camp fern counselor training program
To work as a counselor an applicant must either be in college or have completed the 3 years of counselor training through the Camp Fern training program.
The training program consists of the following:
1. NOLA - 1st year of counselor training, last year as a camper.
Nola is by invitation only: Acceptance of Fern's invitation is a commitment signifying that the camper has decided to put participation in NOLA above other choices.
At Girls' Camp we have more people eligible for Nola than we have places. Therefore, ACCEPTANCE IS ON A FIRST COME/FIRST SERVE BASIS, based on the postmark date of the reply. The 18 openings for NOLA fill in SEVERAL DAYS.
Nola is the first year of the COUNSELOR TRAINING PROGRAM. ONE MUST ATTEND THIS YEAR IN ORDER TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE YEARS until college. At that time, you would again be eligible to return.
Goals of the Program:
. To successfully be in charge of a cabin group during a limited, specific period of time (i.e. rest hours and evenings) and to make it fun while also adhering to cabin and camp rules.
. To increase the ability of Nola campers to live and work with their peers in a positive, effective manner.
. To develop their own leadership skills through: .the planning and implementation of a Nola party one evening during camp
. assuming duties of senior counselors during the "Nola Day" period
. leading songs
. the example they set for all campers
2. COUNSELOR AIDE - 2nd year of counselor training, 1/2 Camper & 1/2 Counselor
C.A. year is by invitation only: Acceptance of Fern's invitation is a commitment signifying that a person has decided to put participation in the C.A. Program above other summer choices.
At Girls' Camp we have more people eligible for C.A. than we have places. Therefore, ACCEPTANCE IS ON A FIRST COME/FIRST SERVE BASIS, based on the postmark date of your reply. The 12 openings for C.A. fill in SEVERAL DAYS.
Goals of the Program:
. To successfully transition from being a camper, where others are there to meet their needs, to a beginning counselor, where they begin to assume responsibilities for meeting camper needs.
. To successfully transition from being a tribe member to an objective, fair-minded counselor.
. To successfully be in charge of a cabin group or groups during a limited specified period (i.e. rest hours or evenings) and to make it fun while also adhering to camp and cabin rules.
. To increase teaching skills in a given activity or activities. (Implicit in this is the beginning of finding an area of preference.)
.To demonstrate respect for camp life and rules. CA's will adhere to all rules. It is understood that compliance here will directly influence whether or not they will be invited to return in the future.
. To continue to increase the ability to live and work with their peers in a successful, positive manner.
3. APPRENTICE - 3rd year of counselor training, 1st Year as a Cabin Counselor
Apprentice Counselors are invited to apply, and are accepted based on previous performance and camp needs. There are only 8 positions for the four week sessions available for this level of counselor training.
Goals of the Program:
. To nurture our campers.
. To successfully be in charge of a cabin group or groups for a specified camp session and to make it fun while also adhering to camp and cabin rules.
. To increase teaching skills in a given activity or activities and work toward the goal of finding an area of preference.
. To take the initiative to ask for clarification or instruction in any area of camp life in which one does not feel confident, especially in teaching activities.
