To this post
So, I called the California DIR. They clarified that since California's definition of compensable time includes any time you are permitted to work and under the control of your employer, not being allowed to leave and being allowed to assist campers is compensable time and not paying it would be illegal.
I was talking to my mom about it, and she suggested I just work the shift then file a wage claim at the end of the summer. I felt like leaving my coworkers behind like that wouldn't be right, but that was my tentative plan so as not to risk retaliation or just a Terrible Vibe.
Until during our staff meeting at the end of the day, our supervisor (not manager in charge of payroll — she's one of us she just oversees camp) told us she'd been told we aren't going to be allowed to sleep in tents because we need to be “accessible” to campers.
I just burst out an “Ok. Then we need to be paid.” and from there went on to say this was illegal and explain why. All my coworkers agreed and we all decided we should stick together on this and try to get paid, and if refused, all file wage claims or even strike. I felt so much better knowing they were on my side and we would have each other's backs.
The next day supervisor texted manager to ask clarifying questions about payment, hours, and expectations so we'd have it on record. Today, she (manager) came to the work site to set up our direct deposits and do timecards for this and last week, and I brought it up with her myself one on one. I told her requiring us to be there but off the clock wasn't legal, and she seemed to genuinely not have really realized that. She said she needed to call her manager. I was so anxious the rest of the day that I'd fucked up and was gonna lose my job or make enemies.
But once I got home, I got a text: we are all going to get paid. All my coworkers thanked me for talking to our manager about it. I'm still kind of stunned that I managed to actually help and I'm so fucking glad I didn't just quietly work through it. I feel the solidarity with my coworkers now and none of us will have to do all that goddamn paperwork! Now I can actually look forward to the sleepover LOL.
Thanks to you all too for the advice on my previous post!