N.E.S.T. – Nurturing Experiences for Staff Trainees
The Holiday Hill NEST program grows 9th and 10th graders into leaders
“Our campers don’t want to leave – and we don’t want that either.” Many of our oldest campers eagerly stay on, often becoming the next generation of kid-loving counselors. But NEST is not just counselor training, so we welcome all who seek a very educational and motivational program.
Our program is designed to develop well-rounded, thoughtful, caring, and competent camp counselors. It introduces interpersonal skills, outdoor education techniques, sports, games, and camp programming ideas. The Eagle Phase is a progressive experiential education course. The goal is for each participant to develop the skills to successfully lead an activity with a group of campers. How we approach that goal depends on what happens daily within the camp and each particular Eagle cohort. It is a living laboratory where we practice and reflect on the experience daily. What is said, done, and felt cannot be genuinely imparted to those who have not fully participated.
Eagle Phase
Campers entering ninth grade in the fall after camp participate in a 4-week program taken in either sessions 1 & 2 or sessions 3 & 4. Eagle Phase candidates need to complete only the regular Camper Application Form.
Junior Counselor Phase
Second summer of the program. Open to graduates of the Eagle Phase who are entering tenth or eleventh grade in the fall.
Junior Counselor candidates’ parents enroll them with the regular Camper Application Form. After enrolling, they must complete our Junior Counselor Application under “Signup & Forms”. For more information read our Junior Counselor Job Description to understand the expectations of the program.
Call the camp at 860-423-1375 with questions or to enroll by phone.