Staff Frequently

Asked questions

Are you considering working at camp and have questions? Or maybe you’ve been hired and need more details! Check out the frequently asked questions below. If your question hasn’t been answered, click here to contact us!

Preparing for camp

  • There are a few steps that must be completed before an applicant can be hired at Camp NEOSA. At the end of the application, applicants are prompted to schedule an interview through Microsoft Bookings, where they can view available times.

    Once an application is submitted, reference forms are automatically emailed to the applicant’s references. One reference must be a pastor, youth pastor, small group leader, or someone who can speak to the applicant’s relationship with Jesus. The second reference should be someone who is not related to the applicant, ideally over 18.

    Before an applicant can move forward in the hiring process, Camp NEOSA must receive a completed application, two completed references, and a completed interview.

  • Once hired, employees will need to complete several paperwork items, including Salvation Army forms, federal and state tax forms, and medical paperwork. Detailed instructions for completing the required paperwork are available here.

  • We recommend bringing towels, toiletries, raincoat, boots, flashlight, suitable camp apparel (6-8 outfits), 1-2 dressier outfits (if you’d like to dress up for banquets), bathing suits, sweater and/or jacket, sturdy shoes for hiking, pillow and bedding, Bible, and camp program materials such as fun costumes and such. Please see below for the camp dress code policy. Staff will be provided with staff shirts upon arrival to camp. Laundry facilities and soap are available.

    Please do not bring televisions or video game systems. Prior approval of the Camp Directors is required before bringing refrigerators or laptops to camp.

Schedules

  • Upon being hired, you will receive a link to sign your camp contract. Please review your contract carefully to confirm your arrival date. Leadership and operations staff will arrive on June 10, 2027, and all other staff will arrive on June 14, 2027.

    The summer will begin with a week of orientation before campers arrive. There will be six camp sessions, each beginning on a Monday. Most sessions will end on Friday, while one session will extend through Saturday.

  • All staff participate in orientation, which is an opportunity to learn about camp, your role, and the people you’ll be spending your summer with!

    All staff complete training in areas such as KeepSAfe (The Salvation Army’s policies for protecting youth), CPR/First Aid, and leading a child to Christ. Additional training is specific to each position.

    Each day also includes time to build relationships and community. By the end of the week, you’ll be ready to step into your role with a supportive camp family around you!

  • Monday: Camper Arrival

    Campers arrive on Monday, so the morning is set aside for check-in. During check-in, campers select from a variety of club options to enjoy throughout the week.

    Mornings

    Each morning includes flag raising, breakfast, cabin clean-up, morning devotions, and clubs. All of camp gathers for morning devotions, which feature high-energy kids’ worship and Bible teaching presented by a variety of characters.

    Afternoons

    Each afternoon, campers are split by gender for swimming and program rotations. The girls swim while the boys participate in program rotations, and then they switch.

    Throughout the week, campers experience a variety of activities as they rotate through hiking, kayaking, archery, ziplining, low ropes, arts and crafts, nature, and athletics.

    Evenings

    After dinner, campers enjoy structured free time to spend time with friends and safely explore camp.

    Flag lowering takes place before the evening program. Some evenings, all of camp gathers for a skit night or Jesus Theater, while other evenings feature a program where campers rotate through different stations.

    Every Thursday night, campers experience Jesus Theater, a dramatic, kid-friendly presentation of the story of Jesus and how much He loves us.

    Friday: Camper Departure

    Campers depart on Friday afternoon, so the schedule looks a little different. After flag raising and breakfast, campers attend church, which is similar to morning devotions but takes place outdoors and concludes with prayer time for each cabin.

    Following church, everyone enjoys a carnival to wrap up a fun-filled week at Camp NEOSA! Campers then have a picnic lunch before returning to their cabins to pack up.

    After campers depart, staff clean their work areas and living areas before gathering for a final staff meeting.

    Sunday: Staff Preparation

    Staff return on Sunday evening to prepare for camper arrivals the following day. We begin with an all-camp staff meeting before breaking into individual departments to go over final preparations. The evening concludes with a time of staff worship!

  • Each day, staff have designated time off. These breaks are an opportunity to rest, do laundry, and spend time with friends.

