counselors but are not restricted by reli-
gion as are Jewish camps. Still, Sea-Gull
is limited by gender to choosing from
half of the available camp counselors.
"I can't think of any time this has
been easier or anything that is harder
to do," said Schulman, adding that
between 70 to 85 percent of the 22
counselors and 10 specialists at Sea-
Gull return each year.
To fight the downward spiral,
camps are heavily recruiting former
campers and persuading past coun-
selors into signing on for this summer,
offering a raise in pay and a choice of
assignments. Others, like Tamarack
Camps, are offering finder's fees,
across-the-board $200 raises, provid-
ing $2,000 college scholarships to
third-year counselors and arranging
for students to complete a course in
sociology through Michigan State
University for credit.
Tamarack published an advertise-
ment in the Jewish News last month
touting the benefits of being a coun-
selor and the financial incentives.
"We want parents to recognize that
camp is a valuable place to be (for the
counselors)," Finkelberg said, noting
that parents often drive the decision
regarding their college student's choice
of summer employment.
Melissa Klein planned on return-
ing to Tamarack this year as a sec-
ond-year counselor before hearing
about the new pay and benefits.
She cites the friendships she
formed with young campers as well
as the counselors as the main reason
for returning.
"It is my favorite place in the
whole world," she said. "I couldn't
imagine not going back."
And the camps are going farther
than they have before to find coun-
selors.
Larry Stevens of Camp Walden
posts ads in college newspapers and on
certain sites on the Internet. He also
employs two camp counselor head-
hunting services to help find the 120
counselors he needs each year.
The camps expect the problem to
continue for the next several years. By
the year 2005, when many of the
young campers are ready to move to a
counselor-in-training bunk, demo-
graphics will shift the trend the other
way. At that time, many of the
campers that now pack the cabins in
camps across America will come of age
and are expected to flood the market
of camp counselors.
Finkelberg will be happy when that
happens. "Then, we will have plenty of
staff," he said.

Parents want the best for their children. At Franklin, we provide exactly that!
Our diversified, quality programs offer excitement for children of all ages. Summer Camp
at Franklin is packed with fun and fitness in a safe, caring and friendly environment.
Enroll your child for summer at Franklin and they'll come home happy campers!

KIDS' CLUB (ages 2 1/2-12)

•Instruction & organized games

•Sports & Games

•Match play for all groups

•Swimming • Tennis

•No tennis experience needed

•Weekly themes

•Swimming optional

•Story-telling, Crafts & more...

Daily & Weekly
Camps run
JUNE 12 - Sept. 1

Pre-Care & SUPER Camp
available 7:30am-Gpm

Call now for more information 248-352-8000

Tennis Camp: ext 38 • Kids' Club: ext 22

29350 Northwestern Hwy. • Southfield

WHEN YOU THINK OF SUMMER,

THINK OF SEA-GULL.

All girls. New Skills. Great Fun.

Since 1955, the Schulman family has offered traditional summer camping in a nurturing, fun-filled
environment. Today that tradition continues in our creative program designed for girls ages 7-15.
At Camp Sea-Gull, your daughter will learn new skills in a setting that
encourages personal growth, success and life-long friendships. Our program 4'
includes tennis, soccer, sailing, canoeing, sea kayaking, horseback riding,
drama, arts and crafts, overnights and much, much more.
We offer two, four and six-week sessions, a 3:1 camper-counselor ratio, a high quality
staff and limited enrollment.
www.campseagull.com or call
\VA& sill Schulman at 231-547-655e
or Jack Schulman at 245-551-1515

CAMP SEA--C