New Castle Business Ledger
March 2001 Archives: Camp Guide
Camp group looks at labor market

The American Camping Association of New England (ACANE), which represents more than 300 summer day and overnight camps, has discovered that certain camp staff positions such as nurses, cooks, archers and water safety instructors are in demand by camp owners/operators throughout the region. 30% of the member camps responded to a survey conducted by ACANE and overwhelmingly pointed to the often overlooked benefits of working at summer camp. "Nurses, for example, can earn as much as $8,000 for the nine-week period of summer camp," says Bette Bussel executive director of ACANE. "Add this to the room and board given most camp staff members as well as the free camp tuition often given to the children of staffers and summer camp can translate into a tremendous revenue boost for our workers. Let's not forget the intangible benefits as well of working with children, spending a summer outdoors in magnificent scenery and, of course ... the bug juice!"

The results of the ACANE Camp Staff Survey are as follows:

* 42% of camps surveyed found the Nursing position the most difficult to fill n 35% of camps surveyed found the Cook position the most difficult to fill
* 30% of camps surveyed found the Water Safety position the most difficult to fill
* 25% of camps surveyed found the Archery Instructor position the most difficult to fill

Other positions receiving more than one mention included Tennis Instructor, Sailing Instructor, Riflery Instructor, and Waterskiing/Windsurfing Instructor

* 33% of camps surveyed found the Female Counselor position the easiest to fill
* 25% of camps surveyed found the Field Sports Instructor position the easiest to fill
* 20% of camps surveyed found the Drama Instructor position the easiest to fill

Other positions receiving more than one mention included Arts and Crafts Instructor and Lifeguards

Says Marti Dunn, a nurse at Camp Runoia in Maine, "I actually moved from Oklahoma to Maine after my camp experience as a nurse! The beautiful setting, interacting with kids, the generally fun environment and the good salary made the experience extremely satisfying for me. It's a great way to spend the summer and, honestly, an important supplement to my income. It's one of those win-wins!"
Web camp guide lauded

Newtek Capital, Inc. is extremely announced that one of their partner companies, NicheDirectories, LLC, has been recognized by the editors of the Spring 2001 edition of Forbes Magazine as "Best Of The Web" and the Forbes favorite in the summer camp industry for their KidsCamps.com (www.kidscamps.com) website and other online publications. KidsCamps.com, is a prominent online directory and leading destination portal for the summer camp industry. NicheDirectories, LLC is a full Internet marketing and service provider located in Boca Raton, Florida.

Niche Directories, LLC, founded in 1995, publishes online family-oriented informational directories for the summer camp industry. Their directories, databases and services are offered at a number of websites including,

* www.PayForCamp.com;
* www.CampJobs.com;
* www.Grownupcamps.com;
* www.ResortCamps.com.

Newtek Capital is a holding company that acquires, develops and operates technology oriented early stage businesses. Since 1998, NKC has raised more than $119 million of certified capital and has made investments in 19 companies, 9 of which are controlled by NKC. It creates non-dilutive capital through the operation of seven certified capital companies (CAPCOs) in four states. Newtek owns 37.5 percent of NicheDirectories, LLC, and has three out of seven board seats.