Traditional Youth Camp – Day or Overnight
Two Opportunities for kids 8-15 years old.Session I = July 7-11, 2025
Session II = July 13-18, 2025$450 per session – Overnight Camp
$400 per session – Day Camp

Our camp program includes swimming, boating, soccer, kickball, wiffle ball, hiking, volleyball, basketball, large group games, a giant slip-and-slide, tie-dyeing, nature based activities, a game room, camp-wide competitions, movie night, campfires, dances, and much more! In addition to sports and aquatics, we encourage the arts through crafts and talent development programs. There is a little something for everyone to try and enjoy. Faith Based Activities will round out our offerings. Daily prayer and faith based exercises will be part of the daily program.

Youth Day Camp
Our day camp program runs from 9am to 5pm Monday through Thursday, and 9am to 12pm Friday. Day campers are also welcome to join us Sunday night at 7pm for orientation. Day campers will participate in all the normal daily activities. This is a great way for campers who are unsure of leaving home for a week to see what camp is all about and still get a great summer

 JUNIOR COUNSELOR TRAINING CAMP For Ages 14-15
**Campers of this age may choose to not be apart of this program, and instead participate as a traditional camper.Session I = July 6-11, 2025     Session II = July 13-18, 2025$450 per session

These young campers will learn the skills necessary to be a successful camp counselor. They will learn from seasoned counselors everything from how to manage a cabin community, to planning and implementing successful camp activities. They will have group sessions, projects and on the job training opportunities. As part of this program, they will learn American Red Cross CPR and First Aid Skills.

The students day will include participating in camp meals, recreation, waterfront and free time. This program runs in concert with the Summer Camp For Youth. To find more information on recreation, waterfront and program opportunities please refer to that section.

This program is for the motivated camper, who hopes one day to work at a certified residential camp program. Completion of  this course in no ways guarantees future employment. This certification program will enable boys and girls to develop leadership skills and learn to handle increasing responsibility of managing the complex issues of today’s young campers.

Camp Holy Cross is committed to hiring and training the best talent to assist our young campers in having a  safe and fun camp experience while they are in our care. Our Camp Counselors provide an important service, have fun, learn, and make friends that last a lifetime.

We are anticipating over 100 participants per session. Staff will be as large as 30 counselors. Staff members will be required to be good role models, lead a cabin unit, organize and run camp activities, and exercise fair discipline.

Our camp counselors are carefully screened and chosen to ensure the best possible care for our campers.

Each season we hire motivated young people to assist as:
~Senior counselors (age 18+)
~Junior counselors (age 16-17)
~Lifeguards (age 16+)
~We also recruit kitchen staff, maintenance personnel, and nursing personnel. ​

A senior counselor will live in a cabin with 5-8 campers and another counselor. They will lead our campers through the camp program each day, ensuring their health and safety. Counselors are expected to be positive Christian role models, who will fulfill the role of a guardian while the campers are here. They will lead activities including Arts and Crafts, Recreation, and talent programs.

Our junior counselors will live in the cabins with the campers and senior counselors. They will guide the campers through the daily program, keeping the atmosphere fun and light-hearted. They will watch over our campers and help to keep them safe, healthy, and happy.

Our lifeguards are camp counselors who have additional waterfront duties. They will live in a cabin with another counselor, and help guide our campers through our camp program. All of our guards must be American Red Cross trained and certified.

Potential Staff Members,

As the administration of Camp Holy Cross, please let us share some of our thoughts on camp counseling with you. We would ask that you read through these comments carefully, and we request that you prayerfully consider the decision to work at Camp Holy Cross before contacting us for further information.

Camp counseling is a job for responsible people only. Many young adults enter summer camp work with the idea that it will be a two-week vacation. This is far from true. Camp counseling is for quality people who love children and will place their interests ahead of self in every instance. Camp counselors should consider their job a chance to serve youth as well as an opportunity for personal development.

Helping children is a serious task. Most parents send their child to camp because they know the strong influence of a good camp can have a positive and lasting effect on their life. Camp Holy Cross accepts parent’s trust with deep concern and responsibility. The administration cannot accept the responsibility alone. We employ the best young adults we can find to share this responsibility with us.

At Camp Holy Cross we also feel a very keen sense of responsibility for the spiritual growth of our campers. We believe in a pattern of living exemplified by Christ, God’s Son. We believe that “life-style evangelism” through our staff members is Camp Holy Cross’s most active means of following Christ’s example and communicating our beliefs. We support having fun in a chemical free environment; the use of drugs, alcohol, and tobacco are prohibited. The use of profanity is also prohibited. We believe in traditional Christian values that do not violate God’s word and our intent is to honor His word.

The camp staff must set the best example possible. Youth are impressionable so the camp environment must be strong, clean, and wholesome. Campers are under the influence of the camp and its staff 24 hours a day. This is a great challenge. Are you willing to accept your share?

