Frequently Asked Questions

Q.	What is the staff to camper ratio, and who are the staff?

"At Oasis, our adult to child ratio is always 1:7, 1:5 for our younger campers. Typically, each group of 15-18 children has 2-3 group leaders, depending on age. An additional staff person, a specialist, runs each specific activity in which the children participate. A team of Division Leaders act as supervisors and every site has a nurse or EMT as well as a team of Red Cross certified lifeguards and swim instructors. Oasis staff is made up of various dedicated youth workers- from teachers to coaches, guidance counselors, social workers, and college-aged students pursuing a career in working with children. Our staff are thoroughly screened by our Human Resources team. They have to submit to reference checks as well as background and sex offender checks in order to be employed with us for the summer."

Q.	What are Oasis Fee-Based Day Camps?

Oasis Children's Services, LLC operates summer day camps at locations throughout the Tri-State area. Any parent or family may register and pay to send their child to one of our summer day camps as long as the child meets the age requirements of the program.

If you are interested in working at a Funded Program instead of a Fee-Based Day Camp, please visit this website:

Q.	Where are Oasis Fee-Based Day Camps located?

The Oasis Fee-Based day camp locations currently include:

NEW YORK CITY LOCATIONS
Manhattan
Oasis at Central Park at the Alexander Robertson School (3 West 95th Street and Central Park West)
Oasis Downtown at Our Lady of Sorrows Elementary School (Lower East Side)
Brooklyn
Oasis in Brooklyn at P.S. 346 (Starrett City)

GREATER METROPOLITAN LOCATIONS
Westchester
Oasis in Dobbs Ferry at Mercy College (Westchester County)
Nassau County
Oasis on the North Shore at Michael J. Tully Park (New Hyde Park)
Oasis in Point Lookout at the Bishop Molloy Recreational Center (Point Lookout)

NEW JERSEY LOCATIONS
New Jersey
Oasis in Madison at Drew University (Morris County)

Q.	What positions are offered at Oasis summer camps?

The positions available suit any level of experience or area of expertise. These positions include: Group Leader, Administrative Staff, Art Instructor, Sports Instructor, Swim Instructor and a wide range of Leadership/Management positions such as Division Leader, Operations Director, Health Director etc... For a detailed description of each available position, please see the Current Job Openings Page.

Q.	What hours and days will I be required to work?

Oasis summer camp programs are DAY programs that operate Monday through Friday from 8:15 AM to 5:30 PM. Each program runs for 8 consecutive weeks throughout the summer from late June/early July through mid/late August depending on the specific location of the program. Any Oasis employee filling a Leadership role will need to arrive at camp at 7:30 AM for morning meetings with the leadership team.

Q.	How many weeks will I be required to work?

Staff members will be given a contract of 6, 7, or 8 weeks, which they are responsible for completing during the summer. All staff contracts begin at the start of camp but have different end dates based on the availability of each staff member, as well as the enrollment at the camp site during the last weeks of the program. All staff members will be informed of the length of their contract with their job offer.

Q.	Is there pre-camp training/orientation that Oasis employees attend?

Yes, there are 4 days of mandatory orientation that all Oasis employees are required to attend. The first of these trainings is held at a central location for multiple Oasis sites. The other 3 days will be held at the specific site where you will be working over the summer. If you are hired to fill a Leadership or Program Instructor position you will have additional training sessions prior to the start of camp.

Q.	How much do I get paid?

Oasis employees receive a summer stipend on a bi-weekly basis throughout the summer. Each stipend is based on a pre-determined pay scale that takes into account several variables including position, length of summer contract, level of education and experience. We are very careful to apply these standards fairly.

Q.	How can I earn College Credits while working for Oasis?

Oasis offers hired staff the opportunity to earn 4 undergraduate college credits, tuition free, by taking a class called Group Leadership in Youth Programming (GLYP). The class consists of attending one 8-hour Saturday course coupled with written reflection on your daily experiences. (The college credit information will be given to you upon hiring and must be verified with your college registrar to ensure your college accepts these credits.) For more information on the GLYP course and the 4 college credits, please see the Earn College Credits with Oasis page.

