Returning staff are invaluable contributors to the Camp Tawonga community. Bringing knowledge of camp rituals and songs and an advanced understanding of camp's essence, returning staff embody Tawonga's core values, serving as important role models to both peers and campers. Weaving their experience from past years into each new summer, returning staff enrich our community and teach one another, in turn setting the tone for our entire staff community.
We are thrilled that staff choose to return to Tawonga each year and genuinely hope to keep each staff member engaged in Tawonga both in the summer and year-round. Below is a list of opportunities to develop personally and professionally while staying connected to the Tawonga community.
Staff Events
The staff reunion, held in mid- to late- December each year, provides a time for returning staff to catch up with old friends and reminisce about an amazing summer spent together. Staff look forward to this evening as a way to hear about new camp opportunities for the upcoming summer and about opportunities in the greater Jewish community. If you worked last summer, we would love to see you at this year's reunion. And, if you are thinking about working at camp again after a summer or two away, please contact Jamie at 415.543.2267 x134 or jamie@tawonga.org about attending the current reunion to reconnect.
The staff retreat is an annual, one day opportunity for a diverse cross-section of Tawonga staff to help make Tawonga an even better place. The retreat is both a forum for new ideas and a time to refine policies or parts of camp that have been in place for years. We love for representatives from all of our different summertime departments to contribute relevant agenda items, adding to the agenda compiled by year-round staff. If you are interested in attending this year's retreat, would like to add an item to our agenda, or would like to participate via phone for part or all of the day, please contact Jamie at 415.543.2267 x134 or jamie@tawonga.org.
Israel in the Gardens is one of the biggest annual Jewish Community events in the Bay Area. Thousands of families and youth attend this event at Yerba Buena Gardens, as it's a great chance to celebrate Israel with tasty food, music, and the Jewish community. Israel in the Gardens and Israel's Independence Day usually take place in late May or early June, right before camp starts, providing a perfect time to reunite with Tawongans, snag a free T-shirt, and catch up before the summertime! And if you're interested in helping out, we are always looking for former staff to work at the Tawonga booth to help us reach out to the rest of the community.
Fellowship Opportunities
Since 2003, Camp Tawonga has participated in the Cornerstone Fellowship program through the Foundation for Jewish Camp. This program was created due to the unique value returning staff bring to the camp community, and recognizes this value through additional training and compensation. During the summer Tawonga's cohort of Cornerstone Fellows takes on a larger leadership role by creating special projects and programs. If you are a counselor or wilderness leader returning for your third year on staff and are interested in applying for this program, please contact Jamie at 415.543.2267 x134 or jamie@tawonga.org.
Being a Supervisor at Tawonga
If you are interested in returning to Tawonga this summer and are ready for a new challenge, consider applying to work as part of our summer supervisory team. All of our supervisors attend an additional week of training before the summer – training which has become nationally recognized among camp directors and considered invaluable by former supervisors. Go in-depth: learn why Tawonga uses an inverted pyramid for an organizational chart, delve deeper into Tawonga's canon of professional ethics, and hone your people skills, learning how to build trust, avoid conflict and have the hard conversations sometimes necessary to build an effective, cohesive team. Gain leadership experience in a teaching role while learning from your peers: our team of supervisors works closely together, attending daily meetings and supporting each other as they collectively address ways to best run each department. Typically, our supervisors have worked at camp for at least 2 years and have experience in the department that they apply to lead. For more information, and to request an application, please contact Jamie at 415.543.2267 x134 or jamie@tawonga.org.
Weekend Programs
Each spring and fall, Tawonga runs weekend programs for families, couples and individuals. These programs are great opportunities for people to connect with a welcoming Jewish community in nature and provide a chance for younger kids to become acquainted with camp. We always welcome counselors, kitchen and maintenance staff, and specialists interested in working these weekends. Share your Tawonga spirit with new families and reconnect with staff in our community. Contact Jamie at 415.543.2267 x134 or jamie@tawonga.org to sign up.
Year-Round Part-Time Opportunities
When we're not up next to the Tuolumne, camp runs year round in our San Francisco Office. We can always use help representing Tawonga at camp fairs in the Bay Area, or for a few days during winter break to help us get ready for next season. Sometimes opportunities arise to join our staff full-time in a year-round position. For more information, contact Ryley at 415.543.2267 x114 or ryley@tawonga.org.
Certification Reimbursements
Are you interested in trying out the wilderness department or waterfront this year? If you apply for a position that requires extra certifications - such as Wilderness First Responder (WFR), Wilderness First Aid (WFA) or Life Guard Training (LGT) - camp will reimburse you for the cost of your certifications! Even if you are returning in a position that does not require these certifications, but are interested in a class which would benefit you in the role in which you plan to return, Tawonga may reimburse you or contribute toward the certification cost. Contact Jamie at 415.543.2267 x134 or jamie@tawonga.org to learn more about this.
Apply Now!
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