here
are several ways in which you cam become an active member of Camp Agawam.
Follow any of the links below to learn more:
Become a Camper
Become a Staff
Member
Staff FAQ
Become a Volunteer
Become a Donor
Annual Appeal Letter
BECOME A CAMPER
Join us at Camp Agawam for fun,
challenge and
growth in a rustic woodland
setting. Boys ages 8 to 15 are welcome to join us for a summer of fun at Camp
Agawam. We are primarily a 7 week camp, but we do offer
a few new campers the
opportunity to try camp out by participating in a very limited 3 1/2 week session. We
are proud that well over 75% of our campers return each summer and that many are
sons or grandsons of alumni. Click here for enrollment to request enrollment information.
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2008 Session Availability and Tuition
Pricing & Availability subject to
change without notice. |
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SESSION |
DATE |
PRICE |
| 7 week session |
June 25 to August 12 |
$6975 |
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BECOME A STAFF MEMBER
Join us at Camp Agawam and help us "Give Kids A World Of Good!"
Challenge, excitement,
friendships, and
experiences that will
help you build your resume await summer
camp staff members.
We are looking for young men and women who are enthusiastic,
energetic and have a desire to shape the lives of tomorrow's leaders.
Staff serve
as Cabin Counselors and
Activity Instructors. See
the FAQ section to get many of
your questions answered. Click here to request a staff information &
application packet.
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2008 Staff
Calendar |
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|
DATE |
SESSION |
| June 8 |
Training & Orientation Begins |
| June 14 |
Main Idea Campers Arrive |
| June 20 |
Main Idea Campers Depart |
| June 21 |
Staff Orientation, part II |
| June 25 |
Seven-Week Campers arrive |
| August 12 |
Seven-Week Campers depart |
| August 13 |
Staff Depart |
| |
|
STAFF FAQ:
The most frequently asked questions about being on
the staff at Agawam -
What are the
basics of a counselor's job at Camp Agawam?
Most staff members have two main responsibilities:
As a cabin counselor,
you are a role model, working with a group of 4 to 8 boys, to produce a cohesive
cabin group. You will work in a cabin, possibly with a co-counselor, and you
will be
responsible for getting to know your campers, overseeing their health & safety,
maintaining cabin neatness, solving camper problems, ensuring group unity,
assigning and evaluating weekly personal character goals, supervising junior staff, and
communicating with parents and the camp administration. Cabin counseling is one of
the most rewarding, but potentially challenging, parts of your job. You are also
expected to share in a weekly campus duty rotation.
As an activity counselor,
you are expected to be able to plan and to teach at least one camp activity.
Although you may not be the activity head, there may be periods when you are
expected to lead an activity. All staff members are responsible for recordkeeping, the maintenance of facilities and equipment, and doing activity skits
and presentations. There are 4 activity periods most days, and staff are often
asked to teach the same activity all 4 periods. Non-activity related "camper counseling" is
part of your responsibility all day long.
When will I be expected at Camp?
Staff members are typically expected to be at camp during the second week of
June for the start of 8 days of staff orientation and training, which will allow
everyone time t
o grow as a team, learn about Agawam's traditions and
expectations, discuss child and group development principles, practice
counseling skills, learn emergency procedures, and prepare camp physically for
the arrival of our campers. Staff members remain at Camp for one day after the campers
leave to help break down Camp and put everything away for the winter.
What are
the other staff members like?
For the most part, our staff members are college students, recent graduates, or
teachers. Most are aged 18 to 30. Each summer, we hire about 65 staff. Forty of
these are cabin and activity counselors. Usually more than 60% are former
campers or staff members. About 10% are international staff.
What are the
campers like?
We enroll 134 boys ranging in age from 8 to 15. They come from more than 20
states and around a half dozen countries. We are very proud that over 75% of our
campers return each summer, and that many are second and third generation
campers!
What will I be paid?
If you are looking to make a fortune, camping may not be for you! However,
Agawam's pay is competitive
with other summer camps. Salaries increase based on
age, experience, and additional responsibilities. In addition to your pay, you
receive room, board, and free laundry service during your stay. We have a generous training reimbursement,
and you may earn additional money by working
on our pre- or post-camp crews.
What about free time?
