Frequently Asked Questions
What are our living quarters like?
The guys live in a cabin with four bedrooms off of a living area, commonly referred to as the “Guys’ Place” (creative name, right?). There are three guys to a room, spacious, heavy-duty bunk beds, plenty of hanging closet space, and lots of bins for storage, etc. Bathrooms are shared between two rooms. There’s a clothesline outside for wet clothes.
The girls stay in a place we call the Annex, which is located in the grove circle area of the lodge and has a lot of character. It has two floors and a total of seven bedrooms. Each room is shared by two girls and has a set of bunk beds. There are dressers and shelving in each room. Upstairs are four bedrooms off a hallway, and a shared bathroom at the end. Downstairs are three rooms off a big porch, each with a bathroom. The shower room is downstairs, so you have to throw on a bathrobe to shower, but it’s no big deal. There’s a clothesline on the porch for wet clothes.
Do I need to bring bedding or furniture for my room at the lodge?
You DO need to bring your own bedding with you this summer. The beds are all singles. It is definitely NOT necessary to bring any type of furniture (small tables, shelves, etc). It is probably best to get your room set up and then decide if you really need/want any additional items. If you do, there is a K-Mart about 10 minutes away, and many other stores not too much farther.
Is there internet access? A phone?
We have wireless internet that reaches most places at the lodge. We do not provide a staff computer. If you need the internet for some sort of emergency, the office computers can be used. Otherwise, the library in Elk Rapids has internet access, as does a small coffee shop in town. A phone is available if you don't have a cell phone, but you will need a phone card to make long-distance calls and hours of availability may be limited. Most cell phones get normal reception at the lodge.
How does laundry work?
Laundry services are provided once a week. Our laundry staff will wash and dry your clothes and even fold them for you. We make it easy and simply deduct the $10.00 from your gratuities if you have laundry done a certain week. You can decide at any point during the summer to have your laundry done at the lodge.
How many hours per week do we work?
It’s difficult to calculate in hours, since each job presents a different situation. You will generally start early morning work before breakfast, at 7:30 or 8. If you are working in the kitchen washing dishes (“ratting”, as we call it), or if you’re serving tables (waitri), you’ll work during the meals and have breaks in between. When you’re on Kids’ Program, you’ll work for a few hours after breakfast, have a break for lunch, work more in the afternoon, and break again for dinner. On waterfront, you’ll be working from after breakfast until dinner, with a break for lunch and another break in the afternoon. Everyone must participate in the evening activities on Saturday, Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. Sunday night we have an optional Staff Ski, and Wednesday and Friday evenings there are no activities and you are free after dinner. Everyone gets one day off per week, plus most of Saturday afternoon. No extended time off is allowed, unless for extenuating circumstances (school or family).
Can we ski and use other equipment?
Every Sunday night the staff gets a chance to ski. Other equipment (kayaks, windsurfers, sailboats, etc.) can be used as long as there is always one available for the guests to use. The MasterCraft ski boats are not accessible for the staff, but you’ll have lots of chances to ride in them!
What do we wear? Do we need fancy clothes?
It’s good to have some clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. You can wear whatever is comfortable when you’re on the grounds, but no alcohol, drug, tobacco, or sexual references are allowed on clothing, and you're encouraged to be a little more conservative in your dress than you might be in other environments. Basically, any clothing that suits a family atmosphere is okay.
While waiting tables, you are required to wear the following: -An all-white collared shirt of any sleeve length. -Khaki pants, shorts, or a skirt. (Shorts and skirts MUST be appropriate in length). -All-white, rubber-soled, closed-toe shoes (and white socks).
While working on waterfront, bathing suits must be appropriate and cover everything while you're helping people with their skis, etc. You will be very active while working in the water, and it is important that your bathing suit is sporty and comfortable. On Wednesday nights there is a fancier buffet for adults.
When working waitri, you will need a nicer-looking outfit. This usually means a button-down shirt and tie for guys, with nice pants and shoes. Girls generally wear a skirt or nice pants and a nice top or a dress. Sleeveless is allowed; however, spaghetti straps are not allowed due to kitchen regulations. All shoes will still need to be closed-toe.
We always get dressed-up for an outing toward the end of the summer, so you’ll want a fancy outfit for that. The weather will be warm all summer, but the nights can get pretty chilly, and there will definitely be a few rainy days. Come prepared for anything!
Can I have my car?
Yes! Staff has a spot across the street where they may keep their car. Since we don’t have a big bus to haul us around in when we have staff outings, we caravan using staff cars. Everyone takes turns volunteering their cars and the car crews are always different. It’s fun!
What is the town of Elk Rapids like?
