We are very lucky to have Camp Cobbossee, our brother camp, located less than 1/2 mile away from us on the same lake. We get together for one shared all-camp special event (like Carnival!), and schedule a social or community-service based event for the oldest campers.

For girls with a brother or cousin at Camp Cobbossee, they will see him at least once a week, either at one of our shared special events or at a special brother/sister lunch.  We also coordinate all of the travel to and from camp with the same timing and locations to make the logistics of getting to camp as easy as possible.

Campers are required to write letters home two to three times a week during the summer. Parents can send one-way emails that we print out and deliver with the rest of the mail, however campers are not able to send emails back. They will be so busy having fun at camp there won’t be any time for the computer anyways! For campers attending Kippewa (3 1/2 weeks), parents are allowed to schedule one phone call per session after the girls have been at camp for at least a week.

We also post daily photos and newsletters during the summer so parents can keep up with all the fun their daughter is experiencing.

We do not allow packages – please make sure friends and family members are aware of this policy. Any package received without previous permission from a director will be held until the end of the session and either returned to parents or donated.  Please do not send food or gum as these items are not allowed in the cabins and will be confiscated.

We want everyone to make the most out of their camping experience by spending time engaged in activities and talking face to face with friends and counselors. Therefore, cell phones and electronic games (Gameboys, PSPs, etc) are not permitted at camp. Basic MP3 players (such as iPod Shuffles) are allowed in the cabins. Camp Kippewa is not responsible for any lost, damaged, or stolen MP3 players.  Our basic policy is to only allow basic music players, or in other words those that are “screen free”.  To assist with this we provide each bunk with an iPod and speaker, counselors are then able to add the campers song requests using camp music accounts.

We also do not allow hair dryers or flat irons. We want the focus to be on making friends, having fun, and just being yourself without worrying about what your hair looks like! Girls are so busy having fun they don’t miss them, and actually tell us they enjoy the freedom.

No, we do not require uniforms at camp. We do ask everyone to bring a couple of uniform items for some special events and trips out of camp but not to wear on a daily basis. We just ask that girls wear non-designer, “camp-friendly” clothing. Most girls wear cotton shorts and a t-shirt or tanktop. Girls also need to bring appropriate footwear for whatever activity they are participating in – soccer cleats for soccer, tennis shoes when on the courts, etc. Campers are also required to wear their hair tied back for sanitary and safety reasons during activities.

All of our counselor staff are required to have completed at least one year of college, with the average counselor having completed two or more years. Staff members are recruited from the finest universities in the U.S. and abroad. We recruit students who have good experience and who have a desire to work with children for their career – many are in school to become teachers, social workers, or in other child-related professions. Each potential staff member takes part in an in-depth interview either in-person or over video call. All staff members submit 3 professional references and must pass a background check before being hired.

In addition to our counselor staff, a specialist who is very knowledgeable about their area heads each program area. Our Activity Heads are teachers, coaches, parents and long-time campers. They help set the tone for the level of instruction, enthusiasm and caring that we are committed to providing. A camper-to-counselor ratio of better than 3:1 is maintained to ensure proper supervision at all times.

Yes! Kippewa has not historically had a CIT (Counselor-In-Training) or Junior Counselor program, but we are excited to make these programs part of our future. Our oldest campers are 15 years old, going into 10th grade. The following summer, entering 11th grade, they have the option to return to us as a counselor-in-training. CITs spend time at camp seeing camp from the counselor perspective, and learning the various leadership skills that go into becoming an effective counselor. As a rising 12th grader, at the age of 17, former campers who have completed our CIT program can then apply to become a junior counselor, living in a bunk and helping with teaching activities at camp. This is a selective program with limited spaces so Junior Counselors must go through an application process similar to everyone else on our staff.

Camp Kippewa Point is our two week camp for girls ages 6 – 14.  Camp Kippewa Point and Camp Kippewa run separately from each other, so whether you are attending camp for 2 weeks or for 3 1/2 weeks you are together with other campers staying for the same amount of time. Kippewa and Kippewa Point are sister camps, located right next door to each other in our beautiful natural setting on Lake Cobbosseecontee. We are able to coordinate opportunities to say hi to a sibling or friend but the campers are in separate activities and cabins. Both camps offer the same warm and accepting environment, a wide variety of activities, and complete camp experience!