Camp Hilltop Staff
One of the keys to Hilltop's success is our staff. We take pride in the valuable people we hire. They are the most important people to our families, our campers and to us. We recruit counselors who are college age and above, as well as graduate students and teachers for our Senior Staff positions. The average age of the Hilltop staff is twenty-three.
Hilltop is an international environment both in campers and staff. Our staff comes from around the world, including; the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and other countries. No matter where Hilltop's staff are originally from, they have a desire to have a positive impact on children, have specialized skills and have what we feel it takes to be a great camp counselor.
All Hilltop staff members go through an extensive application and interview process. We provide an in-depth, weeklong orientation prior to campers’ arrival and work with them throughout the summer.
Hilltop has a high rate of amazing counselors returning each summer, to the delight of our campers and families.
2013 Staff Profiles
Here is a sample of some of the amazing counselors we have lined up for the 2013 camp season.
Age: 20
Country: Australia
Current job: Woolworths
Interesting fact about myself: I am going to study sports teaching straight after this camp because I have a passion for all types of sports.
Experience with kids: I have been a part of so many school camps with children over the years and each time I loved watching them grow through physical and mental challenges while also learning a few things about myself.
Why I want to be a camp counselor: I have wanted to experience being a counselor ever since I had been introduced to it. I love working with children to make them become the best they can be while having an amazing experience at the same time.
Why I choose to work at Hilltop: I chose to work at Hilltop because after reading / watching videos involving the camp, I fell in love with it – the people looked amazing, the camp looked beautiful and it seemed like a great atmosphere and fun learning environment to be a part of.
Age: 19
Hometown: Glen Ridge, New Jersey
School: I go to St. Lawrence University and am studying anthropology and multi-language.
Interesting fact about myself: If I was a superhero, I would be Mary Poppins, because I like jumping into chalk drawings.
Experience with kids: I find working with kids to be the most rewarding experience, and thus have tutored (math, French, science and reading), coached (field hockey) and nannied children of all ages since the age of 12. My favorite thing to do with kids is running leadership and bonding activities.
Why I want to be a camp counselor: I love meeting new people and kids from all around the world, and having gone to camp myself, I can tell you that the counselors you befriend, make your camp experience. Getting to genuinely know kids and being able to support them through camp life is why I truly can't wait to be a counselor.
Why I choose to work at Hilltop: Camp Hilltop is a family. I was a camper for five years and a CIT for one at Hilltop, and I always wanted to stay longer each summer. The entire camp is a wonderful community filled with fun, excitement, and joyous times. At Hilltop, campers try new things and make life long friends, just as I did. When I was a camper, my counselors helped me grow every day, and I want to impact kids the way I was impacted when I was at Hilltop.
Age: 20
Hometown: Adelaide, Australia Current job: AustSwim certified swimming instructor. Interesting fact about myself: When I was 13, I won a trip to go to Washington DC to see Hannah Montana and the Jonas Brothers, the point in time which sparked my love and interest in the United States of America.
Experience with kids: Over 18 months of teaching children of many ages important swimming and water safety skills. Why I want to be a camp counselor: It seems like such a great experience that I'd hate to miss out on! From what I've read, seen and heard, being a camp counselor will be so rewarding and just as much fun! Why I choose to work at Hilltop: Camp Hilltop looks like such a fun, well-rounded camp full of great staff and so many exciting activities to be a part of! I saw the website and fell in love - I would've been shattered if they didn't hire me!
Age: 23
Hometown: Kereru, New Zealand
Current job: Jeweler
Interesting fact about myself: I play the drums in a band. Experience with kids: I have worked as a child minder in the past and thoroughly enjoy the company of kids. I have a young niece who I have spent time with relieving my sister from motherhood which has taught me lots about children.
Why I want to be a camp counselor: I love to see children progress in whatever they are doing and thought Camp Hilltop would be a great opportunity to meet new people, try new things and share my knowledge with others. Why I choose to work at Hilltop: I had heard through a friend of the nature of Hilltop and was recommended that I go if I can. I applied directly and now can't wait for the summer!
