Employment

FAQs - Day Counselors

Camp Information

What kind of camps do you offer?

We have numerous residential camps and day camps in sports, fitness, arts, enrichment and pre-college academics. See our home page for program specifics.

Where are the camps located?

All of our residential camps are located on college campuses in Philadelphia and its suburbs. Most camps are located in an affluent suburban area known as the Philadelphia Main Line. In the summer we call Haverford College, Bryn Mawr College, and The University of Pennsylvania home. We also have day camps at the prestigious Westtown School, and offer a Pre-College Program at Princeton University in New Jersey, about 20 miles from Philadelphia.

These websites will give you an idea of what the campuses look like. Please do not send any correspondence to those sites; rather, refer to the JKCP website and send any correspondence to jenniferw@jkcp.com.

What is Middle School Xploration?

This program is devoted to students entering middle school. Campers in this program spend their mornings and part of their afternoons in classrooms learning about everything from cooking to robotics. After instructional time, campers enjoy a variety of afternoon activities like sports, games, trips and special programs that the residential staff is responsible for organizing. Your role during non-instructional time is to provide a safe and fun environment for students.

What is High School Enrichment?

This program is devoted to students entering grades 9-12. Enrichment students dedicate their time to various tracks of study, including Business, Community Service, Cooking, Fashion Design, Music, SAT Prep and a variety of other programs. Campers in this program spend their mornings and part of their afternoons in classrooms learning about their chosen areas of interest. After instructional time, campers enjoy a variety of afternoon activities like sports, games, trips and special programs that the residential staff is responsible for organizing. Your role during non-instructional time is to provide a safe and fun environment for students.

What is Krinsky Fitness?

Located at Bryn Mawr college, one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States, Krinsky Fitness offers an amazing selection of more than 100 activities and personal services for a summer experience unlike any other. No wonder we get students from over 35 states and 30 countries!

Each day campers choose from a wide variety of workshops, activities and personal services, including Pilates Mat, kickboxing, Spinning, Reebok Core Board, rock climbing, yoga, meditation, Tai Chi, sports nutrition, hands-on cooking and much, much more.

What pre-college programs do you offer at the University of Pennsylvania?

We offer the following programs at the University of Pennsylvania: Summer Internships in Philadelphia, International Leadership with Model UN, WHYY Film Production Academy, Art & Architecture: Summer at Penn, and Penn Nursing Summer Institute. All are for rising seniors. Use the links on the home page for more information.

What is Yesh Shabbat?

Yesh Shabbat is a modern orthodox program offering young observant Jews a comfortable setting among their peers where they can grow in knowledge and understanding of traditional Judaism while participating in a variety of activities like tennis, golf and enrichment. Counselors for this program are required to be observant.

What is Summer Internships in Philadelphia?

Summer Internships in Philadelphia is an internship program that gives high school students ages 16 to 18 the opportunity to explore work in a chosen profession while living in a college environment. Interns live at the University of Pennsylvania and work from 9 to 5 Monday through Friday in professional offices or facilities in Philadelphia. They return to University of Pennsylvania in the evenings to enjoy activities with the residential counseling staff.

Camp Life

What are the campers and counselors like?

Our programs attract domestic and international students from many different cultures and backgrounds. We draw a diverse population of counselors from America, England, Australia, South Africa, the Netherlands, Germany, Scotland, Ireland, Venezuela, France, Poland and Canada. All our counselors must speak English; although, with so many accents, you may find yourself asking people to repeat themselves often. In general, our counselors are natural leaders who enjoy working with children of all ages.

Where will I eat?

Campers and staff all eat together in the college dining center. Meals are prepared by the food services staff of the various colleges. The food is varied, from pasta, sandwiches and meat to numerous vegetarian entrées. There is always a salad bar, dessert and cereal table. Every dorm room has its own refrigerator, and you are welcome to use the microwaves on the floor. However, no campers (and therefore no counselors) are permitted to skip meals in favor of a "home cooked" microwave dish. Mealtime is an opportunity to get to know the students at the camp; we suggest you use this time to eat and bond with them.

What if I need medical attention while at camp?

Some of our camps are staffed with registered nurses who are your first point of contact in a non-emergency. We are minutes from an emergency room and a general practitioner.

International staff hired through an agency should consult with their agency about health insurance.

