Job FAQs

All of our staff members must be 18 years old or older and at least one year removed from their high school graduation. Our international staff must be at least 21 years old.

Due to the structure of camp, we ask for a full summer commitment from the start of staff training to the last day of camp.

Staff members live in single room cabins with up to 10 campers and at least one other counselor. Each cabin has six sets of bunk beds and one electrical outlet. Bathrooms are located separately near the cabins.

Our camp curfew is 11:00 pm. Staff members will be expected to be in the cabins with the campers earlier than 11:00 on most nights.

Salary starts at $360 a week for a new staff member.

Time off while working at camp is limited. Staff members have about 1.5-2 hours off each day and a period of 20 hours off each week. There is one extended time off per summer of 27 hours. Most staff spend their time off on Catalina Island. It is costly and time prohibitive to try to leave the island during time off. Camping and exploring the island are time off favorites.

Interested International Staff should contact us by email info@catalinaislandcamps.com about opportunities this summer.

We require all staff members to possess current First Aid and CPR certifications prior to their arrival at camp. Waterfront staff will participate in a four-day lifeguard course at the beginning of staff training. They should have experience with swimming and feel comfortable in the ocean.

Weather at CIC is much like Southern California beach communities.  Day time temperatures are between 60 and 80 and nights rarely dip below 60.  The sun is strong and the winds can make the shade much cooler. Water temperature starts the summer in the low to mid-60s and often reaches 70 by the middle of August. Many people are surprised by how cool it is at night, especially if you are used to higher humidity in the summer.  CIC is very dry so the heat disappears quickly once the sun goes down.

Campers start to wake up with the daylight, sometimes as early as 6 am, especially at the start of each session.  Counselors wake up before or with their campers.  After breakfast, there are two activity periods before lunch. After lunch, there is cabin time out of the sun, followed by two more activity periods and showers before dinner.  After dinner is some free time play for campers followed by an all-camp evening program until between 8:30 and 9 pm. Lights out is typically by 10 pm.

Staff laundry is done for you once a week.  Laundry is washed, dried and returned to you folded and ready to store for its next use.

CIC prides itself on offering good food with a variety of options.  We can accommodate many special needs including vegan and vegetarian diets, and gluten and dairy-free needs.

Campers cannot bring phones to camp.  Staff may have their smartphone, tablet or laptop at camp but cannot use them except during time off.  CIC has internet access for staff. While it’s easy to keep up on email or basic social media, streaming videos, movies and music in our shared use is often difficult. Cellular access is limited. There is a phone for emergency use. CIC is not responsible for any electronic equipment you bring to camp. There is a safe storage location away from your cabin.

Because staff cannot carry their smartphones with them during the day, you are required to wear a watch and know what time it is throughout the day. Apple watches are not recommended because the camp environment is wet, dusty and rugged.

You may not use your smartphone for music. Streaming music is not allowed. We suggest you download the music you want to access during the summer to an audio player other than your smartphone.