Some Frequently Asked Questions
What are the qualifications of the counselors? Do you perform background/criminal checks?
All of the staff are screened very carefully. After I receive their applications, I interview each of them personally. Then I call and get three references for each person. Finally, each of them is interviewed a second time by our executive director of Camp Fire. And finally, their contracts are all contingent on background checks.
18 of our 22 counselors are over 18 years old, and the other 4 are “junior counselors”, which means that they are either 16 or 17. We have a week-long staff training, during which time we go over all of the policies & procedures, safety stuff, etc.
Who is in charge at camp?
As far as the leadership - I am the camp director, and this is my 3rd year as director. I’ve been involved with Tannadoonah as a camper / counselor / board member / director since 1985. I have a doctorate in developmental psychology, with a specialty in middle childhood and early adolescence (basically ages 6-15). My assistant director, Sue Canarecci Felix, has also been involved with camp for years as a camper / counselor, and in fact was one of my counselors when I was a kid. She is a 3rd grade teacher for the Elkhart Community Schools. We also have a nurse on site for every week, and all of the staff are trained in first aid and CPR.
What is the daily schedule like? What activities do they do?
We have four activity periods per day, and the kids get to choose their activities each day. They can sign up for swimming lessons, boating (canoeing, kayaking, sailing, & rowing), photography, tennis lessons, jewelery making, a mini-triathlon, dance, and a team-building activity. During free periods they can choose from nature, sports & games, drama, crafts, and archery.
What about the younger campers?
All of the campers who are going into 3rd grade and younger are part of a group we call “Bluebirds.” Basically the Bluebirds have a counselor with them all day, and they help them get to activities and make sure that they know where to go at what time.
What does Mini Week mean?
It’s really a “sampler” week - we basically do all the same things that the kids get in a full week, but condensed into just 3 days. So on Sunday night we do check - in, swim test, and an all camp-evening activity. Monday & Tuesday we have our regular day-time schedule. Monday night we cook out and have “cabin night” - each cabin plans an activity with just their kids. And then Tuesday night we have our “closing Council Fire” and give out awards and such.
How many to a cabin? Is there a cabin leader/counselor with them? Same sex?
There are 3 (or more) counselors in every cabin, and at least two of them must be over age 18. The cabins range from 8 campers to 22 campers, depending on the size of the building. They are all definitely same-sex cabins - we have 3 boys’ cabins and 5 girls’ cabins, and they are in separate areas of camp.
