"SEA" you in 2017!
Camp Twitch & Shout is "Under The Sea" for Camp 2017
Fall 2016: VOLUNTEER Registration News & Camp Benefit in Philly PA!
We're looking for some "seafaring" mates to join our ship in 2017! Camp Twitch & Shout applications for Volunteer Staff, and Volunteer Counselors In Training (CITs) will be up on our website starting November 1st. Applications for Unit Leaders, Cabin Leaders, CITs, and Counselors will be accepted from those candidates meeting the requirements for these positions (see below).
Camper applications will be on the website starting January 1st. We'll announce their arrival on the website, and through our official Facebook page called "Camp Twitch and Shout Information Page".
Please let me know if you have any questions?
Tricia Kardon, Camp Director for 2017
Website: www.camptwitchandshout.org
Facebook: Camp Twitch and Shout Information Page
2017 CAMP DATES
Volunteers: Friday evening June 30th through Friday July 7th
Campers & Leaders In Training (LITs): Sunday July 2nd through Friday July 7th
Camp Counselors & CITs!
Cabin Leader!
Unit Leaders!
4th Annual Camp Twitch & Shout Benefit hosted by Frank Lozzi
Please contact me at any time for more information, and to get your tickets in advance. You can also find me on Facebook. If you cannot attend, you can make direct donations to camptwitchandshout.org, or donate through me.
Let's make this the best benefit yet!
Frank Lozzi, Camp Counselor
My phone number is 215-680-0007.
Saturday, Nov 19, 2016, 07:00 PM
The Bocce Club, 2001 Point Breeze Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19145
Camp Counselor Job Description
Job Title: Camp Counselor (also applies to Counselors In Training - CITs)
Reports to: Cabin Leader
Prerequisites: At least 19 years of age, pass a background check, reference checks, and an interview before consideration for this position. Counselors must be at least 1 year out of High School. Counselors In Training (CIT) candidates must be 18 years of age, and have completed the Camp Twitch & Shout Leaders In Training (LIT) program. CITs must have graduated High School before the camp week starts.
Position Purpose: Camp Twitch and Shout Counselors are the primary caregivers for our Campers. They are responsible for the Campers’ health and safety, communication with their Leadership and Support Teams, as well as inspiring personal growth through the 5 core principles of Camp Twitch and Shout.
5 Core Principles
1. Resilience: Instilling the process of adapting well in the face of adversity in order to “bounce back” from difficult experiences.
· Seeks to learn more about possible struggles and comorbid conditions for those individuals with Tourette syndrome through participation in training, ongoing communication, observation, and active listening.
· To foster resilience by being aware of the possible individual challenges of each camper in their care, and to continually provide encouragement and feedback to positively impact their ability to handle those challenges.
2. Independence: Creates an environment that gives our Campers the opportunity to function independently, with the goal to improve their self-esteem through discovering their gifts and strengths. A counselor will encourage them to adopt and reinforce the routines and strategies that will help them develop self-competence through positive, supportive, and empathetic means.
· To continually guide, supervise, and help organize activities related to the campers living in their cabin in order to foster self-competence in meeting their own personal needs and goals at camp.
· Seeks opportunities for Camper’s personal growth and provides positive encouragement and compassionate support for each unique individual’s needs and goals.
3. Friendship: Assists in the development of friendships with others that are kind, and act as a positive influence in their lives.
· Consistently acts as a positive role model for Campers and Volunteers by actively engaging in the spirit, community, and fellowship of all individuals living in your cabin.
· Understands the importance of peer-to-peer relationships/friendships, and seeks to encourage and develop social skills in order to reach this goal with the support of the Leadership and Support Teams as needed.
4. Individuality: Assists campers to discover and embrace their unique qualities and gifts that distinguish them from others.
1. To embrace and respect the individuality and diversity of each camper in your care.
2. To seek opportunities that increase self-esteem and pride of all individuals by continually acknowledging and reinforcing their unique gifts and strengths.
5. Mindfulness: Mindfulness is achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feeling, thoughts, and bodily sensations.
1. To gain knowledge of mindfulness practices through the training process, and seek guidance from the Leadership and Support Teams during Camp.
2. To incorporate the tools and strategies learned in training to effectively calm and reassure campers when they are having a difficult time, feeling stressed, or struggling with their symptoms of Tourette Syndrome or associated disorders.
Health and Safety:
To ensure the health and safety of all campers at all times.
1. To see that all campers are properly supervised at all times.
2. To report to your Unit Leader any behavior or activity of a counselor, staff member, Camp Twin Lakes staff member, or camper that is concerning, inappropriate, unkind, insensitive, or aggressive in nature.
3. To recognize and communicate any personal issue or need of yourself to your Unit Leader to ensure your emotional and physical health throughout the week.
4. To make sure you are knowledgeable of any medical needs of the Campers in your care, and access the Medical Team as needed for information, resources, and medical care as needed.
5. To ensure timely medication administration.
6. To ensure proper clothing, sunscreen, bug repellent, fluid hydration, and any environmental needs (heat related, etc…) of yourself and the Campers in your care.
