Employment info

Staff Information

Working at Christmount's camp for children with autism will be one of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of your life. Not only will you be able to meet and interact with over 100 individuals on the autism spectrum, but you will gain knowledge about yourself and your capabilities that you might not be aware of yet. You will receive very thorough training and support throughout the summer, but the hands on day to day experiences with the campers are what you will truly take with you in whatever path you choose. The relationships that are formed with campers will help you develop a different way of looking at the world, and can often times continue for years to come. The bond that the staff develops every summer is a special one that also leads to life-long friendships. Of course there are many challenges to the job, but these learning experiences are part of what helps you develop skills in supporting people with autism. Once you see how a week at the camp can improve the quality of life for our campers and their families, you will know why so many staff return year after year to Camp Lakey Gap to learn and grow.

Camp alumni comments

Working at a camp for people with autism has been one of the most rewarding experiences I have had. It introduced me to a community of students and professionals that have become life-long friends and mentors. The people with autism that I have met over the years are some of the most genuine people I have had the pleasure to have known, and I feel honored and humbled to be able to continue helping with their challenges and sharing in their successes. While I am a little further down the path than I was many years ago at that special place in Black Mountain, some of my fondest remembrances come from being a part of that community and that effort. This is an experience mot to be missed!

– Jon Blalock (’01-’09) therapist at Asheville TEACCH center

Camp gave my life direction. It gave my life's journey a meaning and purpose. After working at camp for several years I realized that I wanted to pursue the current path that I am on. I went to graduate school and got my masters in social work, and am now a licensed clinical social worker. I provide one-on-one and group therapy to adults and children with autism and other special needs.

– Annie Seir, MSW, LCSW (’02-’06) works for Southlake Counseling in Davidson, NC

I worked at camp to get exposure with autism for my major: Recreation Therapy. Because of camp, I realized that autism was my passion. I am now a teacher for middle school students with autism in Chapel Hill, NC. Everyday, I'm thankful for my experience at camp because it opened the doors to the most rewarding career I can imagine. Everyday I make a difference in my student's and their parents' lives. I was voted the ARC of North Carolina's Teacher of the Year in 2008. I believe camp made me the kind of teacher my students need.

– Nicole Deinert (’04) is a special education teacher in the Carrboro City School System

Before camp I was a drifter in life looking for my niche in the world. At camp, I found a career, and also a beautiful mountain community to call my new home. Camp literally changed my life.

– Leighanna Rickman (’05) works for the Autism Society of North Carolina in one of their supported living homes

Staff Facts

Staff requirements
Experience is not required to work at the camp, but having prior experience is great. All staff members must be age 18 and older, with the average age of our staff being 22. Generally our staff consists of college and graduate students from across the country and occasionally the world. What we are looking for are staff members who are excited about working with people who have autism, and who are willing to learn new things. We can, and will, teach you everything else you need to know. All staff must complete an application, submit two references, and have an interview and a background check before being hired.

Staff Training
Camp Lakey Gap prides itself in the thorough training that is provided for the staff. It is crucial for a successful program that our staff is well-trained and receives proper support. During the training week all new staff members will be taught the specific strategies that will be used to help our campers understand and be successful in the camp environment. Discussions will be lead by local autism professionals on topics such as communication, structuring the environment, and behavior management. Not only will staff learn factual information regarding autism, but they will also have the opportunity for supervised hands on training with individuals on the autism spectrum. We will have about 4-5 campers at our training week who will be paired with a trainer who has extensive experience in the field. These trainers will model, for small groups of staff, how to interact and assist the different campers during a mini camp day. We will also have consultants, who are local autism professionals, at camp each week for continued support throughout the summer.

Campers
All of our campers have a diagnosis of ASD or a related communication disorder. Campers range in age from 4-17 years old, and each week of camp is designated for a particular age group. We accept any campers on the autism spectrum so you will find that some campers will need minimal assistance from you, while others will rely on you for aiding them in communication, social interactions, as well as personal care. Part of what makes this camp successful for our campers is the low camper to counselor ratio. Campers will either be one on one or in a pair with one counselor. Counselors are primarily responsible for assisting campers in understanding what is expected of them throughout the day and leading them through the activities that are scheduled. Counselors will assist campers in communication, social skills, and other personal tasks. The camp serves 16-18 campers per week and has about 23 staff each summer.

College Credit
To earn college credit for working at the camp, first discuss the job with your college advisor to see if it would fit into the requirements for an internship, and then let the camp director know that you would like to pursue this. The director, Elsa Berndt, MA, would act as your internship supervisor and would be happy to help in any way needed.

Time off
This camp requires a lot of energy, so it is crucial to have time off. Staff are off duty from about 4:00 pm on Friday until 1:00pm on Sunday. You will be expected to stay in the Group Lodge one night each week for night duty, which is followed by a 24 hour period off. The day begins at 8:15 AM and you will generally be off around 8:30 PM, aside from the night that you are on duty.

Compensation
First year counselors are paid $210 per week. Staff will have time off from Friday afternoon after our staff meeting, to Sunday around 1:00, as well as one full 24-hour period during the week, which follows having night duty. Supervision in the Group Lodge at night is rotated so that staff members are off most nights by 8:30. Staff also receive free room and board, as well as a paid week of training.

