Internet 
Summer Staffers have several options for internet access. The Velvet Moose (hub for Summer Staff evening events and ministry team) will have wireless access. Other wireless points are available throughout the campus. There are no wireless signals in the lodges. 

Cell phone service in Montreat is not always exceptionally good. You may have to be outside of a building to get a good signal, and it is possible that you may not even have a signal anywhere in the summer staff lodges. AT&T and Verizon have the strongest signals. 

The Montreat Post Office offers summer boxes. You may get a box number prior to your arrival by going to www.usps.com and renting a box online (this is the preferred method) or going to your local post office and getting the application form for getting a P.O. Box. You can also get a P.O. Box once you are here in Montreat simply by stopping by the Post Office to fill out the forms and pay the fee. 

You are not permitted to use Montreat Conference Center’s P.O. Box for your personal mail. 

Paychecks 
Paydays are every two weeks occurring every other Friday for the duration of the summer, beginning on June 6 for Contract A, June 20 for Contract B. Paycheck amounts will depend upon the number of weeks you are working, your housing deductions (if any), and time off deductions (if any). Please bring enough money to get you through those days until your first check. Direct deposit is required. 

What to Wear 
You will usually wear pants or shorts and your staff T-shirt (as often as possible). All Summer Staff should wear clothing that is neat and clean, but comfortable, since you will have an active summer. For cool mornings and evenings, bring a sweatshirt or sweater. Refrain from wearing excessive face jewelry and observe appropriate dress based on your work area. You may opt to bring some nice clothes for Sunday worship services or other special occasions. When a Summer Staffer is in a position of worship leadership or on the stage of Anderson Auditorium, there should be further attention to dress. The focus of the congregation should be God, not the individual leader. The stage or worship coordinator has sole discretion to determine if the attire is appropriate. 

Some work areas require more specific dress guidelines: 

  • Montreat Store Staff may wear jeans or nice shorts that come to the knees.
  • Clubs and Recreation staff on duty should refrain from wearing spaghetti strap tops, tube tops, halter tops, midriff-exposing tops, short shorts, low riding shorts or pants (you will be involved in high energy activities with children, and your clothing should not prevent you from participating fully and comfortably). T-shirts should be appropriate for the eyes of children and their parents (no alcohol references, sexual innuendos, images that ridicule a person’s gender, sexuality, or geographic/ethnic origin—if you are not sure, don’t wear it!).
  • Lifeguards on duty and Clubs staff on duty with their groups at the pool: Bathing suits should be one-piece or in the style of shorts.
  • Facilities and Production Crews will wear staff shirts whenever they are working.

Name Tags 
Each staff person is given a name tag. They are to be worn any time staff are on duty.  

Drug Testing 
Drug testing will be required for: 1) all applicants when employment is offered and accepted; 2) employees who appear to be in violation of the policy; 3) employees chosen at random; 4) employees injured on the job, when medical treatment is necessary. Refusal to submit to drug testing will result in disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. 

Insurance 
The Conference Center carries liability insurance, which will cover claims due to accidents or negligence where the Conference Center is deemed responsible. Health insurance is not provided, so come prepared with individual or family health insurance information (insurance company name, policy number, insurance card, etc.). Drug stores and doctors’ offices may not file for insurance claims, so you will need to save some cash for the unexpected. 

Start and End Dates: We expect you to arrive on the start date listed in your contract. The end date of your contract is the day you will check out of your housing and leave Montreat. In most cases, your final day of work will have been the previous day. NOW is the time to double-check your contract! 

Very Important Dates: Your contract states that all staff will be required to work Friday, July 4. The weeks around the 4th are wonderfully busy for Summer Staff. We will likely ask you to do jobs or work hours outside of the norm. Thanks for your flexibility!  

What to Pack for your summer in Montreat

  • I-9 documents and any certifications (pack in your backpack for check-in)
  • Linens (bedding for twin bed and pillow, towels, blanket, etc.)
  • Comfortable clothes and some dressier clothes (bring at least 1 pair of long pants)
  • Personal items including toiletries.
  • Sunscreen
  • Rain gear
  • Water bottle
  • Under-bed storage (optional, but might be helpful; storage is limited in lodges)
  • Clubs/Pre-Clubs Counselors, Lifeguards: Please bring a swimsuit (one-piece or in the style of shorts).
  • Juniors, Junior Highs, Senior Highs Counselors: see below for a list of what you need for your 3 Day Camping Trip
  • Car/bike is useful but not necessary. Parking is not always convenient.
  • Musical instruments, if applicable
  • Swimsuit, tennis/pickleball racquets and non-marking tennis shoes, hiking boots, sleeping bag (optional)
  • Money to buy your first groceries (1st paycheck is not until June 6)

What NOT TO BRING to Montreat:

  • Extra furniture (the rooms are tight!). If you want to bring anything for extra storage, get something that can be stored under a bed.
  • TVs, monitors, or other expensive electronics (there is a TV in the Summer Staff space in the Moose)
  • Too much stuff (bring less than you think you need!)

JUNIORS, JUNIOR HIGHS, AND SENIOR HIGHS COUNSELORS: 

One of your responsibilities as staff for our older groups is to attend a 3-Day camping trip with your campers. Below you will find a list of personal gear needed for the trip. Please bring these things with you if you can. If you need help finding this gear, please let us know and we will do our best to help you.  

Clothing: 

  • 2 Hiking shirts (one long sleeve, synthetic preferred)
  • Hiking shorts and pair of pants (synthetic material preferred)
  • Rain pants (wind breakers are fine)
  • Rain jacket or poncho
  • Hat
  • 2 Pair socks (wool or synthetic preferred)
  • Change of underwear
  • 1 Light sweater (FLEECE IS BEST) 
  • Light weight camp shoes (Ie, Crocs) (optional)
  • 1 pair of sturdy hiking boots / shoes
  • NOTE: Cotton is heavy, water absorbent, and provides no insulation when wet. Synthetic/wool materials wick the water away and dry much quicker. 

Gear:

  • Framed pack for backpacking (internal or external)
  • Sleeping bag (rated to 30 degrees preferred)
  • Sleeping mat (optional. Foam is fine, a mat provides comfort and insulation)
  • Pack cover for rain (Garbage bag is fine)
  • Flashlight with new batteries and an extra set
  • Trash bags (2)
  • 2 water bottles, or 2-liter bladder
  • Bowl and silverware

Toiletries:

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Deodorant
  • Wet wipes (optional)
  • Bandana
  • Any special needs medication
  • Feminine products as needed
  • NOTE: Travel sized toiletries cuts back on bulky weight