Camps Baco & Che-Na-Wah: Staff

Frequently Asked Questions
Where are Camps Baco and Che-Na-Wah? We are located in upstate New York's breathtaking Adirondack Park. Today, at 6 million acres and larger than Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Great Smoky, and Everglades National Parks combined, the Adirondack Park and Forest Preserve is the largest park in the nation outside of Alaska, according to Adirondack Park.net. We're one hour from Albany, less than an hour from Saratoga Springs with its outdoor concerts and world-famous racetrack, 3 hours from Boston and 2 from Montreal.
Why work at Camps Baco and Che-Na-Wah? We believe our counselors are the lifeblood of camp. Our counselors are the role models for campers, teaching them new skills, not only on the courts and fields and in the water, but in the bunk, where strong bonds and friendships are formed. Our counselors teach respect for each other and leadership skills. And our staff is passionate about their role. For the past 20 years 80% of our counselors are returning staffers, proof that working at camp is as rewarding for counselors as it is for staffers.
Where are staff and campers from? Our counselors hail from the United States, England and other parts of the world. Most of our counselors are from the United States. Our campers are mostly from the New York metropolitan area and Montreal, Canada, but we have campers from as far away as California, Florida and points in between.
How is camp organized? Who runs camp? Camp Baco is run by Bob Wortman, Camp Che-Na-Wah by Barbara Wortman. Bob's parents, Mel and Ruth, who bought the camps several years ago, are still actively involved in the daily life of camp. The camps are situated on Lake Balfour, less than half a mile apart and are run separately. Greg is a former Baco camper whose parents owned CNW, is the head counselor at Baco. During the winter, Greg is an educator. Jane has been CNW's head counselor for several years. She infuses camp with her life long love of camping. Both camps have athletic directors and waterfront directors to manage daily programming with Greg and Jane. All counselors have a specialty at camp and teach the children in their area of expertise. Children are arranged in bunks according to age group. Age groups generally travel together throughout the day to participate in activities together.
What is a typical day like? No two days are the same at camp because we write a new schedule every day. There is a full schedule of activities from morning until night. Activities are generally assigned according to age group. Baco boys and Che-Na-Wah girls gather together for camp special events with age-appropriate activities throughout the summer.
Where will I live? You will live in a cabin with campers and co-counselors. The size of the cabins vary with age groups. There is approximately at 1:3 ratio of campers to counselors in each cabin. Every cabin is equipped with showers, sinks, toilets and electricity.
How much time off/days off will I have? Since campers' schedules include evening activities, so do the staff's. Staff can expect a period off each day and a day off every so many days. Staff are free to leave camp at night, unless they are "on duty" to supervise the children. There is a curfew each night that must be adhered to. We provide camp transportation for scheduled days off into Lake George and to other local attractions.