Name: Sean
Age: 22
Hometown: Cumbria, United Kingdom
University: University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) studying BA Hons in Deaf Studies
Interesting fact about myself: I have been an avid skier since the age of 8, competing in both freestyle events and race events at an international and national level.
Experience with kids: This summer will be my 2nd year at Camp as a counselor but before this I had worked as a Beaver Scout leader and a ski instructor responsible for the instruction of children aged between 3-16.
Why I want to be a camp counselor: Being a camp counselor was something I always dreamt of doing. I have grown up around outdoor activities and camping so when the opportunity arose last summer to work at Camp Hilltop I just had to take it.
Why I choose to work at Hilltop: When I first started looking around for camps I was unsure of any real differences between them; a lot seemed like your generic stereotypical camp. I was looking for something a bit more special. It was through a friend’s recommendation who had been to camp before that I stumbled upon Camp Hilltop. After looking at the website and watching there videos I knew that I had found the camp for me.
Name: Jovanna
Age: 19
Hometown: Great Neck, New York
University: Boston University, College of Arts and Sciences- Pre-Law Track, Class of 2016
Interesting fact about myself: I've danced ballet for 15 years, and plan on minoring in Ballet at Boston University. I also love surfing.
Experience with kids: I have been a teacher of English and other academic classes in Ghana, West Africa. This was the best experience of my life and there was no greater feeling than teaching a first grade class how to read and write the English alphabet. I also was able to teach guitar to children while in Nicaragua doing manual labor for the summer in 2011. In Nicaragua I had also been a teacher at a school for children with disabilities. Other than community service, I have two younger sisters and I love watching them grow into the amazing girls they're becoming.
Why I want to be a camp counselor: Being a camp counselor is a huge responsibility that I'm ready to take on! Every counselor can have such an influence on a camper’s life and I want to be someone that campers will look up to and come to when they need anything! After receiving my American Red Cross WSI Certification I knew that I wanted to be a camp counselor and not only teach swimming skills but also make campers more comfortable and confident in the water! I want to inspire campers to be whoever they want to be, and know they will never be judged or put down at Hilltop. SO EXCITED!
Why I choose to work at Hilltop: Hilltop has been such a big part of my life for as long as I can remember! My mother and her brothers went to camp at Hilltop when they were children, and I was a camper for many years. The memories still are alive within me today, and the lessons I learned really have led me to live life "The Hilltop Way." When I think of how amazing of an influence Hilltop summer's had on my life, I think of how I just can't wait to give back to the Hilltop community! I want to be a part of the staff community that did nothing but support me as a camper. Hilltop also has ample activities and opportunities to connect with and support the soon-to-be campers! I hope that each camper will try something new, and I know for a fact they will make memories that will last a lifetime.
Age: 21
Hometown: Helensburgh, near Loch Lomond in Scotland
University: Studying Business Management with Economics at Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh Experience with kids: I am about to embark on my second year as a counselor at Camp Hilltop! Before I came to camp, I volunteered at my local Tennis Club teaching kids from the ages of 4-16 and now at university I work with young children in play-groups, supervising with play activities.
Why I want to be a camp counselor: After being at Camp last summer, I can't imagine spending this summer anywhere else! Being a counselor at Hilltop doesn't feel like a job as the kids make the experience the most amazing time. I want to be a counselor because I want to help the kids realize and achieve personal goals over the course of the summer in an environment where they can feel comfortable and safe.
Why I chose to work at Hilltop: The main reason I chose Camp Hilltop is for the philosophy it runs by. It is a place where every single individual is accepted for who they are. Campers are encouraged to try new things everyday without having to worry about what their friends will think of them. I feel lucky that I am able to spend the whole summer with these kids and be a positive role model for them. I know that when I was younger, I would have loved to be able to escape to a place like Hilltop. To not be judged and just be a kid again.
