STAFF FAQs
Every summer we hire over 100 staff members to join our team. From cabin counselors to group leaders, we search for the most experienced and motivated candidates. Click here for a list of job descriptions.
Camp Pontiac is a traditional seven-week coed sleepaway camp with campers ranging in age from 7 – 16 years old. We are non-sectarian and will provide transportation for Sunday religious observance.
Camp is located in the New York Berkshires, a beautiful region that provides a perfect backdrop for staff days off (near to New York City, Boston, Lake George and other picturesque locations for unique day trips). Our address is 2044 County Road 7, Copake NY 12516. Our summer phone number is (518) 329-6555 and winter number is (516) 626-7668 with an email address of [email protected].
All Outdoor Adventure and Waterfront staff are to arrive on Friday, June 12, 2026 by 6PM. All new and returning staff (International and American), are to arrive on Monday, June 15, 2026 by 6PM. All adult staff and former campers who are still in high school are to arrive on Friday, June 19, 2026 by 6PM. A detailed and thorough Staff Orientation runs from your arrival date through the morning of Friday, June 26, 2026 when campers arrive that afternoon. During Orientation, you will participate in various workshops, meet with your department heads & camper Division Leaders, get to know your co-counselors and gain an understanding of Pontiac’s culture. Orientation also includes fun, interactive activities located both on camp and off!
August 13th, 2026. If you are flying home, your flight should depart no earlier than 6PM that day and we will provide transportation (if you need it) that day from camp to JFK Airport.
Staff can drive, take a train to Wassaic station (utilizing the Metro North Railroad’s Harlem line from Grand Central Station in NYC) or be taken up to camp from JFK Airport (the latter applies to those flying into JFK on Saturday, June 14th, 2025 or Tuesday, June 17th, 2025). On your days and evenings off, we will provide off-site transportation when possible. If you are flying home when camp concludes on August 16th, 2025, your flight should depart no earlier than 6PM that day and we will provide transportation (if you need it) from camp to JFK Airport.
Generally, wake up is at 7:50AM and each day consists of three meals, two snacks, five activity periods (+ General Swim), one Rest Hour, one Free Play period and an Evening Activity.
A general counselor is a staff member who is with her or his particular age group of campers (a "Division") throughout the course of the day and evening (including meals) and is responsible for ensuring that those campers get to and from an activity period on time. We expect and encourage general counselor participation during activity periods. A specialist is a staff member who is also responsible for her or his campers throughout the course of the day and evening (including meals) but whose primary responsibility is to teach, instruct and/or referee during her or his specialty periods. All counselors – general or specialist – are considered a “bunk counselor” and will be assigned a camper Division with whom you will live in an air-conditioned bunk and eat meals.
Yes, from time to time at the discretion of the department head.
We hire approximately 230 counselors to live in the cabins with our campers. That creates approximately a 2:1 ratio for the younger campers and 3:1 for older campers. In addition, we employ 80 out-of-bunk senior adult staff to oversee camp in various capacities. The average in-bunk counselor age is twenty years old and approximately 50% of our staff are American (over 50 of these are former campers!) while the other half hail from England, Ireland, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Ghana, Canada, and many other countries around the world! Over half of our counselor staff returns each summer as do almost all of our adult staff.
Each staff member gets one day off per week during weeks 2 through 6; your day off will be determined during Staff Orientation.
From time to time, on a typical day you will get one period off. During your off periods, you will have use of all courts and fields (when available), waterfront (but only if lifeguards are available and on-duty), Canteen, Fitness Center, counselor lounge, ice cream parlor (when open) and on-camp movie theater (when available). Staff are on duty and are responsible for campers four nights per week; the other three nights, staff are free to enjoy their evening on or off camp. There is a camp curfew each evening, at which time counselors must be back in their cabin.
While we take your preferences into consideration, ultimately we will decide during Orientation what we think is the best fit for you. Your personality, experience, and interests play a big role in which camper group you are selected for.
Counselors live in cabins with the campers and other counselors. Cabins are air-conditioned and have private showers and bathroom stalls. Counselors and campers also eat each meal together. We have a diverse menu including a full salad bar during every lunch and dinner.
We will provide you with two Camp Pontiac staff shirts, which are to be worn during the day on Saturdays and Sundays. T-shirts that are predominantly red, white or black are to be worn during the other days of the week. Each day, shorts that are predominantly red, white, gray or black are to be worn during the day. During the evenings, you may wear your clothing of choice. Additionally, we do not allow our campers or staff to wear bikinis on camp (OK for days off). Rather, please bring one-piece or tankini bathing suits. Check out the Staff Packing List under the "Work @ Camp" tab for details!
You have two options:
(1) you can do your own laundry on camp (coin-operated) during periods/evenings off or
(2) you can do your own laundry off camp during your evenings/days off
American staff are responsible for bringing their own towels and bedding. We provide towels and bedding for international staff.
Alcohol and drugs are strictly prohibited. Some body piercings and most tattoos are permitted. Smoking is permitted only in limited, designated areas. Cell phone use is limited to certain areas of camp and is not permitted for use while on the campus.
All staff members MUST complete & upload a Health Form into your Campanion documents account and undergo a physical exam prior to camp. No staff member is permitted on camp without this. Staff members are entitled to use the services of the camp’s Health Center at no charge while at camp. The camp maintains a full-time health services staff including a licensed physician and nine registered nurses. If you find yourself in need of prescription medication, you will be responsible for that cost.
There are multiple full-time physicians and nurses who live on camp. We have a full-service health center on both the Boys Side and Girls Side of camp. Additionally, there are nearby hospitals, urgi-care centers and EMS facilities (the latter two of which are located within five minutes of camp).
Yes. You may bring (at your own risk) your computer or you may access one of our on-camp computers in the counselor lounge. Additionally, you may use your phone or tablet only during your periods off and in designated areas.
We will provide small, individual secured lockers with a charging station in the counselor lounge. Counselors will not be permitted to use cell phones on the campus or in the bunks. Use is permitted off-campus (on days and evenings off) and in the counselor lounge area during periods and days off. Each bunk will have an alarm clock for early wake-up on days off and for early tournament departures.
Yes, depending on need and availability. Please approach us if you’re interested.
