Stomping Ground Applicant Hub
Here you can find information you’ll need during the application process, but don’t hesitate to reach out to MK with any questions you have. On this page:
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS | SG LINGO | HIRING TIMELINE | SUMMER DATES
Here’s a video with a little more detail about what a day in the life looks like for a cabin counselor at Stomping Ground!
We’ll explain a brief version of this to you in the interview, especially if you’re unfamiliar with camp, but this provides a little more detail about the hour-to-hour schedule of a staff member.
The application process at Stomping Ground consists of at least 2 interviews. We will tell you about the program, learn more about you, and answer any questions that come up. We’ll ask you about things like: childcare experience, summer availability, personal interests, and any certifications you might have.
Below is the pool of questions that we pull from for interviews. Depending on what we talk about, we may ask additional follow-up questions that are unique to you. Underneath the questions are some definitions of terms we use at Stomping Ground.
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Tell me about a time you got in trouble as a kid. How did it feel? How do you wish the adults had reacted? If you didn't get in trouble a lot, when you witnessed someone close to you get in trouble.
Why do you want to work at a summer camp?
How do you typically respond to conflict? What’s a time you wish you responded differently to conflict?
Tell me about a time you had to be flexible or change directions last-minute.
Identify your stretch points: what causes you stress? What do you do when that happens?
If time and money weren’t factors, how would you spend your days?
What types of things do you feel confident in?
Who do you look up to and why?
Why do you think people like being around you?
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What experience do you have working with kids already?
Pitch me on a camp activity you’d like to lead.
What are some challenges you expect when it comes to living in community?
If a younger version of you came to camp, what would you be like?
Based on what you've learned, what do you imagine your day at camp will be like?
What’s one thing (memory, experience, lesson, etc.) you want campers to leave with?
What do you think will be the most difficult part of the summer?
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We use the circle system at camp to address conflict. How do you see yourself folding into this system? What thoughts do you have about it?
We take a 'partner with' approach to working with campers, as opposed to 'powering over.' How do you see yourself partnering with kids?
Why is it important to maintain the boundary between friend and role model, especially in situations where this is a small age gap? + What will you do to hold that boundary while still building trust with your campers?
Tell me about a time you've encountered Hidden Curriculum.
How do you feel about downtime/being bored?
Do you find yourself leaning towards more structured or more free-play activities?
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Content warning: the final scenario in this section mentions abuse.
You have a new camper who is pretty nervous to be away from home. What do you do day one to make them feel more comfortable in your cabin?
You are called into a circle to support a camper with whom you have several differences. How do you still build empathy with them? (preconferences, ramifications in the cabin afterwards)
It is Thursday of the first week, you and your co-counselor have not fallen in a rhythm yet, what do you do?
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At Stomping Ground, we are committed to preventing physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. First off, if you have a history of experiences, thoughts, or actions that may lead you seeking to perpetrate abuse against a camper, Stomping Ground is not the place for you and you should not accept the job even if it is offered to you.
As a staff member, we expect that if someone with harmful intent did find their way to our camp you understand that you have a duty to act to help us protect our campers. Have you ever felt uncomfortable with a colleague's behavior towards a child/children in a previous job? If yes, What were your concerns? What did you do? How was the situation resolved? If not, what would you do if faced with the situation?
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Where's somewhere special you can imagine having embers?
What’s a favorite memory you have at camp?
Tell me about a staff member who you think does an incredible job.
Vocabulary we use at Stomping Ground
Hidden Curriculum - The unspoken rules that often exist in a place that are not explicitly explained to newcomers. Here’s a video with more information.
Restorative Justice - A justice system that seeks to restore harm and repair relationships instead of punish the person or people branded as wrongdoers. Video here.
Circle System - A template for conversation, used to community build, check in with others, and resolve conflicts. Here’s how it works at camp.
Power Over - To make decisions for kids, because you are the authority in the room.
Partner With - To facilitate decision-making with kids, because they are capable.
Hiring Timeline
First Interview > Reference Checks> Second Interview > Hiring Committee > Decision
First Interview
Your first interview will most likely be with MK. They’ll send you this very web page once you book it. You’ll talk about the program and some of your experience with kids.
Reference Checks
After your first interview, MK will send you a follow-up form to collect information for your references and permission for a background check. These are state-mandated things we do for all of our employees.
We require three references for people that can vouch that you will be good on a team and good with kids! We need 2 professional references and 1 personal reference. A professional reference can be anyone who has seen you be good at something (but not a family or close friend): a teacher, a coach, a boss, a CIT director, someone like that. A personal reference can be anyone who knows you really well, like a parent, other family member, or best friend.
References are one of the requirements to work at Stomping Ground, so if we think you’re perfect for the job but can’t get ahold of your references, we can’t hire you!
Second Interview
Your second interview will either be with Laura or Daniel. They will get to know you a little bit better and ask you some questions of their own. We do two interviews so that diverse viewpoints are brought to the table when decisions are made for hiring.
Hiring Committee
Some time after you’ve completed two interviews, the hiring committee will sit down and discuss everyone they’ve talked to so far. We look at things like how many returners are coming back, the current needs on staff, and the age and experience of the applicants. This can take a little time, so don’t be discouraged if it takes awhile for you to hear back! MK will post dates here as meetings are scheduled.
Decision
A decision will be made! You will either offered a position, not offered a position, or put on standby. If you are offered a position, we will offer you certain sessions based on our schedule and yours. If you are put on standby, we may tell you that we need to wait a round to know if we are able to offer you a position (a reason for this may be that you are 17 and we need some more 18 year olds to satisfy the DOH ratio, or that you are only available certain sessions and we do not yet know if those sessions have enough counselors or not).
Summer 2026 Dates
Staff O June 19 - June 26
Session 1 June 28 - July 10
Session 2 July 12 - July 24
Artsfest teens only July 26 - August 7
Session 4 August 9 - August 21
Questions?
Everyone on the year-round team gives input into hiring, but MK manages the process. If you have questions, reach out!