Employment - Frequently Asked Questions

What are you looking for in a staff member?

We are looking for mature staff members to role model the YMCA’s four core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. We want people who have a genuine interest in helping children and young adults grow to be contributing members of their community, enjoy working with youth in the outdoors and are willing to help achieve our mission. It is our expectation that all behavior of staff is conducive to the mission of the YMCA and Mystic Lake Camp. The YMCA of Lansing/ Mystic Lake Camp Branch expects staff to present a professional appearance. We ask that staff not display inappropriate tattoos or body piercings. Camp is for people who love working with kids in an outdoor setting. The ideal staff member enjoys hiking, camping, outdoor cooking, doesn’t mind insects or small furry creatures, is comfortable working with others, pitches in whenever and wherever needed, can follow rules and policies for the greater good, and wants a challenging and rewarding summer job. College fieldwork, fun and an opportunity to see another part of the country or world are just a few of the reasons people choose to work at Mystic Lake YMCA Camp. A friend of Mystic Lake Camp said it best: “Camp staff have the toughest, most fun and most important job in the world, all at the same time!”

What is the schedule for the summer?

Our summer camp season starts with a week long staff training. Some staff may be required to begin one to two weeks prior to the beginning of orientation in order to get specialized training. Camp sessions are typically one week in duration and run from the third week in June through mid-August. View our Summer Camp Schedule for dates. Staff members should plan on working the entire season. Opportunities are available for those staff members interested in teaching outdoor education classes to school groups and working retreats and conferences both before and after the summer camping season.

What should I expect if I work at Mystic Lake?

Camp counselors, and some core/support staff, live in cabins with campers and spend each day with that group or their assigned program area. Throughout each one week session, counselors act as friends, teachers and role models for campers with unbelievable opportunities to have a positive impact on campers’ lives. Most staff members work 6 days each week, with a break from Saturday at 12:00 pm until Sunday at 12:00 pm. We make every attempt to schedule two hours off each day for all staff members.

What are the campers like?

We mainly serve children from the Lansing area, with children coming from all over Michigan and the United States. Campers range in age from 7 to 17 and some campers attend Mystic Lake Camp on financial assistance.

Where is the camp located and what are the facilities like?

Mystic Lake YMCA Camp is located in central Michigan approximately 15 miles west of Clare and 1.5 hours north of Lansing. The camp is situated on 600 acres of private land with a 90 acre private lake and a second lake located deep within the boundaries. The temperature in the summer range from 65 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and cooling down at night. Mystic Lake Camp provides a semi-rustic living environment, with several modern conveniences. You will be living in a cabin, with several styles to choose from. Most living groups include 2-3 counselors and 10-20 campers. Our north cabins have electricity and attached bathrooms including private showers. Our fort style cabins on the south end have electricity, air conditioning and have a centrally located bathhouse with individual shower stalls. The camp’s program areas include horse stables, waterfront including boat house, high/low ropes courses, climbing tower, arts and crafts center, archery, sports fields, basketball court, nature center, fire circles and overnight campout sites.

What is the next step for applying for a position?

If you are interested in a position at Mystic Lake YMCA Camp, please complete the enclosed application and return it as soon as possible to the address listed below. All positions will be filled on a rolling basis, once a suitable applicant is found. Once we have received your completed application, we will contact you to arrange an interview, if appropriate.

For additional information or questions, contact:
Ricky Wright, Executive Director
Mystic Lake YMCA Camp
P.O. Box 100 Lake, MI 48632
517/827-9650

Thank you for your interest in Mystic Lake YMCA Camp, and we look forward to hearing from you soon!