Camp Jobs & Chores
How twelve people keep camp running—everyone pitches in, nobody’s stuck, and the kids stay off their devices.
Table of Contents
- The Idea
- Chain of Responsibility (and the call-out rule)
- The Coffee Station
- Breakfast Crews
- The Snack Pantry
- Meal Cleanup Schedule
- Kid Jobs by Age
- Daily Roles at a Glance
The Idea
A camp this size only feels relaxing if the work is shared, visible, and assigned. The goals:
- Nobody carries the whole load (no single person cooking and cleaning all week).
- Teens and kids stay involved—real jobs, away from screens, part of the team.
- It’s fun, not a lecture—crews, rotations, and a little friendly competition.
🖨️ Print the Camp Jobs & Cleanup Chart and tape it to the Group HQ table so everyone can see the day’s crews.
Chain of Responsibility (and the call-out rule)
Shared chores only work if it’s clear who owns what and it’s okay to speak up when something’s being skipped.
The chain: each kid answers to their own parent / an adult auditor for their jobs; the daily crew leads own their station; an adult auditor signs off that each job is actually done.
The call-out rule (an Older Smith house rule): anyone may call out a person who’s ducking shared chores—but route it up the chain, respectfully. Notice a teen skipping cleanup? A quick, kind nudge first; if needed, mention it to their parent or the crew lead rather than starting a camp argument. The point isn’t to nag—it’s to keep everyone part of the team and off their phones.
Keep it positive. “Hey, we need a hand at the wash bins!” beats “you never help.” Catch people doing the work and call that out too.
The Coffee Station
Several adults run on coffee, and a stocked morning station sets the tone for the day.
- Daily owner (rotates): one adult is “barista of the day.” First one up starts the pot.
- Set up at Group HQ: percolator/pour-over + pre-measured grounds, hot-water source, creamer, sugar, kids’ morning drinks (milk, juice), cups, and a trash spot.
- Keep it stocked: the owner refills water, grounds, and cups through the morning and packs it down before the day’s activity so nothing melts or blows away.
- Restock cue: check coffee/creamer/milk levels each night so the morning owner isn’t short.
Breakfast Crews
The meal schedule has the menus (including the big cooked breakfasts). Each breakfast needs owners for setup, cooking, and cleanup—not just a menu. Assign a crew per morning:
- Make it a game: Guys vs. Girls, Smiths vs. The Field, kids-as-sous-chefs, or a simple family rotation. Mix it up daily.
- A crew owns the whole morning: fire up the griddles, cook, plate the kids first, then wash, dry, and reset the kitchen.
- Pair a parent with kids so little hands have real jobs (see Kid Jobs).
| Morning | Suggested crew |
|---|---|
| Thu 7/2 — big breakfast | Crew A (e.g., the “Guys”) |
| Fri 7/3 — quick/cold | Whoever’s up + kids |
| Sat 7/4 — pancakes & bacon | Crew B (e.g., the “Girls”) |
| Sun 7/5 — biscuits & gravy | Crew A |
| Mon 7/6 — cinnamon rolls | Kids + an auditor |
| Tue 7/7 — pack-up | Everyone (eat down leftovers) |
Swap crews however you like—just decide the night before.
The Snack Pantry
A central, managed snack/drink pantry keeps grazing under control and the cooler chaos down.
- Snack-pantry manager (rotating kids): put an older kid in charge each day—not the 1-year-old!—with an adult auditor double-checking.
- The job: keep the snack bins and drink station tidy, sorted, and stocked; break down empty boxes; flag what’s running low.
- Stock around the day’s plan:
- Before leaving for an activity: load the day bag/cooler with grab-snacks, fruit, and water.
- On returning: restock the bins, refill water, refresh ice.
- Daily stocking checks: morning (pack for the outing) and evening (reset for tomorrow).
Meal Cleanup Schedule
The rule from Camp Cooking: the crew that cooks is not the crew that cleans. Rotate so it’s fair.
Two-bin dish system: a wash bin (hot, soapy) and a rinse bin; scrape first, air-dry on a rack/towel. Strain food bits to the trash—never dump greasy water on the ground or in the bushes.
Each meal’s cleanup checklist:
- Leftovers sealed and back in the cooler (≤ 40°F)
- Dishes washed, rinsed, air-drying
- Stoves/griddles/air-fryers off, cooled, wiped
- Table wiped; food sealed in bins
- Trash bagged; recycling sorted; micro-trash picked up
- Coffee/snack stations restocked for next time
- Adult auditor signs off ✔
| Meal | Cooks (host) | Cleanup crew |
|---|---|---|
| Breakfast | Breakfast crew of the day | The other crew |
| Lunch | Self-serve / packed | Each family clears its own |
| Dinner | Host family | A different family |
Kid Jobs by Age
Real jobs build real campers. Pair younger kids with an adult auditor.
Ages 6–8
- Set out paper goods & napkins
- Firewood stacker / counter
- Trash & micro-trash patrol
- Fill the drink jug (with help)
- Tent-zipper monitor (bug patrol)
Ages 9–12
- Run the snack pantry (with an auditor)
- Scrape & dry dishes at the wash bins
- Haul water, gather kindling
- Help cook on the griddle (supervised)
- Dog water & shade checks
Early teens
- Lead a breakfast or cleanup crew
- Manage the wash-bin station
- Mind little kids during setup/teardown
- Run the campfire s’mores
- “Camp foreman” for the day—keep the chart moving
Make it worth it. A points chart, “camp bucks,” first dibs on s’mores, or just loud public credit—pick a reward that keeps the team motivated all week.
Daily Roles at a Glance
Assign these each evening for the next day (write them on the printable chart):
| Role | Who |
|---|---|
| Coffee/drink station owner | _____ |
| Breakfast crew | _____ |
| Dinner host | _____ |
| Dinner cleanup crew | _____ |
| Snack-pantry manager (kid) | _____ |
| Snack-pantry auditor (adult) | _____ |
| Water/ice & trash runner | _____ |
| Dog duty (Older Smiths) | _____ |