Early Intervention: Challenge Program
Basic Information for Potential Residential Week Counselors
WHAT IS IT?
Residential weeks are single-sex sessions that run from Sunday at 12 p.m. until Friday at 2 p.m. This year (2008), there will be four weeks. Residential weeks run either in Reading or University Park during the period of July 6 - August 1, 2008.
AS A COUNSELOR, CAN I CHOOSE WHEN, WHERE, HOW MANY WEEKS, WITH WHAT AGE, ETC., THAT I WORK?
In general, yes. We ask on your application form to list your preferences in terms of rather working with boys or girls, at which site, and how many weeks. The more open you are, however, about these factors, the more opportunities you'll get to work. We recommend that you sign up for only two weeks if you have no similar experience, since it is a very demanding job. If you'd like to work three or four weeks, we would discuss that with you in an interview. During training, we ask you which ages you'd like to work with, and although we can't logistically give everyone their preference for every week they work, we try to. We certainly encourage people to try working with a range of ages for their professional experience.
WHAT IS THE PAY?
You will earn $225/week, plus room and board, as a first time counselor. Returning counselors, or those with significant experience, can make up to $300. You won't get rich doing this, but you will get incredible experience in a short amount of time, at wages that are competitive with those that may be earned as a counselor at a traditional summer camp.
WHO ARE THE KIDS?
The participants are from all over Pennsylvania, with a concentration coming from Lancaster, Harrisburg, State College, and other locales that generally don't include Pittsburgh or Philadelphia. As our agency has grown, we have attempted to serve children from as many different counties as possible. The children are referred by school counselors as at-risk children who could use extra support academically, socially, and/or behaviorally. When deciding which students to accept, we weigh more heavily those coming from single parent or changed families. Almost all participants come from families that could not afford a summer camp experience.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Like our other nine programs, this program is completely free of charge to participants. We have eight full-time staff members who raise money for Second Mile programs.
WHAT IS THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE CHALLENGE PROGRAM?
The mission of The Second Mile, in a nutshell, is to teach children responsibility and to offer them help in achieving their potential. This mission plays out through the Challenge Program in various ways. We feel we may not make a significant difference to a child in one residential week, but we do feel strongly that with monthly support through the school year, and encouragement to earn a return trip to a residential week, we can make a significant difference by hooking children into a network of positive people who focus on goal-setting, higher education, and involvement in their communities. We ask participants to set two personal goals and to formulate and follow through on a community service project. If done satisfactorily, they will get re-recommended to attend a residential week by their school counselors. A positive by-product of this process is that school counselors "contract" with us to have regular contact with Challenge Program participants, contact that often wouldn't otherwise occur given counselors' large caseloads.
WHAT TIME COMMITMENT WOULD I BE MAKING?
If interested, you would need to fill out an application, which includes providing two references and completing a clearance form, come to a 30-minute interview, attend training in State College (scheduled to begin in the early morning Saturday, June 21st through early evening Monday, June 23rd with lodging and meals provided), and work the week(s) assigned. In general, you are asked to arrive two hours early on Sunday (e.g. arrive at noon for a 2 p.m. start) and stay two hours after the residential week ends (e.g. leave at 2p.m. Friday when participants are dismissed at noon).
WHAT ACTIVITIES HAPPEN AT THE CHALLENGE PROGRAM RESIDENTIAL WEEKS?
We do all the "normal", fun camp things, with a smattering of educational components. Participants generally swim every day, do arts and crafts, participate in initiatives (teambuilding, problem-solving activities), have various contests, go canoeing, hiking and on field trips (i.e. to minor league baseball game, bowling), have picnics, play large-group games, participate in sports, hear guest speakers, enjoy a carnival night, film a group skit, put on a talent show, etc.
WHAT WOULD MY SPECIFIC DUTIES BE?
You will wear many hats - as a friend, nurse, big brother/sister, "authority" figure, coach, teacher, mentor, etc. We ask residential week counselors to take about five kids of the same age, and guide them through the week safely, with a positive attitude, and to have fun doing so. We are insistent that you care for their safety - both physical and emotional - and thus don't tolerate corporal punishment, inadequate supervision, military tactics, or other such supervisory styles. If you have fun and are positive with them, the week will be that much easier for you, and you will find the kids will "glom" onto you. You eat with your group, sleep in the same area, and are responsible for them throughout the week. We want you to stress teamwork as you create a group name and group flag, and spend your time together as a group. All of these will be addressed thoroughly at training; so don't worry if you haven't had experience working with kids- we'll try to teach you!
If you are interested in applying as a first time counselor please print, fill out, and return the New Staff Application. If you are a return staff member you may fill out the Return Staff Application.
** Although there is no firm deadline, positions are filled as we receive applications, so it is in your best interest to apply as soon as possible. ** 
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