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Gillian and Anna throw arms out wide and smile at the camera with paint covered faces. campers are in the background picking up marshmallows form the paint war Camp Aranzazu activity leader gather together with their instructor in front of the rock wall two activity leaders stand on each side of Ted as they pose with a piece of steering equipment and in front of the sailboat on copano bay. ted and activity leaders are wearing life jackets and smiling at the camera

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    July 15, 2022

    A Reflection on Activity Leader Training

    A Reflection on Activity Leader Training

    Written by: Anna Raffaelli, Activity Leader at Camp Aranzazu

    As soon as I arrived at Camp Aranzazu on May 9th, specialized activity leader training was set to launch. During the first week, a small group of leaders (myself included) headed down to the bayfront each morning to learn how to sail with the sailing supervisor, Ted. Ted is an awesome sailing captain, and I loved soaking up every bit of knowledge about sailing he had to share with us. He taught us how to tie sailing knots, rig up the boats, and, of course, sail in Copano Bay. The views are breathtaking! Within one week, we were all trained skippers!

    The second week consisted of Challenge Course training. The Challenge Course training certainly pushed me to my limits. Before training, I was not aware of all the small and very important details that go into facilitating this type of activity. It was also physically demanding- I don’t think I’ve ever drank that much water in my life! We learned how to tie multiple different knots, learned about commands, equipment, belay teams, and so much more. I made a lot of mistakes during Challenge Course Training, but I’m glad that I made those mistakes in the safety of the training environment. Because of those mistakes, I’ve been able to learn and grow as a Challenge Course facilitator. My favorite part of Challenge Course training was working as a team to help each other learn and grow closer as a group.

    I felt like I had already known my fellow activity leaders for three months instead of just three weeks by the time training wrapped up. It’s incredible to reflect and see how close we all have become in such a small amount of time. I feel like I have my own little family in Rockport, Texas.

    Now that our summer camping sessions have officially begun, I have felt and witnessed the magic that everyone talks about when they come to Camp Aranzazu. It is truly a special place, and I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a part of something that is bigger than myself.

     

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    Activity Leader Summer 2019 Job Opportunity​​

    Every year, Camp Aranzazu hires roughly 20 college aged individuals with varying skill sets to work as Activity Leaders from mid-May to mid-August. Activity Leaders have the fun and impactful job of enriching the lives of our campers with special needs through unique camping, environmental studies and retreat experiences.

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    Benefits of this paid position include room and board and the potential to satisfy fieldwork and internship requirements in various fields of study. The buttons below include the additional documentation you will need to apply for the Activity Leader position. Email your completed application, resume and two unique and completed reference forms to our Camp Director, Amelia Haslam, and prepare for the summer camp experience of a lifetime!

    If you have any questions, contact our Camp Director, Amelia Haslam, at ahaslam@camparanzazu.org.

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    Sailing Supervisor

    Imagine a position that allows you to work with campers each day and have a beautiful view of Copano Bay along the Texas Gulf Coast.

    Camp Aranzazu seeks someone with strong sailing experience to supervise our summer sailing program from mid-May through August 2019. The Sailing Supervisor will ensure that Camp Aranzazu provides a safe environment for children with special medical, physical, emotional, social or financial needs to experience sailing. Camp sessions include day camp sessions, as well as residential sessions that last from one to six nights. If you have any questions, contact our Camp Director, Amelia Haslam, at ahaslam@camparanzazu.org.

    Make sure to check out the job description below. To apply, email your resume to Amelia Haslam. 


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    Summer Art Instructor

    Do you have a passion for providing fine arts education and working with a committed staff of people dedicated to enriching the lives of children and adults with special needs and chronic illnesses?

    Camp Aranzazu seeks someone with art teaching experience to supervise our summer fine arts program from mid-May through mid-August 2019. The Art Instructor will ensure that Camp Aranzazu provides an intentional, expressive, and safe environment for children with special medical, physical, emotional, and/or social needs to create and experience fine arts. Camp session include day camp sessions, as well as residential sessions that last from one to six nights. If you have any questions, contact our Camp Director, Amelia Haslam, at ahaslam@camparanzazu.org.

    Make sure to check out the job description below. To apply, email your resume to Amelia Haslam. 

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