staff FAQs
Learn more about Kippewa through Staff Frequently Asked Questions
- Camp Kippewa--The Basics
- Can you describe the role of a Kippewa counselor?
- What are the 2012 dates of camp?
- Where do staff members come from?
- Where will I be living?
- What do staff members wear?
- Will I get any time off and what can I do on my time off?
- How do I get to camp?
- When do I get paid?
- What is the daily schedule like?
- Is there internet access and phones at camp?
- What types of campers attend Kippewa?
- What if I get sick at camp?
- If I take medicine, where do I keep it safely?
- What are the meals like? And how’s the food?
- Should I bring blankets and sheets?
- What should I pack for the summer?
- What else should I know about being a counselor?
- It sounds great, but how hard do I really have to work?
Camp Kippewa—The Basics
Camp Kippewa is a traditional 4-week summer camp for girls. Kippewa is located in the beautiful Maine wilderness, on the shores of Lake Cobbosseecontee. Kippewa is an hour north of Portland, Maine and about three hours from Boston, Massachussetts.
Each session, we have approximately 175 girls who come to camp to create new friendships, develop new life skills, explore new activities, and most importantly, have fun! The camp program is designed for instruction in many activity areas, from waterskiing, sailing, and kayaking, to horseback riding, fine arts and crafts, and athletics.
Can you describe the role of a Kippewa counselor?
All Kippewa counselors take on a dual role during the summer, activity instructors, and bunk counselors. Counselors work under the supervision of our Head Counselor, and Division Heads, who oversees all aspects of bunk life in a particular age group, and the Activity Head, who oversees the activity area in which a counselor is teaching. Our Group Leaders and Activity Heads are teachers and coaches who have tremendous experience working with kids. They provide their staff with a great set of resources for teaching, coaching & dealing with problems.
What are the 2012 dates of camp?
Counselor Orientation will begin on June 16th, therefore all staff are required to arrive at camp on June 15th. This week-long course is required for all staff. The campers leave camp Monday, August 13th, and most counselors will leave the following day (Tuesday, August 14th). Note: Some counselors will be required to come to camp earlier for additional training. There are several positions available for our Post Camp and Family Camp season as well. You can find specific dates in the “Important Dates” section of our website.
Where do staff members come from?
We pride ourselves on having a very diverse camp community. Each summer we welcome staff from all over the United States and the around the world. In 2010 we had staff members from Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin (19 different states!) as well as Australia, Canada, England, Jamaica, Mexico, New Zealand, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, (9 different countries!) Each staff member has completed at least one year of college/university.
Where will I be living?
All of our counselors live with a group of children during the summer. A typical cabin set up at Kippewa has 8-11 girls (depending on age) living with 3 staff members. The cabins typically have bunk beds for the campers and staff. The cabins have bathrooms and showers. You will have your own space for clothes and personal items. Staff are living in the same room as a group of campers during the summer so privacy is at a minimum. During staff orientation, we evaluate you to place you in a cabin for a good-fit that ensures an enjoyable summer for you and your campers.
What do staff members wear?
Staff members work each day in neat attire that is appropriate to the activity in which you are working. The days can be warm and the evenings cool. Shorts and tee shirts are most often worn during the day but sweats may be needed some evenings (especially in mid-August). Counselors are required to wear 1 piece bathing suits, in black or dark blue. Staff are given 3 staff shirts that are worn on opening day, and closing day or when chaperoning campers on trips out of camp. Our camp laundry is available for staff to use free of charge at night once you are off duty.
Will I get any time off during the summer and what can I do on my time off?
Staff members will have 6 pre-scheduled days off during the course of the summer (which is approximately one per week). Additionally, staff members will have a period off each day. Counselors have two out of every three nights off. The third night is spent in the bunk with the campers. On nights off, counselors are free to leave camp after lights out.
Camp is close to many scenic Maine attractions, and many counselors spend their days off in groups at beaches and parks. While some staff members drive their own cars on time off, we provide transportation (free of charge) to pre-determined destinations for staff members who need rides. Destinations in the past have included Old Orchard Beach, The Old Port in Portland, Maine, Booth Bay Harbor, Freeport, Coos Canyon, and Boston!
Is there a curfew for staff members on time off?
Yes. Counselors leaving camp on time off are expected to return by 1:00 AM and sign in at the office. Staff members should use their time off to “recharge their batteries” because we expect our staff to perform their duties to the best of their abilities and a full nights sleep is recommended.
How do I get to camp?