Name: Mark
Age: 20
Hometown: Glendale, CA
University: California State University Fullerton: Theatre Major with Emphasis in Stage Management, working as a carpentry, and lighting assistant as well as a professional stage manager. Interesting fact about myself: I love rock climbing, the outdoors, theater, and fantasy books. I have a certain weakness for chocolate. I am always interested in learning something about myself.
Experience with kids: I have two younger brothers and a younger sister. I also deal with young actors every day (the similarity to children is remarkable.)
Why I want to be a camp counselor: When I hear stories about campfires, camp songs, and activities at a camp I always think, “that is right up my alley.” I also really enjoy showing people how to be confident through rock climbing and other “daring” activities.
Why I choose to work at Hilltop: Camp Hilltop seems like the idyllic traditional youth camp. They have campfires and songs, lakefronts and climbing towers, friendly staff and energetic campers. Who wouldn't want to work at Hilltop?
Name: Colin
Age: 25
Hometown: Youngstown, Ohio USA
University/current job: Niagara University - Bachelor of Science in Sports Management,
Endicott College - Master of Education in Athletic Administration,
I currently work at an engineering company called Md Plastics Inc.
Interesting fact about myself: I recently started my own athletic clothing line called Oregona Athletics Inc. Experience with kids: I have coached various age groups in track and cross country from middle school, high school, and the college level. I have also worked with numerous youth camps and events during my time as a collegiate student-athlete.
Why I want to be a camp counselor: I enjoy the fact that I will be able to teach the kids to become better at different activities, especially in the sports that Camp Hilltop offers.
Why I choose to work at Hilltop: Reading through the website and the different newsletters about what past campers and counselors said about their experiences at camp really showed this is a great place to be in the summer.
Name: Jayde
Age: 21
Hometown: Melbourne, Australia
School/University: Chisholm Institute, studied a Diploma in Sport and Recreation
Interesting fact about myself: I share my birthday with four of my friends
Experience with kids: I currently teach swimming once a week with children aged from 5-12. I have also been an auskick, basketball and netball coach on and off for a couple of years.
Why I want to be a camp counselor: I have wanted to work at a summer camp since I was 18 years old. I see this as a great way to share my knowledge and gain more at the same time. I love seeing when children finally get that breakthrough with something and nail it. I want to be a counselor to be there through this process and be there for the end result.
Why I choose to work at Hilltop: I found Hilltop after searching through hundreds of other camps and new I had found the right one. There was something about it that drew me into it. After looking through all the videos and information about Hilltop I just knew I had to spend my American summer their. Camp Hilltop looked like such a fun and inviting place to be and I wanted to be apart of it.
Name: Kat
Age: 24
Hometown: Cranbury, NJ
University/current job: Green Mountain College- BA in Sociology/Anthropology. I have spent the last academic year living in Prague, Czech Republic, teaching English in a preschool! Interesting fact about myself: I have spent time in Africa, Asia and Europe, living and working/volunteering!
Experience with kids: I have a very diverse background with kids! I have spent time in Nepal, living and working in an orphanage. I lived with 14 kids and taught them everything from English to how to tie their shoes. In Ghana, I worked in a local primary school and an after-school program teaching football (soccer) and art activities. I have been a camp counselor for many years, working in day camps, non-profit camps and this will be my second year at Hilltop! I have also worked with a program all throughout college that mentors local kids. Right now, I live in Prague, Czech Republic, teaching preschoolers English!
Why I want to be a camp counselor: I loved going to camp when I was a kid! I loved the activities they had and the friends I made :) I also loved and looked up to my counselors! I think spending a summer, hanging out with kids is pretty cool! Being a camp counselor allows me to bring my ideas and activities I have learned throughout my experiences at camp and abroad and share them with others! I also want to be the counselor that I looked up to when I was a kid :)
Why I choose to work at Hilltop: Last summer was my first summer at Hilltop and it was one of the most rewarding and adventurous summers ever. I love the people I met, the friends I made and the things I did. The atmosphere at Hilltop is perfect as well :) I've never felt so welcomed. The idea of spending another summer there is wonderful :)