7. To take advantage of scheduled breaks and relief when offered to ensure your personal health.
Communication & Policies:
To read and understand all policies & information listed in the Volunteer Manual.
1. To seek the guidance and support of the Leadership and Support Teams as needed in order to gain knowledge and growth in the role of counselor.
2. To communicate effectively with other volunteers and the Leadership team.
3. To always be aware of, and follow the programming schedule for your cabin to ensure timely participation in all the activities provided.
4. To honestly and effectively contribute to all verbal and written evaluations required.
5. To respond in a timely manner to all communication prior to and during camp.
6. To participate fully in training and camp: All volunteers are required to be on site at Camp Twitch and Shout 24/7 from the beginning of training until dismissal on the last day of camp.
7. To participate fully and enthusiastically in all the activities with the campers.
8. To read and agree to all of the policies and information listed in the Volunteer Manual.
9. To make sure that everyone is having a lot of fun!
Cabin Leader Job Description
Job Title: Cabin Leader
Reports to: Unit Leader
Prerequisites: At least 1 year’s experience as a counselor with Camp Twitch & Shout. Resume required.
Position purpose: To oversee and guide the Counselors in their cabin to ensure the health and safety of everyone, promote the 5 core principles, and provide an engaging and supportive environment for the Campers in their care.
[Cabin Leaders will also incorporate & refer to the Camp Counselor Job description]
Essential Job Functions:
· To effectively communicate with everyone in their cabins, and foster a sense of fellowship, spirit, and community within the Cabin and Unit.
· To ensure that your Counselors are complying with all Camp policies and duties detailed in their job descriptions.
· To provide Leadership in an organized, calm, and empathetic manner.
· To participate in Pre-Camp meetings, and prepare for your Cabin’s needs prior to Camp.
· To participate in Unit Meetings, and immediately report to the Unit Leaders any problems (or potential problems) with individuals in your Cabin, or with the Cabin group dynamics.
· To effectively communicate with the Unit Leader of any identified struggles, or potential issues such as inappropriate behavior, unsafe behavior, or concerns of any individual in your Cabin.
· To promote timely participation in all scheduled activities.
· To take responsibility for the prevention of any heat or environmental illness or injury by ensuring that all the Camper and Counselors have knowledge of proper clothing, sunscreen coverage and bug repellent application, as needed for upcoming activities.
· To ensure that all Counselors have knowledge of what to do for any medical needs, allergies, or possible medical emergencies that might require immediate medical attention in their Cabin (such as seizures or allergies).
· To engage the expertise of the Medical Team, and report to them any additional information and resources you might need to address any medical concerns for the health and safety of those in their care.
· To seek support of the Support Team through your Unit Leader in order to facilitate communication and awareness of any concerns related to those in your Cabin.
Unit Leader Job Description
Job Title: Unit Leader (UL)
Reports to: Unit Director and Assistant Unit Director
Prerequisites: At least 1 year as a Cabin Leader at Camp Twitch & Shout, or past role as a Unit Leader, or Support Team member. Resume required.
Position Purpose: To assist in providing an engaging program that meets the needs of the Campers in their Units. The UL’s responsibility is to actively participate in the development and implementation of volunteer training, under the direction of the Unit Director and Assistant Unit Director. The UL must also enthusiastically seek to inspire their Unit’s spirit through pre-camp preparations, as well as provide oversight and support for the Cabin Leaders (CL) and Counselors in their Unit in the mission of Camp Twitch and Shout.
Essential Job Function: To effectively communicate and reinforce the Camp’s policies and expectations of the Cabin Leaders and Counselors in their Units. To provide all volunteers in their Units the guidance, support, access to the training, and resources that will ensure their success in performing the tasks and goals listed in their job descriptions.
[Refer to & incorporate the job descriptions for Cabin Leaders & Camp Counselors]
Team Approach: The Unit Leader will have knowledge of the resources available to them, and seeks to utilize those resources when necessary with the guidance of the Unit Director & Assistant Director. These resources may include the Support and Medical Teams. Utilizing a team approach will help ensure the physical health, emotional health, safety, and personal growth of the Campers and Counselors in their Unit.
· To develop and encourage suggestions for Cabin & Unit Spirit pre-camp.
· To participate in all Unit & Cabin activities.
· Promote daily communication with your Cabin Leaders.
· Participate in pre-camp, and at-camp meetings with your Cabin Leaders & Counselors.
· To provide guidance and support regarding the environmental needs of the Campers to ensure the health and safety of the Counselors and the Campers.
· To actively participate in, and contribute to the Training process as requested from the Unit Director, and Assistant Unit Director.
· To provide access to, and incorporate a toolbox of strategies and ideas for the Counselors to utilize when facing changes in the schedule or challenges.
· To encourage and foster personal growth for all Counselors in their Units.
· To immediately report any incident or concern to the Unit Director.
· To oversee the emotional and physical health & safety of all counselors through the facilitation of breaks and activities promoting rest & fellowship throughout the week.