Q.	Are there other ways to earn additional money during the summer?

Yes, Oasis offers additional ways for summer staff to earn money for those interested in extra jobs/responsibilities. These jobs include: bus counselors, bus driver, early morning set-up, afternoon clean-up, early arrival counselor, and late afternoon dismissal counselor. These jobs are assigned by each Site Director prior to the start of camp. For more information, please see the Staff Bonus Program page. Also, each staff member has the opportunity to earn tips from their camper's family- these are never guaranteed, but indicate a job well done!

Q.	How do I apply for a job with Oasis?

You can fill out an online application by clicking the NEW APPLICANT or RETURNING APPLICANT link on the left sidebar. Oasis only accepts applications online. Before filling out your application please obtain valid email addresses for all three of your references. If you do not provide this information you will not be able to submit the application.

Q.	How old do I have to be to work at Oasis?

A.	In order to work at any Oasis Program you need to be 17 years of age or older.

Q.	What is a typical day at Oasis like?

19. 5:30 PM

1. 8:15 AM		2. Staff Arrive dressed in Oasis T-Shirt and ready for the day!
3. 8:30 - 9:00 AM		4. Morning arrival for campers
5. 9:00 AM		6. Morning Rally
7. 9:30 - 11:00 AM		8. First Activity: Examples - Sports/Recreation, Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Swim, Outdoor Adventure
9. 11:00 - 12:30 PM		10. Second Activity
11. 12:30 - 1:30 PM		12. LUNCH
13. 1:30 - 3:00 PM		14. Third Activity
15. 3:00 - 4:30 PM		16. Fourth Activity
17. 4:30 - 5:30 PM		18. Camper Departure
	20. Staff Departure

Q.	Is lunch provided for Oasis staff?

Lunch is NOT provided for staff members. Each staff member is required to bring their own lunch to camp every day. We provide coolers to store your lunch in, but you will be expected to eat with the campers every day - picnic style. There is no opportunity during the day to purchase a lunch, so it is important for staff to bring their own lunch every day.

Q.	What do I wear to camp?

Oasis provides each staff member with 5 Oasis shirts that must be worn to camp every day. Staff members are expected to participate in every activity and are asked to dress in clothes suitable for participation (socks, sneakers, shorts, bathing suit). We urge you not to bring valuable possessions to camp. It is required that staff members get in the pool when their campers are swimming, so wearing swimsuits is required every day for every staff member.

Q.	Do Oasis employees get any sick days/vacation days?

The summer is very short. Oasis summer camp programs are only 6 to 8 weeks long. Oasis and the children need staff members to be present every day to maintain staff ratios and the safety of the children. If there is a real emergency that necessitates taking a day off from work, you must discuss the situation with your Site Director and immediate supervisor ASAP to be given permission to miss work.

Q.	How big are Oasis summer camp programs?

Oasis summer camps vary in size depending on location. Some of our smaller camps enroll around 100 children, while some of our larger camps enroll up to 400 children. Regardless of the size of camp, the campers are divided into divisions and groups based on age and gender. We will do our best when placing staff to accommodate you as best as possible.

Q.	How many campers are in each group?

Each group is made up of 15 to 20 children depending on their age. Children are grouped by both age and gender. The younger groups (5-8) are co-ed, the middle groups (9-11) are separated by gender, and the older groups (12-14) are co-ed. Each group will have 2 or more group leaders working with the children throughout the duration of the summer.

Q.	Is there a time for staff to socialize?

During the Oasis day there isn't much time for staff to socialize with one another. The main focus of the day is the safety and care of children. At your camp, there will be organized staff outings that you can use as a time to build friendships with your co-workers. There is also an Oasis-sponsored event that takes place midway through the summer for staff to hang out, unwind and spend time getting to know other Oasis employees. It is a fun time for all Oasis staff members!