Deer Run Staff FAQs

What is the difference between Camp Brookwoods and Camp Deer Run?

Camp Brookwoods is a boys’ camp and Deer Run is a girls’ camp. Brookwoods was started in 1944 and Deer Run started in 1964. They share the same property and administration. Brookwoods is on one side of the Main House and Deer Run is on the other side. Many activities throughout the day (for example, waterskiing) are co-ed and most evening programs (Unit Night and Cabin Night) are separate. Each camp maintains their own traditions.

What does it mean to be a Christian camp?

At camp, we want to share the love of God and the gift of eternal life with our campers, all the while helping them have the time of their life. We are not associated with any particular church denomination or tradition but adhere to the basic teachings of the historical Christian faith and leave the rest to parents. Please read Bob Strodel’s blog post about being a Christian camp.

Do I need to be a Christian?

Yes, our program is based on Biblical teaching and the Christian faith. You don’t need to be a Biblical scholar, just a follower of Jesus. If you are applying to be a counselor, you should be comfortable leading Bible studies. (During Staff Week will cover the summer’s Bible study curriculum and give you and your co-counselor time to prepare.)

How old do have to be to work at camp?

All of our staff are at least 18 years old.

How is camp organized?

The maximum number of campers in the regular camp program is 118 at Brookwoods and 130 at Deer Run. (This does not include older campers in the Leadership Development Programs). Campers are assigned to cabins based on their age (as of June 1st). Each cabin has 12-13 campers and 2 counselors. Deer Run has 11 cabins and Brookwoods has 10. Campers are divided into two units based on age: the Junior Unit is typically 8-11 year olds and the Senior Unit is typically 12-16 year olds. Each unit is made up of 5-6 cabins (50-60 campers) and is under the guidance of a Unit Director. The respective “UD” organizes age-appropriate programs.

What kinds of jobs are available at camp?

See the “Staff Positions” page for details.

  • Counselors
  • Program Staff and Specialists – Skill areas, Boat Driver, Swim Instructor, Tripping Staff, Horseback Riding, Woodworking, Craft Shop, etc.
  • Facilities
  • Food Service
  • Medical Staff
  • Business Office

Do I need to love the outdoors?

Yes… and no. You don’t need to be an outdoor enthusiast, but you do need to have a good attitude. Your ability to be adaptable speaks volumes as a role model for campers who aren’t crazy about the outdoors or are anxious about their overnight hike.

What is the work schedule?

All summer staff work 6 days a week with one full day off and one evening off. Each day counseling staff will get one hour off.

What does a day at camp look like?

7:00 – Wake Up and Cabin Cleanup
7:30 – Devotions
8:00 – Breakfast & Singing
9:00 – Bible Study
10:00 – Morning Activities
12:30 – Lunch
1:30 – Rest Hour
2:45 – Afternoon Activities
4:00 – Open Waterfront
5:30 – Dinner
6:30 – Evening Program
9:00 – Return to Cabins/Devotions/Lights Out

When do I need to arrive?

All staff are required to come to “Staff Week” training before camp. This training is approximately two weeks prior to the start of the first camp session. Lifeguard Training is offered before Staff Week begins, which includes First Aid and CPR. If you are able, we encourage everyone to be a lifeguard. You will get an email with dates from Tim Nielsen, our Director of Ministry Services. To see this year’s camp calendar, please see the “Dates and Rates” page for the official start date of camp.

When does camp end?

Camp ends for all staff on Sunday after the last Outgoing Day. After campers leave on Saturday, we clean cabins, activity areas, and put camp back together for the conference season. We celebrate the summer with a “Staff Banquet” on Saturday night. Sunday morning our Senior Staff take over the kitchen for a made to order breakfast. We gather in the Chapel for our last worship service, followed by final camp staff meetings. Sunday attendance is required unless otherwise approved by your respective director. To see this year’s camp calendar, please see the “Dates and Rates” page for the official end date of camp.

Where will I stay?

Counselors stay in cabins with campers. Support Staff stay in the “back room” of cabins. Deer Run (girls) have sinks, toilets and showers in their cabins. Brookwoods (boys) have sinks and toilets in the cabin, and a common shower house.

What do I need to bring?

Clothing & Equipment List

NECESSARY:

  • 6 t-shirts or shirts
  • 2 pair blue jeans
  • 2 pair pants
  • 8 pair athletic socks
  • 4 pair shorts (athletic)
  • 2 pair wool socks
  • 2 modest bathing suits (one-piece for girls)
  • 8 sets underwear
  • 2 pair sneakers/tennis shoes
  • 1 wool or fleece sweater
  • 1 pair hiking boots/shoes
  • 1 dress outfit for banquets (modest)
  • 1 long sleeve heavy cotton shirt or sweatshirt
  • 1 flashlight with extra batteries
  • 1 alarm clock (non-electric)
  • 1 rain jacket and pants (waterproof, NOT water-resistant)
  • Laundry bag
  • Bible, reference books, & lightweight journal/notebook
  • Toiletries
  • Sleeping bag (lightweight, compact) with stuff sack
  • Bedding, towels
  • Stationery, postage stamps, and writing utensils
  • Insect repellent/Afterbite/sunscreen/lip balm
  • Eyeglasses/sunglasses
  • Watch

SUGGESTED:

  • 1 windbreaker-type Jacket
  • 1 long sleeve heavy wool shirt
  • 1 daypack for daily use around camp
  • 1 pair rain boots
  • 1 pocketknife with can opener
  • 2 bandanas
  • Sports equipment (i.e., racquet, ball glove, etc.)
  • Musical instrument

Please refrain from bringing any small electrical appliances: hairdryers, curling irons, radios, handheld computer games, etc.