    Between camp sessions, typically from Friday night through Sunday night, all staff are required to leave camp. International staff are exempt from this requirement. Meals and expenses for optional weekend activities are not provided.

    If you need to miss any days at camp for reasons such as college orientation or a family wedding, you must submit a time-off request. For all non-emergencies, the request must be submitted before arriving at camp by clicking here.

  • At the end of the summer, all staff help with cleaning camp. The final weekend includes cleaning workspaces and living areas, as well as spending time together to celebrate the summer. This weekend is part of the staff contract, and all staff are paid for their work during this time.

Life at Camp

  • Staff live in community during their time at Camp NEOSA, staying in either our staff lodge or one of our cabins. All beds are twin-sized.

    Staff Lodge

    The staff lodge houses two to three program or operations staff members per room. The rooms are arranged in a Jack-and-Jill style, with one shared bathroom connecting two rooms.

    Cabins

    Our cabins house both campers and staff, with separate sleeping areas and bathrooms for each.

    Counseling staff sleep in bunk beds in the middle section of the cabin and have their own bathroom. They are close by and available to campers when needed while still maintaining their own space and privacy.

    The upstairs of each cabin is reserved for program, operations, and GRACE Team staff. Like the downstairs sleeping areas, this space has bunk beds and its own bathroom.

    Living in Community

    Living in community can be a beautiful space for growth and connection. To create a positive, comfortable environment where everyone feels at home, there must be open communication, mutual respect, and a willingness to show grace to one another.

  • Each staff member has a five-drawer dresser for personal storage during the summer. Shelves are also available in each bathroom for additional storage.

  • NEOSA stands for “Northeast Ohio Salvation Army” and includes more than 50 locations that send campers to Camp NEOSA. Campers register through their local Salvation Army, which helps coordinate transportation and complete paperwork before camp.

    As a result, our campers come from communities throughout Northeast Ohio, ranging from rural areas to inner-city ministries. Most campers are between the ages of 6 and 12, though a few sessions also welcome campers up to age 14.

  • Cell phones are allowed at camp but may not be used while working with or around campers. Phones are not locked up during the workday; however, staff are expected to use them only during breaks and away from campers.

  • Each week, staff have two main opportunities for spiritual growth beyond everyday conversations and personal time with Jesus. Every Sunday night, we gather for Vespers, which includes worship, biblical teaching, and opportunities to hear how Jesus is moving in the lives of others. Every Wednesday night, we have CONNECT, a time for staff to gather in small groups, build community, and deepen relationships with one another.

    All staff are expected to participate in both Vespers and CONNECT. Camp is a beautiful and rewarding experience, but it can also be exhausting. These intentional times of spiritual growth and connection provide opportunities for staff to be refreshed, encouraged, and poured into as they continue pouring into others.

  • Staff are paid biweekly through a pay card. Please review your staff contract carefully to understand your total compensation for the summer. This amount is divided into biweekly payments based on the number of days worked during each pay period. Any days taken off will result in a prorated deduction from your pay.

  • Camp NEOSA has a firm policy of respect for self and others. We also want to make sure that we are always ready to actively engage with campers. Therefore, the dress code is:

    • Undergarments should never be visible.

    • Open sided tank tops should not expose torso skin or undergarments.

    • Inappropriate tattoos must be covered

    • All shirts should conform to the neckline.

    • Shirts must be worn at all times in public areas of camp, except for male staff at the waterfront.

    • All sleeveless shirts must have straps as wide as two fingers.

    • Midriffs should always be covered including swimsuits.

    • All staff should be able to be active in their swimwear with children and not worried about the swimwear coming off in activity at the waterfront.

    • Shorts and pants should fit properly; not sag, expose undergarments, or be too tight.

    • All shorts should be modest in length.

    Camp Leadership will address any dress code concerns with specific staff members.

  • Each staff member must have a physician’s exam form on file that lists all prescribed medication being brought to camp. Any medication listed here MUST accompany you to camp. All medications are stored by the Health Center Staff under lock and key. Should a staff member need medication in case of an emergency, arrangements can be made to provide a locked box for the staff member's sleeping area. However, this can only be done with the agreement of the Camp Directors and Nurse.