College-aged counselors traditionally live in the bunks with the campers. A typical bunk will have between 8-12 campers and 3-4 counselors. As a counselor living in the bunk, it is essential that you get to know every child on a one-on-one level and understand their individual expectations and goals while at the same time trying to promote a sense of group living, teamwork and camaraderie amongst all the campers. While living in the bunks, all counselors share the same responsibilities. This includes waking up the campers in the morning, helping them prepare for the day, assisting in bunk clean-up, attending meals with your bunk and being present in the bunk during rest period, shower time, bed time and evening activities. All in bunk counselors complete daily camper progress reports.
During the six-period activity day, some counselors fulfill the role of General Bunk Counselors while others are Activity Specialists teaching within a specific area of camp. When Activity Specialists are not at their areas, they will also fill the role of a General Bunk Counselor and be assigned with their bunk of campers.
Descriptions of these positions and required backgrounds to apply are as follows:
General Bunk Counselors
During the activity day, General Bunk Counselors travel with their bunk of campers and actively assist and participate in all activity areas with them. General Bunk Counselors do not need to have any expertise in any one particular area, but definitely need to be willing to try everything, especially since they are going to be a motivator and encourager to their campers.
Athletic Specialists
Athletic Specialists must have had college or high school playing experience in the area they will be teaching. Certainly, prior instructor or coaching experience is a plus. Athletic Specialists need to be able to instruct, coach and referee their respective sport. Many sports will also have inter-camp games against other camps in our area. Most of our Athletic Departments have a Head Specialist that will provide guidance and training to ensure each specialist performs to the best of his/her ability. Athletic Departments include:
Basketball
Baseball / Softball
Soccer
Hockey: Roller and Floor Hockey
Lacrosse
Gymnastics
Parkour/Ninja Warrior
Dance: Background in Hip-Hop and Jazz Dance required; must know how to choreograph.
Volleyball
Flag Football
Cheerleading
Golf
Fitness
Zumba
Yoga
Weight Room
Swimming Specialists
All swimming is done in one of our three pools. Swimming Specialists are certified lifeguards and experienced swim instructors, teaching campers that range in age from 7 to 11 years old in accordance to the ARC Program. Swimming Specialists also lifeguard the pools for all campers during their free swim periods. We also have a swim team at camp that competes in meets during the summer, so swimming specialists with a background in competitive swimming is a plus.
Waterfront (Lake) Specialists
Waterfront Specialists must be proficient and have had strong experience in the specific area they are teaching. Lifeguard certification is preferred. Specific areas include:
Kayaking / Canoeing
Sailing: Need knowledge of Lasers, Sunfish and Hobie Cats.
Windsurfing
Waterskiing / Wake Boarding / Knee Boarding: Ability to teach all skill levels; motor boat driving is required.
Outdoor Adventure Specialists
Our Outdoor Adventure Program is broken down into a number of different areas. They are:
High Ropes / Climbing Walls: All Ropes and Climbing Specialists report to camp early to be certified on our course; however, prior knowledge and experience in climbing, belaying and knots is preferred.
Camping: Specialists need a background in camping, outdoor cooking, campsite and tent set-up, leading camping trips.
Mountain Biking: Ability to teach all age groups; Must be a seasoned biker with general knowledge of bike maintenance.
Hondas / Motorbikes: Must have experience in trail riding and instructing as well as general maintenance and repairs.
Fishing: Must have prior experience in spin rod fishing for bass, perch and pickerel.
Archery
Art Specialists
Our Arts Program includes art, music, STEM, and games, many of which require specific backgrounds and skill sets from applicants. The Arts positions we hire include:
General Crafts: Applicants should have a general art background or the willingness to learn a wide range of crafts. Students majoring in Art is a plus. Should have basic knowledge of painting, drawing, paper mache, jewelry making (including hemp jewelry or lanyard), beading, mosaics, glass, tie dying, etc.
Ceramics: Must have experience in slab construction and pottery wheel as well as glazing, firing and kiln experience.
Woodworking: Must have experience in woodshop and knowledge of all tools; Industrial Education majors are a plus.
Photography: Must have experience in both black and white as well as digital photography. Applicants need dark room and developing experience.
Glass Fusion: Must have experience with glass safety and kiln management.
T-Shirt Studio: Applicants should be creative and have some craft experience, or experience with T-Shirt design and decorating.
Camp Videographer: Responsible for the shooting, editing and overall production of camp’s 45-minute video yearbook. Camera and editing experience are required.
Cooking: Should have experience with creative, 30-40 minute recipes that the campers can eat after their class.
STEM / Rocketry / Lego / Robotics: Staff with an interest in and some degree of experience with science and technology. Can get trained to teach kids the fundamentals of our programming.
Dramatic Arts
Over the course of the summer, we put on two musical productions that require a team of staff, several of them that are jack-of-all trade type of positions. In this role, counselors work with principal roles, large group numbers, assist with blocking of scenes and choreography, assist with set design and props. One position is also a technical director responsible for all sound and lighting.
Activity Directors
Many of our activities in camp are headed by teachers or working professionals. With their significant expertise in these areas, they are able to coordinate activity lesson plans over the course summer within camp’s philosophy for all age groups and skill levels. They are also responsible for the management all the activity specialists in their charge, providing instruction, training and feedback to them. Based on age and background, some Activity Directors do not live in bunks with the campers. However, Activity Directors will be reassigned to different responsibilities when not working in their area of camp. We have Activity Directors for the following areas: Art, Baseball / Softball, Basketball, Cooking, Dance, Gymnastics, Hockey, Hondas (Motor Bikes), Horseback Riding, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Ropes Course / Climbing Wall, Soccer, Theater, Theater Technical, Swimming, Tennis, Waterfront (Lake).
Nurses
Our Health Center is staffed with a team of six nurses and one doctor for the summer. Nurses must have an RN or LPN certification. Nurses manage the Health Center, dispensing medications (using a pre-packaged medication program), helping with first aid and minor injuries, assisting the doctor during camper clinic calls, attending to first response emergency care, monitoring camper and staff health histories and giving a lot of TLC. Nurses have private accommodations in the Health Center. Nurses with camp aged children are encouraged to apply.
Ready to apply? Fill out our Staff Application here!