My name is Lydia and I’m the Director of Easterseals Central Illinois’ Timber Pointe Outdoor Center! I’m reaching out in the hopes you could share our summer opportunities with University of St. Francis Recreation & Sports Management students (specifically those in your Recreation Therapy courses) that would provide immense personal and professional development through hands-on field experience. We’re looking for summer staff to support campers with a wide variety of disabilities and chronic/challenging illnesses, and to facilitate adaptive adventure activities such as zip lining, canoeing, swimming, fishing, archery, and so much more! Every activity we do is modified so that all campers, regardless of mobility or ability level, can be 100% included and 100% empowered. We see campers with over 70 varying diagnoses, cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injuries, spina bifida, autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, and many more. We also work with partners like Camp Hope (St. Jude affiliated) for kiddos with cancer and bleeding disorders, and the Muscular Dystrophy Association’s Camp MDA! We are located in Hudson, IL, about 20 mins north of Bloomington/Normal, but staff live on-site in cabins over the summer (room and board included), so we welcome team members (and campers) from all over IL and the US! I’ve attached a flyer with QR codes to the applications, and included some verbiage below to share in any email communication! Thank you in advance for anything you can do to help spread the word and get more students involved in an amazing mission this summer! J
All of the staff who come to work at Easterseals’ Timber Pointe Outdoor Center have one thing in common: they are looking to make an impact! But the campers aren’t the only ones who grow at camp…as a staff member at Timber Pointe, you’ll have the opportunity to meet and work with people who have a diverse range of experiences, identities and backgrounds. There are unlimited opportunities to learn, convert classroom knowledge into hands-on experiences, make friends, build connections for your future, and of course, help individuals with disabilities and chronic or challenging illnesses have the best summer of their lives!
Unfamiliar with the camp world? That’s okay!! Of the hundreds of alumni staff who have been a part of our program, only a handful have gone on to a full-time career in camping. The vast majority are now professionals who are currently teaching, working as healthcare professionals (nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, providing mental health services), recreational leaders, and advocates for differently abled individuals- and many of them actually credit Timber Pointe with getting them there. All Timber Pointe Staff receive 60+ hours of orientation, job readiness training, skills development and profession-focused learning that will be essential in your work here and beyond. Throughout the course of the summer, you’ll have unlimited experiences to look back on—tangible moments of learning and teaching that will stick with you forever and inform your future successes.
Join our team this summer to grow your skills, make an impact, and create meaningful, lasting memories and friendships. To answer the question, “How will I make a difference this summer?” you need only look so far as Timber Pointe Outdoor Center. Start your journey today by visiting the links below or by reaching out to Lydia Gartner, Timber Pointe’s Camp Director at LGartner@eastersealsci.com.
We are hiring for 2 positions for the summer:
Counselors are the soul of camp. They set the tone for how great a campers experience will be by facilitating friendships and adventures in an enthusiastic, compassionate manner. Counselors will be assigned 1-4 campers, depending on their individual needs, and will be by their campers’ sides, guiding them throughout their day and utilizing strategies to promote positive behaviors and choices. They will offer support during activities, mealtimes, and transitions. Counselors will assist campers, to whatever varying degree necessary, with the daily aspects of personal care (showering, changing, toileting, eating, dressing, transferring, etc.). They help campers develop life skills, independence, confidence, and a love of the outdoors as they encourage campers to create meaningful friendships and try new things. APPLY TO BE A COUNSELOR HERE
Program Staff facilitate the FUN! They will be trained/certified on our rock wall, zip line, and giant swing, as well as lifeguarding. They will also be cross-trained in other program areas, including canoeing, archery, cooking, science, fishing, and more! Program Staff guide child and adult-aged campers through experiences they never thought possible, adapting each activity so that ALL campers, regardless of ability level, can participate to their fullest potential and are 100% included, 100% empowered. Program Staff will get to develop meaningful relationships with campers as they lead them through new and exciting adventures!APPLY TO BE PROGRAM STAFF HERE
Warmly,
Lydia Gartner (she/her)
Camp Director
Timber Pointe Outdoor Center
P309.365.8021 C 727.273.6272
20 Timber Pointe Lane • Hudson, IL • 61748
