|
Prospective
Staff Information
| Contact
Information | Staff experience | Background
| Location |
| Dates | Pre-requisites |
What will I be doing | Where
will I be living? | | Uniform | Religion
|Time off | Smoking, alcohol and
drugs | Staff pay |
CONTACT INFORMATION
Ellyn Weinstein Black,
Assistant Director
To Contact Ellyn directly:
Toll Free:
877-425-8175 Pin# 4663 or 585-271-1938
Email: ellyn@campfernwood.com
To Contact the Camp
Fernwood Winter Office:
Toll Free: 866-203-7830 or 610-356-7602
THE STAFF EXPERIENCE
Being a camp counselor is one of the most rewarding jobs you will ever
have. We believe that excellent staff are the key ingredient in providing
our campers with a wonderful summer experience. You will be appreciated
for your teaching skills, your patience when dealing with children, your
creativity and your sense of fun and your ability to wear many "hats"
over the course of the summer. As a counselor you will have an opportunity
to share your personality, your experiences and your interests with the
camp community. At Camp Fernwood you can also try to waterski or throw
a clay pot on the wheel for the first time. We encourage you to take full
advantage of all the amazing activities and resources for you throughout
the summer. There is no other place that you can be employed and at the
same time paddle in a kayak on your free time throughout the day. In addition
to being outdoors and being active, you will also learn a lot about yourself,
gain self confidence, learn how to live and work on a team, and make some
of best friends you will ever have.
At Camp Fernwood we
pride ourselves on our high counselor return rate. We have many counselors
who have been with us for over five summers. Some have remained with us
up to 25 years! Our male and female staff come from a variety of backgrounds
and from all over the USA and world. Although the summer flies by, the
memories last a lifetime.
>
Go back to the top
BACKGROUND
Camp Fernwood celebrated its 85th year in 2005 and has been directed by
members of the same family for 4 generations. Throughout the years Fernwood
has maintained fine traditions, a warm atmosphere, and an idealistic spirit.
The Fernwood philosophy fosters traits such as tolerance, unselfishness,
and an appreciation of a simpler life in the outdoors. Fernwood is the
summer home to approximately 175 girls, ages 8 to 15, and over 100 adults.
The "Fernwood Family," is built on a strong sense of community.
>
Go back to the top
LOCATION
Fernwood is located in Poland, Maine. Camp Fernwood is approximately 45
minutes northwest of Portland and about 2 1/2 hours from Boston. Camp
Fernwood offers a natural rustic setting away from city life. Camp Fernwood
is close to many New England attractions such as the White Mountains,
Maine State Parks, and the beautiful coastline. All of these places can
be reached easily on a day off.
>
Go back to the top
CAMP SESSION: 2009 IMPORTANT DATES
International Staff Arrival Date: Thursday June 18th
Pre-camp Staff Orientation Begins Friday, June 19
Campers arrive Thursday, June 25
Parents visiting day Saturday, July 25
Campers leave Thursday, August 13th
Staff leave Friday, August 14th
Support Staff Leave Sunday, August 16th
Our intensive staff orientation takes place for six days before the campers arrive. We will provide you with the tools and information that you will need to feel comfortable and fully prepared when the campers arrive. Throughout the orientation, you will prepare your activity, become familiar with our traditions philosophies, and make new friends. Please don't hesitate to call or e-mail if you have any questions.
Call me Toll Free: Toll Free: 877-425-8175 Pin# 4663 or 585-271-1938 or e-mail me ellyn@campfernwood.com We look forward to getting to know you!
>
Go back to the top
STAFF PRE-REQUISITES
- All counselors
must have the ability to teach or help with one or more of our activities.
- Counselors must
have completed one year of college or be at least 19 years of age.
- All waterfront
staff are required to have Red Cross Lifeguarding and CPR training or
equivalent certification.
- All swim instructors
are required to have a Water Safety Instruction certification.