Camp counseling can be tiring. You are "on duty" almost 24 hours a day. Most
days you will have about 1 1/4 hours free during "rest hour" after
lunch. Full counselors
have 2 nights off a week from 15 minutes after Taps until 1am and 1 day off a
week from 7:30am until 1am. Days off are not available during the first and last
weeks of camp, and not usually on Sundays. Early nights off are available twice
a summer from 5pm to 1am.
What is available for recreation?
We are located in the center of southern Maine, 15
minutes from Sebago Lake boat rentals, lakeside beaches, and Windham's multiplex
cinemas, an hour from
great hiking in the White Mountains, 45 minutes from Atlantic Ocean beaches, 30
minutes from Portland, Maine's largest city, with many restaurants and
entertainments, and 40 minutes from Freeport and LL Bean's flagship store! Many
staff members have cars and are willing to share rides on time off. If you stay
in camp, you may use Agawam's facilities (not being used by campers), following
our usual safety rules.
Why is there a 1am curfew?
Caring for someone else's children is a big responsibility. We require our staff
to be ready to accept the challenges that each day can present, and feel that
staff members who are "up all night" will be too tired to safely and
effectively care for our campers. We require staff members to be back in Camp by
Camp's 1am sign-in and in bed by 1:30am, allowing for at least 6 hours of sleep a night.
Are
there other policies restricting my social activities?
Camp is a child's world, so your
adult conversations and activities need to be curtailed. You would be surprised
by how much campers pick up that we wouldn't think they could. Children are very
observant! Smoking, chewing tobacco, consumption of alcohol, and the use of
drugs are prohibited on Camp Agawam property or while engaged in camp work out
of Camp. While you are on free time away from Camp, we expect you to use good
judgment. Any staff member who returns to Camp (you are considered "on duty" any
time after the 1am curfew) under the influence of alcohol is disregarding the
safety of our campers, and may be dismissed. Anyone suspected of using illegal
drugs while employed at Agawam may also face
dismissal.
What certifications or experience do I need?
Good staff candidates should express enthusiasm for working with children and
have past experience leading
youngsters or peers. We expect that most staff
members will be certified in CPR and First Aid before coming to camp, and those applying
for waterfront positions should be certified lifeguards. Training may
be offered during our pre-camp period. Agawam will reimburse Red Cross class
costs for our staff members who receive training prior to camp. Trip/Nature
staff should be trained in Wilderness First Aid.
How can I keep in touch with family and
friends?
Mail is delivered 6 days a week to your mailbox in our Counselor Room. There are
also two pay phones available to staff members. Personal phone calls can only be
made or received during free time, such as Rest Hour or after Taps. Cell phone
reception is spotty. Verizon's service works best. Cell phones may not be used
during the camp day, only after Taps, and may not be stored in camper cabins.
Email and Internet access are available at Camp.
Is there a staff uniform?
Yes, Agawam is a uniform camp. Both campers and staffers wear simple uniforms.
You will be provided with staff t-shirts, polo shirt, and a chamois shirt. In
addition you may purchase a staff sweatshirt or Camp fleece jacket. Shorts and
other items are from your personal wardrobe. You must bring 2 pairs of tan/khaki
shorts for "formal" camp occasions. We also have expectations concerning
personal appearance: Male staff members may not have overly long hair/pony
tails, facial hair, or wear jewelry in any piercing; Female staff may wear
limited jewelry and have 1 earring per ear (no jewelry in any other piercing),
and must wear one-piece bathing suits while on the waterfront or on camp trips.
What is a typical daily schedule?
Click here for a more detailed
daily
schedule.
- 7:30
Reveille & Morning Dip
- 8:00 Flag Raising followed by Breakfast
& Cabin Clean-up
- 9:30 & 10:20 Morning Activity Periods
- 11:30 General Swim
- 12:10 Relaxation
- 12:30 Lunch
- 1:15 Rest Hour (counselor free time)
- 2:30 & 3:30 Afternoon Activity Periods
- 4:30 General Swim
- 5:45 Dinner
- 7:00 Evening Activity Period
- 8:30 Bed Bell
- 9:00 Taps (older boys have late privileges)
BECOME A VOLUNTEER
Volunteers are always welcome! Alumni are stewards of Camp Agawam
and can be involved in so many ways:
- Join the Agawam Council Association and become a
Committee or Board Member
- Volunteer for the Main Idea at Camp Agawam
- Be a Phonathon Volunteer
- Volunteer for our Annual Alumni Work Day
- Host an Alumni Reunion in your town
- Refer Campers and Staff members
Click Here to request more information on
Volunteer Opportunities
BECOME A DONOR
There are several ways to give back
at Agawam
Your support is key to the ongoing success of Camp Agawam! Each year
over 500 alumni, parents and friends make a donation to Agawam which
allows us to share an Agawam Experience with deserving boys. Most
donations come through our Annual Appeal. Read our most recent
Annual
Appeal Letter below.
