Staff Employment Information

Cape Cod Camp Corporation
FARLEY OUTDOOR EDUCATION CENTER
615 Route 130, Mashpee MA 02649 (508) 477-0181

Organizational Background

The Cape Cod Camp Corporation, operating under the name of Farley Outdoor Education Center ( Camp Farley) is a private non-profit organization established in 1934. As a non-profit organization, no one owns the Corporation or its assets and the volunteer board members do not personally benefit from their association with the organization.

How The Camp Came To Be

Camp Farley's property was purchased in 1934 and the buildings were erected by volunteers over a number of decades.

How Camp Farley Is Governed

Camp Farley is governed by a volunteer board of directors who provide guidance and support, oversee the operation of the Corporation, and direct Farley's salaried executive director. The Director of Operations is responsible for carrying out the board's directives and the day to day business of the organization.

Program Approach

Campers typically participate in five activities each day. The first three activities are predetermined by the camp to provide a well-balanced, variety of experiences to the camper throughout their stay. Every afternoon, campers also have an opportunity to choose from a wide range of electives that are presented (and created) by the staff.

Overnight campers also participate in an evening activity, including a campfire program each Sunday night and a closing ceremony every Friday evening.

Working Environment

Camp Farley encourages a family-oriented, informal work atmosphere. A Camp Farley Staff T-Shirt is provided to be worn each Sunday afternoon (arrival of campers & parents) and Friday night (departure of campers & parents). Otherwise, attire is casual but shoes, shirts and appropriately styled clothing must be worn at all times. Waterfront staff should wear a one-piece bathing suit or an "official" Lifeguard 2-piece suit. Footwear, especially sandals, should secure around the ankles in order to minimize potential slips and falls. Flip-Flops are discouraged.

Typical Day at Camp Farley

7:30 AM WAKE UP
7:30 AM - 7:50 AM GET READY FOR DAY
7:50 AM - 8:00 AM FLAGPOLE ASSEMBLY
8:00 AM - 8:30 AM BREAKFAST
8:30 AM - DAY CAMPERS ARRIVE
8:30 AM - 9:00 AM CABIN CLEAN UP (Overnight campers)
9:00 AM - 9:30 AM COUNCIL GROVE (present electives)
9:30 AM - 10:30 AM PROGRAM 1
10:30 AM - 10:45 AM GENERAL CLEAN-UP
10:45 AM - 11:00 PM SNACK
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM PROGRAM 2

***********AGES 6-11****************
12:00 PM - 12:10 PM FLAGPOLE ASSEMBLY 
12:10 PM - 12:30 PM LUNCH
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM REST

***********AGES 12-14***************
12:00 PM - 12:35 PM REST
12:35 PM - 12:45 PM FLAGPOLE ASSEMBLY
12:45 PM - 1:20 PM LUNCH 

***********************************
1:20 PM - 1:30 PM FLAGPOLE ASSEMBLY
1:30 PM - 2:45 PM PROGRAM 3
2:45 PM - 3:00 PM SNACK 
3:00 PM - 4:00 PM ELECTIVE
4:00 PM - 5:00 PM REC/ART/SWIM ELECTIVE
5:00 PM - DAY CAMPERS LEAVE
5:00 PM - 5:15 PM GET READY FOR DINNER
5:15 PM - 5:30 PM FLAGPOLE
5:30 PM - 6:15 PM DINNER
6:15 PM - 7:00 PM CABIN POW-WOW
7:00 PM - 8:15 PM EVENING PROGRAM (campfire may end later)
8:15 PM - 8:45 PM GET READY FOR BED

8:45 PM LIGHTS OUT FOR AGES 8-11
8:50 PM LIGHTS OUT FOR AGES 12-15

9:00 PM MOST STAFF RELEASED
(Staff are assigned for night watch on a rotating basis.)
12:00 AM STAFF CURFEW
12:15 AM STAFF IN THEIR CABINS

Living Accommodations

Counselors reside with campers in rustic cabins during the week. In addition to staff and campers, CITs (Counselors-In Training) may also be assigned to a cabin during the week. Cabins are equipped with electricity, bunk beds, and mattresses. Centrally located bathrooms with toilets, wash basins, and showers are located nearby.

During the weekend, campers and Junior Counselors (staff under the age of 18) return home for the weekend and the remaining staff have the campground to themselves. Laundry facilities are available throughout the week. Bicycles are available for local travel to the center of town (4 miles), ocean beach (7 miles) and taverns (2 to 4 miles). On a limited basis, group transportation is also provided to staff during weekday evenings off and weekends.

The legal age for alcohol consumption is 21 years of age. Local laws pertaining to underage drinking, providing alcohol to minors, and driving under the influence of alcohol are severe. Camp Farley has a strict policy prohibiting alcohol on camp property.

Camp Food

Camp Farley provides well-balanced meals (including vegetarian) to campers and staff during the week (Sunday dinner thru Friday dinner). Food is provided in the staff lounge during weekends (Saturday breakfast thru Sunday lunch) on a self serve basis, and staff are expected to prepare (usually re-heat) their own meals and clean up after themselves. Cereals, milk, fresh fruit, breads, and a variety of other foods, including some choice leftovers, will be available. Staff are also provided with a refrigerator for storing their own personal food items. Other than vegetarian meals, personalized or specialized diet selections are not available.