An important note about footwear:

Good quality hiking boots or shoes are necessary because of our tripping program. We highly recommend that you break these in before coming to camp. Don’t forget to wear your wool socks!

Many foot injuries at camp are the result of improper footwear. Camp is a tough environment with an abundance of rocks, roots, sticks, along the paths and dirt roads. The BEST footwear you can wear are closed-toed shoes that will stay on your feet while running. Campers will not be able to participate in an activity if they do not have on the appropriate footwear and we have the same expectations for staff. Flip flops are permitted at the waterfront.

And where do I do my laundry?

We realized that staff would spend an entire night off doing laundry, and that’s not much of a night off. Camp hires an outside laundry service to pick up staff laundry once a week. We are not liable for damaged or lost items, so please choose carefully what you bring to camp.

How is the food?

The food is great. Our Food Service Director takes pride in serving well-balanced meals. We have a good variety of options including a cereal and fruit bar in the morning and a salad bar for lunch and dinner.

How much do I get paid?

Salaries depend on your position, skills, and how many years you’ve worked at camp (returning staff members will get a pay increase). Please see the “Staff Positions” page for general salaries.

Do I need a car?

No, you do not need a car; however, many of our staff do bring cars and you may if you like. On most days off, staff will fill up their cars and head off camp for the day.

Can I bring my computer?

Yes, you may, but computers are not allowed in your cabins. Computers must be kept in the respective staff rooms at Deer Run Lodge or the Main House, where they can be used when you are “off.” Personal computers come in handy when you are working on camper letters.

What is the weather like?

June can be cool and sometimes the evenings can get down into the 40s. July and August can be warm with highs in the upper 90s. Solution? Pack layers for cool nights, warm days, and rain! Not only for your wardrobe, but also for your sleeping situation.

Do I need a health exam?

Yes, the state of New Hampshire requires that you have a signed physical form within two years of arriving to camp. Our Medical Form can be found online.

Do Deer Run cabins have bathrooms?

Yes, each cabin has a bathroom. Our facilities are modern and designed with health and safety in mind. Deer Run cabins have sinks, toilets, and showers.

Is there a dress code?

Daily clothing should be modest and appropriate. Please do not bring shirts with suggestive graphics.

For women, tops should have straps that are two fingers wide and long enough to completely cover their stomach. Shorts should be a minimum 3″ inseam and not too tight. If staff wear leggings, they must wear a shirt that covers the bottom completely. Tops should be no lower than a hand-width from their neckline. Only modest one-piece bathing suits are permitted. End-of-month banquet dresses and skirts should also be a modest length. Please do not plan to wear strapless, spaghetti strap, or backless dresses and tops at camp. Please don’t put camp in an uncomfortable position. We reserve the right to change clothes if deemed inappropriate.

On Sunday mornings we require staff wear their camp uniform shirt with green or khaki shorts for Deer Run.

What does it mean to be accredited?

Camp Brookwoods, Deer Run, and Moose River Outpost are accredited members of the American Camp Association (ACA), Christian Camp and Conference Association (CCCA) and Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability (ECFA). We work hard to meet their requirements for membership and to earn the highest recognition with these organizations. The ACA accredits member camps every three years by qualified personnel and camp directors to determine their compliance with industry standards.

Staff Expectations for the Summer of 2021

We anticipate that you have many questions about how camp will operate safely during the summer of 2021. We will be utilizing the State of New Hampshire guidelines for residential camps and the American Camp Association’s Field Guide for Camps on Implementation of CDC Guidance. These documents will help us develop safe and healthy programs as well as best practices for cleaning and sanitizing camp. It is important to note that both of these documents are changing often. For now, we are making plans based on the current guidelines. We sincerely hope that these guidelines can be relaxed and that some guidelines will become unnecessary by June.

Travel Restrictions

Under the current New Hampshire Overnight Camp guidelines, the only way to come to camp is by personal transportation. This means that you must drive or be driven to camp. Camp will assist in airport pickups.

International Staff

Staff coming from outside the country will be subject to the same measures as staff who come from any significant distance, which includes quarantine and testing upon arrival at camp. Current International guidelines make bringing foreign campers and staff to camp difficult.

Before Arriving at Camp

Currently, the state’s COVID-19 guidelines for overnight camps require a  a negative PCR 0r NAAT COVID-19 test taken within 7 days prior to arrival.

