Shawn Graves
Janice Ronan

Tim Barnes
Maggie Mase

Dear 4-H Camp Counselor Applicant:

Thank you for your interest in serving as a counselor at one of the region's two 4-H camps this summer. Enclosed is a counselor application that must be completed and returned to your county extension office by Friday, March 14, 2008, as your first step along the road towards being selected for such a role. Please note: counselor candidates must be at least 14 years of age as of January 1, 2008. Preference will be given to applicants 15 years of age or older as 14 year olds may only counsel at Junior camp, if selected. However, we will continue a track again this year for Counselors in Training (CITs) at Intermediate Camp, which will provide a leadership opportunity for younger applicants. Serving as a camp counselor is a very rewarding experience for both you and your campers. There can be a wonderful satisfaction in doing a job like this to the best of your ability. One of the most beneficial features of the camp counseling is becoming part of the team of counselors, adult volunteers, and extension staff who provide leadership to our region's camping programs.

The counselor selection process is somewhat complex: first, you must complete and return the enclosed application; second, you must be selected by your county to attend the NW 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat and Camp Counselor Training; third, you must attend the training; and finally, you must be selected by camp staff to counselor at one of this summer's 4-H camps. Individuals selected to serve as counselors will be notified of their selection on or before May 1, 2008.

Dates to remember are as follows. Again, please note that attendance at NW 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat and Camp Counselor Training is mandatory if you plan to counsel in 2008. Circle the dates now, and plan to attend if selected:

• Applications due to your County Extension Office: Friday, March 14, 2008
  
• NW 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat and Camp Counselor Training: Friday, April 11 - Sunday, April 13
  
• Notification of counselor selection process: by May 1, 2008
  
• Mandatory all staff camp planning meeting: Monday, May 12, 2008, 6:00 p.m., Venango County Extension Office
  
• Junior Camp: Thursday, June 12 - Sunday, June 15, 2008, at All Saints Camp (campers grades 2-5 in 2007-2008, approximates age 8-11)
  

Intermediate Camp: July 7 - 11, 2008, Venango County Fairgrounds (campers grades 6-9 in 2007-2008, approximate ages 11-14)

You will be required a few things for NW 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat and Camp Counselor Training:

1. You will be going through an interview, so be prepared to dress appropriately for your interview.
   
2. You will need to come to camp prepared for our theme "What'd You Say" so have items for potential skits or outfits prepared ahead of time.
   
3. You will need to bring with you a small item that may not be returned, that represents yourself. Items such as an old key, mug, key ring, cd, or other small items will work.
   
4. You will need to bring with you your favorite games. These can be board games, card games, etc.

In the past, we have faced conflicts with the dates of NW 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat and Camp Counselor Training and other events that potential counselors have wanted to attend. If you have a conflicting event with NW 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat and Camp Counselor Training, such as SAT's, you must do two things. First, you must notify your county extension educator in reference to this problem. Second, you must submit in writing a message referencing this conflict to either Patty Anderson (pag2@psu.edu) or Bryan Dickinson (brd111@psu.edu) depending on which camp you would prefer to counsel at. Patty is the director at Intermediate Camp and Bryan is the director at Junior Camp.

Another conflict that may potentially affect you is Capital Days. The bus from the region will be leaving on Sunday, April 13. We have worked out that the bus will stop at McKeever (time is to be determined) to pick up potential participants. However, you must notify your County Extension Educator prior to NW 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat and Camp Counselor Training about this. Also, you must let Patty and Bryan know at NW 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat and Camp Counselor Training that you will be getting on the Capital Days bus. This will permit us to give you an earlier interview and to make appropriate arraignments for you.

One major responsibility that you will be expected to fulfill this year as a potential counselor is camper recruitment. The last few years have seen our camper numbers decline. All potential counselors will be expected to conduct a camp recruitment presentation at their county level. We will have a workshop on camper recruitment at counselor training, but if you have something that you have done in advance, please bring documentation of this to counselor training.

NW 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat and Camp Counselor Training will get underway at 7:00 p. m. on Friday, April 11, at the MCKEEVER ENVIRONMENTAL CENTER, SANDY LAKE, PA. It will end at 11:00 a.m. (or immediately following your counselor interview) on Sunday, April 13. You will be notified by your county 4-H coordinator by Friday, April 4, if you have been selected to participate in NW 4-H Teen Leadership Retreat and Camp Counselor Training. If selected, you will need to bring a sleeping bag or bedding and pillow, your own toiletries and towels, warm clothes and lots of enthusiasm and good ideas for camp activities. This year's training will focus on increasing your leadership and teambuilding skills. Sessions will focus on song leading, games, teambuilding, conflict resolution, and more.

The total cost this year will be $95.00 per person. Completing and returning the enclosed application is the first step toward fulfilling your goal of being a 4-H Camp Counselor this summer. Be sure to contact your 4-H coordinator if you have any questions about the application, the training session, or the counselor selection process!

Camp Counselor Application