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One of the keys to Hilltop's success is our staff.  We take pride in the people we hire.  They are the most important people to us, our families and our campers.  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 23.

Hilltop is an international environment both in campers and staff.  Our staff is from around the world including the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and many more. No matter where Hilltop's staff are 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 week long orientation prior to campers arriving and work with/guide them throughout the summer. 

Hilltop's has a high rate of amazing counselors returning each summer to the delight of our campers and families.

2009 Staff Profile

Here is a sample of some of the amazing counselors
we have lined up for the 2009 camp season.
 

Sara Yablonsky		Nick Erander
Age: 21 Hometown/Country: Montclair, New Jersey, USA University: Syracuse University 2010- I am studying Secondary English Education (grades 7-12) with a concentration in English and Textual Studies Interesting fact about myself:  I was at one point in time the poster child for Betty Crocker’s “Cooking with Kids” series. I made mean spaghetti and meatballs. Experience with kids: This will be my third summer at Camp Hilltop. Prior to my employment at Hilltop, I was a lifeguard and swim instructor at a day camp for 2 years, and have been a swim instructor for the past six years instructing group and private lessons for students between the ages of 4-70+. Why I want to be a camp counselor:  Having once been a camper myself, I know that the experience is second to none. A summer at camp provides individuals the chance to become more independent, find their best friends, and experience an array of activities which wouldn’t otherwise be available. As a camp counselor, I am privileged to help facilitate these activities. I know how much of an impact counselors can have on a camper’s summer and beyond, and strive to help campers have the same positive experiences I was fortunate to receive. Why I choose to work at Hilltop: Hilltop is a family run organization, and that close knit relationship is extended to every camper and counselor who steps foot onto camp property. The Young’s have created an atmosphere which is not only professional but enjoyable to be a part of. The support and encouragement offered before camp, during camp, and after camp, truly exhibits just how much staff is valued. During orientation each year it is inevitable to hear (repeatedly) “our campers are some of the best around”, this isn’t just a gimmick. The Young’s hold every camper in high esteem, and right from the start, the staff knows we have entered an incredible place with campers to match. I look forward to another irreplaceable summer at Camp Hilltop.		Age: 18 Hometown/Country: Kent, England School/University: University of Manchester, BSc Geography Interesting fact about myself: I could fly before I could drive, as I won a gliding & flying scholarship via the Royal Air Force’s Air Cadets. I have grown up with horses all my life at home. I currently have a black highland (so very fluffy in winter!), called Ghillie, who has semi-retired from national dressage & showing with me as I am at university, and so is enjoying a very easy life! Experience with kids: As a senior cadet in the CCF I taught a range of skills such as orienteering, target shooting, principles of flight, along with other military orientated skills to cadets as young as 13. I also set up and ran a junior debating society within my school for children aged 11-14, as there was only a senior society at the time. More recently, I have assisted groups on their Duke of Edinburgh award hikes, being a ‘supervisor,’ which involved taking them for a day walk in the Lake District, before they start their hike, and I meet them at various points across their 2-4 day route (preferably at the highest point possible!) and at their camp site. Why I want to be a camp counselor: Mainly because going to an American summer camp is something I have always wanted to do. My experience’s in the CCF and in the Duke of Edinburgh’s award scheme has shown me how much I enjoy and have a passion for working with and teaching children! After speaking to several American students who had been on a camp in my University Halls and did some research into it and decided that being a camp counselor was defiantly for me! Why I choose to work at Hilltop: I came across camp hilltop though BUNAC, and their Summer Camp USA program. After having a long chat with Bill Young, looking though the website and chatting to some returning staff, I knew that Camp Hilltop was where I wanted to be a camp counselor as it is evident that it’s a very fun and rewarding camp for both campers and staff!
Adam Gorey		Stacey Mitchell
