Adventure Challenge
All adventure staff will work both in Adventure Challenge (high and low ropes, group initiatives and games) and in Trek (outdoor trips). Ideal candidates for this program have belay experience, biking proficiency, top rope setup experience, CPR/first aid certification and an interest in working outdoors. Staff should have experience with outdoor activities (hiking, biking, climbing, kayaking), need to be in good physical condition, comfortable with heights and prepared to be physically active in the heat and humidity of the Poconos, and should not mind getting dirty. Facilities include newly redesigned high ropes course including Jeebie Lunge, Hourglass, Pamper Pole, Helix, Zulu, Earthquake Bridge, Charlie Chaplin and Spacewalk; Giant Swing; indoor and outdoor climbing and bouldering walls; two ziplines (20’ and 50’); adjacent wooded property with approximately 10 miles of multi-level hiking/biking trails; and all equipment, including mountain bikes. Adventure staff may be asked to come to camp early (five to seven days before the start of Staff Week) for training and program orientation.

Aerobics
Working under the supervision of the fitness director, aerobics staff design and implement a program for campers ages 12-15 enrolled in the aerobics elective. Applicants should be experienced aerobics instructors with the ability to teach several different styles; certification is a plus but not a requirement. Our dance and fitness facility includes a dedicated aerobics studio and separate fitness room. TV/VCR can be made available for occasional use of exercise videos.

Arts & Crafts
Arts & crafts staff assist in planning and implementation of projects in beading, clay, decoupage, sewing, painting, leatherwork, candlemaking, airbrushing and collage projects. Specialized positions are available for staff with extensive experience in silver jewelry, glass fusion and ceramics. Art major a plus; creativity and patience a must. Brand-new arts and crafts/ceramics building in 2003; silver and glass have a separate “world art” studio, new in 2006.

Aquatics
Most aquatics staff work full-time (4-5 periods a day) at the pool or lake, lifeguarding and instructing. Pool staff will lead small group lessons and supervise open swim. Lake staff will supervise boating, swimming, fishing and recreational water activities. Candidate must be an American Red Cross-, NPLQ- or Canadian Lifesaving Society-certified lifeguard at the time of application. Aquatics staff come to camp early (one week before general staff orientation) to participate in a Bryn Mawr-sponsored American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification course. At the end of this week, staff are assigned to either the lake or the pool (although lake staff may be asked to assist at the pool and vice versa). We teach in two pools, one short-course and one smaller for individual and small-group instruction.

Athletics
Working under the supervision of the athletic director and the athletic program directors, athletics staff teach and coach one or more of the following sports: soccer, softball, volleyball, basketball, lacrosse, golf and archery. Soccer, softball, volleyball and basketball teams compete with nearby camps in recreational and county title tournaments. Instructors should have significant varsity experience in their sports (ideally at the college level), and coaching experience is a plus. Facilities include seven all-grass soccer pitches, four grass volleyball courts, Field of Dreams softball field, full-size Court of America and junior biddy basketball courts, driving range, artificial turf putting green and archery range.

Cooking
A cooking counselor will work with the cooking director to implement a home economics curriculum that covers nutrition, food preparation and presentation. Creativity and significant experience in the kitchen are required; home economics or food-related major is a plus but not a necessity.

Dance
Dance staff must be experienced in and able to demonstrate and teach at least two of the following styles: ballet, jazz, hip-hop, modern, tap. Knowledge of choreography and/or experience in a dance or musical theatre company is a strong plus, as is the ability to lead a class on your own. Our dance and fitness facility, new in 2004, includes a 45’ by 36’ hardwood dance floor and adjacent aerobics studio.

Drama & Music
Drama staff will help produce camp musicals, assisting in all aspects from auditions and stage design to costuming, rehearsal and performance. Applicants should have experience in and good knowledge of the theatre (drama major is a bonus but not a requirement), and ability to assist in at least two of the following areas: set design and construction, costume design and construction, makeup, blocking, musical theatre, vocal performance, light and sound, backstage crew. Facilities include two stages with pianos (indoor proscenium with dressing room/backstage areas; outdoor amphitheater with movable backdrop flats, light/sound booth and backstage work area), costume and prop collections and storage rooms, costume sewing room. Performances are held outside except in case of inclement weather. Drama staff may also be asked to assist with Friday night talent shows and special events.