To make a donation make your check payable to:
Agawam Council Annual Appeal
Agawam Council Annual Appeal
30 Fieldstone Lane
Hanover, MA 02339
(Agawam Council's Tax ID is
22-2577250)
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Choose a Gift Category |
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|
|
Governor
($2500+) |
Sachem
($1000-$2499) |
Tally Keeper
($500-$999) |
|
Tribal Chief
($250-$499) |
Firekeeper
($100-$249) |
Brave
($50-$99) |
|
Anniversary Club
($87 recognizing Agawam’s 87
summers!)
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Click here for more information about
Donating to Agawam Council.
MOST RECENT ANNUAL APPEAL LETTER
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December 2007
Dear Friends of Agawam: As camp
closes in on its 90th year, I reach out to you on behalf of Agawam
Council, the Board of Directors, our committee members, camp leadership
and staff to respectfully ask for your generous participation in the
2008 Agawam Annual Appeal. When the “Governor”,
Appleton A. Mason, founded Camp Agawam in 1919, he believed that a Teddy
Roosevelt-like focus on the outdoors and recreation would positively
influence the development of young men. While the numerous and varied
daily activities at Camp are among the important experiences of the
summer, equally so is the Governor’s lasting influence on creating a
camp experience attendant to helping boys mature by discovering and
nurturing their own positive qualities. Today, Agawam is
recognized for its unwavering focus on character development,
sportsmanship and teambuilding. Our emphasis on peer-to-peer support,
reinforcement of positive values through counselor and camper role
models, personal growth through Katiaki and other goals, and an
emotionally safe environment that is conducive to forming lifelong
friendships and wonderful memories is a foundation for the leaders of
tomorrow. Consider the thoughts expressed recently by the parent of a
new camper in 2007: “I never doubted that a camp
with lots of activities, sports, and experiences would be good for my
son, but I love your camp for the values you teach. I am trying to get
him to focus on role models so that he becomes a humble, respectful, and
modest boy that is dually confidant, passionate, and energetic. He has
the confidence, energy, and passion down. But I want to round him out
and develop inner qualities in him and I am positive that Agawam can do
this. I want him to come back to Agawam every year. I want him to keep
working on values, have fun, develop deep friendships with other boys
his age in an outdoor living environment, and become a great person for
life’s bigger decisions that will lie ahead in High School, College, and
life afterwards.” - A First Year
Parent The friends of Camp Agawam –
alumni, parents, current and former staff, participants in the Main Idea
and supporters who believe in Agawam – have given annually to ensure the
Camp Agawam experience that impressed this parent is available to boys
of all socioeconomic backgrounds. Your
contributions to the Agawam Annual Appeal go to financially support the
Main Idea – a fully paid, week-long Agawam camp experience for over 100
boys from Maine, whose sponsors recommend them as deserving and
promising young people whose families do not otherwise have the means to
provide such an opportunity. A majority of these wonderful campers
return annually and often go on to volunteer as counselors.
While the counselors and staff are unpaid volunteers, donations made to
the Agawam Annual Appeal, are essential to covering the expenses
associated with the Main Idea.
The other main purpose of the Agawam
Annual Appeal is to help support our financial aid program. While our
tuition is competitive with our peer group of camps, top quality camping
programs such as Agawam’s are expensive to operate. We therefore rely on
the generosity of Agawam’s friends and supporters to help fund our
growing commitment to providing financial aid to boys who contribute
richly to our community at Camp, but
whose families require tuition assistance. This year, some 20% of our
campers in the 7-week Camp Agawam program will benefit from a meaningful
financial aid grant, thanks to your support.
On behalf of the hundreds of boys who directly benefit from the Agawam
Annual Appeal, I thank you in advance for your generosity.
In Agawam Spirit,
“Bos’n” Frank Anthony
President, Agawam Council |
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