Being A Junior Leader
Becoming a Junior Leader at Dudley is the second step a young man takes toward eventually running his own cabin. A JL is a paid member of the Camp staff whose chief duty is to assist the Cabin Leadership team in assuring the campers in his cabin have a safe and fulfilling summer.
Not everyone gets to be a Junior Leader. The number of positions available does not allow us to take all who apply. We will consider all applications and we will accept some boys for half-season.
Each boy must read and understand the Junior Leader job description and be willing to commit to all that is being asked of him. In addition, we ask that you adhere to the following time schedule and recommended means of communication.
- Beginning October 1, submit a personal, old-fashioned letter to Matt, expressing your desire to become a JL. They will then receive a formal application in the mail from Camp.
- By January 1, all JL applications should be on file at Dudley
- January 15, notifications will begin.
- March 18-20, 2011, accepted Junior Leaders are expected to attend the Winter JL Leadership Workshop in Westport, NY.
All communication by you to Dudley will be followed by an acknowledgment by Camp that we have received your message. If you send us something, we will let you know that we have received it. If you do not hear from us, you can assume that we have not gotten it and you should either resubmit the item or call us in a timely fashion.
Please read the accompanying outline of duties and make sure that you and your parents understand what your responsibilities will be, should you decide to pursue this challenging and most fulfilling task.
Qualifications
To be eligible for the JL position, a young man must have successfully completed his Aide year at Camp Dudley, had a favorable review from the Leadership Development Team, be 16 years of age and a rising high school junior or, in the event that the boy is new to Dudley, he must have a personal interview with the Camp Director.
General Responsibilities
The JL assists his Leader and Camp in general in all aspects of daily Camp life. He will set an appropriate example in the cabin, at meals and at group activities. JL’s are expected to assist with and be present for pre-season orientation. The JL must understand and uphold all of the rules and values of Camp Dudley.
Specific Duties
The JL will be assigned to a team and will serve that team as an assistant coach both during team competition and during all of the majors programs or he will be assigned to officiate at a sporting event. He will serve as the Director’s Aide, as assigned on at least one day during the summer and is responsible for knowing when that duty falls. He will be responsible for writing at least two camper reports per half, under direct supervision of his Leader. The JL will also serve as the assistant on at least one hike or canoe trip each half.
Supervision
The JL is directly responsible to his Cabin Leader. As a member of Dudley’s leadership hierarchy, he will also interact with and be accountable to his Head Coach, his Division Head, Senior Staff members, the Leadership Development Team, and, ultimately, to the Camp Director.
Privileges
Three nights out each week. From the conclusion of vespers until 11:30 PM, JL’s are allowed to be out of their cabins and have use of the Camp facilities for three evenings each week. These nights out will be determined at the start of each summer. They may use the gym, weight room, lounge and all other supervised areas. They may not be in any unsupervised area at these times. They may order pizza and other food from town and will occasionally be taken, as a group, off campus for special events.
Junior Leader Trip
Once each half, the JL’s will be allowed one supervised day off and may choose to go, as a group, on a trip to a nearby location. The day off begins when appropriate coverage is in place and ends with their return before 11:30 PM of that same day.
Junior Leader Council
The JL’s will elect a president and a representative from each of the four divisions to serve as their council. The council will plan the JL days off and special events with the help of the Leadership Development Team.
Final Note
The JL’s job is extremely fulfilling. A JL must remember that he has an official capacity at Dudley and must be willing to place the needs of others ahead of his own while teaching his campers the meaning of, “The Other Fellow First.”
Any and all of the above information may be modified at the Director’s discretion.
