Staff Information
 

We are always looking for outgoing energetic counselors as cabin and activity counselors.  Please read through this information and the Learn More page and call, write or e-mail for an application and information. We would love to talk with you.

Where and what is Wohelo?

Wohelo– The Luther Gulick Camps were founded by Dr. and Mrs. Luther Halsey Gulick in 1907, and there has been a tradition of family leadership ever since. Wohelo is comprised of two girls’ residential camp—Little Wohelo ages 6-12 and Sebago Wohelo ages 12-16. The two camps are separated by 1/2 half mile and have separate facilities. Each camp runs different daily schedules and activities, but come together on Sundays and for special occasions. Both camps share a common philosophy. Located on beautiful Sebago Lake, Camp Wohelo sits on a mile of shore front divided into three coves with two beaches and three islands. Urban amenities are available in Portland, ME—45 minutes away and Boston, MA is three hours

What is the camp philosophy of Wohelo?

Wohelo is under the year-round directorship of the Van Winkle family. Davis and Louise Gulick Van Winkle directed the camps for over thirty years and are now passing the reins to their two children, Heidi and Mark, and Mark’s wife Quincy. The entire family enjoys outdoor pursuits and sports. At Wohelo, the relationships between campers and directors are almost on a family basis. There are more than 5,000 alumni. The name Wohelo stands for Work, Health, and Love and it is within this framework that Wohelo strives to develop life long skills and friendships amongst its campers and counselors. A large part of the Wohelo experience is founded in 100 years of tradition. Many campers are third and fourth generation and have grown up with stories of Wohelo lore.

At Wohelo we strive to create a rustic environment close to nature and away from the conveniences and complications of the modern world. Personal growth is a central focus and campers get their education through fun experiences. Wohelo is proud of its camper counselor ratio of 3.5:1 and strives to develop each camper as a better person and friend.

"When I came to camp I had never been sailing before, but by the end I had not only learnt how to sail, I was teaching it too. It made me feel great to have a new skill that I loved and to be able to teach it to others ."

 

Excerpt from letter from one of our Australian counselors  - March 2006
I had the best time of my life at camp Wo, I loved every minute of it.  All the hard work was just so much fun.  I miss camp all the time and coming home to the summer just didn’t seem right, I thought since  it was hot I should be at camp! And my time at Wo will stay with me forever,

 

“This summer I learned how to apply my leadership skills and how to appreciate myself—these two things were the best part of my summer.”
 

 

 

Activities offered at Wohelo:

Schedules at Little Wohelo change daily and rotate through all the activity offerings. At Sebago Wohelo activities are free choice—campers create their own daily schedules based on interests and goals. 

See information about all the activities at the Learn More Page

What would my job be? Where would I live?

Most counselors new to camp work at Little Wohelo, though at either camp your job would include being a cabin counselor and also an activity director or and/or an activity assistant. Counselors live in the rustic cabins with the campers. Bathrooms are a short walk away. Cabin Counselors comprise the majority of staff at camp. Depending on the size of the cabin there may be one or two counselors in a cabin. As a cabin counselor, your responsibilities would be, though are not limited to: being a role model for the cabin, creating a cohesive cabin group through special cabin times, and keeping tabs on your campers through the day. Campers know their cabin counselors better than any other adults and counselors are responsible for reporting on camper progress.

Activity Directors are chosen to manage their particular activity and possess the “big picture” regarding their area of instruction. Activity directors are responsible for the teaching techniques of other counselors teaching within their activity. Counselors chosen to direct activities have previous teaching experience in their activity.

Activity Assistants help support activity directors by teaching activities. Counselors teach in more than one activity throughout the day and can receive training in instruction from activity directors.

Here is a PDF of the counselor brochure we will send you.
Counselor Informational Brochure

 

 

What is the staff like? Are there many first year counselors?

Wohelo is proud of its staff whether they are returning counselors or new to the Wohelo experience. Each year about 50% of the staff are returning counselors who help ensure the continuation of camp tradition. Returning counselors help the new counselors gain footing and provide support for counselors in new situations. First year counselors provide a fresh new outlook on camp activities as well as diversity and culture. Wohelo hires international counselors who are interested in a summer in America and come from countries such as Australia, England, New Zealand, and Ireland. The average age of counselors at Wohelo is 20 years old.

“I came to Wohelo to work in an environment where I’m comfortable and at peace. To do some things I don’t get a chance to do during the school year, and finally to relax and enjoy myself with a group of interesting and friendly women”
What Are the Benefits of Camp Counseling?

