How to become a counselor
Selection process
In just a few short years since its inception, Camp Siberia has gone from having to personally recruit student counselors to receiving dozens of highly qualified applicants. While we are delighted to have so many young people who want to create a successful summer camp for Russian orphans, our Board of Directors is now faced with the challenging job of selecting only 18 counselors from a very large group of outstanding young people (some years as many as three or four times the number of spaces.)
The Board of Directors is dedicated to a fair, balanced, factual, objective and transparent selection process, measured against written and known standards that experience has taught us are characteristic of a successful counselor.
Counselor applicants are not measured against each other, but rather they are evaluated in five areas (Application, Interview, References, Peer and Board Review) against the following criteria:- Maturity
- Compassion and Generosity
- Reliability and Responsibility
- Leadership
- Dedication to Team Goals
- Adaptability
- Curiosity about the Larger World
The Board may select up to three exceptionally outstanding candidates, but given that there will very likely be more than 18 qualified applicants, the final selection for those remaining positions will be made by means of a random drawing.
Confidentiality during the selection process is central to our work and will be maintained at all times. What is discussed in our interviews and two-day selection process is for our internal decision-making process only and will not be disclosed.
Application
High school age volunteers must submit an application to participate as Counselors at Camp Siberia. Applications must demonstrate an applicant’s desire to be of service and a willingness to undertake work that is demanding, both physically and emotionally. In addition, applicants must submit names and contact information of three references. These should be teachers, coaches, bosses or other people, not related to the applicant.
Candidates will be interviewed, references will be conducted and notification will be made in a timely manner. Training and fundraising activities will begin shortly thereafter.
The application process for 2010 has closed. Please check back here for positions in 2011.
Costs
Total costs per counselor in 2010 will be $4,500
Fundraising
Creating and sustaining a program like Camp Siberia costs money. Each Counselor takes responsibility for raising enough funds to support his/her own participation as well as covering the costs for their campers.
Budget
The cost mentioned above is all-inclusive, covering airfares, visas, food, lodging and sightseeing, as well as all costs for the orphans’ participation. Other costs, such as supplies, athletic equipment, maintenance of the camp facility, payment of the Russian helpers and incidentals, are covered by on-going fund-raising efforts.
Parent involvement
Parents of Counselors are expected to participate actively in fund-raising. One way you can help is by assisting your student in his/her letter-writing campaign. Telling friends, neighbors and relatives about the mission of Camp Siberia and your son or daughter’s desire to help has proven to be a very effective method of securing donations. Sample letters (along with tax deduction documentation for donors) will be made available to Counselors.
Auction
New text to come
Counselors for 2010
Congratulations to the following team of 2010 counselors!
| Dillon Byron | Colin Lea | Ethan Pearl |
| Molly Coffyn | Joe McKenzie | John Scott |
| Chelsea Dunlap | Quinn McMahon | Larkin Sheldon |
| Taylor Gawlik | Graham Mitchell | Fiona Stanton |
| Henry Indvik | Deni Murray | Annika Torseth |
| Jeff Laws | Tarelle Parker | Bryton Wildsmith |