Camp Farley strives to make every camping experience a positive one, and recognizes the importance of providing delicious and well-balanced meals and snacks. (See below to view our menus.) While it is impossible to satisfy every individual within a group setting, our camp meals are designed for popular appeal, incorporate a variety of offerings, and make adjustments for vegetarian needs. Breakfasts typically include a hot entree, fresh fruit, yogurt, juice, as well as a choice between a sweet and non-sweet cereal. Lunches typically include hot soup & sandwich, with peanut butter and/or jelly sandwiches always available as an alternative option. When possible and/or deemed appropriate, peanut butter & jelly sandwiches may also be available as an alternative to dinner entrees.

Vegetarians

A vegetarian option [indicated in italics on the menu] is included when deemed necessary or appropriate. Otherwise, vegetarians are expected to be as flexible as omnivore campers and staff. In order to assist with meal planning, please note that vegetarian options are available only to campers and staff who have indicated this preference upon arrival to camp, and who abide by their stated choice throughout the week.

Our staff make every attempt to encourage campers to use good table manners, make healthy eating choices, and be open to new food experiences. Please note that due to practical constraints and camp philosophy, we do not provide individual/alternative selections to our menu. Campers experience a number of growth opportunities while attending camp, and being flexible about trying different foods is part of the overall benefits of being at camp. The following menus reflect the planned items to be served campers and staff during the camping season.

Time Off

Under the best of circumstances, working at a summer camp requires a great deal of personal sacrifice. Counselors eat, sleep, and live with campers throughout the week. Camp Farley does, however, have a progressive time-off strategy that provides staff with an opportunity to enjoy themselves and each other. During the week (Sunday thru Friday), staff receive at least an hour off each day and at least two evenings off from 9:00 PM to Mid-Night. In addition, staff are off duty, 8:30 PM Friday to 12:30 PM Sunday, every weekend. Staff are expected to return by 12:00 PM Sunday to attend Farley's weekly staff meeting fully prepared to begin the new week (i.e. fed, groomed, with a staff shirt, and their cabin clean and presentable).

For information on Cape Cod, click here.
For information on the town of Mashpee, click here.

Communication With The "Outside World"

Free wireless internet access is provided to staff in the staff lounge. Upon their arrival, international and out-of-state staff are granted one office call to home. Outgoing and in-coming mail is handled on a daily basis. The camp also has a FAX machine (508 539-0080) available for a small fee.

What To Bring

In addition to the obvious (clothes, bedding, and personal items), please be sure that you bring a working watch and flashlight. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT that you also bring a completed health form signed by a physician, certifications, work visas, licenses, and other records if applicable. International staff will be provided with blankets, a pillow, and linen. The camp is not responsible for personal belongings. Jewelry and other expensive items are discouraged. For personal safety, staff MUST have secure footwear while working. Footwear should secure around the heel (such as a strap) and provide adequate protection for the soles of feet. Rubber, open ended sandals do not meet this safety standard.

Criminal Background Check

In accordance with Massachusetts law, summer camps are required to obtain a criminal background report on all staff working with children. Whenever possible, Camp Farley will arrange for these reports, (a Criminal Offender Record Information report and Sex Offender Registry Information report) but international and out-of state staff may be required to assist in obtaining this information locally and send it to the camp. Staff will not be able to work at camp without this critical piece of information.

Payroll & Other Considerations

Salaries are based upon prior experience, qualifications and certifications. Staff should receive a written contract confirming their dates of employment, salary, and other pertinent information. "Pay Day" is every other Wednesday for the two-week period ending the previous Friday. A small cash advance, if needed, may be possible. Staff have the option of having all or a portion of their paycheck automatically and directly deposited into any credit, savings, or checking account within the United States. Please contact the camp if you have any questions regarding your contract, direct deposit options, or other payroll questions.

Arrival

Your arrival time and date has been included in your contract. Please check this information and contract the camp if you need further information. Staff may arrive the day before their assigned start date, but arrivals any earlier are discouraged unless pre-arranged by the camp.

Staff arriving into Boston should plan on taking a Plymouth & Brockton bus from the airport to Barnstable, via the Hyannis route. Staff arriving into New York should plan on taking a Peter Pan Bus from central station to Barnstable. Once at the bus station, a staff member will pick you up and transport you to camp. Please remember that travel arrangements requiring camp transportation should be confirmed with the camp office well in advance.

To view schedule information click on the appropriate bus company above .

Departure From Camp

The last day of the camp season is a Saturday. Staff are expected to work a full day to help close camp, clean up their program area and cabin. It is expected that camp will be returned to the condition that it started the summer in. Staff will have an opportunity to receive and cash their last paycheck on this last day of camp. Staff are free to leave afterward or, are welcome to stay at the camp until Sunday. However, meals and transportation for staff after camp ends will not be available.