I loved how closeknit the team was. I appreciated being able to make new connections with people my age, and having days off to do whatever I wanted. The managers were nice too since they were around my age.
What I wish was different
I wish the pay had been higher. It was a fun experience and I would certainly do it again but the pay was very little.
Advice
Use the time off to your advantage and rest up, show days are long. Don't be afraid to make new friends either.
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Video Broadcasting Team Member
June - August 2019 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
It was a great experience relearning the basics of broadcasting as well as some new techniques in it being NDI based and often being outdoor so we had to set up and tear down each production. I got to handle updating of the credits and graphics for each broadcast. During broadcasts, I would be assigned as Technical Director operating the TriCaster TC1 in switching camera feeds according to the director. It was overall a great learning experience with those jobs and with assisting in prep for live musical acts such as Peter Frampton and Diana Ross.
What I wish was different
I wish I enjoyed my time living there more but it was always very hot and the staff dorm rooms are small with no air conditioning. otherwise its a beautiful area.
Advice
Be prepared for the heat and to work outside.
Be ready to pitch in as much as possible in any area.
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Camp Counselor/Lifeguard
June - August 2019 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
The campus is beautiful! It was so fun to connect with the kids there and share their passion for the arts.
What I wish was different
I wish that the camp counselors had been paid better.
Advice
Be prepared to have a lot of fun, but also be ready to creatively problem solve when needed! Be flexible!
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Sound, Lighting and Video Technician
June - August 2019 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
Educational experience and attitude with the ability to expand and build up responsibilities; a day off a week and respect for my time; paid food and room; NOT called an internship in title; tightly knit crew given team building and team training; solid amount of free time
What I wish was different
A food stipend would be preferred to eating food, albeit free food, meant for picky kids. It's also sort of away from everything, ~40min from the nearest major city.
Advice
Be smart about where you buy your uniform; it's just as valid to get it from Amazon or TJ Maxx for cheap, vs. Old Navy or some outlet. I enjoyed making it as "mine" as I could; I picked button-downs over polos, wore expressive shoes, jackets/flannels, etc. The uniform is a little annoying but it's ultimately not that big a deal.
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Cabin Counselor
June - August 2019 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
The training was great, and the people in charge of the Intermediate Boys division were just spectacular at what they do. I learned so much from them.
What I wish was different
I wish we had been more receptive to our camper's complaints (to an extent), since there were common things: going to the WYSO concert every week, having to be back in division by a certain time, division-wide activities that they simply did not want to do. I think the camp is so rooted in tradition that these group activities and experiences had a different effect on today's campers vs. campers 50 years ago.
Advice
With your campers, set the expectation you have for them from the minute you meet them. Pair that with set the example of a good person room the moment you meet them. Consistency is SUPER important when living with middle schoolers, because if they see one camper treated differently than them, their intense sense of justice is set off. Always follow the rules, always. You're always on the clock, whether you think you are or not. Even when campers "aren't around" you never know if they're watching/listening. Commit to being a model adult.
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Certified Nursing Assistant
June - August 2019 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
-Being in an upper Michigan location and working with camp students.
What I wish was different
-I wish my hourly wage would have been higher.
Advice
-Always push yourself out of your comfort zone - like moving to a different place for the summer!
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Residence Hall Coordinator/Camp Counselor/Band Camp Tech/
April - July 2019 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
The community up at Interlochen is ridiculously supportive and close like none other
What I wish was different
It’s hard living with the students and still finding personal time
Advice
Take every opportunity you can get! Each experience is so much more valuable in this environment than you can imagine
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Video, Audio, and Lighting Technician
June - August 2019 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
The team I worked with are all great people of which I would work. The projects were setting up many shows and for me being the Technical Director and Graphics Manager of the 2019 summer webcast series. My video team of which I worked with most often worked well together. I loved the area of Northern Michigan and being close to Traverse City made days off a great opportunity to discover some great places to eat and relax.
What I wish was different
My biggest complaint for the entire time was there is that the dorm buildings where staff live and have practice rooms for the students NEED Air Conditioning in the near future. The humidity was unbearable and ruined much of my downtime.
Advice
Bring a fan of any kind and always have water handy.
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Program Office Staff
June - August 2018 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
I liked how I was able to join the team and start working right away. Everyone was friendly. I was able to help update some things to make the program-making process a lot easier.
What I wish was different
I wished some angry parent phone calls wouldn't have been sent to our department since we normally didn't have the information they needed. There was a lot of things that would get taught as you worked, but I wished it was more in a document of things you should keep in mind while making the program.
Advice
ASK QUESTIONS. Don't be afraid to ask, write things down that they tell you to do. Always be ready for a huge influx of work, the 6th week is crazy busy, but you will get through it!!
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Camp Counselor
June - August 2018 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
Getting to see my campers engage with their art of choice with such passion made every early morning worth it. I also loved my co-workers and found the woods to be very centering and peaceful. I learned a lot about myself and arts in general.
What I wish was different
I wish my parents would've been closer. My homesickness was difficult to deal with especially around week four, but I found that engaging more with camp made it easier and made the time go by faster.
Advice
Being a camp counselor is a very selfless job, so make sure that you're doing the most you can do others! It's not about you, but if you do your job right, you will find that you grow alongside your campers.
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Camp Counselor
June - August 2018 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
I loved the community that was created as we spent the summer working with the kids. I had many different responsibilities, and I really enjoyed that I got to spend the summer doing a variety of things, such as lifeguarding, office work, and working as a cabin counselor.
What I wish was different
It was really hot there this summer, and wearing the uniform was sometimes difficult! Also, occasionally management wasn't as supportive as they could be.
Advice
Make the most of the summer by working to build strong relationships with your coworkers.
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Piano Technician
June - August 2018 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
The experience
What I wish was different
The food
Advice
High velocity fan maybe two,
Have money saved to bring with you when you get there to buy tools that you may not know about or that you’ll start using now that you know how to use it. Also, bring a bike.
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Office Manager
June - September 2018 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
I loved working with a devoted staff who were like-minded in what they were working towards.
What I wish was different
I wish I had gotten a little more training in everything that was going to be expected of me as the Office Manager in my division.
Advice
Be flexible. Things come up and you have to take care of them, even if it shouldn't have happened or came up from seemingly nowhere.
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Camp Counselor
June - August 2018 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
I loved the community- the campers were great, the other counselors were great. It was very cool being in an environment that fostered this kind of unique creative energy. I also loved living in the rustic environment in Northern Michigan
What I wish was different
I have literally no complaints
Advice
Don't be afraid to follow your instincts, everything will turn out just fine.
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Housekeeper
June - August 2018 • Interlochen, MI
What I liked
The people I worked with and the environment. It was hard work but I enjoyed making the friends I did and it was fun while it lasted!
What I wish was different
I wish we hadn't been understaffed, as it was very difficult at times.
Advice
Expect to be on your feet for most of the day, and don't take your breaks for granted. Do what you can in the rooms but don't let people get to you, some guests can be downright mean.
