Adult Volunteers
There are two main ways to get involved with Camp Jenny. First, you can help with fundraising. In order to make Camp Jenny happen every year, we must raise $75,000. You can work with your youth group or synagogue to help plan a fundraiser, or you can reach out to your own family and friends to raise support and money. Check our fundraising page for tips and tools!
The second way to get involved is to apply to volunteer as a Camp Jenny staff member. First, review the job descriptions below, the adult application FAQ, and the Kids Club child care information. Then, continue to the online application.
Camp Jenny Adult Volunteer Job Descriptions:
**Young adults who are currently in their first year of college (or are the age equivalent) may apply for Freshmen Crew ONLY.**
Freshmen Crew (1st year college student or age-equivalent)
This group will have the opportunity to assist in 3 areas of Camp Jenny. First, you will help in the dining hall, serving meals and assisting with setup and clean-up. Second, you will work with the CJKC (Camp Jenny Kids Club) by providing activities and supervision for the children of CJ adult volunteers and/or school staff. Finally, you will work together to plan and execute the CJ Carnival. This team will report to the Freshmen Crew Mentor and is expected to be at Camp Jenny from May 22-26, 2025 (some freshmen may be asked to come on May 21).
Resident Advisor (at least 2nd year in college or equivalent in age)
All RAs have completed their 2nd year of college (or are the age equivalent or older). You will be housed in camper cabins to support the teen counselors and will be expected to be present in the cabin anytime campers/NFTYites are present (from cabins‐in to breakfast, cleanup, rest hour, dinner prep, etc). RAs report to the Head RA. When the campers and teens are not in the cabin, RAs will be assigned as additional staff on the logistics teams and in specialty areas throughout the day. DO NOT WORRY – you will still have time to study for exams, shower, and enjoy some free time. All RAs are expected to be at CJ from May 22-26, 2025.
Specialists
Responsible for supporting their teen counterparts in coordinating the planning and execution of specialty programming in one of the following areas: Music, Dance & Drama, Cooking, Sports, Water Play, Arts & Crafts and more. Specialists will work with their teenage counterparts prior to Camp Jenny in order to plan their activities. During Camp Jenny, all Adult Specialists will work with the Specialist Director. All Adult Specialists are expected to be at CJ from May 22-26, 2025.
Support / Logistics
Supplies Team
This team is responsible for making sure that all of the materials are where they need to be prior to a program or activity beginning, and are cleaned up and returned at the end of each program or activity. Our Supplies/Logistics team will make sure that all areas around camp are ready for our campers. Also, this team is responsible for supply inventory and packing at the end of CJ. The supplies/logistics staff are expected to be at CJ from May 21-26, 2025.
Security Team (at least 21 years of age)
Responsible for the 24‐hour safety and security needs of all CJ participants. Staff assigned primarily to security will be assigned at least one overnight shift. The security staff is expected to be at CJ from May 22-26, 2025.
Media Team
Responsible for taking videos and pictures (action shots as well as posed cabin photos), upload photos to online site for printing/pick‐up, compiling the slide show, and continuously updating Camp Jenny’s online presence. Requires laptop, digital camera (point & shoot or DSLR) and all connection equipment. Prior to Camp Jenny, there will be a Media Staff conference call. Media Staff is expected to be at CJ from May 22-26, 2025.
Leadership Team
Specialist Mentor
A Specialist Mentor needs to have programming experience, work well with all age groups, and have great organizational and communication skills. There will be a Specialist Mentor for Outdoor Activities and one for Creative Art Activities. Each area will have 2 teen leaders. The Specialist Mentor is responsible for coordinating with the Specialist Director and working with assigned specialist teen leaders February‐May. This position is a Senior Staff position and is expected to be at CJ from May 21-26, 2025.
Unit Mentor
A Unit Mentor needs to have programming experience, work well with all age groups and have great organizational skills. There will be one Unit Mentor for every two grades. Unit Mentors are responsible for coordinating with the other Unit Mentors and working with your teen Unit Leaders to plan all unit programming during the months of February‐May. This position is a Senior Staff position and is expected to be at CJ from May 21-26, 2025.
Unit Advocate
This person will work with any camper who needs assistance during the event. The advocates will work with two grades, like the Unit Mentors. The Unit Advocates will work closely with the school staff, School Liaison, and URJ Staff. Review of protocols and procedures will begin in early April, prior to arrival at camp with URJ Staff and Advocacy Coordinator. This position is a Senior Staff position and is expected to be at CJ from May 21-26, 2025.
