I get asked this question a lot… a lot, a lot! So it is now my personal mission to show everyone the day-to-day of camp when it is not summer.

Here are some of the cool things I get to do when it is not summer:

1) Plan for summer
I get to go through all of our programming and decide what stays and what doesn’t, what supplies we need, change up the schedule, decide on the themes - I basically get to be a really cool party planner!

2) Interview and hire the best staff
I am lucky enough to meet some of the most amazing people from all over the world. It usually starts through an email or a phone call, and if we can arrange it, I get to take the person to lunch or coffee and get to find out what makes them them. If it is a potential new staff member, I will have them visit camp and give them the tour. I spend a lot of time on the phone talking with their references and learning more about them. This all takes between two to six weeks to complete, that’s why it is best to get your application in early!

3) Camper Recruitment/ Retention
I travel all around the Southeast visiting with camp families and helping them host Hometown Rallies. Kids love to share camp with their friends and these visits make it possible! I also am able to blog, Twitter, and Facebook (and it is all part of my job!) to keep everyone up-to-date with camp happenings. I also talk with camp families about improvements, changes, and what is going great - hopefully, I’ll call and get to talk with your family this spring (feel free to email or call me with those things too). I also attend camp fairs, visit schools, host our Open Houses - keep coming back for more info on those!

4) Facilities and Grounds Improvement
Camp gets used by thousands of people each year and didn’t really get a break! Well this year, from January through mid-April, we have rearranged our Outdoor Environmental Education and Group Camping schedules to allow this to happen. So what does that look like?!

Shawnee’s new showers

Shawnee and Natchez (the red Pathfinder cabins) have had their bathrooms completely demolished and are currently being rebuilt. The roadfront cabins (beginning with Seminole/Comanche) are having the bathrooms repainted and the showers tiled!

5) Working with Volunteers
During the summer, my primary focus is our campers, staff, and camp families. So our wonderful world of volunteers does not get to see all of the staff that much (if at all!). Right now, I am getting to work with our Board of Management on our Strong Kids Campaign. Check our note on this! One of the other amazing things our volunteers do is help us get camp ready for summer. Our volunteers include alumni, camp families, Board members, and others in the community that love camp! This spring we will have a Cosby Cleanup (March 27th) during which we will focus on Adventure Village.

I hope this begins to answer that question! Let me know if you want to know more.

In the Cosby Spirit,

Sabrina McClain
Program Director

1-800-85-COSBY
smcclain@campcosby.org
Follow camp on Twitter: @CampCosby and @CosbyCITs

On Facebook: www.facebook.com/CampCosby

Filed under: Alumni News, Camp News, Facilities, Summer Camp on February 10th, 2010 | No Comments »

Looking to send a group of campers this summer? Or wanting to tell your neighborhood families about Cosby?

Host a Hometown Rally!

What is that, you’re wondering?! Perfect, because we have the answers!

A Hometown Rally is a joint effort between a camp family (new or returning) and Cosby staff to help tell new potential camp families about Camp.

Usually hosted at a home (or church, community center, country clubhouse), a Hometown Rally can be held anytime of day. Many are held in early evening later in the week.

A Cosby representative attends to give a presentation and answer any questions. Rallies are very informal,and Camp Cosby does provide snacks (fruit and veggies trays, dip, cookies).

So, what do you have to do?

Set a date and place, invite people, and provide drinks to go along with the snacks!

Many Hometown Rallies are only the parents (some families have gotten together and hired babysitters or their older children to watch the all of the younger children). This way Mom or Mom and Dad can have all of their questions answered! The Camp representative will stay until the very last question is answered.

However, if the families decide to have the children attend, we will bring our some of our camp DVD’s from previous sessions for them to watch. This can occur while the parents’ Q&A is happening!

With everything the hostess (or host) does to help spread the word about Cosby, we love to show our gratitude to them! Incentives range from a free store fee all the way up to a free week of camp.

Have more questions? Want to set up a Rally?
Call the camp office (1-800-85-COSBY) or email (smcclain@campcosby.org)

Hope to come visit you soon!

Filed under: Alumni News, Camp News, Summer Camp, Volunteering on January 27th, 2010 | No Comments »

Missing camp?

Come to Christmas Camp!

This year’s Christmas Camp will be held December 18-20.  Visit with old camp friends, see favorite counselors, and be able to play on many of the camp activities.  Mini-bikes, Alpine Tower, Arts & Crafts, and many more activities will be open.  Of course, we will also have the Annual Golf Tournament for staff and campers!