International staff coming to the U.S. on a JKCP visa receive limited health insurance from JKCP, which is valid for the period of your contract. This is not a general health insurance policy, but an interim, limited benefit period, travel medical program intended for use while away from your home country. Unlike traditional health insurance policies, this group program does not guarantee payment to a facility or individual for medical expenses until the insurance company determines that it is an eligible expense. You can, and possibly should, have additional insurance as each doctor’s visit will require a co-pay.

(See Insurance Information PDF form for more details on health insurance for internationals on JKCP visas.)

How will I get paid?

If you are coming to camp through an agency (such as CCUSA), you will be paid a stipend at the end of the summer, in accordance with your contract. Your employment contract will contain specific information about your terms and salary. Most counselors are paid by check biweekly during our regular pay cycle.

What is expected of me?

What does JKCP expect of me?

Most important, we expect enthusiasm, a positive attitude and a willingness to learn. Even after orientation, we won't expect you to have all the answers, make all the right decisions, and know everything there is to know about camp. But we will expect you to take instructions from our senior staff, who are very knowledgeable about our programs. Your primary responsibility will be to ensure a safe, healthy, fun and instructive environment for the campers under your care. You will need to show integrity, concern for the campers under your care and an interest in their positive development.

How do I need to dress?

Professional appearance is essential because we strive to convey excellence in all we do. Your dress needs to be meticulously professional. We provide you with JKCP staff shirts, which you are required to wear at all times while working. Tan/khaki shorts, trousers, skorts or skirts are not provided by JKCP but are part of your uniform. Please arrive with enough of these garments to last a few days before you get a chance to do your laundry.

What else do I need to know about personal appearance?

There is more to presenting a professional image than the clothes you wear. We have learned from parent feedback that some body piercings, tattoos and certain hair styles make an unfavorable impression on our campers. In deference to these concerns, our policy prohibits body piercings (other than discreet earrings), tattoos, or unconventional hair coloring or style. If you have a piercing such as a nose ring, we expect you to remove it for the duration of the summer. If you have any questions or concerns about this policy, please speak to us before your arrival at camp.

What kind of training will I receive?

Residential staff will arrive at camp one week prior to the campers’ arrival for orientation. This will give you time to familiarize yourself with the facilities and the staff, and to formulate a cohesive team before camp begins. Orientation is designed to prepare you for your role as camp counselor and empower you in dealing with camper demands. We will cover everything from camper discipline to first aid to handling campers’ emotional issues such as homesickness. Our goal is to equip you and give you the tools and confidence you need to handle the many challenges of camp life.

Traveling to Camp

How will I get to camp?

Our international staff and some U.S. staff usually arrive by plane at Philadelphia International Airport. Some U.S. staff choose to come by Amtrak train to Philadelphia’s 30th Street Station or by Greyhound or Capital bus lines to King of Prussia Station.

You are scheduled to start on the date stated on your contract, which will be with the majority of our staff. Please arrive by 4:00 p.m. local time on that date at Philadelphia International Airport or Newark Liberty International Airport so that we can coordinate your transportation with others who are arriving on that day.

You must complete the Arrival Departure Form and return it to us by April 30th so that we can coordinate your pick up. You must keep us informed of any changes in your travel plans.

Before you leave home, print out the Travel Information PDF Form and carry it with you when you travel. Because flights are often delayed or canceled, we will not send someone to get you until you have arrived. Once you have arrived safely at your destination airport or train station, call Jennifer Walker (1-866-879-5527 or 610-265-9401) and she will let you know where and when to meet your ride. If you get her voicemail, leave a detailed message with information about where you are and a call-back number if possible. If you do not have a call-back number, leave detailed information about your location, and call back in 30 minutes to receive further instructions. This information is summarized in the Travel Information PDF Form.

What if my plans change after completing my Arrival Departure Form?

Please notify Jennifer Walker of any changes to your travel plans as soon as you become aware of them. Prior to departure you can reach Jennifer at 1-866-TRY-JKCP or jenniferw@jkcp.com.

Where can I find maps and routes for local airports and train stations?

Simply follow these links:

   • Philadelphia
   • Newark Liberty International Airport
   • 30th Street Station
   • King of Prussia Station

What if I still have questions?

Although we’ve tried to address the most frequently asked questions, you may still have concerns or areas that need clarification. We don’t expect you to know everything there is to know before you arrive at camp. Orientation is designed to answer more of your questions. However, if you have a question or concern that must be answered before your arrival, you may call Jennifer Walker at 1-866-TRY-JKCP or email jenniferw@jkcp.com.

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