Brown Ledge Camp is proud of the appeal it holds for older campers. Each year more than 40 girls enroll in the two-year Junior Counselor Leadership training program. All of them have previously been campers at BLC for at least one summer; as JCs, they return to celebrate and carry on the traditions they’ve become familiar with, and to bring the energy and spirit that make camp what it is. Our JCs pay full tuition, have graduated from tenth grade, and are a minimum of 15 1/2 years old.

The JC program is a vital part of Brown Ledge. It combines increased responsibility around camp with our traditional philosophy of self-direction and freedom of choice. JCs commit to being teachers and leaders for the summer: They practice teaching in an activity department for two hours each day, and they attend weekly classroom meetings to explore different leadership and learning styles or to discuss any challenges they might be facing. Each JC also has her own camper cabin; she spends rest hour with them every afternoon, hanging out, providing encouragement and advice, or supporting them in their camp endeavors. Because of their unique role, JCs become an important link between senior staff and campers. They have an understanding of how camp works, and what the camper experience is like, but they are also stepping up as role models and teachers, and shepherding in a new generation. Not only are they the ones to eagerly carry on traditions from year-to-year; they also generate much of the spirit, vim, and vigor within camp.

Note that Junior Counselors do need to have a familiarity with camp and how it works. Because of their role as mentors to younger campers, they must have at least one summer of experience as a Brown Ledge camper.