Staff Application and Information

The Louis August Jonas Foundation operates a full scholarship, international leadership summer program for teenagers selected for their intellect, character and leadership potential.  We bring together a diverse group of gifted, highly motivated staff from around the world to facilitate Camp Rising Sun - seven weeks of program carefully designed to promote intellectual and personal growth, leadership skills, a service ethic, and intercultural understanding.  All staff members participate in 12 days of in-depth professional development in safety, adolescent development and the Camp Rising Sun curriculum.

• Appreciate diversity across all human dimensions
• Respect teenagers and their impressive talents and insights
• Act as positive role models
• Are passionate about their interests
• Are good listeners
• Set high standards for themselves and others
• Enjoy reflection and accept feedback
• Enjoy living and working in the outdoors
• Enjoy collaborating on projects and being part of a community
• Understand the enormity of the responsibility of caring for the safety and well-being of others

• Participate in all scheduled activities;
• Attend meals in dining hall;
• Participate in daily meetings with Camp Director;
• Participate in program evaluation;
• Participate in self-evaluation;
• Supervise campers overnight;
• Take off one day per week and two hours off per day to re-energize and rest;
• Maintain a substance-free campus.

Assistant Camp Director  Responsibilities  (R)(C)

• Manage camper and staff schedules;
• Maintain all camper and staff records;
• Manage visitation schedule for all visitors;
• Supervise second year campers;
• Manage special events;
• Organize and maintain office related, equipment, supplies and space within the budget;
• Assist with daily staff meetings;
• Assist with staff evaluation;
• Act as Camp Director in his/her absence.
• Must have experience with Camp Rising Sun.

• Assist the Camp / Program Director in all office and paperwork associated with running both camps;
• Have own means of transportation between campuses;
• Track expenses and complete expense reports;
• Oversee use of debit/credit cards and maintain receipts;
• Plan and execute logistics of trips, transportation, camp finances;
• Organize camp files;
• Assist specialty counselors in ordering supplies and
• Work closely with the LAJF Business Manager.

• Treat all illnesses and injuries on the site and provide consultation to staff handling illnesses and injuries off-site;
• Supervise Medical Staff;
• Communicate with health care providers to make appointments, arrange for hospitalization, and set up follow-up care;
• Communicate with the local Health Department any reportable illnesses or injuries;
• Maintain camper and staff health records in a confidential and professional manner;
• Maintain prescription and over-the-counter medications in a safe manner;
• Dispense medications as prescribed or as necessary;
• Maintain proper records of treatment and medication; complete incident reports, as well as any required insurance reports;
• Communicate with parents about campers’ medical conditions, as needed;
• Maintain adequate supplies in the Health Office and at other locations, such as the pool, the vans, and the hiking trip first aid kits and
• Medical staff are welcome – but not required – to assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.

• Must be licensed emergency medical technician(EMT), physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, registered nurse or licensed practical nurse licensed to operate in the state of New York;
• Must possess current CPR for the Professional Rescuer certification (training provided by LAJF if needed) and
• Must possess current emergency responder certification (Responding To Emergencies or Wilderness First Aid – training provided by LAJF if needed).

• Plan and prepare meals for the summer;
• Organize and supervise kitchen staff and campers working in the kitchen;
• Manage the approved kitchen budget;
• Organize and manage kitchen equipment and supplies within the approved budget;
• Work closely with Camp Director, Administrative Assistant and Business Manager on kitchen budgeting and expenditures;
• Anticipate needs and create food orders a week in advance and
• Kitchen staff are welcome – but not required – to assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.
• Skills required
• Educated and/or experienced in running a large-scale kitchen;
• Experience in planning and executing large scale meals and
• Good organizational skills.

• Prepare 10-15 instructions (average of 90 minutes each) on swimming, diving and other waterfront related issues including waterfront safety;
• Organize and manage lifeguards;
• Educate the community about the importance of knowing and practicing accepted health and safety procedures in the pool area;
• Ensure that the pool is opened and ready for daily use;
• Organize pool activities and water sports;
• Maintain pool chemistry, cleanliness and orderliness in cooperation with the Facilities Manager;
• Organize and manage equipment and supplies within the approved budget and
• Assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.
• Skills Required
• Certified lifeguard or Water Safety Instructor;
• 3 years experience as a lifeguard and directing aquatic activities and
• Demonstrated ability to teach swimming.

• Coordinate 5-10 arts instructions/workshops (average of 90 minutes each);
• Manage art studio and all arts related activities at camp including supporting camper-led arts based activities;
• Collaborate with other program area counselors for special events and projects;
• Assist in designing sets for the seasonal theatrical productions;
• Purchase supplies and maintain art budget and
• Assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.

• Coordinate and lead three overnight hiking trips for 20 campers which develop camping, leadership, teamwork skills and group dynamics;
• Coordinate 3-5 instructions (average of 90 minutes each) on hiking and canoeing topics including how to effectively select equipment, pack for trips, set up and manage a campsite, start a fire, administer first aid, handle emergency situations, be environmentally sensitive while hiking/camping/canoeing and implement safety procedures;
• Organize and manage equipment and supplies within the budget;
• Lead other supporting staff while on trips and;
• Assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.

• Coordinate 5-10 instructions (average of 90 minutes each) covering topics including composition, drama exercises and introduction to classical and modern music and drama theater;
• Assist and encourage campers to perform scenes and other theatrical works at weekly talent shows and other venues;
• Coordinate weekly talent shows and any additional theatrical performances;
• Utilize theater to empower teenage participants;
• Manage the approved budget for drama activities;
• Support off-campus trips to musical or theatrical productions;
• Manage both indoor and outdoor stages and additional rehearsal spaces and
• Assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.

