Every year, Bradford Woods hires summer staff for our nationally-acclaimed camps for children and adults with physical disabilities and chronic illnesses. In partnership with Riley Children’s Foundation and other non-profit agencies serving youth, we offer campers a traditional summer camp experience in an outdoor setting. A variety of 12-week, paid positions (including cabin staff, lifeguards, leadership team, and program staff) are available and employment runs from late May to early August.
Description of the video:
Each summer nearly 1000 youth with chronic illnesses and disabilities come to Bradford Woods for a life-changing experience.
More than 80 staff members with diverse backgrounds from around the world engage and empower them.
Finn (Colorado): "It's a different world when you live every single day not associating with kids with special needs and disabilities and then you come into a place that specializes in it and then you come into a place that offers camp, offers nature, offers adventure to kids who have been told 'no' their entire life. The most humbling experience ever was when they said yes you can have this job. I've never been, I've never felt so amazing because I get to be a part of some of the most life changing experiences some of these kids will ever imagine. There's not really...there's not really a better feeling than watching someone's face light up when you say 'yes you can do this'."
Marshall (Indiana): "I was outdoors a lot but it was more for like athletics, sport activities and things like that. Being in the woods, camping, that was a completely new experience for me and it was something I was actually really nervous about coming here cause I'm feeling, you know, I'm nervous myself I feel like others are going to be able to see my nerves also. I was like, 'what do we do? How do we start a fire? What is this, this, and that?'. I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone. I wanted to try new things because I feel like that's where the most growth comes from. It has turned out to be some of the best moments of my life campouts with our campers here. Just those moments we have with the kids camping out, playing games, having fun, eating meals. When I see a camper that they say 'ok this is my first year at camp' you know I can relate to that and that makes me happy because I can come up to them and we can talk about our experiences. I can tell them hey it's ok to be shy or nervous about these things because that's exactly how I was when I came here."
Georgina (Scotland): "I was born and raised in England but now the past 12 years I've lived in Scotland in the Highlands. I feel that my family and my friends don't get it but I go home and tell stories all through the year and I get so excited. I show them pictures of my campers doing these really cool things. These kids just come to summer and they just want to have fun like any other kid who goes to summer camp. They don't have to not be themselves. They don't have to feel afraid. They don't have to worry about being bullied or being different. They can just be whoever they want to be and they can have the opportunities that every kid can have during summer when they go to summer camp."
Emily (Washington): "You do see the changes that you're making in people every day. I think your perception of people just change while you're here. Seeing past their disability and just seeing like who they are, everything they're capable of and all the struggles they have overcome changes just the way you just approach people on a daily basis. It's definitely an eye opener to the judgements we make on people and the relationships we form with them because of it."
Finn (Colorado): "Camp no matter what camp it is for who you are, camp is everlasting. It's forever in here (points to his head). No matter when you leave, whenever you decide to leave it's always here (points to head) and it's always here (points to heart). I mean I've never not gone to a summer camp. Like every summer, I've gone to a summer camp whether it's to work or volunteer or something of that nature. By far the most important thing I think about every day is, there's a word I use a lot, a word that means a lot to me. It's compassion. To me it's a love with an action. It's love that generates so much energy within a person that they want to do something about that love."
Marshall (Indiana): "The amount of time that we spend together in these short months is pretty incredible. We work when campers are here 14, 16, 17, 18 hour days sometimes and I'm really just grateful to have the staff that we have here because they are so passionate, they are so caring about what they do. I feel like I've created a new family here at this camp and I'm just blessed to be a part of that team."
Finn (Colorado): "If we didn't have such a beautiful bond between all of us, then we would not work as well as we do. Unlike any other place I've worked, this place thrives on staff being all the way there, all the time, and being there for each other."
Georgina (Scotland): "This is the perfect camp for me. Bradford Woods is the perfect camp. This summer has clarified for me that I want to work with children and particularly children with disabilities. I say they made me a better person."
Emily (Washington): "You make really strong connections in just a week with the campers for sure. I think our campers make a greater impact on us and there's no way to tell an eight year old kid 'Hey that one random time at the beach, you totally changed my life'. But they did and it's really sad to see them go."
