Our Summer Staff
Ben Tabone
Brookwoods Director
Ben joined the Brookwoods team in 2018. He spent many summers at Northern Frontier Camp in New York’s Adirondacks and more recently on staff at Camp Spofford in Keene, NH. Ben received his Bachelor of Arts in Adventure Education from Messiah College. As part of his undergraduate experience, he studied at the National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS) where he gained professional experience. Additionally, Ben spent a semester at CAMP-of-the-WOODS in the LIFT program and gained leadership and discipleship training.
Ben spends his free time doing high-risk activities including whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and ice climbing. Ben and his wife, Alexa, met at Camp Spofford!
About Our Staff
Since our beginnings in 1944, we have been committed to hiring excellent staff. They not only come from coast to coast, but from all over the world. Some are former campers, attended another camp, friends of friends, and those who simply Google “New England Christian Camp.” The number one priority in selecting our staff is a strong committed relationship with Jesus Christ and their ability to share God’s word and love with campers. While we require competence and skill in our activity instruction, utmost importance is placed on the counselor/camper relationships within the cabin. A camper’s experience depends largely on their cabin experience, including their relationship with their counselor. Confidence in the cabin typically makes way for a challenging, rewarding, and memorable summer.
The staff experience is also one of growth and development for young adults and being a part of a tight-knit Christian community becomes a benchmark for friendship. We have always been blessed with the winning combination of new staff (they bring new ideas and fun songs!) and returning staff whose hearts beat with the rhythm of camp.
The staff completes a 2-week training (Staff Week) prior to Incoming Day. Staff who supervise high-risk areas receive specialized training and certification in those areas including: climbing wall, riflery, sailing, wilderness first aid, etc. All staff members who work directly with the campers are certified in First Aid and CPR.
Most of our counseling staff are college-age and attend a variety of universities across the country. In the last ten years, we’ve hired staff from: Wheaton College, Gordon College, Grove City College, Messiah College, Notre Dame, Taylor University, Biola University, Calvin University, Liberty University, Penn State University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Vermont, University of New Hampshire, Northeastern University, James Madison University, Virginia Tech University, Wake Forest University, Westmont College, Williams College, Tufts University, Boston College, Boston University, University of South Carolina, Case Western Reserve University.