Counselors arrive at camp by either their own cars, by plane or bus. Counselors traveling by plane usually arrive at the Portland, Maine airport, whereas counselors who travel by bus arrive at the Augusta, Maine terminal. We will arrange for you to be picked up at the airport or bus terminal upon your arrival.
When do I get paid?
Counselors receive a paycheck every two weeks. Travel reimbursement and bonuses are paid at the end of the season, in the counselors final paycheck.
What is the daily schedule like?
On a typical day at Camp Kippewa, wake up is at 7:30am followed by flag raising at 8:00am, and breakfast being served at 8:15am for the entire camp. After a cabin clean-up, activities begin at 9:15am. Lunch is served at 12:30pm and is followed by a rest hour that lasts until 2:00pm. The afternoon consists of three program periods. In the middle of the afternoon activities, the entire camp gathers for snack, or Cookie Call. At the close of the activity day, we have shower hour and mail call followed by flag lowering. Dinner is at 6:15 and then there is an evening activity every night. Lights out varies by age group, and ranges from 9:00pm to 10:30pm.
Is there internet access and phones at camp?
Yes. There are computers with internet access available in the staff lounge. We also have phones in the staff lounge that are free of charge anywhere in the US or Canada. If staff members need to use cell phones, they must use them in the staff lounge. Cell phones are prohibited in the bunks. We also sell phone cards in the office for those who need to purchase them to make international phone calls.
What types of campers attend Kippewa?
Our campers come from all over the country, and the world! When we speak about our camp population we tend to break it down into thirds. One third coming from the New York Metropolitan Area (NY/NJ/CT), one third from New England (MA/ME/NH), and the final third from all over; including Florida, Colorado, California, Maryland, Ohio, Illinois, Mexico, France, Spain, Venezuela and Canada! Campers come from typically middle to upper income families who are looking for a safe, down to earth place for their daughter(s) to grow and learn, both as individuals and with program skill development, during the summer. Kippewa provides them with a warm, nurturing environment that has a truly professional instructional program.
What if I get sick at camp?
Our two Camp Nurses (RNs) staff the camp Health Center (The Pillbox). The Pillbox offers a comprehensive health care service to all staff. Our can administer all common over-the-counter medications and there is no charge for this service. If any staff member needs to see the doctor, an appointment can be scheduled. All staff members must carry comprehensive health insurance. Kippewa is less than 20 minutes away from 2 major hospitals.
If I take medicine, where do I keep it safely?
All medications, including over the counter medications, must be kept at the camp Health Center (The Pillbox). Medications will be available to the staff to take when prescribed. No medications may be kept in the cabin where children live for their safety.
What are the meals like? And how’s the food?
Meals are a time for coming together, conversation, songs, dancing and fun! Girls sit with their bunkmates and their cabin counselors and meals are served family style. We make it a priority to ensure we serve quality and healthy food for everyone. As a result, everyone agrees, the food is actually really great (despite those nasty stereotypes about camp food)! Most campers and staff leave camp raving about the food at Kippy. Of course, we offer plentiful alternatives to meet dietary or vegetarian/vegan needs. We offer a salad bar at lunch and dinner, and a breakfast bar at breakfast. Kippewa is a nut-free environment.
Should I bring blankets and sheets?
Domestic staff members are expected to bring their own linens. International staff traveling to camp from outside North America are provided with sheets, blankets, a pillow, and towels.
What should I pack for the summer?
A packing list and other additional information about what to bring to camp will be available once you secure a position at Camp Kippewa.
What else should I know about being a counselor?
Staff members must come to Kippewa with a true love of children, a great patience level and a solid work ethic. Working with kids is one of the greatest experiences in the world that comes with tremendous rewards. However, working with kids can also bring stress and frustration at times. Staff members must understand that kids don’t always say what they mean and often ask “why” instead of saying “yes.” As a summer surrogate parent, kids often show their frustrations with you, the staff member, the same way they would their own mom and dad. Working at Kippewa gives staff members a sense of great satisfaction from helping kids grow that comes only with a lot of hard work.
It sounds great, but how hard do I really have to work?
Anyone that has ever been a camp counselor would agree, it is the hardest job you’ll ever love! The safety (physical, social, and emotional) of our campers is our number one priority. Kippewa counselors must show dedication and commitment to their campers 24 hours a day. However, being a counselor is an incredibly rewarding experience. The bonds and friendships you form with campers and fellow staff members simply cannot be described to those that have not experienced it.
If spending the summer in Maine still sounds interesting to you, please submit an online application by clicking "Apply Now". We will contact you if your skills meet our programming needs, and look forward to you becoming part of the Kippewa Family.