This is also the perfect time for anyone that is thinking about summer camp to get a taste of Camp Cosby! Check-in is 6 PM Friday night and check-out is 1 PM Sunday afternoon.  A buffet dinner is provided Friday night.

  

Please call Wanda in the office for more information or to register (1-800-85-COSBY or 256-268-2007) .

Filed under: Summer Camp on December 1st, 2009 | No Comments »

 

October 20 & 21, 2009

 

I will be on the Great Plains recruiting staff and interviewing applicants for Summer 2010

 

Please email me at smcclain@campcosby.org to set up a meeting - even if you just would like questions answered I would love to meet with you!

 

See you in Auburn!

Filed under: Alumni News, Camp News, Summer Camp on October 15th, 2009 | No Comments »

Getting ready for Summer 2010 and looking for another amazing staff team! Summer sessions will begin June 6th and end August 7th.  For an application, please visit the ‘Employment’ section of the website.

All YMCA Camp Cosby staff are required to attend Staff Training May 29 – June 4, 2010, along with completing on-line training courses before those dates.   

All Program Staff are also required to attend the Program Staff Retreat February 19 - 21, 2010 and Program Staff Training May 24 – 26, 2010.

For more information on these positions, contact Sabrina McClain at smcclain@campcosby.org or call 800-85 COSBY ext 307.

Counselors – (18 years old) Position involves full responsibility in working with a cabin of up to 15 children (ages 6-8; 9-10; or 11-12) and working in an activity area.  Counselors will be trained in debriefing, positively handling consequences, being a mentor, and dealing with specific camper issues.  Applicants should have an empathic personality, strong role modeling skills, and a positive outlook on situations; lifeguard, CPR, First Aid and other certifications a plus.

Senior Counselors – (at least 19 years old) Position involves leading a cabin of children and working in an activity area. Senior Counselors are responsible for the Counselor and Jr. Counselor in the cabin. Staff will be trained in debriefing, positively handling consequences, being a mentor, and dealing with specific camper issues.  Applicants should have an empathic personality, a desire to learn from experiences, strong role modeling skills, and a positive outlook on situations; lifeguard, CPR, First Aid and other certifications a plus.

Adventure Village Counselors – (at least 19 years old) Responsible for the day-to-day programming and supervision of the 13-15 year old campers at the Point.  Counselors will be assigned either Leadership or Outdoor Track responsibilities on a rotating schedule.  Leadership Track counselors will lead teambuilding, high and low rope courses, and camp service projects. Outdoor Track Counselors will assist the Climbing/ Caving Director in rock climbing, caving, canoeing, bouldering, and teaching outdoor skills to the campers.  During their time at camp, ADV counselors will be in charge of a cabin of up to 10 campers and will work an activity area. Staff will be trained in debriefing, positively handling consequences, being a mentor, and dealing with specific camper issues.  Applicants should have an empathic personality, a desire to learn from experiences, an emotionally mature mindset, strong role modeling skills, and a positive outlook on situations; lifeguard, CPR, First Aid and other certifications a plus. Applicants must also have previous camp experience; experience in teambuilding, rock climbing, low and high ropes courses, hiking, canoeing, caving, and related activities is a plus.

Expedition Instructors – (21+ preferred) At least one male and one female instructor who are responsible for the safe implementation of the Cosby Expedition Program and Adventure Village Outdoor Track trip. Expeditions and Outdoor Track will travel all over Central and Northern Alabama. Expedition Program includes whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, caving, backpacking, hiking, and canoeing. Outdoor Track consists of day trips  climbing, hiking, or caving. Instructors must have strong backgrounds in at least 3 of the program areas (with at least one of the instructors be a competent Class IV kayaker). First Aid, CPR, and Lifeguard certifications are required, while Wilderness First Responder is preferred. Must have the ability to be YMCA Driver Certified; must 21 years old, have a clean driving record within the past 36 months, and pass a YMCA Vehicle Training class. Other duties include staff management on Outdoor Track trips, debriefing of trips with instructors and participants, recruiting campers, and organization of all trip documents. Ideal candidates will have demonstrated experience in top-rope and lead climbing, documented caving experience, appropriate rescue/site management, strong organizational skills, and an understanding of Leave No Trace ethics . Preferred applicants will also have experience in a camp setting, working with teens, and teaching the stated programs.

For more information on these positions, contact Sabrina McClain at smcclain@campcosby.org or call 800-85 COSBY ext 307

Filed under: Camp News, Summer Camp on October 15th, 2009 | No Comments »