Company Profile
French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts
Company Overview
French Woods is a co-ed sleepaway performing arts summer camp for children aged 7 to 17. Campers come from every state and over 40 countries. Internationally recognized as a premiere program in the performing arts, we feature options in music, art, theater, dance, circus, magic and horseback. In addition to our core activities, all the programs of a traditional summer camp and more are included in our offerings. Younger campers have additional guidance and supervision, while older campers can participate in community service and legacy projects in addition to college prep courses. We are located on over 1000 acres of hills, fields and woods bordering a private lake in the town of Hancock, New York in the Catskill Mountains.
Company History
French Woods Festival of the Performing Arts was found in 1969 as a co-ed summer music program by Ronald Schaefer. The program has since exploded into the leading individualized performing arts program in the world of camping. Ronald Schaefer’s passion for teaching and the performing art has been the driving force behind the growth French Woods. He is the first person awake on camp and can always be found teaching classes and working with the campers.
Ronald Schaefer has spent his entire life in camping and is responsible for the development of French Woods’ unique individualized programing.
Beth Schaefer, who is Ron’s daughter, grew up at French Woods and is now one of the directors and co-owner of French Woods. Beth’s son Tristan will be the third generation of the Schaefer’s family to grow up at French Woods.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
French Woods Festival has prepared generations of prominent alumni in arts and culture, particularly in the performing arts.[7][8][9][10] Alumni have either won or been nominated for a total of 40 Billboard Awards, 29 Emmy Awards, 26 Tony Awards, 22 Drama Desk Awards, 18 Grammy Awards, 7 Golden Globe Awards, 6 People’s Choice Awards, 4 BRIT Awards, and others.
Benefits
1. Work is Play - Being a camp counselor allows you to be outside, engage in FUN summer activities, and just be a kid again! Summer camp is filled with different adventures every single day, so there’s never a dull moment.
2. Improve Your Resume - Being a camp counselor allows you to learn the skills of leadership, collaboration, activity planning, organization, responsibility, creativity, and SO much more. No matter what major you’re studying, or what field of work you’re pursuing, these skills will no doubt stand out on a resume.
3. Be a Role Model - Being a camp counselor means being a role model to kids for a summer and giving them a safe space to come to you and lean on you for anything. There’s nothing better than hearing a kid tell you: “I want to be like you when I grow up.”
4. Develop New Friendships - All of the other amazing counselors, International & American, you meet along the way! You get to hang out with like-minded individuals all summer long and make some great memories. Plus, nothing brings people together more than using teamwork to rally up 20 crazy kids! You’ll leave at the end of summer wishing it wasn’t over yet, with plenty of newfound friendships.
5. Find your Potential - Camp counselors are forced to get out of their comfort zones and face some difficult situations. Luckily, you can bet that by the end of camp, you’ll have learned so many new skills and developed a new sense of confidence that you didn’t have before.
Positions Available
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