Counselor Assistants

CA Intro

CA Program

At Camp Carolina, we pride ourselves on developing well-rounded young men, especially within our Counselor Assistant "CA" program for boys who have completed 9th-11th grades. Through our leadership training program, our biggest aim is to mold CAs into full-fledged counselors by increasing confidence, knowledge and experience. We work hard to have a healthy balance of extreme fun & enjoyment with practice in responsibility & ownership.

The CA Program Experience

The CA program has many aspects to it; however the biggest of those is giving CAs responsibilities and a taste of what it is like to be a counselor. Some of the duties include:

  • Assisting activity leaders to coach, supervise, prep & pack down activities while on both In-Camp activities and Out-of-Camp trips.
  • Supervising cabins overnight while the counselors are on "Leave".
  • Running and operating the service of every meal in the Dining Hall; handing out hot food, setting up, and cleaning up.
  • OD Duty: Manning the OD hut which is the first point of arrival when visitors drive in. Helping them with any initial inquiries while also taking down their information. This also includes ringing the Gong for our Daily Schedule.

We provide an activity program that is unique for the CA's. Twice a week, on Wednesday and Sunday, the CA’s will be taken out of camp on "leave". The activities are planned by the CA Head Counselor. These activities usually include some form of active fun (sometimes going to a local waterfall that other Tribes don’t get to go to, or going to the Gorge Zip Line Park) followed by eating out. The boys also take part in CA only overnight trips that focus on team work and peer bonding such as an overnight hike on the Art Lobe Trail.

For the CA Tribe, we are committed to creating an inclusive, close-knit family environment where everyone is free to express who they really are without prejudice or judgement. We take pride in the CA program and the testimonials from parents and CA’s alike demonstrate the special privilege it is to become a True Gentleman at Camp Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some of the questions we get the most about the CA Program. Don't see your question here? Reach out to us at info@campcarolina.com.

  • ELIGIBILITY

    Young men who have completed the 9th, 10th, 11th or 12th grades are eligible to be CAs. Enrollment is limited to a small group. Returning campers are given preference for registration. New prospects will then be given consideration. Occasionally we have cancellations because of summer school, accidents, or illnesses that provide openings in March, April or May.

  • RESPONSIBILITIES

    A Counselor Assistant is expected to take on many job duties. Please read about the duties below. If there are any questions or concerns regarding the ability to perform the duties, please email office@campcarolina.com.

    • OFFICER OF THE DAY (OD) DUTY: The OD Hut is the first entry point at Camp Carolina. The CA's role while on OD duty is to meet & greet all vehicles as they drive into camp, take the details for any vehicle without a "CCB" registration sticker, ring the Gong (which signals an announcement or change in activity), and answer the OD phone.
    • DINING HALL: The CAs as a collective work with the kitchen staff to set up and clean the dining hall before and after meals, three times a day.
    • COMMUNITY SERVICE: The CAs participate in a community service project for the Nath Thompson Scholarship Fund. This fund raises money to send less fortunate children to Camp Carolina and other camps in the Transylvania County area. Some of the community service work includes, but is not limited to - trail maintenance, or clearing a new camping site. 
    • ACTING CABIN COUNSELOR: When counselors have a night off, the CAs who have shown initiative, responsibility, and effectiveness have the opportunity to assist in the cabins and look after the campers. The CAs could be looking after campers aged anywhere from 6-14.
    • ACTIVITY/TRIP ASSISTANCE: During the day, the CAs will go to activities in camp or out on trips. During this time, their role is to assist the Activity Head and counselor in any way possible to ensure that the activity or trip is run as smoothly as possible.
    • GROUP ACTIVITIES: The CAs will have many opportunities to gather with their peers and participate in fun and adventurous activities in and out of camp.

    EVALUATION: AT THE END OF EACH WEEK CAs WILL BE EVALUATED ON THEIR JOB PERFORMANCE AND ATTITUDE. A SUCCESSFUL EVALUATION EACH WEEK ENTITLES THEM TO BE PAID FOR THAT WEEK.

  • pre-arrival requirements

    CAs are accepted on a provisional basis upon receiving the CampInTouch online Camper Application and the registration fee. To be fully accepted in the CA Program, the following must be on file:

    • Camper Application
    • Photo
    • Counselor Assistant Program Information document, signed and dated
    • Q&A documents, signed and dated (parent and applicant)
    • References supporting the applicant (first year only)

    After the above information is received and references are checked, we review the information and reserve the right to refuse acceptance of any applicant who in our judgment will neither benefit from nor contribute to the camp experience.

  • VISITATION

    Attending camp provides an extraordinary opportunity for the CA to gain the self-reliance, self-confidence and independence important to a young man's development. Therefore, the CA program should not be interrupted with visits by parents or relatives. We highly recommend that parents visit camp on Opening Day of the camp session. At this time, parents are encouraged to meet the staff and view the camp facility. Parents should not call their son except in an emergency or on a special occasion such as a birthday. If you have messages for or concerns about your son, please call us. CAs can use the office phone if required.

  • RETURNING CAs

    Only the highest qualified CAs are eligible to return the following year. Invitation is based on performance. Participants who have completed 2 different summer sessions as a CA and either graduated from high school or have completed their junior year in high school may be invited back as a Counselor In Training (CIT) the following summer based on performance. This is a tough age to take on the responsibility we require from these young men. We stand firm in accepting only the boys who show the leadership skills to be positive role models for the younger boys and to take this responsibility seriously.

    Camp for a young man in his late teens, more often than not, is much more structured than home. We only want participants here who are willing to improve leadership skills, focus on younger children instead of themselves, and give up some of the freedom and comforts they are used to at home. Most boys who come with the right focus find that although sometimes it is challenging it is also rewarding and fun! You must be 18 years of age, completed one year of university or similar and willing to commit to the whole summer to be a full-fledged member of the staff. The importance of the CAs' example for the younger campers cannot be overemphasized. Violators of our agreement are subject to dismissal without refund.

  • CA PAY SCALE

    Based on weekly evaluations of attitude and job performance, CAs can earn up to $100.00 per week their first year; up to $120.00 per week their second year; up to $140.00 per week their third year; and up to $160.00 per week their 4th year. Checks will be mailed after their session ends.

  • FEES AND REFUNDS

    There is a $1000 deposit, $250 of which is non-refundable.

    There is a $500 October 1 payment, a $500 December 1 payment, a $500 February 1 payment, with the balance due by April 1.

    If cancellation occurs before February 1st by written notice (mail or email), all but $250 will be refunded. If cancellation occurs after February 1st, there will be no refund.

    There is no reduction for campers arriving late or leaving early. If your camper is dismissed for violating camp rules, there will be no refund. The Director reserves the right to dismiss any camper violating camp rules or who is judged to be detrimental to the general welfare of the camp.

    An invoice for each payment will be emailed to you ten days prior to the due date. Payments may be made on your Camp In Touch account by credit card (there is a 2.5% credit card processing fee) or by check. If paying by check, please make payable to "Camp Carolina" and mail to: Camp Carolina, PO Box 919, Brevard, NC 28712.

    Our fee is all inclusive. Spending money may be added with the final payment to establish a Camp Bank account for each camper. We suggest $35/week for each session. After camp is over, we will refund any excess in your son's Camp Bank or we will bill you if your son is overdrawn.

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