THE AMERICAN SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
ANNOUNCES AN OPENING FOR
ASSISTANT CAMP DIRECTOR, CAMP ISOLA BELLA - Summer 2027
CLOSING DATE: Open Until filled
REVISED: 09/14/2026
POST: 09/21/2026
It's not too early to begin thinking about Summer Employment!
Nestled in the beautiful Berkshire Mountains on Twin Lakes, Salisbury, Connecticut, “Isola Bella” means Beautiful Island in Italian. Isola Bella was bequeathed to The American School by the late Ferrari Ward and his wife, Muriel Alvord Ward. Both were members of the ASD Board of Directors and Mrs. Ward was the first woman to serve on the board. Through this wonderful gift, the American School became the United States’ first school for the deaf to offer a summer program for deaf and hard of hearing youngsters and is the only camp for deaf children in Southern New England. Isola Bella is a scenic island estate that has been turned into a recreational/residential summer camp for deaf children ranging in age from 8 years to 17 years old. A wide variety of activities are offered depending on camper’s skill and interest level. Some of these activities include: archery, arts & crafts, camp studies, swimming, sailing and canoeing, water skiing, overnight camping, hiking, team and non-competitive games and a variety of special trips and projects. The philosophy of the program is “learning through experience.”
Position: Assistant Camp Director
Department: Camp Isola Bella
Supervisor: Camp Manager
Description: Seasonal
Union Status: Non-Collective Bargaining (NCB)
SCOPE OF DUTIES
Under the supervision of the Camp Director assists in the overall operation of the Summer Camp Program, serves as Acting Camp Director in the absence of the Camp Director.
PRIMARY DUTIES:
- Assists in the overseeing of the Summer Program in cooperation with the Camp Director.
- Supervises and oversees evening programs, including sports activities as planned by the Team Leaders to provide the support to the camp activities.
- Performs all the duties of the Camp Director in their absence.
- Assists the Camp Director in scheduling, planning, and implementation of programs, including field trips.
- Assists in the development of new programs and evaluates all programs.
- Keeps a daily log of camp activities.
- May assist the Camp Director with camp preparation to include recruiting.
- Performs other duties as assigned by the Camp Director.
- Guide the Team Leaders with activities at the camp.
- Serves as a member of the camp leadership team and works closely with the camp director to ensure the safe, effective, and successful operation of all camp programs and activities.
- Assist the camp director with the development of staff schedules, camper activities, daily programing, special events, and field trips, ensuring that activities are appropriately staffed, organized, and safely conducted.
REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Applicants must be over age twenty-one and will be required to submit both DCF and DPS background checks
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred and must have a minimum 2 years of experience with deaf and hard of hearing children/youth.
- Applicants must demonstrate proficiency in ASL
- CPR for the Professional Rescuer, Standard First Aid and Lifeguard Training Certificate strongly encouraged.
- Prior camp experience within a supervisory capacity.
- Applicants must demonstrate good judgment and excellent leadership skills.
- The Assistant Camp Director will be responsible to uphold and maintain the standards required under the Youth Camping Act.
ASD is ALL ways able. If you require an accommodation to apply for this position, please contact the Human Resources Department.
The American School for the Deaf does not discriminate on the basis of an individual's age, ancestry, color, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, past or present history of mental disability, intellectual disability, national origin, physical disability, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy, transgender status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or civil union status) work place hazards to reproductive systems, and criminal record (in state employment and licensing).
All applicants will be screened, and the most highly qualified applicants will be invited to interview.
Skills Required
- Must be over 21 years old
- Submit DCF and DPS background checks
- Minimum two years of experience working with deaf and hard-of-hearing children or youth
- Demonstrated proficiency in American Sign Language
- Prior camp experience in a supervisory capacity
- Good judgment and excellent leadership skills
- Uphold and maintain standards required under the Youth Camping Act
- Bachelor's degree
- CPR for the Professional Rescuer certification
- Standard First Aid certification
- Lifeguard Training Certificate
What We Do
Mission & Philosophy: ASD's communication approach embraces an American Sign Language (ASL)/English Bi-Lingual approach, the integration of American Sign Language, speech, auditory training, reading, writing, and use of assistive devices as essential parts of Specially Designed Instruction (SDI) that enables students to achieve true language and communication literacy in order to be successful life-long learners. Founded in 1817, the American School for the Deaf was the first permanent school for the deaf in the United States and a nationally renowned leader in providing comprehensive educational, programs and services for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The American School for the Deaf (ASD) offers deaf and hard of hearing students ages 3-21 a full range of educational programming from pre-school through twelfth grade. Working together with parents and local school districts, ASD staff develop an educational program designed to meet the unique needs of each student. Classes are kept small to meet the needs of diverse learning styles. All Pre-K-12 curriculum offerings are based on State of Connecticut Common Core State Standards as established by the state Department of Education. PACES (Positive Attitudes Concerning Education and Socialization) Program The PACES program serves deaf and hard of hearing students whose emotional/behavioral disorders prevent them from participating in regular academic or other special education settings. PACES students receive intense psychological services integrated with an individualized education plan in either a five- or seven-day program. Dormitories for PACES students are Connecticut Department of Children and Families licensed residential treatment facilities.
