Company Profile
Camp Friendship, Camp Eden Wood and Camp New Hope
Company Overview
Camps of Courage and Friendship is a non-profit organization established in 1964. Initially, the agency was started by a group of parents, ARC of Minnesota, who were determined to provide a summer camp experience for their special needs kids. Since 1986, Friendship Ventures has significantly expanded its' programs and services to people with developmental disabilities and their families. Creative Options Respite Care programs grew out of this period of development. In 1995, the agency assumed management of another camp (also serving children and adults with developmental disabilities) located in the Twin Cities metro area. And, in essence, Friendship Ventures has been going great guns since then.
Friendship Ventures employs over 200 individuals between May and the end of August. We try to be flexible with the amount of time you have to give. Some people are able to work the entire summer while others may only be available for a few weeks. Housing, room & board are available at Camp Friendship, Camp Eden Wood and Camp New Hope. Some counselors work at more than one campduring the summer--usually a decision that is made between the program supervisors and that individual.
Summer camp hires counselors, program area staff (i.e. arts & crafts, music, outdoor recreation, archery, lifeguards, etc.), support staff (i.e. dining hall workers and laundry/housekeeping), health care staff (RN's, LPN's, CNA's, PCA's, student nurses, graduate student nurses, pre-med. students), and leadership staff (i.e. program coordinators). The staff salary depends on how many weeks you can work (some people work only 4 weeks). Incentives for longer commitments are built into the pay scale (maximum commitment is 12). The longer your commitment, the more you get paid.
Creative Options Respite Care, a year-round program offered on weekends, is a service designed to give relief to families, foster families, or anyone who provides round-the-clock care for an individual with developmental and/or physical disabilities. Positions for counselors, nurses and other health care staff, and coordinators are available. These positions are ideal for people who might have another job during the week or must attend school, etc. This program runs every weekend in the summer and 2-3 times a month throughout the year. Staff are paid a salary for the weekend--a rate established by the Program Manager for each site.
Team Quest Challenge Course Program, a challenge team development program, offers employment opportunities on a part-time basis throughout the summer and the entire year. This program serves both individuals with developmental disabilities and outside user groups (like corporations, teacher organizations, student groups, etc.). Generally, Team Quest staff is offered an hourly or weekly wage depending on the position and the needs of the program.
Most of Friendship Ventures programs accommodate internship requirements in many fields of study. If you are in need of an internship site, please contact us--if we know the school's expectations, we can generally satisfy the requirements.
If you'd like more informatoin you can reach anyone on our staff recruitment team members by calling 952-852-0101 or 800-450-8376. Check us out on the web at
Thanks again for your interest--we employ people from around the world. It would be great to have you here, too.
Company History
Camp Eden Wood was established in 1958.
Camp Friendship was established in 1964.
See company profile for more information.
Notable Clients
Children with and with our developmental disabilities. Adults with developmental and other disabilities.
Notable Accomplishments / Recognition
We make a difference in the lives of the people we serve though our direct care services.
Benefits
Seasonal staff members may earn paid sick leave. Full Time staff members recieve a benefit package.