Welcome to the latest blog from International Summer Camp Montana and we hope that you are well, wherever you might be reading from in the World!  Already the middle of November; already one week closer to the start of summer season of 2012!

This week’s blog provides an opportunity to introduce a special team of people at camp, who do many different things across the camp program.  They organize and run many of the the evening programs, they take different activities on the specialists’ days off and are sometimes counselors too!  These are the Specialists on Assignment.

This small group are very unique in the work that they do at camp and they are probably the staff members who manage to know each and every camper during a session, because they spend a lot of time with each section!

The Specialists on Assignment are behind the execution of many of the special programs at camp too and without their enthusiasm it certainly would be difficult for our Camp Carnival and Colour Olympics to be enjoyed by so many.  The specialist instructors also appreciate their help, as they can step in to their shoes when it is time for a day off!  Of course the Specialists on Assignment do have the skills to run activities; often they have run specialist programs during past sessions.

Most of all though, our campers really like to see the Specialists on Assignment around camp because they are such familiar faces.  Our campers really appreciate their enthusiastic approach and they especially like that they are able to not to take themselves too seriously – dressing up on some occasions is mandatory!

Welcome to the latest blog from International Summer Camp Montana and we hope that you are well, wherever you might be reading from in the World!  November is here and the clocks have changes across the World, bringing the end of ‘Summer Time’ for 2011 in the Northern hemisphere.  Of course, those of you in the Southern reaches of the World will be preparing yourself for summer now!  Regardless of where you are though, we hope that you enjoyed the extra hour in your bed!

As well as daylight savings, this time of year signals the beginning of people making their plans for the following summer.  There are many campers already enrolled for our summer program in 2012 but it will soon be time for camp to consider its staffing requirements.

The honour of being a staff member at International Summer Camp Montana is something special and is an extreme privilege; there are but a chosen few every summer!  Not only is it an opportunity to work with and enrich the summers of a group of children from all over our World, but it is an experience that many will never forget.  The possibility of working with people from many different cultures, backgrounds and upbringings is something that has to be savoured.

It could be under-estimated just how big an impact working at La Moubra has, for both staff members and their campers.  The friendships formed during these few weeks and months over a summer season are bonds that are kept throughout time and it amazing what these lucky few will have in common for the rest of their lives.  Though many people come in and then go out of our own ‘World’ during time, it is incredible to see the unity and friendships that have been formed with ISCM as the common element.  The global network one gains has the reach that goes far and wide, through almost every major city and each country in the World.

So do you think you have what it takes to join the staff of International Summer Camp Montana, or know of someone who might be interested in applying to work for the summer of 2012?  Each summer we require around 120 staff for the program at camp, comprising of counselors, specialist sports instructors, nurses and administrative staff.  We are always on the look-out for those with ‘special talents’ in all areas and activities that we offer on the program and naturally applicants must be passionate about working with children and not scared of a little hard work!

Whilst we want to hear from those who feel that they can offer us their skills, talents, passion and enthusiasm, what camp offers to the successful applicants is quite simple.  An unforgettable experience, in spectacular surroundings, meeting and working with people from all over our World.  Thousands of former staff members can testify to this; do you think you have what it takes to be one of our chosen few?  For more information on working at International Summer Camp Montana, go to the staff section of our website, or alternatively feel free to contact us.

We at International Summer Camp Montana would like to wish everyone a very happy and healthy New Year!

As some of you may know, 2011 signals a very special year for everyone involved with International Summer Camp Montana.  This coming summer will mark the 50th year that children from all over the world will have come to ISCM, leaving with unforgettable memories and everlasting friendships.

Every week during our ‘Golden Jubilee’ year, we will be bringing you regular information about the Camp’s activities, news, events… and of course, our Camp’s community: campers, parents, staff and alumni.  Moreover, in the next few weeks we will be communicating some very important and exciting changes to Camp for this coming summer.  The blog will even begin an ‘A-Z’ of International Summer Camp Montana and you might also learn something new from our ’50 Fascinating Facts’ about the Camp.

As always, if you have any questions, queries or comments regarding this blog or anything to do with International Summer Camp Montana, please do not hesitate to contact us.

In January our head counselors for summer 2010 met at International Summer Camp Montana. Along with the camp directors they had several meetings to discuss the new and exciting changes and additions to the camp programme. They also discussed how the camp and the programme can develop with the changes in today’s youth.

This summer Danny Herberich will be the Pioneer Head Counselor. Danny works all year round at camp as our programme director and is in charge of staff recruitment. Almost every past and present camper and staff member will know Danny who will spend his 36 summer at ISCM.

Vanessa Mangold Fluri will rejoin us at camp as the Junior Head Counselor, a position that she also held in summer 2008. Vanessa has worked at camp in various positions for the last 10 summers; she took summer 2009 off from ISCM to become a first time parent and welcome her daughter Emma-Louise.

The senior section will have Scott Stewart as their new Head Counselor this summer. Scott is originally from Scotland and has worked at ISCM in various positions over the last 8 summers.

Scott Stewart, Vanessa Mangold Fluri, Danny Herberich & Beau

Over the last 50 years not only have a lot of children attend International Summer Camp Montana but also a lot of fantastic people have worked at camp. During November 2009 the assistant to the directors, Danny Herberich met up with staff members past and present in California. Please find below photos of the 2 reunions, the first features staff members from many years ago and the second more recent staff members.

It is nice to see that the friendships formed by our staff members while at camp have remained and that they still keep in contact after all these years.

Staff Members 1985 – 1995

Left to Right
Back row: James Etheridge, Danny Herberich, Clinton Anderson
Front row: Carol Gasparini, Bob Scott, Robin Etheridge, Kara Chine

Staff Members 2004 – Present

Left to right: Jonathan Weaver, Heidi Stuckenschneider, Scott Niedermier, Natalie Podgorski, Hanni Stuckenschneider, Carol Gasparini, Erika Redlinger, Danny Herberich, Stephanie Muehlethaler