Summer Camp 
Info for Counselors & Staff
Click Here to Download a 2008 Summer Staff Application
It's a hard job, but it's worth it. Cradle Beach counselors live, sleep and eat with campers all during the camp session that they are working in. Cradle Beach Counselors are paid a stipend for their work, but all food and lodging are provided by the Cradle Beach while summer camp is in session.
One of the reasons that we have been so successful at Cradle Beach is that each child receives significant amounts of individual attention from our counselors. The maximum ratio of campers to counselors is 4 to 1, but it often goes as low as 1 to 1 for seriously disabled children.
Each of our counselors is required to be at least 18 and have at least 1 year of college. Each counselor attends a week long pre-camp training session, led by our Director of Youth Services Bonnie Brusk (who has over 35 years of experience as an educator in urban public schools and as a leader at Cradle Beach). Many counselors are actively pursuing careers in education, special education, recreation therapy, nursing, and social work.
We are very proud of our counselors. Fully one-third have come up through the ranks here from campers or young staff to become counselors. In addition, we have 20 individuals on staff who have returned here for 20 years or longer (one even celebrated her 40th anniversary last year)! We also hire many international counselors who come from all over the world to work with our children.
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When we talk to campers about their experiences here, they almost always speak about their counselors first. They are important role models for all our children. Buffalo News Assistant Managing Editor Sue LoTempio was a camper and a counselor herself. She says, “Cradle Beach gave me hope that I could do more and be more. It gave me hope that, like my counselors, I could go to college and have a career.”
If you are interested in becoming a counselor, you must complete an application to be considered for a camp counselor position. Applications are available by calling Cradle Beach Director of Youth Services, Bonnie A. Brusk at Cradle Beach (716) 549-6307 Ex. 206 or bbrusk@cradlebeach.org. An interview, in person or by phone, will be conducted before counselors are chosen. A one week pre-camp session is required for all new counselors.
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Counselors are encouraged to bring many of the same things that campers are asked to bring (Click HERE to print just this list):
- Shorts
- Pants/Jeans
- Jackets/Sweatshirts
- Long Sleeved Shirts
- Sneakers/Shoes
- Socks
- Pajamas
- Underwear
- Undershirts/bras
- Raincoat/poncho
- Swim Suit/Trunks
- Pool Shoes
- Towels and washcloths
- Hairbrush and comb
- Toothpaste and toothbrush
- Bar soap
- Shampoo
- Deodorant
- Pillow
- Twin sheets and pillow cases
- Sleeping Bag
- Sunscreen and/or lotion
- Glasses, hearing aid, retainer (label all with your name)
If you are interested in being a Counselor, you can either download the application here. You may also contact Diane Gutkowski at (716) 549-6307, ext. 201 or dgutkowski@cradlebeach.org and we will mail you an application.
Download Microsoft Word Counselor Application