Summer camp operators facing post-pandemic staff shortages, certification backlogs
Last Updated Saturday, June 18, 2022 3:45PM EDT
Douglas, also the vice-president of the British Columbia Camps Association, said Timberline is not alone: many camp operators have been forced to cut programs or accept fewer campers because they can't find enough people to work.The COVID-19 pandemic forced many camps to shut down completely in 2020, and then operate under tight restrictions last summer.
Timberline, which is a charity, has increased salaries, shortened the work week and set up several staff activities and perks in an effort to attract workers, Douglas said. The camp normally employs about 80 people for its 24-day campers and 144 overnighters. With staff training beginning Friday, he said the organization is still missing about five key people.
“I think people are realizing that there's more out there to do and they're willing to sacrifice work for it,” he said. During the pandemic, those first aid and wilderness survival courses weren't offered, which means the staff leading the trips this year needed a lot of expensive, time-consuming training and recertification. Georgiade said his company arranged and paid for it.