Georgina (Scotland): "So many friendships. The kids like they leave on Friday and they're asking for like our Facebook, our Instagram, they want to keep in touch. They find every way they can to keep in touch with us when they leave. Sorry (crying)."
Marshall (Indiana): "Seeing these kids do that they may not be able to do on a regular basis or things that other people tell them that they can't do is really powerful to me. To see these kids talk about their new firsts and talk about things that they've done this camp session that they maybe didn't do a year or two ago when they came to the camp last is really moving to see how far they've come, how far they've grown. I love this camp. I love these campers. I feel like this place is, it's unique and the people here and the campers here are what make this place so special."
To find out more about serving as a summer staff member at Bradford Woods, visit www.bradwoods.org.
Indiana University
Fulfilling the Promise
iu.edu
Recreation Therapy Internships
Our recreation therapy interns work with a variety of programs and populations. The Recreation Therapy department directs therapeutic summer camping programs for children and adults with disabilities or chronic illness as well as conducting therapeutic programming for adults with disabilities on certain weekends. Interns are supervised by Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists trained in today's Recreation Therapy best practices, including disability awareness, medical care, universal design principles, the APIE(D) process, and leadership development.
By interning at Bradford Woods, you will be part of an experience that will change the lives of your campers and yourself forever. You will have employment at one of the best outdoor centers in the midwest, known for its level of programming across the country. You will also receive rigorous training on disability awareness, medical care, universal design principles, and leadership development.
Summer Staff Job Descriptions
Leadership Team
The leadership team members (Cabin Life Coordinators and Logistics Coordinators) play a key leadership role for all of the summer staff at Bradford Woods.
The Cabin Life Coordinators will work with the Assistant Director of Medical Camping in the day to day operations of camp cabin life and will serve as an integral part of the Camp Leadership Team (L-Team). Cabin Life Coordinators will be responsible for supervising and supporting cabin heads and assistant cabin heads, leading cabin head meetings, communicating with camper families through the “Cabin Life Hotline”, creating weekly cabin assignments for all camp sessions, collecting and organizing all cabin life paperwork, training staff and volunteers, and all other duties as assigned. It will also be expected of Cabin Life Coordinators to spend one hour each morning and evening supporting cabins and running one choice activity per week. Cabin Life Coordinators will have turns being on call for all camp. This is a very multi-faceted position which works closely with the RT Assistant Director to ensure all areas of cabin life run smoothly.
The Logistics Coordinators will work with the Assistant Director of Therapeutic Programming in the day to day operations of camp programming and will serve as an integral part of the Camp Leadership Team (L-Team). Logistics Coordinators will be responsible for revising the camp schedule when necessary, supervising and supporting the program staff, leading program staff meetings, overseeing and approving all program activity plans, ensuring the weekly theme is carried out, overseeing and delivering meal packouts (including ensuring specific dietary needs are taken care of), obtaining informed consent forms, waivers, and program restrictions from camper families, planning innovative “Pursuits of Excellence”, and all other duties as assigned. It will also be expected of Logistics Coordinators to spend one hour supporting a cabin each morning and running one choice activity per week. Logistics Coordinators will have turns being on call for camp and will be on call during campouts. This is a very multi-faceted position which works closely with the RT Assistant Director to ensure all programs and activities run smoothly.
Program Staff
Program staff members design and implement programs and activities in the areas of Recreation, Creative Arts, Nature, Music, Nutrition/Dietetics, Evening Program, and more. Programs and activities will be developed around camper needs, interests, and goals.
Organize, lead, and supervise a program of instructional and recreational adventure challenge activities using the “Challenge by Choice” philosophies, designed to meet each participant needs. Develop and implement activity plans for each activity including ground-based initiatives, high and low challenge courses, climbing towers, zip line, and recreational camp activities. Conduct and document pre- and post-inventories of all adventure challenge equipment. Conduct on-going equipment checks to ensure optimal safety of staff and participants. Report any equipment repairs or needs in a timely manner. Follow all policies and procedures regarding the use of elements and equipment as developed by Bradford Woods. The Adventure Challenge Facilitators will also run evening programming as needed, recreational climbing for Retreats and other groups, and other skill sessions that may include outdoor living skills such as fire- building, shelter building, and outdoor cooking. This position will have on-site shared housing separate from campers.