• Coordinate 5-10 instructions (average of 90 minutes each) covering topics of individual expertise;
• Spend large portion of time interacting with campers on 1:1 basis or in small groups;
• Be very flexible and open to using individual skills as needed in all program areas;
• Assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.

• Coordinate Instructions to support the Four Goals and mission of Camp Rising Sun;
• Assist campers, fellow staff members and visitors to develop intellectually rigorous and methodologically appealing Instructions;
• Develop engaging daily Evening Program activities;
• Observe Instructions and Evening Programs and provide constructive feedback to facilitators.
• Model the effective delivery of Instructions and Evening Programs in your own such endeavors.
• Assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.
• A background and/or experience in Education is preferred.

• Coordinate 5-10 instructions (average of 90 minutes each) covering various subjects such as creative, technical and critical writing, editing, weekly media critique and ethics in the media;
• Assist campers in the publication of a weekly newspaper  and pod-casts that highlight both camp and world news issues;
• Manage journalism office, equipment and supplies within the budget and;
• Assist in other aspects the program as described in the general job description. 

• Coordinate 5-10 instructions (average of 90 minutes each) on music theory, appreciation, composition and performance of a wide range of musical genres with an emphasis on World Music;
• Teach voice technique and coordinate singing camp songs after meals;
• Coordinate Music Appreciation Sundays;
• Assist and encourage campers to perform music at weekly talent shows and other venues;
• Assist in producing/arranging/teaching music for theatrical productions;
• Support off-campus trips to musical or theatrical productions;
• Organize and manage rehearsal areas, equipment and supplies within the budget and
• Assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.

• Coordinate daily construction projects in close partnership with the Facilities Manager;
• Expose all campers to hands-on practical construction/building, project planning and management skills;
• Organize and support staff and campers involved in construction projects;
• Work closely with the year-round campus Facilities Manager on safety, construction strategies, use of materials and use of equipment;
• Manage safety plan and teach safety in all aspects of project planning and execution;
• Organize and manage equipment and supplies within the budget;
• Supervise 2-3 assistant counselors and
• Assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.

• Coordinate 5-10 instructions (average of 90 minutes each) on science and nature and exploring the camp grounds;
• Assist project counselor during project time;
• Organize campers to maintain and improve trails and gardens;
• Assist Hiking Counselor in organizing hiking and camping trips;
• Assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.

• Coordinate 10-15 instructions and/or evening programs (average of 90 minutes each) on world affairs, politics, ethical dilemmas and other current events;
• Work with campers on an individual basis to capitalize of his/her own unique perspectives in debates, on panels or as stand-alone activities;
• Assist instructions and evening programs coordinators and support campers to plan and implement meaningful and relevant activities;
• Assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.

• Prepare food for meals;
• Supervise proper food storage after meals;
• Maintain inventory of kitchen supplies;
• Perform additional kitchen duties as directed by the Head Chef and
• Perform Head Chef duties when Head Chef is not present and
• Kitchen staff are welcome – but not required – to assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.

• Assist in food preparation;
• Supervise proper food storage after meals;
• Prepare daily afternoon snack;
• Perform additional kitchen duties as directed by the Head Chef and
• Perform Cook duties when Cook is not present and
• Kitchen staff are welcome – but not required – to assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.

• Coordinate 5-10 instructions on food and cooking (average of 90 minutes each) which include preparation for cultural meals;
• Coordinate with counselors and campers to plan weekly “Sachems’ Dinner”;
• Supervise kitchen cleanup after breakfast;
• Assist Kitchen Director in creating food orders and
• Assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.

 Return to available positions

• Assist Medical Director in treating illnesses and injuries on the site and provide consultation to staff handling illnesses and injuries off-site;
• Communicate with health care providers to make appointments, arrange for hospitalization, and set up follow-up care;
• Assist in maintenance of camper and staff health records in a confidential and professional manner;
• Assist in maintenance of prescription and over-the-counter medications in a safe manner;
• Dispense medications as prescribed or as necessary;
• Maintain proper records of treatment and medication; complete incident reports, as well as any required insurance reports;
• Communicate with parents about campers’ medical conditions, in absence of Medical Director;
• Maintain adequate supplies in the Health Office and at other locations, such as the pool, the vans, and the hiking trip first aid kits and
• Medical staff are welcome – but not required – to assist in other aspects of the program as described in the general job description.

• Must be licensed physician, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, registered nurse, licensed practical nurse or emergency medical technician licensed to operate in the state of New York;
• Must possess current CPR for the Professional Rescuer certification (training provided by LAJF if needed) and
• Must possess current emergency responder certification (Responding To Emergencies or Wilderness First Aid – training provided by LAJF if needed).

• Managing staff selection
• Implementing the program
• Supervising staff
• Working as part of a team of staff and Board members to assure a professional, caring experience for the young people in our charge.

• Working, successfully, with adolescents and enjoying the age
• Hiring and supervising staff
• Possessing organizational and administrative skills
• Public speaking
• Understanding the importance of camper and staff safety
• Complying with government regulations
• A history with Camp Rising Sun or other camps
• Understanding and valuing diversity in all its forms and individual differences
• Possessing and exhibiting energy and an outgoing nature.
• Teaching, developing curriculum, writing proposals and/or constructing educational programs