Covid-19 Testing

Staff will need to have a have at least three Covid-19 tests in order to work this summer. The first test  must be taken within 7 days prior to arrival. A negative test result must be available to arrive at camp. The second test  will be required on the day that they arrive at camp. A third Covid-19 test  is required for all of our staff staying at camp longer than two weeks.

Testing Exemption

Staff who are fully vaccinated or have had COVID within 90 days prior to camp, will not need to be tested.  Please provide appropriate documentation upon arrival at camp.

Daily Screening

Camp will conduct daily screenings of all staff and campers. This screening will include temperature checks and questions concerning the individual’s health to determine the absence of Covid-19 symptoms.

What will happen if a camper or staff member tests positive for Covid-19 while at camp?

We are developing our protocols to prevent COVID-19 exposure at camp this summer. However, if a camper or staff member is diagnosed with COVID-19 during their time at camp, they will immediately be isolated and, per state guidelines, and have to go home. This is challenging for campers or staff coming from considerable distance. Camp Brookwoods and Deer Run has designated space in camp for quarantine of campers and staff if needed. If a camper or staff member tests positive for Covid-19, their cabin group (including their Counselors) will be quarantined from the camp population as they undergo a Covid-19 test and await results. The cabin group will still be able to be engaged in camp activities, but they will need to be isolated from the rest of the camp population.  

Maintaining a Bubble

 Camp Brookwoods and Deer Run will endeavor to create a Covid-19-free bubble. This will be achieved by testing and isolating from everyone who is outside of our bubble. This process impacts many aspects of the camp experience for campers and staff.

Trips

 Camp Brookwoods and Deer Run have traditionally run out-of-camp hiking and canoeing trips. We hope to continue this exciting aspect of our camp program, but we are unsure if it will be possible. We are awaiting guidance from the state of NH concerning the possibility of running trips.

Other Off-Site Excursions

 Out-of-camp trips (baseball games, fishing trips, water park or beach trips) will not be possible this summer. Our goal will be to create a healthy “bubble” at camp and to interact with those outside of our bubble as little as possible.

LDP and SALT Trips

 Running trips off-site will be very difficult this summer. We are unsure and are awaiting more details from the state of NH.

Visitors

 Camp will not be able to allow visitors this summer. This includes parents, friends and alumni. We cannot risk introducing Covid-19 into our camp population and bursting the “Covid-19 Free Bubble”.

Staff Leaving Early

 It is our hope that you will stay for the duration of your summer agreement. Replacing staff after the start of the summer is very difficult due to the Covid-19 regulations.

Day Offs

Staff dayoff practices, involving time out of camp, will be discussed during staff training.  You will be able to leave camp using some basic guidelines to minimize exposure.

Daily Schedule

 Because the Dining Hall has capacity restrictions, we anticipate that we will be required to have two independent schedules running daily at camp. The Junior Unit and the Senior Unit will eat separately, participate in activities at different times, and conduct different evening activities. This scheduling will allow for cabins to be distanced safely in the dining room, as well as activity instruction to take place on an age-appropriate level. A positive aspect of this style of programming is that popular camp activities may be more accessible to campers. Our goal is to create smaller cohorts within the camp bubble to reduce the possibility of exposure. If you are a staff member that interacts with both units, you will need to act with caution. This can be accommodated safely with the use of masks or socially distant conversations.

Camp Activities

 We are confident that we can operate all of our camp activities safely by following the American Camp Association’s Field Guide for Camps on Implementation of CDC Guidance. The Junior Unit and the Senior Unit will have different activity schedules. So, if you are a Jr Unit Counselor, you will only ever teach activities for children in the Jr Unit. Campers will still be able to select the activities that they wish to participate in at camp. A great deal of cleaning and sanitizing needs to happen in certain activities. So, time will be built in to the schedule to allow for this to happen effectively.

Cleaning/Sanitizing

 Routine cleaning will be enhanced with extra time sanitizing equipment and surfaces. Your help will be needed to keep camp clean and sanitized this summer!

Dining Hall

 We will be running two settings of each meal. The Junior Unit will eat separately from the Senior Unit. Cabin groups will have two assigned tables. They will be the only people who will sit at that table each session. Campers will be encouraged to sit in the same seats throughout their time at camp. Camper and staff will wash their hands before entering the dining hall and wear masks whenever they are moving about. Once they are at their table, they may take off their mask. Meals will be served family style or cafeteria style. Many meals may also be served outside to allow for great social distancing. The quality of camp meals will not be negatively impacted by these changes and staff who have dietary restrictions will still be cared for appropriately.

LDP

 Our desire is to run safe, life-changing leadership development programs this summer. The experience may need to be altered in order to comply with state guidelines. This may mean that we will limit trips out of camp, allow for LDP participants to spend any time in a camper cabin, or allow LDP participants to connect freely with the camp population without proper social distancing measures in place.

Mask Wearing

 We only anticipate needing masks if cabin groups are mixed, indoors, and cannot maintain safe distance from one another.

Have another question?