Camp Netimus Staff members are from across the USA and from countries around the world.
Tabitha "Tabz" Taber: Long before becoming a director at camp, Tabz was a Netimus camper at the age of seven and has attended 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
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 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.
Arthi Ravikumar: Arthi first joined us in 2012. She worked for 4 summers as a cabin counselor, department head, tutor, senior coordinator, and office assistant. After spending several years traveling, living abroad, and exploring what life had to offer, Camp Netimus is where she wanted to be. In 2021, Arthi returned as a medical assistant in the Health Center and stayed as the full time Enrollment Director. Arthi graduated in 2011 with a degree in Child Development and Math, and spends the off season living in her home state of California.
Our 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! 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 day pre-camp orientation program which includes Red Cross CPR certification. All waterfront staff are certified lifeguards through the American Red Cross or its equivalency. 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.
How does Netimus recruit and interview counselors?
We recruit by word of mouth, through agencies, the internet, advertisements and college job fairs. 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 day pre-camp training program which includes sessions on teaching techniques and lesson planning, health and safety, emergency procedures, department set-up, personnel policies, cabin dynamics and handling situations. In addition, some staff members come to camp early for certification or refresher courses in various activity areas.
