Cabin Leader

During staff training leaders will learn all about the mission, philosophy and values of the American Youth Foundation. They will learn how to work with campers, how to teach activities, and will work to build our positive community. By the end of staff training, leaders will be prepared to lead a cabin, teach Interest Group activities, and more.

Leaders will live in our open air cabins with their campers. Our cabins have open windows with no screens on them and have flaps that roll down to cover the windows in inclement weather. We suggest leaders bring mosquito netting to cover their twin size bed.

It is not uncommon for leaders to be experiencing camp and Miniwanca for the very first time. Leaders should be open to new experiences and ways of operating when they come to Miniwanca, especially if this is their first time at Miniwanca or at a summer camp in general.

Leaders will begin and end their day with their cabin, helping the campers prepare for the day and later for bed. In the morning leaders will travel with their campers to a flag raising ceremony, will eat all their meals at a table with their cabin, and will lead a reflective activity with their campers. During the morning and afternoon, leaders will teach 3-4 activities for campers that align with their interests and abilities (Interest Groups), will facilitate a rest hour for their cabin, and will engage with campers during Free Time. After dinner, leaders will engage with the entire camp during a night time activity and will participate in an evening reflection. After helping the campers prepare for bed, leaders will lead their cabin in an activity to close out the day.

Miniwanca is able to work with a variety of dietary needs and allergies. At each meal, Miniwanca will provide a dairy free, gluten free, and vegetarian option. Miniwanca is peanut and tree nut aware and will not serve anything with those products in it. Some snacks and desserts may be created in a facility that uses peanuts or tree nuts, and safe alternatives will be offered when those are the general option.

Miniwanca will pick up leaders on specific days from local airports and bus stations. If you do not have a car and are interested in using public transportation to get to camp please talk to your supervisor about what options are available to you.