Elk Rapids is a very small town, famous for its beautiful harbor and vast amount of beach front. It attracts a lot of tourists, and the locals are friendly. There’s a theater that gets one movie per week, a coffee shop, a couple good restaurants, beautiful beaches, and more. It’s a 5-minute drive from the lodge, and about a 15 to 20-minute walk. There’s a grocery store just down the road from the lodge, too.http://www.elkrapids.com/
For more access to stores and a little bit bigger of a city, you can drive to Traverse City, which is about 20 minutes away. Traverse also has a beautiful harbor, big beaches, and lots of cool shops and good eating. To the north of Elk Rapids are Charlevoix, Petoskey, and Harbor Springs, all beautiful lake towns. If you keep going even farther, you can venture by ferry to Mackinac Island. (Fun stuff to do on your days off!)
http://www.visittraversecity.com/
http://www.mackinacisland.org/
When/how do we get paid?
Payroll is every two weeks. I will personally hand you your checks. You will receive your tips in cash every Saturday. There is a local Fifth Third Bank where it is easy to set up an account for the summer if you’d like.
What’s my summer address?
Your name
White Birch Lodge
571 Meguzee Pt. Rd. Elk Rapids, MI 49629
Office (231) 264-8271 Fax (231) 264-5823
http://www.whitebirchlodge.org/ (Check it out for more info and pictures!!)
What should I bring?
Here is a list of items that you may need/want for your summer up north:
- For the dining hall: a couple totally white shirts with a collar, khaki shorts/pants/skirts (nothing too short!), white, comfy, closed-toe shoes, and white socks.
- Beach towels (shower towels are provided)
- Your own sheets/blankets/pillows
- Lots of clothes for messy jobs (i.e. washing dishes, painting with kids, outdoor jobs, permanently messy jobs, painting outside), and nice clothes (including a dressy outfit for the Wednesday buffet and other outings).
- Bathing suits – some “sun-appropriate” for your time away from the guests, some “waterfront appropriate” – (this means Speedo, sporty types that keep you covered! No exceptions! Your suits need to be sport-appropriate and cover everything!)
- Wetsuit, if you have one (these are available to buy at the lodge for ~ $60)
- Hats (for blocking sun and celebrating hat day!)
- Outdoor play things (Frisbee, roller blades, bike, tennis rackets, kites, etc).
- Shower /bathroom supplies. [LADIES -– BATHROBE for going to the shower room and a bucket to put shower gear in.]
- Sunglasses, sunscreen
- Warm clothes for chilly nights and rainy days
- Camera
-Fan(s)
- Anything to make your small but cozy room homier (extension cords, radio/stereo for your room, pictures)
- ALARM CLOCK
- Hangers, clothes pins
- Shoes -- sandals, work shoes, closed-toe dress shoes (for Wed. night buffet), athletic shoes, etc. - Laundry basket/bag - Rain gear (coat, umbrella, etc.)
- Bug spray
- Musical instruments!!
What do I do next?
Your employment contract and health insurance form have been mailed to you. Please complete them and mail or fax them to the lodge, along with a photocopy of both sides of your health insurance card. You could also include any ski show ideas you might have!
571 Meguzee Pt. Rd
Elk Rapids, MI 49629
Fax (231) 264-5823
**If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to leave them as a comment in this section or shoot us an email!**
I think that’s about it. Most importantly, your number one job this summer is to have fun with people and make them happy. I hope you are all as excited as we are up here to get the summer kicked off. We are eager to see what each of your unique personalities will bring to the lodge and the staff this year. Thanks for deciding to be a part of WBL! It’s going to be an awesome 10 weeks!
Can't wait to see you all!
Thanks,
Maggie and Carson
My contact info:
Please don’t hesitate to contact us with ANY questions or concerns during the next weeks!!
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Near the turn of the century, the original lodge building was erected and was known as the Meguzee Point Hotel. In the mid 1950s, the hotel was closed until Cliff and Ruby Conrad purchased it in 1958. With a vision, Cliff and Ruby built White Birch Lodge into one of Michigan’s premier lakefront family resorts. Although they have passed on, Cliff and Ruby’s dream still lives on today, as White Birch continues to provide family vacations in a style different from just about anywhere else in the world. Cliff and Ruby would be thrilled to see the lodge still flourishing after 50 wonderful years, and we're all happy that you'll be here to help us celebrate the anniversary! 
Cliff and Ruby Conrad ran White Birch until their son Rick and his wife Karen took over in the 70’s. Today Rick, Karen, and their two kids, Mike and Lauren, work together to keep the lodge tradition rolling, with the help of many important people like you! Rick and Karen both grew up in Maumee, Ohio and moved to Michigan permanently after college. Karen taught elementary school for 25 years here in Elk Rapids until she recently retired. Rick and Karen’s favorite part of every summer is getting to know the staff and assuming the role of your summer parents. Mike and Lauren both graduated from Michigan State University. Mike, the lodge manager, oversees mostly everything around the lodge. Lauren has spent time traveling, studying, and working all over Latin America. Both Mike and Lauren have spent time during the Winter in Jackson, WY as ski instructors at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort. Lauren currently lives in Jackson and works as the program manager at Habitat for Humanity.