SIT Program Co‐Directors
Responsible for planning and executing the Staff-in-Training program for 9th graders and overall supervision of the SITs. These positions begin working immediately and work closely with the URJ Staff. These positions are Senior Staff positions and are expected to be at CJ from May 21-26, 2025.
Supplies Team Coordinator
Responsible for managing the supplies team and working with the Specialist Coordinator and Program Coordinator before and during Camp Jenny to make sure the supply, set-up and breakdown needs are clear. Responsible for managing the inventory system. The Supplies Team Coordinator is a Senior Staff position and they are expected to be at CJ from May 21-26, 2025.
Kids Club Director
Supervises Kids Club Staff in providing activities and supervision for the children of CJ adult staff and/or school staff. The Kids Club Director will communicate with all parents of Kids Club campers both before and during Camp Jenny to insure their children are well taken care of. The Kids Club Director will create and implement training for the Kids Club staff both before and during Camp Jenny. This position is a Senior Staff position and is expected to be at CJ from May 21-26, 2025.
Medical Team Coordinator
The Medical Team Coordinator is responsible for managing and scheduling the medical team. Review of protocols and procedure will begin in April with URJ Staff. This person will review health forms for both campers and teens and follow-up with individuals as necessary in coordination with the URJ staff and/or School Liaison. This position is a Senior Staff position and is expected to be at CJ from May 21-26, 2025.
Specialized Positions
Medical Team
The Camp Jenny medical team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and medical/nursing students. While we prefer to have medical staff join us for the entire program, please still reach out even if you are only available for part of Camp Jenny. We need medical staff from May 21-26, 2025.
Ropes Course Staff
Ropes course staff help run the ropes course at Camp Jenny. Certification or significant experience is required. Please email campjenny@urj.org for more information about the requirements prior to applying (unless you've already spoken with Judy). Ropes staff are expected to be at CJ from May 22-26, 2025.
Camp Jenny Year-Round Volunteer Team
While these are not permanent positions, many volunteers do serve in these capacities for multiple years. If you are interested in holding one of these positions in the future, please let the Regional Advisors know of your interest and we would be happy to discuss future options, if something is available. These positions are all part of the Senior Staff team, and generally arrive to Camp Jenny on Wednesday.
Program Manager - Sarah Cotler
The Program Manager is responsible for coordinating all aspects of Camp Jenny, working with teen volunteers, adult volunteers, and URJ and Camp Coleman professional staff.
School Liaison - Judy Limor
Responsible for all communication with the elementary school prior to, during and after Camp Jenny. During Camp Jenny, the School Liaison will work closely with the Adult Staff Volunteers from the school. The School Liaison will also work with the Unit Advocates as any camper issues arise. The School Liaison will help to manage check-in at the school on Friday. In addition, the School Liaison is responsible for communication with the Davis Academy prior to, during and after Camp Jenny.
Programming Director - Anna Roberto
The Programming Coordinator is responsible for working with the Co-Directors, Unit Mentors, Unit Heads and Program Supplies Team to ensure quality, age-appropriate programming for camp-wide and unit programs. The Program Coordinator will also oversee the Community Service and the Camp Jenny Carnival.
Security Director - Todd Gordon
Responsible for the 24‐hour safety and security needs of all CJ staff and participants. Responsible for security team, and their respective schedules. The Security Director will work closely with the Head RA, the URJ staff, and the Advocates beginning in March.
Director of Operations & Head RA - Elizabeth Foster
Works in conjunction with the Security Director to insure the 24‐hour safety and security needs of all CJ staff and participants. Assists in training RAs and security team both before and during Camp Jenny. Responsible for managing schedules for all RAs and security team. The Assistant Security Director/Head RA will work closely with the Security Director, the URJ staff, and the RAs beginning in March.
Specialist Director - Josh Simon
Responsible for meeting with the co-Directors to discuss staff decisions for specialty locations. The Specialist Coordinator helps to create the Camp Jenny schedule and also works with the teen and adult specialists, beginning in February to insure that all specialty area programming is well planned. This person will help coordinate supplies ordering for all specialty areas.
Director of Advocacy & Training - Kelly Biedinger
Responsible for coordinating and facilitating all pre-camp trainings, including webinars, with the Medical, Security, and Advocacy teams. Oversees and assists the unit advocates when working with any camper who needs assistance and serve as primary support for teens during the event. The Advocacy Coordinator will work closely with the school staff and school liaison to prepare for camper success.