Camp counseling is an excellent opportunity for you to explore your potential and gain experience as a leader, teacher, mentor and team player. Many employers recognize the responsibilities involved in summer camp counseling and the character benefits that can be gained. We hope that you view camp counseling as a positive step in your career future.

"This summer I learned how to apply my leadership skills and how to appreciate myself - these two things were the best part of my summer." Wohelo Counselor

 

How much will I get paid at camp?

You will not become rich in dollars as a camp counselor but the experience is rich in rewards! Our salaries are competitive with similar camps. Your salary will be determined by your age and year in school; salary for a college freshman starts at $1500 for seven and a half weeks and goes up per year in school. Salary will also increase as an activity director. While at camp room and board is paid for as well as uniform costs and laundry. It is sometimes possible to supplement your salary by coming early or staying after the camp to work maintenance

How long is the camp season? Do counselors have time off?

Wohelo requires a 7 1/2 week commitment from counselors. Counselors arrive a few days early to get to know one another and learn skills in preparation for the upcoming season. Being a camp counselor is a round the clock job and doesn’t allow for a lot of private space. There are breaks during the day for staff but counseling is still a demanding role emotionally and physically. Counseling will give you a view into the world of parenting. With the exception of the first and last few days of camp, counselors are encouraged to take one day off per week beginning at reveille. Counselors can also take three evenings off beginning after campers are in bed and ending at 1am. Time off allows counselors to enjoy the camp program and even work for the same honors as the campers, to recharge and to see the sites around Maine.

Little Wohelo Daily Schedule at bottom of page.

WHO ARE THE CAMPERS AT WOHELO?

As mentioned earlier, many of the campers at Wohelo come because their grandmothers, mothers, aunts and sisters have come to camp. Wohelo is a part of the development of young girls in these families. Wohelo campers for the most part want to be here and are motivated towards the activities and honors of camp. This doesn’t mean that no one has a day when they need a little boost from their friends and counselors. Some foreign girls come to camp to experience an American tradition and improve their English. Other campers who live in urban areas come to camp to experience the beauty and simple rustic living that camp offers. Often sisters come to camp together. Wohelo campers are fun and healthy campers to work with. Campers who enjoy a summer at Wohelo leave with higher self-esteem, sense of competence and lots of new and old friends.

How do I apply? Do I need special qualifications?

The most important characteristic we are looking for in our counselors is a genuine interest in working with young girls. Please explain and list any certifications on your application. Wohelo is interested in supporting counselor training and financial assistance may be available for some programs—to be considered on a per applicant basis. An application is available upon request.

Call, Write or E-Mail for more information. 

 
International Staff

We hire several International Staff every summer and we all appreciate their new ideas, enthusiasm and teaching us about other parts of the world.   Foreign Counselors will need to apply though one of the current International Counselor Agencies -  CampStaff, Camp America, CCUSA, BUNAC  or InterExchange. 

Download Application Forms

Application Front Page
Application Back Page
Recommendation Form (3 needed)

Specific Needs
As we said above if you are an enthusiastic woman who has a genuine interest in working with young girls we have many different options for work at camp.  Some of the specific skill we are often looking for...

Grade 8 (International) or Wicked Good (US) - Pianist for evening music and drama performances. Other instruments always valuable also.
Sailors
Certified Swim Instructors/Lifeguards (we can help you get this)
Nurse/Health Care
People who like to smile

 

Come Join Us this Summer!!

    
     
  A Typical Day at Little Wohelo

7:15am - Wake up bells rings

Counselors wake up with their campers. Campers and counselors can choose to join our morning dip group that jumps in the lake before breakfast or they may just get dressed and ready for breakfast.

7:40am - Breakfast bell rings

Counselors are responsible for making sure all of their campers get to breakfast in time. We sit family style, not necessarily with your cabin campers, with four counselors to a table and about ten campers. 7:50am - 8:40ish - breakfast and announcements

The daily schedule is posted for both campers and counselors and can be viewed before or after breakfast 8:40ish - 9:00 - Cabin Clean Up

Counselors go back to their cabins and help campers learn to work together to create a clean cabin, empty trash, sweep, make beds, tidy area, and get prepared for first activity 9:00am - 12:00 noon - 1st, 2nd, and 3rd period activities

Campers travel around with their activity group of 10-12campers to three hour long activity periods. One of these activities is always swim lessons while the other two vary from day to day. Counselors teach activities which change from day to day and don’t necessarily correlate with the activities their campers are doing.

