To be a staff member at Camp Homeward Bound is to be a part of an incredible community of people from all over the country and the world who work together to change the lives of 360 children each summer. The Camp Homeward Bound staff takes on the mission of the Coalition for the Homeless in a unique way by providing homeless children with an experience they will never forget, an experience that could help to shift the course of each of their young lives.
Most of the counselors are college/university students or graduates. Some are from the New York City area and majority come from various states and countries around the world. Counselors also include former campers who have completed our Counselor in Training Program.
Working at Camp Homeward Bound is demanding but it is also most rewarding. Our camp is beautiful and rustic. Staff members lead and supervise campers closely 24 hours a day, sharing a platform tent, nestled in the woods, with their fellow counselors and an average of six campers.
Click here to see our beautiful site at Harriman State Park in Upstate New York.
Click here for more information about Camp Homeward Bound.
Pre Camp Set-up & Training Sunday, May 31: Admin Staff Arrive Wednesday, June 3: Work Crew & Chef Arrive Wednesday, June 4: Camp Set up Begins Thursday, June 11: Lifeguards Arrive Friday, June 12–15: Lifeguard Training Tuesday, June 16: Unit Leaders, New Kitchen Staff and Maintenance Staff Arrive Thursday, June 18: Program Staff Arrive Sunday, June 21: General Counselors Arrive
Session Schedule Session 1: Monday, June 29 — Monday, July 13 Session 2: Friday, July 17 — Saturday, August 1 Session 3: Wednesday, August 5 — Thursday, August 20
Session Schedule
Session 1: Monday, June 29 — Monday, July 13 Session 2: Friday, July 17 — Saturday, August 1 Session 3: Wednesday, August 5 — Thursday, August 20
After camp Friday, August 21: Staff Depart Tuesday, August 25: Work Crew Ends Tuesday, August 26: All work crew depart
Counselors are the core of camp life. Counselors live with the campers, participate in activities with them, and ensure that each child’s daily needs are met.
Activity Specialists lead variety of different activities: sports and fitness, biking, arts and crafts, dance, nature and outdoor living skills, music, computers, video production, photography, and cooking and nutrition. Activity Specialists also work directly with assigned camper groups when not leading their specific activities.
Lifeguards spend their days at the waterfront. They must have up-to-date lifeguard certification, including CPR and First Aid. Camp Homeward Bound can arrange for staff to be certified or re-certified in the beginning of the summer. Also, like Activity Specialists, Lifeguards work directly with assigned camper groups when on at the waterfront.
Support Staff do not work directly with children but ensure that camp runs smoothly. These positions include Maintenance Staff and Laundry/Housekeeping Staff.
APPLY NOW!
To download and print out an application form, click here. You will need to submit three reference forms in order to complete your application. Click here to download and print out the reference forms. For more information about Camp Homeward Bound, including applying for the next summer camp season, please contact Beverly McEntarfer at bmcentarfer@cfthomeless.org or call 212-776-2020.
