DO NOT WORK HERE. If I could give it a zero I would. I worked as a summer camp counsellor for BLI FLAP in the summer of 2024 and regret to say that it was the worst experience of my life. From the very beginning, the complete lack of communication from management set the tone for a highly stressful and demoralizing environment. The high pressure, combined with very low pay, made it incredibly difficult to stay motivated and perform effectively. I only stayed for the sake of the kids that I was in charge of as well as to support my coworkers as it felt wrong to leave them alone in such an abusive work environment.

The work environment was hostile, with any constructive criticism or concerns expressed by counsellors almost always met with denial and punishment. There was a significant lack of supplies and resources, making it challenging to provide a safe and engaging experience for the campers. The student-to-counsellor ratio was extreme, unrealistic, and unsafe, leading to constant worry about the well-being of the children under our care.

Management displayed a staggering lack of planning and organization. There were no backup plans in place for unforeseen situations, and counsellors were often left to figure out situations out of their control with no guidance, instructions, or assistance. Schedules were erratic, with counsellors frequently called in to work at the last minute with no clear explanation, creating chaos and disrupting personal plans.

Contracts were not honoured, and hours were cut without any explanation. The management team was always at odds with each other, resulting in a lack of clear hierarchy and uncommunicative, unhelpful leadership. Their behaviour was often rude, disrespectful, and cruel when interacting with counsellors, which was paired with constant criticism, blaming, finger-pointing, and gaslighting. This toxic environment resulted in extremely low employee morale.

Blatant favouritism was shown towards Spanish-speaking staff, regardless of their experience, over other staff members who were far more qualified. This bias not only created a divide among the team but also compromised the quality of care and instruction provided to the campers.

Furthermore, there were instances of unprofessional behaviour, some bordering on illegal, towards campers. This was deeply concerning and highlighted the lack of oversight and accountability within the camp's management.

In summary, my experience as a counsellor at BLI FLAP summer camp was overwhelmingly negative. The complete lack of communication, high pressure, low pay, hostile work environment, and lack of organization made it an incredibly challenging and unpleasant experience. Management's unprofessionalism, favouritism, and disrespect towards staff and campers further compounded these issues. I cannot, in good conscience, recommend this camp to anyone, whether as a potential counsellor or camper.

If extreme stress, fatigue, burnout and anxiety in the workplace is what you’re after, then this is the job for you. Otherwise, AVOID AT ALL COSTS.

Posted on 7 August 2024 by Rater #1 | Flag as inappropriate

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