- Fernwood seeks
counselors with the genuine desire to share themselves while teaching,
supervising and living with our campers.
>
Go back to the top
WHAT WILL I BE DOING
Counselors teach one
activity during the day (e.g. water-skiing). Some staff will teach more
than one activity each day (e.g. Dance and Aerobics). All staff are involved
with planning evening activities, either as participants or leaders. Staff
creativity and willingness to help out are always appreciated. On our
weekly trip day out of camp, all campers and staff are divided into small
groups to go biking, hiking, on cookouts, canoeing, and other enjoyable
outdoor and nature based trips in the Maine and New Hampshire area. One
day a week is also dedicated to special events such as a carnival and
team sports competition while some of the staff have the day off. Both
camps have a traditional evening campfire and non-denominational service.
Counselor responsibility also includes being a part of a bunk family either
living or working with a cabin of about ten campers. All staff share rest
hour and nighttime duty (OD) and other tasks and responsibilities. Being
a staff member is hard work. The hours can be long and very busy, but
it is also very rewarding!
>
Go back to the top
WHERE WILL I BE LIVING?
Most female counselors live in cabins with the campers in the position
of "bunk moms" for the summer. Cabins are spacious wooden bungalows
with screened windows, and most have an indoor bathroom and wash area.
Cabins house approximately 1 0 campers and at least two counselors. Male
staff and other female staff live in nearby staff housing. They are also
assigned to a cabin of girls as a bunk "aunt" or "uncle",
and have the opportunity to be an integral part of the bunk family.
>
Go back to the top
UNIFORM
Camp Fernwood requires uniform for campers and staff. Staff uniform is
navy blue shorts or pants, and white t-shirts or shirt. We provide all
staff with one warm navy blue outer garment. However you will need to
bring an adequate supply of regular uniform clothing, as well as the usual
supplement of clothing required for outdoor living. A full packing list
will be sent to you in the spring. All laundry is done weekly by camp
at no extra charge. A dresser, bed linen, blankets and towels are all
provided.
>
Go back to the top
RELIGION
Camp Fernwood is non-sectarian. Our campers and our counselors represent
many different faiths. An ethical, non-denominational service is conducted
each week by different groups of campers and volunteer counselors, in
which they explore themes that are important to them such as friendship,
leadership, or courage.
>
Go back to the top
TIME OFF
Time off consists of unscheduled time each day, early evenings out of
camp (beginning at 5:30pm) and full days off at regular intervals throughout
the summer. There is no curfew imposed at Camp Fernwood, as we trust and
expect that our staff will get sufficient rest to carry out their daily
responsibilities. There is a staff lounge with a TV and VCR for off-duty
staff, and also staff email access. Staff are free to use camp facilities
during their time off, as long as it does not interfere with the campers'
activity.
>
Go back to the top
SMOKING, ALCOHOL, AND DRUG POLICY
Smoking is discouraged, but is permitted in certain designated areas,
only during time off, and never in the presence of campers. Maine law
prohibits alcohol for people under the age of 21. We enforce this state
policy. The use of illegal drugs, including marijuana, is strictly prohibited,
and suspected use may be cause for dismissal.
>
Go back to the top
STAFF PAY SCALE
Salary is based upon age, education, counselor experience, specific skills,
and level of responsibility. A travel allowance is paid to help defray
the cost of transportation to camp. Room, board, weekly laundry, e-mail
access, a designated staff phone, and a staff lounge with a TV and VCR
are all provided.
>
Go back to the top
No written information
can fully convey the warm, friendly feeling that our girls and counselors
experience together each year. Only camping with us can provide a true
understanding of the spirit at CAMP FERNWOOD.
Please don't hesitate to call or e-mail if you have any questions. Call us at 877-425-8175 Pin# 4663 or e-mail us ellyn@campfernwood.com We look forward to getting to know you!
>
Go back to the top
|
