For our staff, Summer 2020 starts on June 18 and ends on August 17 (August 20 for Support Staff).
Yes, we do want our staff to remain the same for the entirety of the summer. This provides our campers with the most comfortable environment in which to grow, learn, and have fun.
Our staff joins us from nearly every corner of the world, including all over the United States, Europe, and many other places.
Staff members get six days off during camp, as well as one day off during orientation week. Once campers arrive and the program is established, each staff member receives a set day of the week to be off. For example, if a staff member’s first day off is on a Tuesday, then all of their off days will be on Tuesdays.
Our campers have a varied range of abilities within the mild to moderate classification. Our campers are fully ambulatory and have a basic grasp of their daily living skills. We are looking for staff who can provide support and assistance with daily living skills, teach social skills, and have a great time. Our aim is to teach our campers to be as independent as possible while providing them with an amazing and fun summer.
Yes!
With the implementation of PA Act 153 of 2014 and PA Act 15 of 2015, all camp staff members must now complete a series of child protection clearances prior to beginning any work in which they are “responsible for the welfare of a child or having direct contact with children.”
Clearances are valid for 36 months. Many of our staff already have these clearances in place, having started placements in schools and therapeutic environments during their college, undergrad, or post grad. Please obtain copies of your current clearances and submit them via email to Camp Lee Mar as soon as possible. If you do not yet have your clearances in place, please contact camp for further instructions. This applies to all US staff regardless of their home state of residence. International staff will complete clearances in their home country for their visa and overseas agency and then complete clearances in the USA upon arrival at camp.
Camp staff must obtain the following three clearances:
-Report of criminal history from the Pennsylvania State Police
-Child Abuse History Clearance from the Department of Human Services
-Fingerprint-based FBI criminal history clearance submitted through the Department of Human Services
Clearances will be kept in the camp office.
Camp is a whole lot of fun for both campers AND staff members. To see the daily schedule, visit our Typical Day page.
While it is important to us that our staff enjoys camp, that does not mean working at Lee Mar is easy or can be taken lightheartedly. Working with campers with special needs requires patience, stamina, and cooperation. This work can be incredibly rewarding; however, it is not for everyone.
Summers at Lee Mar average in the high 70s during the day, and the low 60s at night. All our bunks and buildings are air-conditioned to make sure we stay cool. It rains sometimes, so make sure to bring a raincoat.
The most important thing to keep in mind is to pack for comfortable, active, warm days. We expect that all of our staff, both counseling and support, will dress appropriately for work around children; camp is a fun but professional working environment. Clothing should not be revealing, should not promote illegal substances or products that are illegal to minors, nor should it include offensive/inappropriate language or images.
We also ask that staff bring at least one white skirt or white pair of shorts. This will be worn on the first day, visiting day, and a couple of other days. Click here for our Staff Packing List.
Lee Mar is the camp for you if you…
- Have a genuine interest in children with special needs and wish to help them learn and grow
- Believe you can live in a very structured atmosphere
- Don’t mind long hours, hard work and great satisfaction
- Desire to grow personally and professionally
- Would like to gain valuable experience for college or your future career
- Love a challenge that will create memories to last a lifetime
- Can provide a week of vacation fun and memories for our Guided Tour group of adults for our last week of the summer
Our staff participate in a week-long orientation prior to our campers’ arrival. This allows you to familiarize yourself with camp and its approaches, innovative activities and varied program adaptations. The staff orientation week is packed full of workshops run by our directors, program heads and coordinators. Orientation covers everything from camp’s beginnings to the day-to-day running of a cabin. This week also provides our staff with the time to get to know our campers’ needs before they arrive, by studying the camper reports and profiles.
Every week, the campers’ laundry is sent out to be washed via commercial laundry. Staff members are welcome to send their laundry out with the campers’, however camp is not liable if it is lost. Staff may also do their own laundry at one of the coin laundry machines located at camp.
