Camp America Recruitment Fairs

Let’s Get Ready!
Preparing For the Fairs

Camp America is grateful for your participation in our Camp Directors’ Fairs. Here is some advice and a short video to give you an overview of what to expect and how plan for success. The more organized your approach to interviewing is the more enjoyable and productive the experience will be for you. We want you to find great staff, make good matches, socialize, have fun and come back again year after year.

Our 35th Annual Fairs: Tips for Success

Fill out your profile survey with an accurate, attractive and upbeat description so that the right applicants can research your program and seek you out during the Fair.
Be creative and liven up your booth to attract potential staff. Many camps bring along a tablecloth, a bowl of candy, or visual aids. Come up with something that is unique and is a good conversation starter.
Having one or two past participants on hand to lend perspective can help ensure you are interviewing applicants that are a good match.
Do your best to manage the flow of traffic around your booth to be fair to camps at neighboring booths.
Look approachable while you’re waiting to interview applicants and engage with applicants as they walk by.

Familiarize yourself with other camp opportunities so that you may help applicants find the proper match.
Be encouraging to applicants even though they may not be a match for you. Remind them that we are conducting interviews for applications to the program at large and that overall demand is strong.
If you encounter issues with the screening questions on the placement sheet, don’t hesitate to ask us for help. We have professionals on hand to address any sensitive issue.
Post your start dates and open positions clearly. Highlight the fact if you are looking for general counselors.
If you have concerns or issues of any nature, please let us know right away. We want this to be a positive experience and for you to come back year after year.

Essential Guidelines for a Great Experience

Learn

Attend our orientation sessions. As you meet other camp professionals ask them what style of interviewing has worked best for them in the past. Make sure that you understand forms and the placement and confirmation process. Ask questions.

Network

Get the word out to your former staff that you are recruiting and what kind of staff you are looking for. Actively seek referrals. Use your social networks.

Present

Bring materials and visual aids to dress your booth and project your camp’s image. Clearly post start dates and staffing requirements and keep them current.

Staff

Former staff are a great asset in screening and matching. Due to fire regulations we ask that you limit additional helpers to a maximum of two at any given time.

Chill

Our Fairs have always been extremely well attended. If your booth isn’t busy during the first hour or so of the event remember that it takes some time for applicants to work their way through the process. Many have researched initial preferences online and wait lengthy periods for interviews.

Manage

… your expectations. Of course we attract highly qualified staff but be mindful that there is a finite supply of individuals with extremely specialized skills and very early start dates.

Inform

Ensure that successful candidates have a clear understanding of the position you place them in. Reinforce rules and zero tolerance policies. Refer them to former staff and other resources.

Engage

Smile and be outgoing with applicants. Help them find a placement. Be a good ambassador for cultural exchange.

Hire

Applicants come to the event expecting firm placements, and participating camps are expected to attend with the full intention of making them. Once you are confident that you have a good match don’t hesitate to make a commitment. That’s what it’s all about!

Evaluate

Let us know how things are going for you and know that we will do everything we can to help. Complete your evaluation form at the end of the Fair.

Let’s Get Ready! Preparing For the Fairs