join the msr staff
Joining our Staff will help you learn new skills and hone the ones you have, all while having an absolute blast at camp!
Our staff members are our camp’s most important resource. A good staff member will be passionate about camp, dedicated to program excellence, and serious about providing the best experience possible for each Scout.
When you join our team, you join a family of staffers spanning generations.
You must be at least 14 years old by the time Staff Training Week starts to join staff.
Please direct all questions to reservationdirector@makajawan.com.
To learn more about each position at camp, check out our Camp Staff Position Descriptions! (Opens up a Google Drive Folder).
If you haven’t worked at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan before, you’ll need to fill out a New Staff Application
If you have worked at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan before, you’ll need to fill out the Returning Staff Application
Step 1 - Check your availability
2024 MSR Staff Arrival Dates
Sunday Afternoon, June 9th - Trek Staff Arrive
Tuesday, June 11th - Senior Staff arrive during the afternoon
Sunday, June 16th – Junior Staff arrive during the afternoon
2024 Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan Scout Reservation Summer Camp Program Dates (dates our staff members work):
Camp Setup Week - June 9 - June 15
Staff Training Week - June 16 - June 22
Week 1 – June 23 - June 29
Week 2 – June 30 - July 6
Week 3 – July 7 - July 13
Week 4 – July 14 - July 20
Week 5 – July 21 - July 27
Week 6 – July 28 - August 3
Sunday, August 4 – Junior Staff Departure Date: Must leave by Noon (bus not available)
Can’t be there all summer? In your application or during your interview, let us know if you will need to leave camp during the summer for Philmont, Sea Base, band camp, etc. Returning staff should email their Camp Director or the Reservation Director.
Step 2 - Complete our Staff Application
If you haven’t worked at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan before, you’ll need to fill out a New Staff Application
If you have worked at Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan before, you’ll need to fill out the Returning Staff Application
2024 APPLICATION DEADLINES
Applications can still be submitted after the below deadlines, but those applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Keep an eye on your emails!
Monday, September 25th – Applications for Camp Directors are due; interviews will be scheduled on a rolling basis.
Friday, October 6th – Camp Directors confirmed
Monday, October 16th – Office Staff Applications due
Monday, November 6th – Office Staff Confirmed
Monday, November 13th – Area Director Applications due
Monday, December 11th – Area Directors Confirmed
Monday, December 11th – General Staff Applications due
Staff Interview Dates: General Staff Interviews are generally held over winter break in early January. Updates on interview scheduling and signups will be emailed directly to applicants.
Please note that the above timeline is ideal. There will likely be flexibility in some of the dates, but if you are really keen on a certain position, make sure to get your application in ASAP as timeliness will be factored into decisions.
ONCE YOU HAVE APPLIED:
Camp Director Applicants: Applications will be reviewed within 72 hours of receiving them, and interviews will be scheduled between September 18th and October 4th.
Camp Office Applicants: Applications will be reviewed starting October 9th, and interviews will be scheduled between October 14th and October 30th.
Area Director Applicants: Applications will be reviewed starting November 4th, and interviews will be scheduled by your Camp Director and Office Staff.
All Other Applicants: Applications will be reviewed by the relevant Camp Director and Office Staff, with interviews to be scheduled over Winter Break, hosted at the NEIC Headquarters in Vernon Hills, Illinois. Virtual interview formats will be available as well.
Step 3 - Sign-up for an interview
Interviews typically take place during the time when most schools are on winter break.
Specific dates, times, and how to sign up for an interview will be emailed to our applicants.
Step 4 - Onboarding & Training
Once you have interviewed:
You will hear from one of our Camp Directors after they have been given the go-ahead from the Council Program Director to extend offers. One of the biggest contributing factors to the decision to hire staff is the number of Scouts we have registered to attend camp in the summer. The more Scouts signed up, the more staff we will need.
We hope you will consider keeping your application open if you are not selected to join our staff during the first selection round. An initial “no” is actually a “not right now.” There may still be an opportunity to work at our camp down the line, and we need to ensure we have enough Scouts signed up to support hiring more staff. Here are some additional resources if you receive a “not right now” response. Resource 1 | Resource 2
If hired, you will first be offered a verbal/email hire from one of our camp directors. They will also share the next steps.
You will receive an update giving you access to our online staff portal. This will be sent to you via email, so be sure to check your email routinely so you don't miss any important information. The staff portal allows you to access the hiring paperwork, submit important documents, sign your contract, and all online training.
Contact your camp director with any questions about the upcoming season.
The Boy Scouts of America is committed to equal employment opportunity and compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws that prohibit workplace discrimination and unlawful retaliation, such as those that prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or related medical condition), gender, sexual orientation, marital or familial status, genetic information, citizenship status, protected activity (such as opposition to or reporting of prohibited discrimination and harassment), or any other status or classification protected by applicable federal, state, and/or local laws.