Camp Netimus Summer Camp for Girls
Directors & Staff

Our Administrative Team

The people who run and own Camp Netimus are second to none! They devote their attention year-round to the Camp's programs, support services, facilities, and staffing to ensure that the entire Netimus community of 225+ has the best possible summer experience.

Donna Kistler: Donna's camping experience started at age 10. She was a camper at several camps, became a counselor-in-training (CIT), and came to Netimus as a counselor in 1964. During her years at Netimus, she has been the head of various departments, Head Counselor, and is now a Director/Owner.

Donna has a BA in Physical Education from Ursinus College and an MA from San Jose University in Physical Education and Recreation. Donna taught at Towson State University before marriage (to Jim, see below) and served in the Peace Corps. On returning to the United States, she initiated, developed, and taught a physical education and summer recreation program for the elementary schools in the northwest Lehigh School District. She and her husband, Jim, came to Netimus full-time in 1982. Both work year-round to create an environment where girls can experience the great outdoors and camping at its best. Donna is directly responsible for camper well-being, partnering with parents to ensure a positive camper experience, and in addition, she oversees health services.

Jim Kistler: Jim's camp experience started as a young camper with the Boy Scouts and continued during college as a camp counselor at a YMCA camp. After a stint in the Peace Corps in Afghanistan (with Donna, his wife, see above), Jim became interested in vocational education and spent 10 years in Pennsylvania's vocational schools as a counselor and administrator.

Jim holds a BA in Economics from Dickinson College and an MA in Education Administration from the University of Chicago. As a Director/Owner, he is responsible for the Camp's facilities, finances, and food service. Jim has personally overseen the improvement and enlargement of facilities at Netimus since 1982.

Darlene Calton: Darlene (Stemple) Calton started at Netimus as a camper in the 1970's. She has fond memories of the time she spent at camp and is happy to be a year-round member of the Administration Team. Darlene graduated from Bucknell University with a BA in Economics and Sociology and began work in the "real world" as a Human Resources Manager in New York City before becoming a stay-at-home mom to raise her three daughters. While home, Darlene volunteered extensively for Girl Scouts, USA as both a troop leader and service unit consultant/organizer. Darlene has returned to Netimus with her husband, Brendan, and three daughters to take on the role of Assistant Director.

Brendan Calton: Brendan Calton's interest in Netimus began after hearing so much about it from Darlene and then again when his three daughters attended camp. He is sold on the value and positive impact his girls have experienced at Netimus. Brendan has spent over twenty years managing the financial risk of some of the largest trading desks on Wall Street. He was also an owner/operator of a successful hardware store. As a “Camp Dad” he offered his abilities and time to the many maintenance challenges that present themselves during the summer and off-season. His overall background compliments his duties at camp.

Cathy Taber: Cathy Taber joined Netimus in 1989 as Head Cook, became the Support Staff Coordinator, and for many years as an Assistant Director supervised the Health Center and food and laundry services. After a very brief retirement, she has taken on the job of Food Service Coordinator/Head Cook, with responsibilities for ordering, supervision, and working, menu planning, and dining hall supervision. She is married, and all three of her children have attended Camp Netimus or Camp Shohola.

Tabz Taber: Tabz Taber is the year round Operations Manager. A Netimus camper at the age of five, she has been at camp every summer since; serving as counselor, canoeing and swimming specialist, CPR/First Aid instructor, Senior Program Coordinator, and Day Camp Coordinator. In May of 2005, Tabz graduated from Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA with a BA in Business Management.

Netimus Staff

Our girls summer camp staff (counselors and support staff) is made up of college students, teachers, retirees and many other professionals. They are dedicated to helping your child have the best summer camp experience possible! Netimus hires only competent, caring staff. We boast a better than 2.5:1 camper to counselor ratio. Many of our staff members are former campers who as senior campers at Netimus completed a four summer leadership program. Staff members are from across the USA and from countries around the world. They are hired for their ability to provide a safe, positive, supportive, and fun atmosphere for children...as well as for their skills in performing and teaching camp activities. All staff members take part in a 10-12 day pre-camp orientation program as well as in opportunities every week during the camp season to assess camper needs and concerns. In addition to the counselors who teach the various activities and who live in the cabins with the campers, the support staff plays an important part in creating a successful Netimus summer. For more information about our counselors and support staff, contact us.

Counselors

How does Netimus recruit and interview counselors?
We recruit by word of mouth, through agencies, the internet, and advertisements on college campuses. All counselors are interviewed in person or via telephone. Background checks are performed on all new staff members. International counselors are hired through agencies that interview and screen prospective counselors before they go through our interviewing and selection process. The staff members we hire understand their duties and responsibilities and sign a contract in that regard.

Is there a staff orientation and what does it cover?
There is a 10-12 day pre-camp training program which includes sessions on teaching techniques and lesson planning, health and safety, emergency procedures, first aid, department set-up, personnel policies, handling cabin problems, etc. In addition, some staff members come to camp early for certification or refresher courses in various activity areas.