Age: 20 Hometown/Country: Manchester, England School/University: Liverpool John Moores University, BA QTS Secondary Physical Education and Sport Experience with kids: Training to be a school PE teacher, so a lot of experience teaching and coaching a range of sports. I have also worked in LaManga Club Sports Resort in Spain coaching Soccer. Why I choose to work at Hilltop:  After doing my research on Camp Hilltop and speaking to other staff, I feel that I would appreciate the family values that bring the camp together. Also how everyone has such a fun time enjoying the many activities on offer.  It is a rewarding camp for both campers and staff!		Age: 20  Hometown/Country: Stirling, Central Scotland, UK School/University: I am currently an undergraduate second year BA (Hons) Psychology student at the University of Stirling. I also work part time in as a cross-trained sales assistant in Zara (retail store). Interesting fact about myself: I am the only female grandchild on my mother's side of the family that lives in the UK. Experience with kids: I volunteered for a year with Rainbow Guides, an all girl youth group of children aged 4 - 6. During my time in this position I was able to develop my delegation, organization, team management, listening and patients skills. Why I want to be a camp counselor: I love working with children. With my degree I want to go on and do a Post Graduade in Education and become an Educational Psychologist. Interaction between children fascinates me and I am particularly interested in the nature of human learning and how we retain knowledge. Why I choose to work at Hilltop: Because it is so friendly, welcoming and approachable...and that's just the website! Camp Hilltop is exactly what I would picture as the perfect family values orientated camp. It caters for everybody, skilled or not, which I think is really great for inclusion and creating a warm, friendly, open, family atmosphere for children to enjoy their summer.
Alice Banbury		Katrina Pert
Age:    21 Hometown/Country: Coventry, England School/University: Studying Education Studies and Geography at Durham University, UK. Interesting fact about myself:  I spend the majority of my life on a river! I row for my University, meaning that I have to train six times a week and compete every weekend. Experience with kids: I worked at Camp Hilltop in summer 2008 as a 7th grade counselor.  In addition, I have worked for 3 months at a large orphanage in Ghana and have run a summer school program in Guatemala.  Also, whilst studying at university, I volunteer at a local primary school where I teach Sport and also help run a crèche at my local church. Why I want to be a camp counselor: Camp offers so many opportunities for children; it’s a time for them to make new friends, try something new, build on something they are already good at, and all in one summer!  But Camp also offers so much to the staff – yes it’s challenging, but is a highly rewarding role and is a brilliant opportunity to work with great kids and alongside and amazing fellow staff team. Why I choose to work at Hilltop: Camp Hilltop is a place like no other!  I have never come across a place with so much going on.  The kids are beyond fantastic - the counselors are energetic, enthusiastic and passionate - the Young Family become just like your own.  So, who wouldn’t choose Hilltop?!		Age: 19 Hometown/Country: Montrose, Scotland School/University: I obtained my HND in Fitness, Health & Exercise from the College of Aberdeen this year. In the future I will be going to University, jumping straight into 3rd year to study Sports Science. Interesting fact about myself: I was selected to play Football for the under 17s Scotland Squad where I travelled abroad to play other countries. Experience with kids: From the age of 16 I have coached many sports working with children of all age groups around the Angus area. For the past 2 years I have also worked in a gym specifically designed for children under the age of 14 where they use all sorts of different equipment. Why I want to be a Camp Counsellor: Being a Camp Counsellor is something I've always wanted to do. After playing Football in America I fell in love with their way of life and the different opportunities they have. I enjoy working with children and feel this is a perfect opportunity to teach new skills and also learn new things. Why I choose to work at Hilltop: I am coming through the agency Camp America, I was offered a place before I found Hilltop but declined it as I couldn't see myself at that particular Camp. I then went along to the Edinburgh Recruitment Fair, where straight away I spotted Hilltop in the corner, they had lots of colourful posters and friendly faces around their table, and I needed to see what it was all about. As soon as I started talking to one of the Directors I knew there and then that Hilltop was where I was going to spend the summer of a lifetime!
Vicky Pearson		Jasper van der Noordt
