Camp Hierarchy
The smooth running of the camp relies on many people with differing roles. Some of these roles are described below:
IECOC Founder and Director
As the founder and director of the Islamic Educational Center of Orange County, Imam Sayed Mustafa Al Qazwini is the ultimate spiritual and social guide, mentor and supervisor of staff and campers at IECOC Junior Camp.
Camp Advisory Board
This is a board that consists of community elders and advisors who have had years of experience in community leadership in general as well as junior camp execution specifically. The board currently includes camp founders, spiritual leaders of IECOC, Weekend School’s Principles, as well as previous Camp directors. The role of the board is to assist the camp director with major decisions and conflict resolutions that might arise due to differences of opinions and visions in executing the camp. They approve camp themes, speakers, as well as location site. They also have the authority to approve or decline campers or volunteers whenever they see it in the best interest of other campers. They decide on matters through voting whenever applicable or based on area of expertise.
Camp Director
He/she is often someone with many years of experience at camp and the community. The Camp Director has the ultimate responsibility for running the camp and will deal with all major issues and details of the camp. The camp director is obligated to inform board members of any major challenges he or she are unable to resolve, especially in regards to finance, health and safety. They are obligated to provide two annual reports to the Camp Board for quality control services, a planning one to be submitted at least two months before camp date as well as a post camp reflection report.
Program Director
Typically he/she is the person that works closely with the Camp Director to organize and oversee all the activities at camp. They schedule the campers into their selected activities and provide guidance to the activity specialists. In many cases they do not have direct responsibilities to the children, but act as a stepping-stone to the Camp Director if there is a problem with a camper. They are only permitted to make major decisions without authorization when the Camp Director is unavailable or unreachable. Program Director also acts as a treasurer and handles finances under the guidance of the Camp Director.
Head Counselor/Division Head/Unit Leader
Most camps are divided into groups based on age and gender. For each group there will be a head counselor, division head or unit leader who is responsible for the counseling staff and all the children in that group. These leaders have often been counselors at camp themselves for many years and as such will understand the day-to-day needs of the campers. Their role is to co-ordinate all programs in their division or unit and they are often the first place you can seek help if there is a problem. They will also be flexible to assist the program director whenever needed as well as the young campers on a one on one basis.
General Counselor
You will be responsible for a group of children. You will sleep in the same cabin or building as them, eat with them and take the campers to their different activities throughout the day, where the specialist counselors will take over. During activity time you will participate and assist in the various parts of the program that require your help. You will look after the camper’s general well-being, offer advice and guidance where appropriate and be a positive role model. Should there be a personal conflict of interest, they must inform the Camp director and request moving the camper into another group.
Specialist Counselor/Activity Leader
You will be responsible for speaking about a subject of expertise or teaching an activity(s) in which you are skilled or qualified. You may be asked to teach any one of the skills that you listed on your application form, so it helps if you can be adaptable. Your main role will be to run or assist in running your activity area during the day. Outside of activity time, you will help the general counselors to look after the campers in the cabin area, so it is important that you are flexible. It is the Program Director’s role to assist you with any tools or requests you need to lead the activity.
Support Staff
You will be assigned to work in one of the areas at camp such as the kitchen, maintenance, housekeeping, laundry or the office to ensure that everyone has the equipment, facilities and food they need to keep camp running! If you have experience in one of these areas, it will be beneficial, but it is not a requirement at most camps as you will be given detailed instructions. Support staff do not have any direct responsibility for campers, however many camps encourage their support staff to get involved in all-camp activities during their break or free time. Due to limited sleeping space, support staff will predominantly consist of older youth and parent volunteers who will be divided into two groups an on-site staff who will support and guide counselors whenever needed and attend the entire duration of the camp as well as off-site staff who will be coming into the campsite in shifts to assist with maintenance tasks.
Please Note: All Camp staff and volunteers must consent to submitting volunteer application forms as well as health waivers, media waiver, and any forms that may be required upon request.
