PREREQUISITES FOR ALL STAFF
-Support for the YMCA and the goals of the camp
-Personal philosophy to live by and share with others
-Skills and desire to work with small groups and individuals
-Special skills and experience if applying for program or support positions
-An attitude of openness to new experiences, hard work, and fun
-Willingness to adjust personal habits (e.g. use of alcohol/tobacco, setting a good example) to the needs of the greater camp community
-Acceptance of the terms of the General Agreement, including the time-off schedule
EMPLOYMENT INCLUDES
1. Salary based upon position, educational level, age, and experience.
2. All positions include meals and lodging.
3. Training in leadership, management, group work and camping skills.
4. Challenging membership on a staff of outstanding peers in an outdoor setting filled with stimulating opportunities for fun and growth.
"The summer I spent at Becket was one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. To have been able to step away from the intense and hectic world of competitive college students and enter an environment of concerned, devoted, and loving individuals such as those I met at Becket was, to say the least, inspiring. I have spent many long nights reflecting on so many experiences and have gained much strength and insight from what I learned."
- Christopher Guilimo, Counselor
THE PROGRAM
The camp is decentralized into four age groups with each village accommodating 8 - 10 cabins. Emphasis is placed on cabin group activities with the primary concern that opportunities for growth and development are provided for each boy. The cabin counselor has a key role in this. He lives and spends much of his time with a cabin group assuming major responsibility for their program and experience. Program Specialists are available to assist with program planning and implementation.
The morning program emerges from the counselor and his cabin group planning activities together. Hikes, sports, and work projects are among the things that take place. There are instructional activity periods each afternoon to which campers go as individuals. Counselors help instruct in areas where they possess skills. The evening program is sometimes an individual cabin involved in an activity while at other times there are village or all-camp events.
Each evening is brought to a close with a cabin vesper or "chat" during which the counselor plans a discussion meaningful to his boys. This period at the end of the day becomes one of the most significant in the group’s experience as ideals, values, successes and concerns are shared in an atmosphere of closeness and friendship.
There are also times during the day when individuals can swim, play, relax, write letters, etc. There are hiking trips, music productions, camp olympics, and other special events during the summer. Groups take overnight hikes. Simple ecumenical worship services are held on Sundays in the outdoor Chapel-by-the-Lake for the entire camp community.
"The change camp created was awesome — to use an overworked phrase — but it truly was. Somehow you reached into the potential we knew was there but couldn’t get out and I cannot thank you enough for that. The credit for the turn-around in attitude and confidence that we saw after the summer belongs to the s taff."
- Judy Brennan, Camper Parent
WHO SHOULD APPLY?
For those who are enthusiastic about the YMCA purpose, the basic philosophy and goals of the camp, and who wish to help campers achieve personal growth, Camp Becket is a great place to spend the summer. A great many staff return year after year and find Becket to be one of the best and most rewarding experiences of their lives.
"This has been my greatest summer ever." - Vossah Kwashigah, International Staff
"I see Becket as the place where I can come to test both my mind and will." Chris Hart, Counselor
"Where I come from, a summer camp experience is very limited and certainly not as involved as at Becket. As well as the wonderful opportunities to teach, I also learned more than I could have imagined. Even now, two months after I left, I am still having withdrawal symptoms. There was something in the air over there that made me wake at 6:00 every morning, stroll by the lake and start the day off with a run. I’ve not idea where the energy came from. One thing for sure, and that is that I really like the person I was while I was at camp. Where else can one feel so close to people, who, just a few weeks ago, you didn’t even know existed. And isn’t it truly amazing how each individual has an identity throughout camp."
- Jaswant Bance, International Staff
"I felt that it meant to meant to be on the giving side of camp instead of the receiving side. I saw how the staff worked so hard when I was a camper to make me feel so good about myself, and I realized why Becket’s seemingly intangibe qualities were real, indentifiable, and so truly tangible just in the hug of a young boy."
- Mike Rosenberg, Counselor |
