For two summers while I was in college, I worked with children at an academic summer camp. I enjoyed that job a great deal.
I have now graduated college and have a full time job doing project management at a small business, which enjoys very busy winters and somewhat overly-quiet summers. I like my company and coworkers a lot, and do not want to leave.
That said, I'd really like to return to the summer camp this coming July, and although I'd be willing to use vacation time to do so, a camp session is three weeks long and I only get ten vacation days a year. As a result, I'm considering asking for unpaid leave, which would result in a small but manageable pay-cut during my time away.
The way I see it, my company would probably prefer to not pay me during the months I have relatively little to do, making this a win-win for both parties. However, I also don't want to give the impression that I am unhappy with or uncommitted to my primary job. How can I go about this conversation, and should I in the first place?
My company has no formal HR department. My bosses are the three co-owners of the business.