1. Where is Camp Ta-Kum-Ta?
Camp Ta-Kum-Ta (TKT) is located in South Hero, VT, near the shores of Lake Champlain.
2. How old must I be to volunteer for TKT?
All volunteers must be at least 21 years old.
3. What is my time commitment as a volunteer?
All volunteers must attend a Staff Development weekend (SDW) in early June (Friday evening through Sunday afternoon) and Camp week in mid-August. The week in August is a 7 day/24 hour commitment running from Saturday to Saturday.
4. Are there any paid counselor positions at TKT?
No.
5. How do I volunteer?
Volunteers complete a staff application that can be downloaded from this site or obtained from the Personnel Director or the Camp office.
6. How many staff does TKT employ?
Camp TKT utilizes 80-100 staff each year for 50-70 campers.
7. What positions are available for Camp?
There are generally a variety of positions available for programming, administrative, and support services. (Cabin counselors must have at least one year of Camp experience before being eligible to be in a cabin. (Potential open positions are detailed on the application.)
8. If I am not a cabin counselor, do I still get to interact with the kids?
ABSOLUTELY! Regardless of your assigned position, you are encouraged and expected to interact with the campers as much as possible both within and beyond your assignment.
9. When are applications available?
Applications are generally available early to mid-January.
10. What characteristics do you look for in applicants?
The most eligible applicants have specifically needed skills and expertise (waterfront, ropes course, culinary), talents (leadership, music), and/or experience working with special populations. More importantly, however, is an applicant’s flexibility, ability to work closely and harmoniously with others, a big heart, and a huge capacity to have fun!
11. I am a professional. Would TKT experience look good on my resume?
Probably, but if wanting something good for your resume or an experience to enhance you professionally is an important reason for you applying to TKT, please don’t bother...
12. Does TKT arrange for my transportation to Camp?
Sorry; all staff are responsible for their own travel arrangement both to and from Camp.
13. If my application is accepted, will I ever have to apply again?
YES. All TKT staff are contracted for one year and TKT staff must apply on a year-to-year basis. If accepted, there is no guarantee of employment beyond the current season.
14. What else do I need to do besides fill out an application?
If your application is chosen for consideration, the Personnel Director will contact you for an interview. If - after a successful interview - both of you feel TKT is a good fit for you, you will be hired conditionally until a background check has been processed.
15. What’s a background check?
All staff of TKT must demonstrate on a regular they have no criminal record which would make them undesirable in a children’s camp environment. All states have agencies which provide criminal background information.
16. How does a background check happen?
The Personnel Director will facilitate the processing of applicants’ background check forms with appropriate state and/or federal agencies.
17. Anything else?
If you are provisionally hired, the Personnel Director will have you complete a medical form, a publicity (PR) notice, and a clothing form. (All staff receive free Camp clothing.)
18. When I return these, will I then be hired??
Not quite... No new staff are formally hired until the closing of SDW. SDW gives the TKT Board the opportunity to see you in action and how you function with the rest of the Camp family.
19. THEN will I be hired??
Yup!
20. How many new staff are hired each year?
Depending on staff turnover, it can be as many as 20 or as few as one or two.
21. Can I bring my smokes to Camp?
This is a camp for kids with cancer; don’t even go there...
TKT operates in a totally substance-free environment.
22. Can I bring my pet with me to Camp?
Sorry....
More questions? Contact Jim Noyes, Personnel Director:
jimnoyes@comcast.net
802-888-5095
1621 Brook Road, Hyde Park, VT 05655