Employment Opportunities

"Your counselors were so welcoming to me and enthusiastically goofy with Steve
in front of me that it made me feel even better about his being at PIC.
I hope their poise and charm are part of what Steve learns this summer!"
—Pine Island Parent

About 40 men and women form the staff at Pine Island Camp every summer. Most are young men of college age, but there are also older and younger staff members. A significant number of our staff members were campers themselves at Pine Island.

Prospective staff members are interviewed personally by Ben Swan, the camp director, in the winter months (after filling out an application and providing two adult references). Many return to work at Pine Island for several summers and remain in close contact with each other for the rest of their lives.

Staff assemble at Pine Island a week before the campers for intensive training, covering all aspects of the camp program. The State of Maine requires that any camping trip be led by a certified trip leader, and Pine Island makes sure that all our staff members aged 18 and older apply for their trip leader permit. In addition, every counselor hired as a trip leader is required to have Wilderness First Responder certification. Pine Island is known throughout the regions in which we camp as having well-trained, responsible staff members.

Staff members are given four days off and four nights off during the course of the summer. Please note that drinking or smoking on camp property is forbidden, even if a staff member is of legal age. With a dynamic environment, competitive salary, and free room and board, working at Pine Island is a job that many staff members return to year after year. The job is hard work but a lot of fun, and it certainly beats making xeroxes and stocking paperclips for an entire summer in an office job. Pine Island provides internships and excellent letters of recommendation for staff members every year.

To request an application, please contact Ben Swan.