Design and implement programs with written activity plans in the area of Creative Arts. Programs should be developed around camper needs, interests and goals and would preferably be based around the theme of the camp session. The Creative Arts Program Instructor will also assist in the execution of evening programs as assigned by the Logistics Coordinator and Evening Program Instructor, assist with running a station during Challenge Day, and teach Outdoor Living Skills during campouts. This position lives in the cabins for duration of the summer and assists campers with whatever level of personal care deemed necessary. When not running, setting up, or planning an activity, the Creative Arts Program Instructor will be working with the campers from his/her cabin.
The Dietetics/Nutrition Program Staff will design and implement specific dietary meals with written recipes to be carried out for all campers in a given session. Meals should be developed around camper needs, interests, and goals. Meals should also be based around the theme of the main meal. The Dietetics/Nutrition Program Staff will work closely with the Dining and Catering Services Manager to create healthy meal alternatives for campers and staff and to develop new, healthier menu items throughout Bradford Woods. On Check-In days, the Dietetics/Nutrition Program Staff will collect specific dietary needs from campers and families to be used in the kitchen’s production. The Dietetics/Nutrition Program Staff will assist with preparing and distributing pack-out meals during Challenge Day and Campouts, and if applicable to specific camps, organize Thursday pizza nights and teach cooking activities during activity periods. The Dietetics/Nutrition Program Staff will also complete various tasks that will supplement his/her experience and benefit the campers; these tasks include but are not limited to calorie counts, nutritional data on various meals, etc. This position lives in the cabins for the duration of the summer and assists campers with whatever level of personal care deemed necessary. When not in the kitchen, the Dietetics/Nutrition Program Staff will be working with the campers from his/her cabin.
Design and implement evening programs with written activity plans to be carried out all campers in a given session. Programs should be developed around camper needs, interests and goals. Evening programs should also be based around the theme of the camp session. The Evening Program Instructors will work closely with the Logistics Coordinators to assign other program staff and interns to support the evening programs. The Evening Program Instructors will also assist with running a station during Challenge Day and teach Outdoor Living Skills during campouts. The Evening Program Instructors must collaborate together to delegate different responsibilities between OLS and nightly programming duties. This position lives in the cabins for duration of the summer and assists campers with whatever level of personal care deemed necessary. When not running or planning an activity, the Evening Program Instructors will be working with the campers from his/her cabin.
The Media Specialist position will lead all media needs with the summer camp program. This includes taking pictures of each camper in various activities, posting the pictures to Shutterfly, Campminder and creating a slideshow of the pictures to play at the closing campfire. This position will also provide photos and stories to any donors for newsletters and other special events. On check-in day, the Media Specialist will work with the Logistics Coordinator to create a photo roster of the campers by cabin for the nursing team. This position will also assist the program staff in the implementation of media in programs and activities including dining hall programs and campfires. The Media Specialist will work closely with the Logistics Coordinator and the Bradford Woods technology coordinator to maintain and develop all media programs. When this position is not performing program responsibilities and tasks they will be working with campers in their assigned cabin. This position will live in cabins for the duration of summer and assist campers with whatever level of personal care deemed necessary.
Design and implement programs with written activity plans in the area of Music. Programs should be developed around camper needs, interests and goals and would preferably be based around the theme of the camp session. The Music Therapy Program Instructor will also assist in the execution of evening programs as assigned by the Logistics Coordinator and Evening Program Instructor, assist with running a station during Challenge Day, and teach Outdoor Living Skills during campouts. This position lives in the cabins for the duration of the summer and assists campers with whatever level of personal care deemed necessary. When not running, setting up, or planning an activity, the Music Therapy Program Instructor will be working with the campers from his/her cabin.
Design and implement programs with written activity plans in the area of Nature. Programs should be developed around camper needs, interests and goals and would preferably be based around the theme of the camp session. The Nature Program Instructor will also assist in the execution of evening programs as assigned by the Logistics Coordinator and Evening Program Instructor, assist with running a station during Challenge Day, and teach Outdoor Living Skills during campouts. This position lives in the cabins for duration of the summer and assists campers with whatever level of personal care deemed necessary. When not running, setting up, or planning an activity, the Nature Program Instructor will be working with the campers from his/her cabin.
