Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Position Opening-RECRUITMENT MANAGER

We are looking for a RECRUITMENT MANAGER for a full time year around position with benefits. The Recruitment Manager has an office at Northwestern Settlement, 1012 N Noble, Chicago, Illinois for about 7 months of the year. The office moves to House In the Wood, Delavan, Wisconsin during Rowe Outdoor Ed Programs (about 6-8 weeks during Fall, Winter, and Spring) and during Summer Camp June through August. Housing and food are available while working at House In the Wood however on site residency is not required. Some travel around the city of Chicago required. Hours will exceed a 40 hour work week depending on projects or season.

Responsibilities are:
  • Recruit and register campers for summer camp. Responsible for "filling" summer camp. Provide on site administrative support for summer camp. 
  • House In The Wood liaison for Rowe Elementary School Outdoor Ed Programs. Provides on site administrative support during Rowe sessions.
  • Year around communication with all participants in our programs.
  • Represent House In The Wood in Chicago.

We are looking for:
  • Ability to relate to parents, children and co-workers.
  • Above average computer skills.
  • Excellent writing and verbal communication skills.
  • Excellent organization skills.
  • Ability to work on multiple tasks and meet goals with minimal supervision.
  • Experience with office environment, resident camp and children preferred.
  • Bilingual English/Spanish preferred.

More Information:
Contact Val Wright at recruitmentjob@houseinthewood.org  or 262-728-2752 for full job description.


To Apply:
Send resume and cover letter to recruitmentjob@houseinthewood.org. Accepting resumes until position is filled. First interviews start October 27.


House In the Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement, Chicago, Illinois.

Sunday, October 12, 2014

Nathan Puckett Leaving

Kali and Nathan
Kali and Nathan pause for a check-in at Workbee.

Nathan has been the "face" of summer camp this last year as parents visited the Settlement in Chicago to register their children for summer camp. He has worked to set up a system that makes it easier for parents to register and for staff to get the information they need to set up cabin groups and care for the health needs of our campers.

He started here in Spring of 2013 as a cabin counselor with our Rowe Elementary School Outdoor Education Program. Since then, he has helped in all areas of camp--transportation, discipline, parent communication, website design, office work and assistance in cabins and programs when needed.

House In the Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement, Chicago, Illinois


Thursday, July 3, 2014

Elliott Lodge-Landscaping Done!

Landscaping in the front and side of Elliott Lodge. The bushes in front are "Butterfly Bushes". In the far corner next to the Dining Hall screen porch, we have planted a Butterfly Garden filled with special flowers designed to attract butterflies. We will be adding a few "butterfly puddlers" as butterflies are attracted to water as well as flowers.


This is the landscaping in the back near the showers. We added benches for those people waiting for showers. Plus it is one of the nicest places to sit and watch the world go by.


Our new nature center steps!



House In the Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement


Friday, May 30, 2014

Elliott Lodge-Got Occupancy Permit!

YEA! The new side of the dining hall just got its occupancy permit! We are seating 120 for meals the next few days. We have new restrooms, a kitchen manager's office and a janitor closet. The original side is not done yet but we have sooo much room!

We still need to do a few things like hook up the air conditioner but the new side is pretty much done! Now to work on the original side. We are tearing out the old restroom this next week. Then we need to work on the ceiling (insulation & drywall), electrical, duct work, and floors.



Thursday, May 22, 2014

SCOPE. Midwest Grant Received!

A BIG THANK YOU to SCOPE Midwest (Summer Camp Opportunities Promote Education) for the grant to send 23!!! campers to Summer Camp this year. This is the fourth year they have given us a grant. For more information about the SCOPE Foundation click on this link: http://www.scopeusa.org/index.php/regions/midwest



Saturday, May 17, 2014

Elliott Lodge-New Tables, Chairs, Dishes!

New Dining Hall Tables, Chairs, Dishes and Dish Storage!
First in THIRTY+ years.
Thanks Kathy and Mike Elliott!




Thursday, May 8, 2014

Construction News...WOW what a difference a few months makes!

Almost done with the new addition. Next we need to fix the old dining hall area.


The showers are just BEAUTIFUL! They are in use NOW.
Two entrances to Shower House

Each Shower Stall has its own changing room curtain.





House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement

NUSH Staff Visit House In The Wood

We had our May In-service at House In The Wood yesterday. Our 4th grade Rowe children were at camp so staff got to see them in action. They also dug in the compost pile for worms and had worm races, played Gagaball, Dug to China, watched birds at the Feeding station, and roasted marshmallows. The weather was sunny and beautiful so there was also a lot of lounging by the lake as well. We had catering from the local Mexican restaurant while our Rowe children had hamburgers in the dining hall.


