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1. What is the Family Vacation Center?
The Family Vacation Center is a program of the Alumni Affairs Department
at UCSB. Families stay for a week in the 2-4 bedroom suites in San Rafael Residence
Halls. A weekly stay includes daily meals, lodging, housekeeping, and most activities.
Activities include programs for children, infants through teens, tennis, swimming,
horseback riding, golf, bike rides, hiking, frisbee, softball and basketball.
Children visit UCSB, take field trips to city parks and the ocean. Adults enjoy
wine tasting, Casino night, dancing, social hours, trips through the wine country,
downtown Santa Barbara. Families enjoy carnivals, campfire, bingo talent shows
and the Farewell Show.
2. What will I do there? What will be expected of me?
Most of each day is spent working in your assigned area. You may
also work in additional programs such as Family Carnival, Water Show, Casino,
or Bingo. All staff is scheduled for the Friday Evening Farewell
Show. We hire staffers who are willing to work as a team, who have a sense of
responsibility and self-confidence, and who regard a summer working at a family
camp as a worthwhile and expanding opportunity. We breathe life into the Family
Vacation Center each summer by filling the camp with warm, energetic staff who
are quick to laugh and smile and who truly enjoy meeting and being with lots
of new people, both kids and adults.
3. Can I take summer school?
Because of the intense nature of our program, and because you work
40-45 hours/week, Summer School is a burden that you must take on
wisely. Should you be hired, your first priority is expected to be
to the program. We cannot schedule around your summer school nor can
we make accommodations for finals, midterms, study groups, or any
other activity that would hinder your ability to do your job. Therefore,
you must decide if you can give your best energy to the FVC while
taking summer school.
4. What qualities do you look for in a FVC staff member?
We look for related work experience, genuine interest in young people, performing arts talents, personality, enthusiasm, integrity, responsibility and the ability to get along with people. Family Vacation Center counselors love kids, enjoy a wholesome family environment, and have a personal lifestyle, which makes it easy for them to be good role models to the children. We seek truly interesting and accomplished people who have diverse and unique backgrounds.
5. Where exactly will I live?
All staff members live in the singles hall of the tower of San
Rafael Residence Hall and have a room to themselves. Floors are co-ed with male/female
bathrooms located at opposite ends of the corridor. Move-in is Thursday June
19th and move-out is Sunday August 31st. You provide your own linen, towels and
pillows. Housekeeping will clean bathrooms and vacuum hallways once a week.
6. Do I HAVE to live there?
Though it is strongly preferred, it is not mandatory to live in San
Rafael. Because of the intense nature of our work, it is nice to have
your own room in San Rafael, so you don’t spend time commuting to
and from work. Also, the single room is part of your compensation
package. Whether you choose to make use of the room is up to you.
7. How's the food?
The Family Vacation Center has great food. The meals are served at
Carrillo dining commons, which offers a wide variety of foods, from
pizza and hamburgers, to Mongolian barbeque and salads. There are
always vegetarian and vegan options, as well as build-your-own sandwiches
and baked potatoes. Best of all, there's no grocery shopping, cooking,
or dishes for a whole summer!
8. Do I eat with the guests?
Yes! This is a requirement. We want you to get to know our guests and them to know you. If you are not comfortable with the idea of eating with different families and making new friends, you probably won't enjoy the Family Vacation Center.
9. How long is the Family Vacation Center and will I have any free time?
You are required to work 10 weeks - from June 20th through Aug.
30th. The summer begins with a full week of staff training and setting
up the programs and ends with one day of clean up. No staff are excused early.
The only exception is if the Director (not supervisors) approves it and that
will only happen in extenuating circumstances. In between there are nine weeks
of family camp. You will work 40-45 hours per week. You will have 1 1/2 days
off, which we try to schedule consecutively, if possible. You will
be scheduled to work some hours on weekends. You will find that your summer is
pretty much consumed by FVC activities, recreation, vacation and staff gatherings.
The more you put in, the more you get out... It's not just another summer job!
10. What about staff training?
New staff has a special orientation on May 7th and the full staff
will meet at the retreat May 16-18. Supervisors will be in contact
with staff in their areas and will call meetings in advance of
the summer. During pre-camp workweek we set up camp, rehearse the various
shows, teach you how to do your job, explain rules and procedures
and create work schedules. Most important during these times, we'll
get acquainted, learn to enjoy each other and begin to work as
a team. There is a tremendous amount to learn in a very short period of time.
As a result, it is expected that staff will take time to educate themselves
about the program from material provided.
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