Chestnut Lake Camp is an all around camp with a strong emphasis in sports. We use our daily activities as a way to build confidence. As with everything we do at CLC, our support system allows our children to take risks by encouraging them to try new things.

Team Sports
Our Athletic Staff work with campers, teaching the fundamental skills of basketball, soccer, baseball, softball, hockey (floor and roller), football, beach volleyball and lacrosse. In addition to instructional sessions, we participate in intercamp tournaments, competing against the many camps in our area.

Tennis
Tennis is one of the most popular areas of camp. We have campers that range in ability from beginner to high school #1 singles. As such, our tennis staff needs considerable playing and coaching experience for players of all levels. We have 3 courts - all of which are equipped for nighttime play. There are 2-3 instructors along with our Tennis Director. We compete in tournaments with other camps as well as a camp-wide tennis ladder. Because tennis is so popular at CLC, we have an “extra tennis” program which takes place everyday at 6th period. This offers campers the opportunity to receive extra instruction.

Waterfront (lake and pool)
Our exciting waterfront provides Chestnut Lake with an area where campers can try new activities. We hire Lake Staff that are experienced in sailing, canoeing, kayaking or rowing. Applicants do not need to be experts in each area as they will specialize in one activity. While we prefer our lake staff be certified lifeguards prior to camp, we do offer a Red Cross lifesaving course to applicants with a strong boating background.

Our Pool Staff are certified lifeguards and experienced swim instructors. Campers are taught according to American Red Cross standards. Our pool staff also serve as coaches when our campers participate in swim meets against other camps in our county. All pool staff must be certified lifeguards prior to their arrival at camp.

All waterfront staff (pool and lake) will arrive at camp one week before our general staff arrive. During this time, all lifeguards prepare their areas and take certification classes when needed.

Outdoor Adventure
(high climbing elements, mountain biking, pioneering, archery)
Outdoor Adventure is the area of camp where campers push themselves to overcome fears and build self confidence. We hire Climbing Staff who are experienced and comfortable on all of our high elements, including our climbing wall, ropes course, zip line, flying squirrel and our 55' vertical playpen. Our Mountain Biking Staff teaches campers the basics of riding a mountain bike and gets them ready to go on some great rides over the 200 acres of the Chestnut Lake campus. Mountain Bike instructors must be seasoned bikers with a general knowledge of bike maintenance. Our Pioneering program is staffed with an adventure counselor specializing in outdoor living skills such as hiking, building campfires, outdoor cooking and pitching tents. Archery is a fun, exciting program where campers learn the art of target shooting. While Archery instructors must have experience shooting, previous teaching experience is NOT required. During orientation our Archery Instructors will take part in a two day archery teaching course provided by the National Archery Association.

Arts and Crafts
Providing campers with the opportunity to develop their creative side is a big part of the Chestnut Lake summer. The Craft Shop specializes in fine arts, scenery, sewing and costumes, jewelry making, candle making, ceramics, cooking, woodworking and video production. Each area is staffed with an instructor as well as a Director. Our Fine Arts staff should have experience painting, drawing, jewelry making and candle making. The Scenery staff will create the backdrops and sets for our shows and should be skilled in large set and scenery design. Our Ceramics staff should know how to fire a kiln and use a pottery wheel. Projects have included bowls, chess pieces, mugs, picture frames, small sculptures and pots. Woodworking requires significant experience and knowledge of tools. Experience using circular, scroll and table saws, lathe, and routers are required. Woodworking projects have included baseball bats, bird houses, cutting boards and gumball machines. Our Cooking staff should have experience with creative, 30-40 minute recipes that the campers can eat after their class. Chestnut Lake's recipe books, ethnic dishes and cook-offs are a great way to create excitement about the program. Our Video Staff use Adobe Premiere and an Apple computer. Projects have included commercials, 5 minute shows and short films. The program culminates with an “Oscar Show” at the end of the summer, where all the projects are presented to the entire camp.

Gymnastics
Our NEW state-of-the-art gymnastics center is complete with uneven bars, tumble track, balance beams, horse and vault. We hire 3 instructors, who must have collegiate experience or a childhood spent practicing and competing. The Gymnastics Director oversees the entire program and helps train the staff, teaching fundamentals as well as safety.

Performing Arts
Much like our Arts & Crafts program, the Performing Arts program encourages campers to develop and exhibit their creativity. Our Theater Staff consists of a Director, 1 piano player, choreographer, scenery staff, and lighting & sound technicians. We feature 2 musicals each summer, along with 2 talent shows. Our Drama Director should have stage management experience, as well as the organizational ability to oversee all aspects of a production. The piano player assists campers with their musical numbers. Our choreographer creates the dance routines and the Arts and Crafts staff designs the scenery and sets, as well as the costumes. The technical team must have experience in staging and working a sound and light booth. We have an indoor theater with a state of the art sound and lighting system and a portable outdoor stage for use in our amphitheater with backdrops.

Aerobics
We offer our older campers an opportunity to take part in Aerobics. Classes consist of step, tae-bo, kickboxing, Pilates and yoga. We hire individuals with experience taking these classes and people with the confidence to run a session on their own.

Cheerleading and Dance
Cheer and Dance play a large role in the overall spirit of Chestnut Lake. Our Cheer Staff should have experience in UCA instruction. They must be well versed in dance and basic stunting. Our instructors must have the skill and confidence needed to develop routines and lead practice sessions.

Our Dance Instructor will lead high energy dance classes, focusing mostly on hip hop and modern styles. Throughout the course of the summer, our dance and cheer staff will collaborate and develop routines for out of camp competitions.

Web & Camp Photographer
Our Web program offers parents a one-way glimpse in our life at CLC. We post 300-400 pictures a day on our website. We are looking for counselors that are seeking a high energy position and interested in getting to know as many of the kids as possible. This is an ideal position for individuals with a strong digital photography background. Web skills are a tremendous asset, yet secondary to photography skills. We utilize a template based system and provide training during staff orientation. An outgoing personality and the willingness to be the most sought after person in camp is a MUST. Remember, the kids love getting their pictures on the web!

Medical
Our medical staff is comprised of an administrator, 2-3 nurses, and a pediatrician. We offer ½ and full summer positions for our nurses, top salary, private housing and waived tuition for children. Nurses operate on a 3 shift rotation; a day shift, split shift and evening shift. Our Nurses are provided with private housing accommodations that include private bathrooms. All nurses are required to spend one evening per week “on call”, sleeping in our Health Center. In order to be sure that the Nurse’s time can be spent dealing with the campers (and not just pouring/filling meds) we utilize a nationally recognized pre-packaged medication program. Additionally, we use a medical computer system that maintains a daily health log and stores all our camper and staff medical histories.

Support Staff
(kitchen, maintenance & housekeeping)
As a member of our Support Staff you will be part of our culturally diverse group of people working on our kitchen, maintenance and housekeeping teams. A typical work day is a 10 hour shift and we offer positions from May – September. Kitchen positions include food prep, dishwashers, dining room servers, bakers and skilled assistant chefs. Our Maintenance Staff will specialize in carpentry, painting, landscaping and janitorial duties. Our Housekeeping Staff is responsible for the cleanliness of all our living quarters and other buildings around camp.

When not working at their assigned areas, the staff is encouraged and expected to become part of the summer camp experience by utilizing the camp activity areas and participating in camp wide events.