Join us at Great Camp Sagamore in the heart of the Adirondacks.
Sagamore is a unique organization that combines the preservation of a National Historic Landmark, an Adirondack "Great Camp", with educational programming and guest accommodations. Visitors come for historic tours, residential programs, and family events. Staff and guests stay in our iconic buildings, eat in the historic dining hall and lead programs that connect people to history and nature.
Great Camp Sagamore is an authentic 1897 National Historic Landmark set in the heart of the Adirondack Forest Preserve. It is in Raquette Lake, NY located within 100,000 acres of forest preserve land to explore and enjoy.
About Sagamore Institute of the Adirondacks
Experience the Adirondacks this season!
Onsite housing and meals are provided at no cost to employees.
Great Camp Sagamore, a National Historic Landmark, is at the core of New York State’s nationally renowned Adirondack Great Camp history. Great Camp Sagamore was built in 1897 by William West Durant, was sold to Alfred Gwynne Vanderbilt in 1901 and used by the Vanderbilt family for over five decades as their own personal wilderness retreat. Located in one of the most remote areas of the Adirondack Park and on the edge of secluded Sagamore Lake, today we operate this 28 building Great Camp for the public to help visitors learn about the interdependence between people and the environment. Guests come from all over the world to take our tour, get married, enjoy concerts, and to participate in one of our many educational programs - from Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekend.
Great Camp Sagamore employs about 25 staff each season. Within Housekeeping, Caretaking, Dining, Historical Interpretation, and Environmental Education, our seasonal positions are filled by professionals and by people looking to explore future careers in the Adirondacks and beyond.
Our Staff
Great Camp Sagamore is committed to creating and sustaining a diverse, inclusive, and equitable work environment that empowers all staff members to grow and to be active within decision making spaces. We are committed to ensuring an anti-racist culture and a work environment free from discrimination and harassment. Great Camp Sagamore will not discriminate based on gender, gender expression, sexual identity, sexual orientation, race, class, color, age, ethnicity, first language, religion or belief, or family, marital, parental, military, or veteran status in any aspect of employment including recruitment, hiring, promotions, discipline, terminations, wages and salary, benefits, training, and professional development.
Great Camp Sagamore's staff are at the heart of our mission. They work with people of all ages and walks of life, from grandparents and grandchildren to history and folk music enthusiasts. They lead environmental and history programs, coordinate high-end dinners as well as comfort buffets. Staff create comfortably lodging, hospitality where all are welcome, help run basic camp operations and manage family events. We are looking for people who love the outdoors, history, music, and being with like-minded people.
The Employee Experience
Sagamore is a unique place to work. It is set in a beautiful natural setting in one of the most remote areas in the East. The team at Great Camp Sagamore enjoys sharing the out of doors with the guests and themselves. The immediate area is one of lakes, hills, and streams that are ideal for paddling, hiking, and mountain biking. The Adirondack High Peaks, well known for their climbing opportunities are a short drive away. Also in the region are Burlington, Vermont, Saratoga Springs, NY and other world-class destinations for food, beer and music.
The team at Sagamore is about 25 people coming from all kinds of backgrounds with the common desire to be in the Adirondacks in the height of the outdoors season. They live in the historic camp, help run the programs and maintain the trails and landmark buildings, and on their days off fully utilize the outdoor environments surrounding them.
The best testament to working at Sagamore is that many of our alums choose to stay in the region after working for us and return for volunteer weekends.
Ideal Candidate
The staff who enjoy the Great Camp Sagamore experience the most are those who love being in the out of doors and enjoy creating an outdoor and hospitable experience for others while staying in a historic environment. We like to work smart and hard, and enjoy our time off in the woods and on the waters.
Room and Board
Sagamore staff stays at our National Historic Landmark campus in rooms that were renovated in 2018. Most rooms are private with a few shared accommodations depending upon the seasonal needs.
Sagamore staff has complete access to the facilities and grounds in their off-hours.
These include canoes, kayaks and miles of hiking trails. We are located in the center of the Adirondack Park which has 6 million acres of lakes, mountains and forest preserve to enjoy.
Staff takes meals along with our guests in Mrs. Vanderbilt's grand dining hall overlooking Sagamore Lake.
All meals and accommodations are included at no charge as part of our compensation package.
Employee Perks
The primary perk for those working for Sagamore is the opportunity to live and work in the heart of a designated wilderness area. Employees are free to use the recreational equipment including canoes and kayaks and other gear. Regional attractions supply all staff with passes to their sites, these include world class museums and tourist attractions. Everyone working for Sagamore receives camp shirts and other clothing as well as a discount in the store.
Getting Here and Getting Around
Sagamore is about two hours from airports as well as train and bus stations in Albany and Syracuse, New York. We can arrange to pick you at either location. The drive from New York City or Boston is each about 5 hours from Sagamore.
Once at Sagamore our driveway is 4 miles long and the nearest village is Raquette Lake, NY population 95 with a post office, store and bar.
Although many staff members find it helpful to have a car, some do not and get rides into town or for recreation on days off.
For Fun
Our employees get to participate in a reciprocal pass program that gains entrance to many of the local attractions such as:
- Adirondack Experience the Museum on Blue Mountain Lake
- The Wild Center
- Raquette Lake Navigation
- Water Safari Resort
- National Baseball Hall of Fame
- Boldt Castle & Boldt Yacht House
- Six Flags Great Escape
- Shelburne Museum
- Saratoga Automobile Museum
- plus many more....
How to Apply
Send a cover letter explaining interest and qualifications, resume, and contact information of three references to: May Lovelace, Operations & Events Director at mlovelace@greatcampsagamore.org.
Acceptances are made on a rolling basis until positions are filled. Please view our website for more information about us!
Contact Info
- May Lovelace, Oper. Dir.
- info@greatcampsagamore.org
- (315) 354-5311
- www.sagamore.org
