Counsellors

We are lucky to have a wide range of staff and volunteers at Jõekääru!

The counsellors and support staff range in ages from 17 - 85+, and all are at camp to help the campers have a meaningful, successful summer; learning about their culture and meeting new people.

Staff are almost all Estonian, with some coming specifically from Estonia to share their knowledge with us. Other staff are ex-campers, excited to finally be able to help give a great camp experience to the next generation! There are the 'lifers', the adults who enjoy participating and giving back by spending one of their holiday weeks working at Jõekääru. We also welcome parents of campers to get an even better understanding of camp by working there (Often they choose to spend their days with other adults in the kitchen). Then there are our strong cultural heros, who come back decade after decade, sharing and teaching campers and staff alike the craft, the sport, and the history of Estonia.

Each cabin has at least one counsellor and one assistant counsellor. When numbers are greater, or in the younger cabins, often extra people are placed to help everything run smoothly.

Staffing includes experienced people who are hired specifically to run activities: art instructor, language instructors, waterfront staff, as well as talented counselors who can teach a variety of skills. We also hire a director, an assistant director, a first aid worker as well as maintenance and kitchen staff.

All employed by Joekaaru are assigned rooms (which may include having room-mates), that are located in the cabins, or at other areas of the camp (waterfront, at the saun, at the main building). Cabin counselors are always housed in the space where there campers are sleeping.