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:

Camp Jenny is a teen led program. In order to optimize the success of our event, we ask adults to serve in a variety of support roles both prior to and during Camp Jenny weekend.

Adult applicants to Camp Jenny:

Will be asked to support wherever/whenever a need arises including tasks outside of their job description, regardless of position assigned.
Attend all pre-camp all-staff meetings (either live or recorded).
Must be committed to putting the needs of our campers and teen staff as a priority.

Cabin Advisor (at least 2nd year in college or equivalent in age)

CAs 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). The role of the CA is to provide guidance/mentorship to the teen counselors in their bunk. They are an extra level of support for our teens, as many of our CAs were formerly teen staff themselves. CAs will have the guidance of the Head CA, but will ultimately report to their Unit Advocate. When the campers and teens are not in the cabin, CAs will be assigned as additional staff on the logistics teams and in specialty areas throughout the day. All CAs are expected to be at CJ from May 26-30, 2027. (Some CAs may be asked to come on May 25).

Specialists

Responsible for supporting their teen counterparts in coordinating the planning and execution of specialty programming in one or more specialty areas (ex. Music, Dance & Drama, Sports, Water Play, Arts & Crafts). In some areas, adult specialists may also be asked to work with their teenage counterparts prior to Camp Jenny in order to plan their activities. During Camp Jenny, all adult specialists will work in their assigned areas with their teens and receive support from the Specialist Mentor and Specialist Director. All adult specialists are expected to be at CJ from May 26-30, 2027.

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 25-30, 2027.

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 26-30, 2027.

Media Team

Responsible for taking videos and pictures (action shots as well as posed cabin photos), uploading photos 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 26-30, 2027.

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 two specialist mentors assigned to specialty areas: outdoor/adventure and creative arts. Specialist Mentors are responsible for working with their teen specialist heads and senior specialists to plan all specialty area programming February‐May. This position is expected to be at CJ from May 25-30, 2027.

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 each camper unit (every two grades). Unit Mentors serve as the primary adult support for teen Unit Heads and Counselors. Unit Mentors are responsible for coordinating with the Programming Director, other Unit Mentors, and working with your teen Unit Heads to plan all unit programming and engage with unit counselors during the months of February‐May. This position is expected to be at CJ from May 25-30, 2027

Unit Advocate

This person will work with any camper who needs assistance during Camp Jenny. The advocates will work with one specific unit, like the Unit Mentors. The Unit Advocates will also work closely with the school staff, School Liaison, and URJ Staff. Unit Advocates work directly with the Cabin Advisors and support their role throughout camp. Review of protocols and procedures will begin no later than early April, prior to arrival at camp with URJ Staff and Director of Training & Advocacy. This position is expected to be at CJ from May 25-30, 2027.

SIT Program Coordinators

Responsible for planning and executing the Staff-in-Training program for 9th graders and overall supervision of the SITs. These positions begin working immediately upon assignment, work closely with the URJ Staff, and will be supervised by the Director of Training & Advocacy. These positions are expected to be at CJ from May 25-30, 2027.

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 expected to be at CJ from May 25-30, 2027.

Medical Team Coordinator

The Medical Team Coordinator is responsible for managing and scheduling the medical team during Camp Jenny. 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 expected to be at CJ from May 25-30, 2027.

Specialized Positions

Medical Team

The Camp Jenny medical team includes physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and medical/nursing students. The medical team will oversee all medication intake of our campers and teen staff, as well as run the health center when it comes to illness or injury. Medical team staff will report to the Medical Team Coordinator as well as URJ Staff. 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 25-30, 2027.

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 Limor). Ropes staff are expected to be at CJ from May 26-30, 2027.

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 Sarah Saltzman (scotler@urj.org) 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 at Camp Jenny on the Tuesday prior to Camp Jenny.

Program Manager - Sarah Saltzman

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, as well as with Camp Jenny Leadership. 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.

Programming Director - Anna Roberto

The Programming Director is responsible for working with the Co-Directors, Unit Mentors, and Unit Heads to ensure quality, age-appropriate programming for camp-wide and unit programs. The Program Coordinator will also oversee the Community Service. Programming Director also serves as the primary point person for the Co-directors while onsite at Camp Jenny.

Director of Operations - Elizabeth Foster

The Operations Director makes sure everything runs smoothly behind the scenes. They oversee the Supplies Coordinator, supplies team, Office Manager and the Kid's Club team. They coordinate all supply ordering, daily shopping trips, and rental deliveries. They help keep the schedule running smoothly and that all supplies are in the correct place at the correct time.

Specialist Director - Mark Goykhman

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 leadership, beginning in February, to ensure that all specialty area programming is well planned. This person will work closely with the Director of Operations for all supply ordering for the specialty areas.

Director of Advocacy & Training - Kelly Biedinger

Responsible for coordinating and facilitating all pre-camp training, including webinars, working with all staff teams, including Medical, Security, and Advocacy teams. Oversees and assists the Unit Advocates when working with any camper who needs assistance and serves as primary support for teens during the event. Oversees and supports the Cabin Advisor team in partnership with the Unit Advocates, as well as supporting the training of the SIT program. The Director of Advocacy and Training will work closely with the school staff and school liaison to prepare for camper success.