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Shaver's Creek Environmental Center

Outdoor School (ODS) Counselor Information

Where: Camp Blue Diamond, Petersburg, Pennsylvania (about 20 miles south of State College)

Lodging/Food: Camping in cabins, indoor plumbing, and all family-style meals provided

Time Commitment: 2:00 p.m. on Monday through 2:30 p.m. on Friday (24 hr./day). Counselors have free time on Wednesday or Thursday afternoon.

Dates: Weeks are Monday through Friday, unless otherwise noted.
September 21–25 (Sunday through Thursday)
September 30–October 3 (Tuesday through Friday)
October 6–10
October 13–17
October 20–24 (tentative)
We will work with you to select a week that is mutually beneficial.

Training: The Counselor Training (CT) sessions are required for new and returning counselors. CT I will be on Penn State's University Park campus (102 Thomas Building). CT II will be held at Shaver's Creek Environmental Center.
Counselor Training I: Wednesday, September 17, 6:00–9:00 p.m. (102 Thomas Building)
Counselor Training II: Thursday, September 18, 6:00–9:00 p.m. (at Shaver's Creek)

Transportation to training and ODS: We will help coordinate car pools from State College and/or Huntingdon.

Credit: Penn State students who are accepted will be registered for SciEd 297A or RPTM 297A Outdoor School Field Experience for academic credit concurrent with ODS. Course information and registration materials will be available at counselor training. Non-Penn State students should contact us to discuss earning credit at their schools.

Applications: Complete the online application, even if you have previously participated in ODS. Returning counselors should submit their applications by Wednesday, September 3, 2008, to get preference on dates. Selection of counselors is made until all openings are filled. New counselors must provide verification of PA Child Abuse History Clearance before attending ODS. If you do not have a current clearance we will provide blank forms at counselor training. (We will pay the $10 fee for the PA Child Abuse History Clearance if you register for the ODS credit course.) We will also complete a PA State Police Criminal Background check for all accepted applicants.

The deadline for applications is Monday, September 8. To apply for a counselor position, complete the online counselor application.  If you are a returning counselor, you must use the online returning counselor application form. If you wish to apply for a future season, or if you have questions regarding Outdoor School or the application, please visit the FAQ section of the Outdoor School Web site or contact Ellen Will, Outdoor School Director, at 814-863-2000 or eeb11@outreach.psu.edu.

Outdoor School has a fall and a spring season too! Spring typically lasts at least six weeks beginning in early April and ending in mid-May. The fall season typically lasts at least four weeks and begins the last week of September or first week of October. Please contact us for more information.

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