12:00 noon - 12:50pm – Mail time, Cabin time, BT duty

This is a time when campers can go to the office to retrieve mail and then head back to their cabin for a regrouping and time spent with their cabin mates and counselor(s). Ideas for cabin time might include tag, frisbee, reading on the playground together, a walk through the woods, playing cards, telling stories about the morning, playing tennis, or celebrating a birthday within the cabin.

BT duty refers to the duty of cleaning the bathrooms which is a duty that rotates from cabin to cabin. This is a way to show that we are responsible for ourselves and we are able to work together to wash sinks, sweep floors, and replenish bathroom supplies. 12:50pm - Lunch bell rings

Counselors are in charge of making sure that all cabin campers come to lunch on time 1:00pm - 1:45pm - Lunch and announcements

Counselors sit family style with campers for lunch, which is our main meal of the day. There is always a salad bar and a hot meal such as spaghetti, chicken, tacos, mac and cheese, or pizza.

1:50pm - 3:00pm - Rest Hour

Counselors and campers go back to their cabin and enjoy a quiet time where it is quiet enough for people to sleep if they desire. Popular rest time activities include sleeping (especially for counselors), writing letters, reading books, or playing solitaire. Campers are on their own bed so as to keep the cabin quiet during this time and allow for time to regain energy for a busy afternoon. 3:00pm – 5:00pm – 4th and5th period activities

Campers have two more hour long activities, one of which is free swim (swimming for fun with friends) and the other is a different activity that changes day today. On Thursdays and Sundays campers get to sign up for activities. Since counselors teach four out of the five activities during the day, one of the five activity periods is a free period during which you can exercise, join in on another camp activity (i.e. go sailing or canoeing with an activity group, read, make a phone call, shower, etc.) 5:00pm – 6:00pm –Free choice

Counselors who are signed up for this duty (usually twice a week) are in charge of either offering an activity or roaming around to each cabin to make sure that campers are engaged and playing safely. Free choice activities that have been offered by counselors in the past include knitting, poetry writing, bracelet making, hair braiding, nature crafts, soccer, playground games, and story telling.

This is also a time for campers who are interested in participating in team sports (tennis, archery, and swimming) to meet with their team once a week to practice. Counselors who are in charge of team practices will be responsible for signing up for this duty at their 5-6 sign up. If you are not signed up for free choice or team practice, you are free to use this time to yourself, hang out on the playground, catch up with your campers in an informal way, read a book in your cabin, or catch up with other counselors. 6:00pm – 6:45pm –Buffet supper Cabins rotate supper duty and are in charge of setting up supper with the guidance of our kitchen staff (duty starts at 5:00pm and ends at around 7:15pm).

Campers and counselors get their supper on plates and eat on the playground in a very informal manner.

7:30pm – Assembly or games

All campers and counselors gather together to end the day either in all camp games (Wednesdays) or an all camp assembly (songs, stories, musical talent). This is a time to settle down before getting ready for bed. 8:00pm – 8:30pm –Getting ready for bed

Counselors are responsible for making sure campers are getting to the bathrooms, brushing their teeth, getting into pajamas, and settling into bed. If campers are ready in time counselors can read books to the cabin as a whole before the taps bell rings (this is a great way to help with feelings of missing home).

8:30pm – Taps bell rings

Campers should be in bed and can read a book or write letters according to the cabin guidelines of each cabin (which are usually made during the first day or two of camp as a group). Counselors have three nights out a week which start after the campers are settled into bed and the head counselor has come into the cabin to do check in.

EXTRA INFORMATION

Each counselor gets one day off a week totaling five full days off or four full days and two half days. Days off start after the wake up bell and are usually combined with a night off.

Counselors need to be back in camp at a reasonable hour so that they are able to function at 100% the following day.

Transportation is either provided by other counselor friends who you are taking time off with or by camp if you have organized a group and asked for transportation. Camp is happy to provide transportation to groups of counselors who have organized a group and have an idea of where they’d like to go (i.e. Portland, shopping mall, beach, hiking).

Counselors are also encouraged to use our canoes or kayaks to spend a day out on one of our islands sunbathing and swimming or go to our older girls’ camp and do a fine art project in silver craft or wood painting. During the day counselors get one activity period free and on the days you are not signed up for free choice duty(5-7pm) you are welcome to use this as free time if needed.