classic camp experience - Instructor Pali Institute Employee Review

3.0
Jul 5, 2023
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

a lot of fun. you will meet many like-minded individuals and spend a lot of time together. great if you need a place to live or want to move cross country to explore California. most kids enjoy the programs and are fun to work with. 3 meals a day when you're working.

Cons

pays less than minimum wage, all things considered. some staff can be a little r@cist, a little hom0phobic, but that's the camp life in a nutshell. if you are queer/trans and don't mind being stealth it's a good time. there's not much to do in running springs, so make plans to explore down the mountain on your time off or you'll find yourself at the awful staff parties. do not go to champagne and shackles.

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Pali Institute Response
2y
Thank you for your review, all information is important. Sorry to hear you did not have a fully positive experience. All feedback is passed along to management to review.

Explore other reviews about Pali Institute

5.0
Jan 2, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Great community. Everyone is always willing to go on an adventure during time off. The classes are fun, and overall it is more fun than it is work. well paid for a seasonal camp esque job.

Cons

There are long hours and you occasionally work weekends.

2.0
Apr 12, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Many coworkers are amazing. Free housing. Most of your meals are provided. The people are the only reason so many people stay as long as they do- you'll probably meet lifelong friends here.

Cons

A very high turnover rate because people are absolutely worked to the bone. If you are in cabin, you only get 1.5 hours off a day. You're literally working 22.5 hours a day, on call for any issues in the cabin. The lack of time off and staff support is abysmal. Leadership is very cliquey and not approachable. Bed bugs are common in the cabins. So much of this job is behavior management of the kids. If you planned on this role focusing on outdoor education, it hardly does. So many people here lose their spark because there is simply no work-life balance. Also, some very weird people work here, and even with HR complaints against them, they are still employed because Pali needs the high staff numbers to have enough people to put in cabin. This company is very much focused on profits first. Never met the CEO during the season. Talked to the director Emily maybe twice. Very disconnected and doesn't feel like there's a purpose to working here besides making the company as much money as possible.

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