ice cream treats, postcards, travel toiletries, and many kinds of Michigania clothing and merchandise. Store staff are expected to engage campers and oversee the use of our camp point-of-sale system. No experience is required.

CAC staff provide programs for both adults and children on a daily basis (including ceramics, silk painting, batiking, glass fusion, beading, lanyards, leatherwork, etc.). The staff demonstrate and teach these crafts while maintaining the supplies and equipment in the area. CAC staff will be internally trained to work with ceramic and glass kilns and to teach all crafts.

Ropes staff provide a challenge-by-choice program that includes low-ropes group initiatives, a high ropes course, and several additional elements, including a giant’s swing, two racing zip-lines, the leap of faith, the giant’s ladder, and a climbing wall. Ropes staff are trained and certified at camp to belay and maintain the course, including the use of clic-its for the ropes course, an auto-belay system on the climbing wall, and a device that simulates free-fall as an exit to the ropes course.

Field sports staff run campwide athletic events, field games, and the archery field and range (recreational archery lessons are given, and achievements can be reached by campers). Field sports include soccer, softball, sand volleyball, bocce ball, table tennis, golf chipping, dodgeball, etc. Archery/field sports staff will be internally trained on archery safety guidelines and rules to all sports offered at camp.

Our fitness program has included yoga, yoga-pilates fusion, cardio drumming, Zumba, aerobics, water aerobics, kayaking, paddle boarding, the Michigania Mile race, hikes, running, dance, and collaborations with other program areas (cardio tennis, fitness ropes, etc.) or supervision of our fitness facilities. Fitness staff are expected to have some relevant experience and may require certifications depending on the offerings. Staff hired to teach yoga must be certified before arriving at camp.

Riding staff (and our 20-30 horses!) provide a recreational riding program of various level lessons and trail rides as well as various special events. Riding staff are expected to have some experience with horses and will be trained internally on safety expectations and camp-specific programming.

Housekeeping staff provide cleaning and supply distribution for camper and common spaces to ensure clear and clean spaces. Additional staff join the team to turn over after each week and aid in cabin cleaning led by the housekeeping staff.

Infirmary staff provide support for the physical health of campers and staff on site at Michigania. The Staff Mental Health Coordinator provides support for the staff’s mental, social, emotional, and physical well-being.

Kids Programs provide structured programming for kids ages 0-9. Age groups are split into 0-2 years old, 3 and 4 years old, 5 and 6 years old, and 7-9 years old. Kids Programs staff are expected to have some experience with children and will rotate through the age groups from week to week.

Kitchen staff, including “front of the house” hosts and kitchen staff, cooks, and dishwashers, ensure that three meals a day are provided to all campers and staff. Meals include salad/deli bars, desserts, coffee/drinks, hot food, and made-to-order meals like omelets. Kitchen staff are fully trained, and most roles do not require any previous knowledge or training.

Maintenance staff assist with groundskeeping, repairs, and other daily camp tasks for upkeep of the facility and grounds. These staff members serve on call some evenings to take care of any camper concerns that come up. Staff hired for maintenance are required to have a valid U.S. driver’s license.

Nature staff provide nature hikes, educational programs, boat trips, crafts, demonstrations, astronomy programs, and rock polishing. Staff members also work with the camp recycling program, composting/food waste program, the Michigania garden, and other educational opportunities. Nature staff are trained internally on an ongoing basis and learn about the fauna and flora that surround beautiful Walloon Lake and Michigania in addition to the various crafts, programs, and projects the staff provide.

Office staff provide service for campers in the camp main office and support the full-time administrative staff that handles all camp billing, records, logistics, communication, and other administrative functions. Experience working in an office is not necessary but preferred.

Riflery staff run a .22 range for both kids (5th grade and up – typically ages 10+) and adults as well as a trap range for shotguns (ages 15+), including specialty events to challenge excellent marksmen. Riflery staff will be internally trained in gun safety and care.

Swim staff guard the Michigania swimming area and provide swimming lessons. In addition, they provide special events and activities for campers of all ages (water carnival, inner tube water polo, water aerobics, etc.). It is required that swim staff become lifeguard certified on their own before their start date at Michigania.

Teen staff provide evening programs for campers ages 10-17 (Preteens: ages 10-12, Maize teens: ages 13 and 14, Blue teens: ages 15-17), including events like capture the flag, outdoor movies, improv games, and bonfires. Teens/Special Events Staff also support in program areas in the afternoons and with family events in the evenings. Their work schedule involves working in the afternoons and after dinner.

Tennis staff provide recreational tennis instruction for all ages, including pickleball lessons and tournament, host tennis tournaments, and maintain the various tennis courts across camp.