Age: 24 Hometown/Country: Lincoln, England. School/University: The University of Lincoln, BA Media Production. I will have just finished me final year when I get to camp. Interesting fact about myself: When I was 20 years old I dyed my hair flamingo pink and kept the style for two years. Experience with kids: I have spend the last three summers of my life working at a YMCA camp in Indiana, running their ranch camp, I was also the head counselor for the oldest teen cabin, which was great fun. Why I want to be a camp counselor: I love the job, it’s so much fun, I love working in the camp environment, I’m a real outdoors person, I love working with the horses, I love campfire and camp songs and generally just having the best summer anyone could ever wish for. Why I choose to work at Hilltop: I looked at many camps in the New York area and was even offered director again at the big YMCA camp, but hilltop looked so much fun, the horse program looked great and as an older counselor I liked the nice age range hilltop has in staff. I’m looking to have a nice fun summer and meet some awesome new people and generally have one last great summer before I have to settle down with a career.		Age: 23 years Hometown/Country: Roosendaal in the Netherlands School/University: I study at the department of education and I want to become a teacher at the primary school. Interesting fact about myself: At a campsite in the Netherlands I do a little bit theatre. Then I play one character and that is a cow. So I can low as the best... ;-) Experience with kids: I practice 4 years to become a teacher. In the summer I work at a campsite with children and I give extra lessons to children.  I give also soccer training at children. Last year I went to Ethiopia to give lessons to children over there. Why I want to be a camp counselor: Because I like the summer and I want that children have a great summer too!! Why I choose to work at Hilltop: Because I think it's the best Camp of the USA!!!!
Chris Veneziano		Calum Alexander
Age: 18 Hometown: Hartsdale, New York School/University: SUNY Geneseo Majoring in Business Administration Interesting Fact about Myself: I love watching plays, and I have been involved in several shows working backstage, as props running crew and as a spotlight operator. Experience with kids: I have volunteered many times at elementary schools in after school programs, and spent 4 weeks last year as an intern in a resource room helping first to third graders with problems they had with reading/math/science I found it to be a very rewarding experience. Why I want to be a camp counselor: Camping presents a great opportunity for a child to develop skills that cannot be taught in a conventional classroom. I want to help children develop these skills and become more confident in themselves. The counselors at Hilltop helped me mature, and I want to help others do the same. Why I choose to work at Hilltop: The Young family created a great close-knit atmosphere, with caring adults, great kids, and a great philosophy, which made Hilltop a home-away-from-home for me. Coming back as a counselor is something I felt would be a great experience, and I could not imagine being a counselor anywhere else.		Age: 21 Hometown/Country: Edinburgh, Scotland University: Just about to graduate from University of Edinburgh with a sport science degree. Interesting fact about myself: I am sports mad.  I love soccer (or football as I like to call it), rugby, tennis, basketball, you name it and I will be up for playing it.  I also want to get into American Football when I go across to America, as I have a growing interest for it. Experience with kids: I have helped kids with their rugby union skills with the Scottish Rugby Union development programme and have worked with them on a motor control study at university. Why I want to be a camp counselor: Lots of my friends have worked on camps in America and have nothing but great things to say about it.  I have this new philosophy of living life to the max and wanted to do something different this summer.  Camp seems a great way to do this as it presents a new challenge of working with kids and teaching them the sports I love. Why I choose to work at Hilltop: During the Camp America open day in Edinburgh, Hilltop was by far the most crowded with applicants, so I decided to check it out and thankfully got a job.  I just sense a buzz and hype about Hilltop even though I am still stuck in Great Britain.  Everyone I have spoken to online seems so excited and enthusiastic and I cannot wait to get to camp.  I am looking forward to this new challenge and hopefully I can contribute to a great summer for all.
Tom Ocasek
Age: 20 Hometown/Country: Chicago, Illinois University: University of Dayton in Dayton Ohio.  My majors are History and Education.  I plan to teach History at the high school level. Interesting fact about myself: when I was a kid I was “slimed” on a Nickelodeon kid’s show. Experience with kids: I have had experience with kids last year at camp hilltop. I have also worked with high school students in class and at after school tutoring at inner city high schools in Dayton, OH. Why I want to be a camp counselor: I want to be a camp counselor because I was a camper once and I would like to bring all the fun I had to other campers. Why I choose to work at Hilltop:  Working at Hilltop is an amazing experience where you can learn as much from the kids as they can from you.  You also meet special people at Hilltop that can influence your life in the best ways.