Design and implement programs with written activity plans in the area of recreation. Programs should be developed around camper needs, interests and goals and would preferably be based around the theme of the camp session. The Recreation Program Instructor will also assist in the execution of evening programs as assigned by the Logistics Coordinator and Evening Program Instructor and assist with running a station during Challenge Day and teach Outdoor Living Skills during campouts. This position lives in the cabins for duration of the summer and assists campers with whatever level of personal care deemed necessary. When not running or planning an activity, the Recreation Program Instructor will be working with the campers from his/her cabin.
The lifeguard will work with programs such as swimming, canoeing, raft building, and pontoon boat rides for youth, adults, and families including those with disabilities and chronic illness. The lifeguard position provides critical monitoring and life-saving support of aquatic areas determined by the American Red Cross (or equivalent) lifeguard training and in accordance with the American Camp Association Standards, Bradford Woods Aquatics Operating Procedures, General Policies/Procedures, and Emergency Action Plan. Duties and responsibilities will include patron safety, opening and closing designated program space, routine cleaning, and preparing and stowing equipment appropriately. Conduct and document pre- and post-inventories of all waterfront equipment. Assist with on-going equipment checks to ensure optimal safety of staff and participants and report any equipment repairs or needs to the Waterfront Director. Follow all policies and procedures regarding the use of elements and equipment as developed by Bradford Woods. Lifeguards will also support other programs as needed including explorers camp activities, evening programs, and challenge courses. This position will have on-site shared housing separate from campers.
The Waterfront Director provides general lifeguard support alongside a larger leadership role managing a team of lifeguards and an outdoor aquatic program utilizing a pool and lake. The lifeguard position provides critical monitoring and life-saving support of aquatic areas determined by the American Red Cross (or equivalent) lifeguard training and in accordance with the American Camp Association Standards, Bradford Woods Aquatics Operating Procedures, General Policies/Procedures, and Emergency Action Plan. This position includes working with programs such as swimming, fishing, canoeing, raft building and pontoon boat rides for youth, adults, and families including those with disabilities and chronic illness. Duties and responsibilities will include patron safety, opening and closing designated program space, routine cleaning, and preparing and stowing equipment appropriately. Manage on-going equipment checks to ensure optimal safety of staff and participants and report any equipment repairs or needs to the Director of Outdoor Education. Conduct and document pre- and post-inventories of all waterfront equipment. Follow all policies and procedures regarding the use of elements and equipment as developed by Bradford Woods. Lifeguards will also support other programs as needed including explorers camp activities, evening programs, and challenge courses. In addition, the Waterfront Director will coordinate and lead instructional and recreational waterfront activities designed to meet each participant’s needs. Develop and implement activity plans for each activity that fulfills camper or group goals. Provide supervision, training, instruction, and evaluation to the Lifeguards. This position will have on-site shared housing separate from campers.
Cabin Life Staff
Cabin Life staff implement programs and activities within a cabin, and are the individuals responsible for the physical, social, and emotional care of a cabin group. Each cabin group consists of approximately 8-10 campers and 3-5 staff.
Cabin Heads are the individuals primarily responsible for the physical, social, and emotional management of a cabin group. Each cabin group consists of approximately 8-10 campers and 3-5 staff. Cabin Heads live in the cabins with participants and staff and provide overall direction, support, feedback and supervision. This includes, but is not limited to, overseeing and providing personal care and physical care of campers, overseeing, ensuring, and completing quality and timely camper documentation, enforcement of BW policies and procedures, regular staff meetings and scheduled staff evaluations.
The Cabin Counselor position involves working hands-on with children and adults with disabilities and/or chronic illnesses. Cabin Counselors will live in the cabins with participants and will be responsible for assisting participants, to whatever degree necessary, with their activities of daily living (showering, dressing, bathing, eating, and so forth). Cabin counselors will also assist participants, on an as needed basis, in program areas (waterfront, creative arts, camp outs, etc). Cabin counselors will be responsible for sharing in the documentation of the above camper activities as observed.