Shady Oaks Staff

Each year young men and women from all over the world (15 countries) come to work at Shady Oaks Camp. The staff range in age from 18-30, many of whom have never had experience working with someone with a disability. Most of them come with drastically different cultural, educational, religious, and family backgrounds. Despite these differences, they do have one thing in common, and that is the need to want to help make a difference in the life of someone other than themselves. Shady Oaks is run by an Executive Director, Camp Director, Assistant Director, and a cast of support staff. Each support staff member has a specific position at camp and assists the Director in the supervision of the counselors. Counselors work directly with the campers in each dorm. Each counselor is responsible for one camper a day, which ensures that the campers will receive individualized attention. A training period is provided before the campers arrive to help prepare new staff for life at Shady Oaks. Because of this orientation, experience with working with someone with a disability is a plus, but not a requirement. More importantly an ideal S.O.C. staff member is someone who is caring, a good listener, and willing to learn. The ability to be oneself and a good sense of humor are also very important. Every summer many positions at camp are available. All staff at Shady Oaks are required to live on camp grounds for the entire camp session (10 weeks). Each staff member is given a salary, room and board, and 8 days off during the summer. Some require specific certifications, others do not.

Support Staff

Scott Steele- Executive Director
Scott will be returning to camp for his 30th summer. He started out as a counselor in 1992 and returned to camp every summer until he graduated with a Bachelors degree in education with a emphasis in Therapeutic Recreation from Southern Illinois University in 1997. In 1998 he worked at Lovelton Academy in Elgin, Illinois as the Therapeutic Recreation Supervisor. In 1999 Scott was hired as Executive Director of Shady Oaks Camp and currently holds this position. Scott was born and raised in Chicago, IL and currently lives in Michigan City, Indiana with his 2 children.

Gary Schaid-Assistant Director
Gary lives in Woodstock, IL. and will be returning to camp for his 30th summer. Gary brings a unique prospective to our staff. Because Gary himself has cerebral palsy, he is able to relate to campers and staff on a level most staff can not. Gary serves as a great liason between staff and campers. Gary started at camp “just looking for something to do for the summer” in 1991. “From the minute I arrived at Shady Oaks I knew what a special camp I was a becoming a part of and was doing what disabled people only dreamed of doing. The atmosphere created at SOC back in 1991 was the same as it is today.” “If you are a camper or staff member you will never forget your time at SOC. Shady Oaks has change so many lives around the world, campers and staff alike. Anyone looking to work at Shady Oaks for the summer is in for the best and most memorable summer of their life”

Alfonso Perez-Head Chef
Alfonso lives in in Uruapan Del Progreso, Michoacan De Ocampo, Mexico and makes his way to SOC every summer. He will be entering his 10th summer at camp as our chef.