2010 Camp Dates

Staff Training Week	June 4 - June 12, 2010
Camp Weeks	June 13 - July 23, 2010

Application process
Contact the program director, Elsa Berndt at elsa.berndt@yahoo.com to request an application or print application and reference form below.

Camp Lakey Gap Staff Application Camp Lakey Gap Staff Reference Form (print two reference forms)

Upon receipt of the application, Mrs. Berndt will contact you for an interview. We also require that you submit two references for employment. If you are invited to work at camp, a criminal background check must be cleared before we can offer you an official position.

A day in the life of a Camp Lakey Gap counselor, by Becky Davidson ('01-'09)

Typically, I wake up 15 minutes before I have to meet my camper, PROMPTLY at 8:15. Night duty is long, and the folks being relieved when you get there are ready to pass the responsibility on. Sometimes the campers are up and ready, sometimes not so ready, but whatever the level of alert, the day's fun begins right away. Something important for me to remember is to make sure I have the camper’s schedule completely ready before I get there. I usually do it the night before so that both my camper and I know what to do and I'm not feeling rushed to find objects, pictures, or anything else (the schedule that I am referring to is something that you will learn more about during training week.).

A quick check of the schedule and we're off to breakfast. An interesting situation is when I have 2 campers. One is always a little quicker, especially about meals, than the other. Having someone walk with my eager camper can work sometimes, and providing activities to do while waiting for the other camper to finish is a great way to ward off boredom and frustration for the quick moving camper. Something small and quick in my backpack gives me and my slower camper time to finish eating. Also--I really try to make sure that I get time to eat- even if my camper is finished before me. If I need help at mealtimes, I ask for it. The Activity Directors (AD) are there to assist and they do not want you to be hungry and trying to be an effective counselor at the same time.

Morning schedules seem to go by quickly. A quick outdoor or indoor activity, a snack, the other activity (outdoor or indoor), the pool, then lunch, and nap!! A tricky thing for me here is making sure that the camper is able to check his or her schedule at each transition for every activity. Getting the campers familiar with the routine at camp can make everyone's time at camp a lot more fun-- not as anxious.

Another time needing creative teamwork is getting ready for the pool. Some campers need me to be in my swimsuit and ready to go already, some can play in the pool with an AD while I change. It’s always different from week to week. And then there's the chilly pool. Its chilly, its chilly every year, and every year it takes courage to brave the waters, but it gets easier as the summer moves along, and because the campers love it, I get through it. It’s a big part of camp for a lot of them and it is my duty to make sure they have the best time. Just having a positive attitude about it helps a lot, and I can do anything for an hour (three times a day!) By lunch everyone is hungry (and the salad bar is a great option), then off to naptime--and off duty.

Naptime is great. I take the time usually at the start of the summers to take advantage of the great trails, then by the middle to end, I am out like a light. It’s a great break-time to sleep, or get something to eat that's not cafeteria food. A respectable chunk of time to reboot (1 1/2 hours).

Again, being prompt after nap time is very important to the staff working nap duty, they typically have not had a break yet and are ready for their off time. This it is off to song time a fun and interactive musical session. We sing lots of silly camp songs so it is important for me to be enthusiastic so that my camper will want to join in and enjoy the activity. Then it’s off to the pool again (go ahead and have your swimsuit on when you pick up your camper from nap). Then the afternoon activity: a snack, and then usually something different, a hike, or a cool arts and crafts project, and Music and Motion. Dinner is next, salad bar again included, followed by the Special Event.

Special Event is different day to day, and also changes week to week depending on our campers. By the time campers and counselors arrive, everything is set up by the ADs and ready to roll, but a lot of work goes into getting these ready. Its especially important to have a fun and excited attitude about this because it is new to my camper- so its not a routine that they are already comfortable with, and its later in the day right after dinner- so folks might be a little more tired. Having an energetic attitude about the activity is a great way for me to boost my camper’s interest and ultimate level of enjoyment in the activity. The ADs and floaters (counselors who don’t have a camper that week) work very hard to make them fun for everyone.

Home stretch-- off to the pool one more time, then off to shower and bed. The ADs let me know when to go up with my camper so that not everyone is trying to shower at the same time, and depending on my camper's needs, my level of involvement may be very much or very little in showering. Again, if I need any help, I just ask for it. Once I've checked in with Night Duty and have been cleared to head home (no earlier than 8:30), its time to relax! Another successful camp day!

This is kind of a false end to the day. You do get to go back and relax in Davis Hall away from campers, but there are still a few little camp-related duties to take care of. “Daily Notes” (you will learn about these at training) must be written every evening (Mon-Thurs.) and turned into your STEP group leader’s box. This is even more a challenge when you have two campers, double the notes! They really aren’t difficult though, if you just recall the details of the day you can have them done in no time. Also, on Monday evening you are required to fill out the “Floater Information Form”, Friday’s you fill out the “Stuff I Wish I’d Known on Sunday” form, and on Wednesday or Thursday evening you will be working on your camper and counselor awards. Most of the time staff will work on these things together, so it can still be fun and relaxing.

Another important thing to mention, or just reiterate, is the difference it makes for me to have a positive attitude while working with my campers and the other staff. Just as a negative attitude is catching, so is a positive one. I do get tired and frustrated and just plain worn out, but my job is to make sure the campers have a good time. I know that for my camper, myself, and for other staff, a good attitude and a sense of humor go a long way. I always have a great time at camp, despite the challenging times, and always come back for another great summer!