LARC seeks manager for Tall Timbers camp

TORRINGTON — Plans are being finalized for the 2020 Camp MOE season as well as initiatives to optimize the property and all it has to offer throughout the year, according to a statement from LARC, or The Arc of Litchfield County, an organization dedicated to working with people with disabilities.

The plans include recruitment of a Tall Timbers Manager who will manage Camp MOE, and oversee rentals of the Tall Timbers property and its facilities.

Tall Timbers was purchased by LARC from the Girl Scouts of CT in 2016. The 165acre property includes trails, a swimming pond, a newlyrefurbished lodge, a climbing wall, zip line, bocce center, and other activity areas.

According to LARC officials, a considerable amount of work has been done updating the property and its buildings, thanks to contributions made by donors in support of “From the Ground Up: A Campaign for Camp MOE”, which kicked off in 2016 to raise money to improve the facilities for Camp MOE, LARC’s traditional day camp for children with and without disabilities, as well as future LARC programs.

“The property holds great promise for LARC’s future,” said Michael Menard, executive director of LARC, in a statement. “Not only is it the ideal home of Camp MOE, but the facilities allow for programming all year round. We are pursuing a variety of options including offering extended camp programs during school breaks and weekends.”

Building on the strong reputation of the camp, the Tall Timbers manager will develop programming for camp, oversee camp counselors, pursue collaborations with schools, as well as inform the community about rental opportunities. Ideal candidates for this fulltime position will have some experience with special needs populations, program development, outreach, and working with the public.

The search for the Tall Timbers Manager is being conducted by a committee comprised of staff and board members. Matt Carbone, a newlyelected member of LARC's board of directors, worked at Camp MOE for several years, is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, works in special education, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in Behavior Analysis. Sarah Prout, LARC’s director of finance has been with the organization for eight years and has firsthand knowledge of camp finances as well as indepth experience with the property.

Mary Ellen Kunz has directed LARC’s development and marketing for the last 1 ½ years, has extensive marketing experience, over 15 years’ experience with event planning, and has devoted the last year exploring options for optimizing the property and its newlyrefurbished facilities.

“This is an exciting time for LARC,” Menard added. “The organization has adapted over the years and taken advantage of opportunities that enable us to better serve our community. We are poised to take full advantage of the potential of Tall Timbers.”

Former camp staff are encouraged to contact LARC by visiting the website, www.litchfieldarc.org if they are interested in learning more about the Tall Timbers Manager position.

Camp MOE / Contributed photo Children and counselors enjoyed another busy summer day camp season at Camp MOE in Torrington, a camp that welcomes children with and without disabilities. It is named after Emil “Moe” Renzullo, who was a camper and who died of leukemia in 2010.