Working at Camp Thorpe
Dear Applicant,
Thank you for considering employment opportunities for the upcoming summer at Camp Thorpe! We are looking for qualified and energetic counselors and staff who are interested in working with children and adults with special needs. Staff in the past have found the experience to be both professionally enriching and a lot of fun.
We are now hiring for the 2012 season. Join the hundreds of Camp Thorpe Counselors who have come away with a better understanding of children and adults with challenging needs, developed a positive sense of responsibility and care, as well as skills that can be applied to other employment opportunities. Working in the Green Mountains at Camp Thorpe with individuals with special needs is an experience you’ll cherish for the rest of your life. If you’re looking for an experience some call profound, or a way to make new, life-long friends, please apply to work with us this season.
The philosophy from which we function is a simple one, “The purpose of Camp Thorpe is to help individuals leave a camping experience with good health, enhanced self-respect and respect for others, new leisure skills and an expanded respect for nature.” Currently, camping experiences are provided to children and adults with a variety of physical and mental challenges. Camp Thorpe’s tradition, created amongst the natural elements of the Vermont Green Mountains, provides these experiences to campers regardless of handicap or financial means. The original philosophy created a support structure that would enable the Camp to offer camperships for partial or full tuition for families needing financial assistance.
We are fortunate to have a fine physical facility which includes a craft house, a lodge, an infirmary, a large dining hall with a multipurpose room, cabins for campers and staff, a pool, pond, playground and tennis court. Trails through the surrounding woods lead to cabins that are often used for picnic activities.
During the 2012 Season, we will be running three two-week sessions and a final one-week session at both the Pine Haven Campus (for adults) and the Mountain Reach Campus (for children). Counselors and staff will be asked to arrive by Tuesday June 19th. Campers will arrive on Sunday, June 24th. The last day Camp will be in session will be Saturday, August 11th.
Counselor in-service will involve Camp procedures, CPR and First Aide, conflict resolution and general program development using the experiences and strengths of the staff.
An Employment Application is found in a link below. If you continue to be interested in pursuing a position, please fill it out and return it to me. I ask that you also provide me with the names and phone numbers of three people who are familiar with your work and are willing to serve as a reference for you.
If you have questions prior to filling out the application, do not hesitate to contact me by calling 1-802-247-6611 or email me at cthorpe@sover.net. I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Lyle P. Jepson
Director
POSITIONS AVAILABLE
Head Counselors
Preference is given to college undergraduates and graduates. The head counselor is responsible for the operation of the camp program. The head counselor supervises counseling staff, schedules and oversees program activities and provides assistance as needed to specialty and general counselors. The head counselor leads all group activities and assists specialty counselors in planning.
Salary: Negotiable based upon experience.
Speciality Counselors
Preference is given to college students or graduates. High school seniors are encouraged to apply. Specialty areas include arts and crafts, nature, swim (life guard certification required), music, theater and/or dance, and sports. Specialty counselors plan and implement activities with the support of general counselors. Specialists are also assigned cabin duties with campers.
Salary range: $1,800-$1,900 per season.
General Counselors
Preference is given to college students or graduates. High school seniors are encouraged to apply. General counselors are responsible for cabin duties including supervision and support of campers. General counselors participate in all activities and assist in specialty areas.
Salary: $1,700 per season.
Nurse/Health Director
The Health Director is responsible for the safe organization, storage and dispensation of medications to campers and staff. The Health Director communicates with parents, care givers and agencies as needed.
ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION
In addition to the season’s salary, staff receive lodging, meals and laundry facilities.
Time Commitment
All staff are required to attend orientation. Sessions begin Sunday at 12:00 noon and end twelve days later on Friday at 2:00 PM (see session dates). All staff are required to stay at camp during sessions except during time off. Staff are off between sessions and get a portion of a day off each session.
College Credit
Many college students use their experience at Camp Thorpe as part of their college internship, practicum or field experience. Check with your school about this possibility. The Camp Director has experience with supervision and performance evaluations in relation to field experiences.
Application Process
Please complete an Employment Application and mail to:
Lyle Jepson, Director
Camp Thorpe
680 Capen Hill Road
Goshen, VT 05733