We Are Mothers
We understand how hard it is to trust somebody else with the well-being of your child.
The health and safety of our entire camp community are our primary concerns. We view ourselves as your child’s summer parents and we hold that responsibility with great regard. We make decisions for our campers as if they were our own children. In some cases, they are.
“You two are truly incredible leaders and people and I am so thankful for you! There just are no words that are sufficient.”
Julie, a Robindel Mom
Meet Dr. Leber, Our Medical Director
Dr. Melissa Leber is a Robindel alum (Juniper ’97) and has been back as part of our medical staff since 2015. During the year, Melissa works in New York City at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in both the Department of Emergency Medicine and the Department of Orthopedics, as she’s double boarded in Emergency Medicine and Sports Medicine. Melissa has previously worked with the NY Jets, USA Rugby, and the Pittsburgh Pirates, and is currently the team doctor at the Horace Mann School and Director of Player Medical Services at the US Open (USTA). Melissa, the consummate athlete, played college softball at Brandeis University and then completed medical school at Albany Medical College. Melissa still loves to be active, playing tennis, softball, skiing, and cheering for her kids on the sidelines.
Melissa works closely with our nursing staff to ensure all of the needs of our campers and staff are met each summer. She is onsite regularly during the summer and available via telehealth all summer long, allowing for continuity of care for our camp community.
Melissa’s husband, Jared, is also a part of our Robindel family. Jared, who attended camp as a child, is a registered nurse with advanced degrees in public health and leadership. During the year, Jared is an educator at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai where he leads educational programming using immersive technology for medical students, residents, nurses, and faculty members. Jared was a college soccer player and loves kicking the ball around with campers and staff on the Robindel fields. He makes sure all of our supplies are current, our healthcare technology is functioning, and that the nursing staff is prepared for the summer.
We will care for the physical, emotional and social well-being of your daughter, and consider a partnership with you as her parents to be of utmost importance. Please contact us to discuss any concerns you may have prior to summer, or any time during the summer.
While we hope that your daughter spends all of her camp days in good health, we are always prepared.
- Our health center is staffed 24 hours a day with a camp doctor, team of registered nurses, and student nurses.
- A wide variety of specialists are available within one hour of camp.
- We are a short distance to local hospitals including access to Dartmouth’s Mary Hitchcock Hospital.
- We have two formal health calls per day, after breakfast and dinner. Of course, campers who are not feeling well are welcome at any time. Sometimes campers may just need a few minutes to sit on the porch and chat with a nurse, and we welcome them to do so.
- Campers receive routine medications at mealtimes and bedtime according to the documentation you provide on her health forms. We partner with Pack My Rx to package and label individual camper’s meds so that the right medication goes to the right child at the right time of day, every time.
- All camp bathrooms are sanitized daily by our in-house cleaning staff.
- We provide shower and beach towels, and wash them daily.
- Sheets and clothing are washed weekly by an outside laundry service.
Safety
The safety of our camp community begins long before campers board the bus for camp. We personally interview all staff, check a minimum of three references, and run background checks. Our staff are at least 18 years old or have completed one year of college. We do not have a CIT or junior counselor program. Counselors are young leaders with a demonstrated maturity and desire to be a part of our camp community.
Our leadership team are educators and long time camp leaders with a passion for caring for children, guiding them through the challenges of social situations, acting as role models, and helping them to develop age-appropriate leadership skills and meaningful friendships.
We host an extensive 10 day orientation for all staff, including an extra 3-6 days for staff in specialty areas and leadership positions. We view orientation as an extension of the interview process. When your daughter arrives at camp, she will be cared for by our well-trained team of counselors and administrators.
We have very specific training on the importance of direct supervision at all times for out of camp trips. This is discussed during staff orientation, reinforced at weekly staff meetings, and on the day of trips.
Cabins are equipped with smoke detectors and well-secured fire extinguishers. Fire and emergency plans are in place, and discussed with all staff during orientation.
Camp Robindel is a member of the New Hampshire Camp Directors Association and the American Camp Association. We are accredited by the American Camp Association, and are a part of the Founders in Camping branch, reserved for camps that have been in continual operation for over 50 years. We strive to be the best girls camp in every way!