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Special Needs Camps

YMCA Camp Independence

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Approximate Start Date

Start: 28 May 2023

Approximate End Date

End: 05 Oct 2024

Camp Type

Special Needs

Location

32405 N Hwy 12, Ingleside, IL 60041

Staff

Total: 16 (10 international staff) aged 18+

Campers

Total: 16 (co-ed camp)

Camp Overview

Camp Independence was established in 2010 and is like a second home to campers age 7-young adult and their families. Situated on 300 acres, and a 90 acre semi-private lake, Camp Independence is a state of the art facility with two dormitory-style sleeping rooms, several fully-accessible bathrooms, kitchen, and multiple activity rooms. A five-station accessible high ropes course (with Zip Line!), indoor Olympic sized pool, large sports fields, kayaks, basketball courts, climbing tower, and blob round out our camp facilities.

Campers have a 1:1 or 1:2 staff ratio based on needs. Although you will be 1-2 direct counselors for campers with Spina Bifida, we integrate most of our programming, meals, and all facilities, with Camp Duncan. During the morning campers have the opportunity to choose activities such as archery, sports, crafts, cooking, and blobbing (yes we get our kids to blob!). Afternoons are spent boating, or swimming, and after dinner we play all camp games such as Cocoa Chaos, Mission Impossible, or have a camp dance.

With our camp integration you will get to work with campers on a 1:1 basis, but still work as a team to benefit all Camp Independence and Camp Duncan campers. The program at Camp Independence is an opportunity for campers to develop meaningful friendships, explore creativity, laugh, learn, get wet and dirty, gain confidence, gain independence, and make life-long memories.

Our goal is for parents to tell us their campers came home with new skills, while campers told us they had a blast!

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Do you have the skills they're looking for?

We asked the camp what positions they are looking to fill at the recruitment fair. Look out for the big thumbs up!

Are you looking to hire General Counsellors at the fair?

​Are you looking to hire Special Needs Counsellors at the fair?

Are you looking to hire Waterfront staff and Lifeguards at the fair?

Counsellor Roles:

Here's a list of all the positions this camp commonly hires for!

Canoeing
General Counsellors
Kayaking
Lifeguarding
Physical Disabilities
arrow

Hmm... What's your role?

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Staff Time Off

A day off each week, 24-48 hours off each weekend, Small time each day as well.

Staff Qualities

We are looking for staff to help our kids have the best summer ever and support them in their independence goals! Staff that are willing to work hard, get dirty, and have a great experience mentoring our camp kids as they learn, laugh, grow and play. For Camp Independence, staff that are interested in childcare, nursing, medical, or have experience a plus, but not required as we have a 9 day training to help you before the campers arrive.