As you can see, camp counseling is a serious business. Honestly, it will be one of the hardest jobs you will ever do and also the most rewarding. It is an inspirational and educational experience. If you think you might be further interested in summer employment at Camp Holy Cross, please complete the application and return it to us. The application requires spending some time in thought! We pride ourselves in hiring a staff that believes in giving 100% when it comes to taking care of children.

With thanks,
The Administrative Team

1. Complete an application form online (using CampDoc).
   1. Be sure to fill out entire form. Indicate weeks available.  References need complete contact information. Incomplete app will be rejected.
2. Complete a CORI/SORI Authorization Form & Provide Picture ID.
3. Send Link to references or download form for paper copy.
4. Upload a Digital Photo on Camp Doc.
5. Parent Permission Form (Must be signed by parent if under age 18)

After acceptance:

• You must complete an on-line health history and provide necessary health related information.
• All staff will have to attend Camp Orientation/Training & Child Safety Training.
• Complete VIRTUS Training ​https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/reg_2.cfm?theme=0&org=37495
• All Staff must participate in Staff Orientation and Training which will include Red Cross First Aid & CPR  Training.
• A minimum stipend of $125 per session will be  paid. A bonus of $50 for senior counselors will be offered. An additional $25  per session is paid for lifeguards.

We ask that you thoughtfully and prayerfully consider our Letter to Potential Staff, and decide if being a camp counselor is for you. It is a challenge, and we ask that you are sure that you are wholeheartedly able to commit to it, if you choose to apply.

CHC is using CampDoc to process Summer Camp Applications. Applications for Counselors, Junior Counselors and Lifeguards must be completed and reviewed. There are limited spots available for staff and making an application does not guarantee employment.

Application or prior employment  in no way guarantees a position. Experienced Counselors and those who have attended the CIT Program are encouraged to apply but in no way are guaranteed employment. Those returning to us will be given first consideration, but will be evaluated upon past performance and the entire pool of candidates.

CAMP PHILOSOPHY
The purpose of our camp is to provide a Christian educational experience in outdoor living. Our programs are oriented to the Roman Catholic philosophy of outdoor ministry, which shall encompass recreation for young people, shall be ecologically sound and shall be geared toward developing a greater sense of the presence of God in one’s life. For this reason, all our counselors and volunteers of the camp put the health and safety of the campers in the forefront at all times.WHO WORKS AT CAMP HOLY CROSS
Fr. Chris Malatesta is the Executive Director of Holy Cross Campgrounds, Justin Brown is the Director of CHC and Fr. David Auffiero, Chaplain are assisted by a mature staff of high school & college students and adults who provide a  creative camping program designed to meet the individual needs of each camper. Our enthusiastic staff supervise the campers in their living quarters and  motivate them as they proceed through our fun-filled program. The campers are  grouped by division of age. A strong emphasis is placed on safety. Our staff’s goal is to make a young camper feel more secure, and encourage trust and confidence  while providing a rewarding summer camp experience.Janine Modestow 

Janine Modestow has been an educator for almost 28 years, teaching middle and high school English in Arizona; Sturbridge, MA; and the Hilltowns before settling down at Westfield High.   A certified lifeguard from the age of sixteen until two years ago, she also has been a certified Water Safety Instructor and Waterfront Director.  She also has coached soccer, basketball, and softball at all levels from elementary to high school varsity, serving one year as a high school athletic director.  Modestow is a member of Our Lady of the Hills Parish where she teaches 8th grade CCD.

A former soccer player for Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where she earned her B.S. in Computer Science with a double major in English, she now enjoys Nordic skiing, biking, hiking, and swimming.

Modestow has trained counselors at Camp Holy Cross for the past fourteen years.  The highest compliment she can give to the camp is the fact that her own eleven-year-old daughter has attended both weeks of the camp since the moment she was eligible to sign up.

LOCATION
Camp Holy Cross has been a facility in the Diocese of Springfield since 1930 and contains over 250 acres of woods and fields situated on the beautiful Upper Highland Reservoir in the Berkshire Hills. It is located on Route 112 North (one mile off route 9) in Goshen, MA.

CAMP HOLY CROSS OFFERS A FUN AND EXCITING PROGRAM
Campers can enjoy healthy competition with each other while learning teamwork and new skills.

Recreation:  ~Baseball    ~Basketball   ~Dodge Ball    ~Kick Ball    ~Ping-Pong   ~Soccer    ~Softball    ~Volleyball   ~ Wiffle Ball  ~Game Room  ~Field Games  ~Slip-and-Slide  ~Tie-Dying

Water Fun:  ~Swimming   ~Kayaking   ~Canoeing   ~Water Polo  ~Red Cross Certified Waterfront Staff

Camp-Wide Events: ~CHC Olympics   ~Hiking    ~Games    ~Capture the Flag    ~Cook-outs    ~Dances    ~Campfires    ~Movie Nights

Special Activities: In addition to sports and aquatics, we encourage the arts through crafts and talent development programs. There is a little something for everyone to try and enjoy.

Faith Based Activities: Daily prayer and faith based exercises will be part of the daily routine. Special activities include a Christmas in July celebration, with a late night Mass.