Gymnastics
Gymnastics staff must have advanced skills and experience in beam, uneven bars, tumbling, vault and floor exercise. Experience teaching or coaching at any level is preferred. Facility includes 40-foot TumblTrak with vaulting horse attachment, 42’ by 42’ foam training and competition spring floors, two sets of Speith Anderson uneven bars and one single rail, AAI vaulting table with Stratum springboard, three AAI springboards, two Speith Anderson adjustable beam, AAI spring-loaded adjustable beam, ten low beams, multiple sizes of spotting blocks and wedges, competition landing mats, eight-inch skill cushions and landing mats. Bryn Mawr holds 22 consecutive Wayne County junior and senior gymnastics titles.

Health Center Assistant
The Health Center assistant should be a junior or senior nursing student or a recent graduate of nursing school, ideally with pediatric experience. This staff member will be responsible for keeping all computer health records updated and assisting with general Health Center duties as needed, so s/he must have good computer skills and a thorough understanding of medical terminology. Patience and compassion are also key.

Nature
Nature staff will work under the nature director, helping to maintain the Nature Museum and its inhabitants and assisting with Junior Camp nature classes. Knowledge of nature, ecology and animal care and high level of comfort with outdoor activity and all kinds of animals are required; biology or similar major a plus.

Newspaper
The newspaper counselor must be proficient with a Macintosh computer and have excellent motivational and organizational skills. Campers participate on an elective/extracurricular basis to prepare several issues of The Poplar Post during the course of the summer. Experience on high school or college newspaper required.

Office
Office staff must have very strong communication and people skills. The camp office is a fast-paced and often hectic environment requiring patience, teamwork and the ability to multitask. Organization and accountability are key. Office staff will live in a cabin with campers and work daily shifts in the main office, answering phones, delivering messages, sorting mail, photocopying, making announcements and completing other clerical duties as needed. Office experience is preferred, and excellent verbal and written communication is essential.

Photographer
Camp photographer is responsible for coordinating with the website administrator to shoot all camp special events and with the group leaders to ensure that each camper is in at least one weekly web photo. The photographer(s) will also coordinate with the newspaper advisor to provide photos for The Poplar Post. Bryn Mawr uses Sony digital cameras. Camp photographer(s) must have experience with action photography and be comfortable using a digital camera.

Riding
Equestrian staff must be experienced English riders with thorough knowledge of animal care and ability to work one-on-one with campers of all ages, beginners through advanced riders. We teach hunter-jumper, dressage and stable management. Riding specialists work a full day and often spend extra hours in the barn caring for horses and working with individual campers. They may be assigned to staff housing or Cabin Row. Facilities include long-line ring and two jumping/dressage rings and two stables housing 17 horses and equipment.

Tennis
Tennis staff will work in general tennis or Tennis Plus. The directors of tennis will assign staff to one of these areas during Staff Week. General tennis includes instruction of all campers from beginner to advanced in a class setting. Tennis Plus is an advanced elective program for senior tennis players including high-intensity conditioning, stroke and skills work, and competitive play. Facility includes 17 fast-dry courts and two storage buildings. We also have a racquet stringer on camp.

Waterski
Waterski instructors must be American Red Cross-, NPLQ- or Canadian Lifesaving Society-certified lifeguards with knowledge of waterskiing. Staff will teach beginners through advanced skiers. Waterskiing is an elective activity for all campers. Staff will work under the guidance of the aquatic director on an individualized program for each camper. A boat license and some knowledge of maintenance are preferable; staff should be able to handle a 15’ SeaCraft with 60 HP Mercury motor.

Internships
Outdoor education internships may be arranged through our conference center business. Students in education or similar fields may be able to fulfill internship requirements through employment at Bryn Mawr. If you are interested in an internship at Bryn Mawr, please contact us in the New Jersey office.

I learned a lot about myself and being a leader. My program area helped me become a better teacher. I hope I now have more patience.
~ Heather S., Provo, UT