Head Start Staff Arrive

Linda tries to decide if it is done.

Selfies


Nathan and Kali lead a Song

House In the Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement

Friday, February 28, 2014

Settlement Family Gifts! Thank You!

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The Settlement has always been fortunate to have incredibly generous support from its dedicated boards. This fall many families came through with extraordinary gifts, inspired by Kathy & Mike Elliott and Val & Bill Hall, whose recent support for House In The Wood has been transformative. With the Elliotts' support the expanded dining hall and new shower facility are under construction, and with the Halls' support the new Outdoor Education Center is soon to follow. Now we add to that.... 

Rouse Cottage, to be underwritten by Barb & Ted Rouse, is part of a three-building quad designed to house teen and family campers. The Rouses have been tremendous supporters of the Settlement in many ways: through Barb's leadership on the  North Shore Board and her tenure on the main board, currently serving as it's Secretary; through their early and continuous support of Rowe Elementary; and through countless resources they bring to the Settlement. Rouse Cottage is further testament to their dedication.

Anna Atkinson, president of the Evanston Board, has named The Truitt Family Office in the Outdoor Education Center.  Long-time Settlement leader Patty Johnson has also named a designation at the soon-to-be-built Outdoor Education Center - PJ'S Patio! We're sure kids will soon be saying "let's meet up at PJ's"!

Mimi and Mark Harris
recognize that the arts have always been an integral part of the camp experience and have chosen to name the Harris Family Art Center. The space will continue to be the hub of artistic activity at House In The Wood.

House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement


Sunday, January 19, 2014

Construction News...MORE Progress on New Kitchen Area

Here is a BEFORE picture, waaay BEFORE...

Before the Dining Hall had a screen porch in early 1990's.
The fence was to store cross county skis during winter camps.
In summer we had a vegetable garden in front.
Along the edge was a flower garden.
Yesterday they worked on the roof tresses and walls in the back area and it shouldn't be long before they have the whole thing enclosed.



House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Construction News...More Like a REAL Building Every Day!

Here is the latest picture from yesterday...


They are working today to get the whole building "under roof" as soon as possible so they can pump some heat into it and start on the inside. They still need to put the back roof on. It is snowing so that makes everything harder.

Yesterday, the plumber was also working on the shower house. THAT should be done early next week and the plan is to pour the slab in the shower house on THURSDAY.

House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement


Saturday, January 11, 2014

Construction News...Elliott Lodge Walls!

Hey, the walls are starting to go up--I can actually see what it might look like! The -20 F temperatures and the snow has made the going slow.

FRONT--The two windows and door are framed in here.
BACK-Dining Hall Window Framed in
SHOWER HOUSE-Temp heat put in so we can start plumbing on Monday!
House In The Wood is operated by Northwester Settlement

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Summer & Spring Staff NEEDED

We are looking for staff!

  • 12 staff for Spring Outdoor Education Center
  • 30 staff for Summer Camp.

We are accepting application NOW. Go to our website to fill out an application at www.houseinthewood.org.

We will be recruiting at colleges in January/February. Come talk with us.
Thursday, January 30--Western Illinois University, Macomb, Illinois
Summer Camp Job Fair 10am to 4pm.

Tuesdays February 4 and February 25--UW-Whitewater-Union
Mini Camp Job Fair from 10am to 2pm

February 18--UW-Stevens Point-Dreyfus University Center
Summer Camp and Recreation Fair 10am-3pm

February 19--UW-LaCrosse-Cartwright Center
Summer Job and Camp Fair 10am-3pm

Summer Camp Boating Lessons
Spring OEC Forest Lesson
Summer Camp Swim Lessons


House In the Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement

Construction News...Floor In

Floor over the shower house is almost done...they are working on it again today. And yes it IS cold out there! It will be dangerously cold Monday and Tuesday (-14 for a HIGH!) so they will not be working those days. I am sure they can't wait until it is totally "under roof"!

Jerry, J.R. and Greg are back together again to work with Ron Deschner, general contractor. This is the same group that did all of the construction at camp in the last 30 years. In the 80's it was Val's Office/House improvements, Hickory House, Nature Center, Racoons Cabin, Squirrels Cabin, and the White Pines addition. In the 90's it was the two mini cabins and shower house improvements. And then in the early 2000's it was the Vittum Lodge addition.


Jerry and Greg
J.R.

Looking down into the new shower house.

Ron Deschner, General Contractor
House In The Wood is operated by Northwestern Settlement