Our staff knows how important the experiences at Black River Farm and Ranch are to a young girl and how the memories they are making at camp will last a lifetime because they were once BR girls! The BR is unique in that we give each camper has the opportunity to come back as a staff member. If during their last year as a camper they can prove they are ready to be a good role model, hard worker, and have a positive attitude we invite them back to be a Counselor in Training. Our Counselor in Training program is for girls who are 16 years old and ready for the responsibility of assisting in the cabins, riding rings, and dining hall. CITs have the opportunity to come back as Assistant Counselors when they are 17 years old. ACs are the counselors’ right hand ladies. They assist the counselors and learn the ropes as they prepare to become cabin counselors and riding instructors the next year.
Our counselors are an outstanding group of ladies who are BR girls, college students or graduates, positive role models, horsewomen, hardworking, understanding, kind, unique, fun, and ready take on the challenge of inspiring young girls. Our staff is critical to our success and we believe that they are the best at what they do.
BR LEADERSHIP PRINCIPLES
- Wellness: Nothing is more important than our campers’ and animals’ safety and well-being and we know that taking care of our campers and animals starts with taking care of ourselves. Working at camp is a demanding job, mentally, physically, and emotionally. We aim for a happy and healthy staff who can balance rest with work and fun.
- Vulnerability: being our authentic selves encourages communication and collaboration and pushes us to make connections with our fellow staff and our campers. A culture of courage promotes us to be open and honest about our beliefs, values, and mistakes.
- Passion: the BR is an incredibly beautiful place with a lot of nice trees, buildings, and horses, but it is nothing without the BR spirit, and that spirit starts our staff and the energy they bring every single day. Their authenticity and confidence are a model for our campers. Whether it’s natural horsemanship or archery, each and every one of our staff members are invested in camp and as they work through the program from Counselor in Training to 3rd Year Counselor, they find their passion. We love what we do and it shows.
- Planning, organizing, executing, and innovating: putting together an activity for 130 people is no easy task, day in and day out our staff do it and they do it well. From the conception of a great idea to the incorporation of that idea into the camp environment, our staff see things through and always work to improve the camp experience for themselves and their campers.
- Growth mindset: year after year, session after session, our staff evolve. They strive to become their best and then help others to become their best. BR staff seek and accept feedback and value the power of education. They bounce back after disappointment and every hurdle is a chance to grow as an individual and a team. Within each of us is inherent worth a potential for growth.
- Ownership and accountability: BR staff never shy away from having the hard conversation, they conduct themselves with integrity, and lead by example. They don’t ask people to do things you wouldn’t do themselves. We are open, honest, and direct while maintaining the highest level of empathy and respect for ourselves and our fellow staff members.
WHY WORK AT CAMP?
Working at BR is the hardest job you will ever love and never forget!
This is not your average summer job or internship. Working at BR is SO MUCH MORE!
The benefits of being a camp counselor are not the paycheck (we know that is not why we do it) The camp experience is invaluable and will help you develop skills that will enhance your marketability. Whether you are applying to college or for a job in your professional life experience at camp translates to excellent management and personal skills.
At BR you will:
- Create a significant and positive impact in a child’s life
- Build a lifetime network of friends and colleagues
- Gain practical experience to further your education
- Earn possible internship credit. Check with your college advisor to see if you qualify.
- Develop and practice hands on leadership skills
- Grow in self-confidence
- Build an impressive resume by learning
- To communicate more effectively
- Decision making & problem solving critical thinking
- To work as part of a team
- How to manage others effectively
- Behavior management skills
- Planning and organization skills
- Coaching and teaching techniques
As a result of working at camp, each staff member will be better prepared to handle life’s stepping stones and stumbling blocks with flexibility and determination at school, home, work, and in their community.
STAFF APPLICATION PROCESS
Staff applications can be found in the staff portal. Please upload completed staff forms to your online profile once a position has been offered to you.
The paperwork necessary for staff is provided below. These documents are available in Adobe® .pdf format. You may obtain the .pdf reader at no charge from here.
Please contact the staff manager if you have any questions.
The forms packet explains what each staff person must complete based on their position. Forms must be completely filled out and require signatures from the staff member, parents, medical doctor, and school (CIT Work Permit). Please double check to ensure all signatures and witness signatures are complete before submitting.
Staff Forms
- BR Staff Forms To Be Completed _Under 18 _ 2020
- BR Staff Forms To Be Completed_ Over 18 _ 2020
- Staff Physical Form – Mandatory for all program staff
- Voluntary Disclosure Statement Mandatory for all staff
- Central_Registry_Clearance *18 yrs+ and MI resident only – Non-residents contact the staff manager
- All Staff Health History Form is in the online staff portal
Tax Forms
New employees must fill out all four forms. Returning employees must submit new forms if they would like to make a change to filing information.
New Hire Forms
- I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification – New Hires Only. Printable I-9 Form and I-9 Directions for Minors Link
- Letter of Recommendation for CITs and New Hires
- Work Permit for New Hires that are Minors – This form must be mailed to you please request a copy