Staff Bulletin

While we are asking as many of our staff to be vaccinated in time for camp (and if you need help getting shots – let us know – we’re happy to help!), we will also be requiring a pre-arrival test and screening regimen.

10 Days Prior to Arrival

• Please limit your contact with non-family/household members.  Wear a mask and stay distanced.  Please help us with a smooth transition to camp by doing your part to stay healthy prior to your arrival.
• Please schedule a Nasal PCR test at your nearest testing location – Urgent Care, Doctors Office, Pharmacy, State-run site. If you run into any trouble, please reach out and we’ll help you get that testing appointment booked.  You MUST produce a negative PCR test in order to arrive at camp.

3 Days Prior to Arrival

• Get your COVID PCR test performed and upload your confirmed test result to your campmkn.com/myMKN dashboard as soon as you have it.

Arrival Day at Camp

Camp will conduct both rapid and PCR testing on staff arrival at camp.

Staff orientation runs from June 15 – June 26.  It is essential for both staff and campers success that all staff attend.  At orientation you’ll learn all about what makes Mah-Kee-Nac special and what it will take from you to continue to make camp special for our campers. From our history and philosophy, to how a day runs, and everything in between. We will answer all the questions you have about camp as well as a few we bet you haven’t even thought of yet. Our goal is for you to feel fully prepared for the campers to arrive. Orientation is not all work though…we spend much of our time playing and getting to know one an other better.  After all, we are all on the same team.

Below you will find a list of forms that are required by camp or in some cases, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.  Many of the forms, can be filled-in electronically, and digitally signed. Find below a list of the forms and who should fill them out.  All forms are available at www.campmkn.com/myMKN.

(If you’re new or can’t remember your password – Click the RETRIEVE/SET PASSWORD link in the lower right of the log in box…)

Required Forms By ALL STAFF

• Substance Abuse Policy (ALL)
• Voluntary Disclosure Form (ALL)
• Massachusetts CORI Request Form (ALL)
• Emergency Contact Form (ALL)
• Health History Form (ALL)
• Staff Medical From (ALL – see special notes below)
• W4 Form (ALL) – If this is your first summer and you are international, don’t worry about the SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER, we’ll take care of that at camp.

Special Notes:

**Staff Medical Form

(This form is in addition to the Health History Form)
We are required to have on file, for each staff member a Medical Exam Form, signed by a Physician.  THIS FORM IS REQUIRED FOR ALL STAFF. You can download the form here.

*Background Checks

In addition to the CORI/SORI checks required by Massachusetts, we are also required to have on file a confirmation of a background check.

• If you are AMERICAN – around June 1st you’ll receive an email with a link to our background check provider
• If you are CANADIAN – please head to your local police force and have a Criminal Record Search completed and bring it to camp. (We will reimburse you for the cost with the receipt)
• If you are from the UNITED KINGDOM – please head to https://www.mygov.scot/basic-disclosure/ and complete the application for a disclosure
• All other International Staff – please visit your local police department, or have your placement agency provide us with a copy.

Here’s a guide for what our staff members should bring to camp – Camp will also provide additional apparel throughout the summer 🙂

• Reusable/Washable Cotton Masks (8-10) – Gaiters are not permitted in MA 
• Toiletries including HAND SANITIZER
• T-Shirts (10-12)
• Shorts (8-10)
• Light Jacket
• Raincoat
• Jeans/Pants
• Pajamas
• Underwear (15)
• Swimsuits
• Socks (18-20)
• Casual Shirts (2)
• Sweatshirts (Jumpers)
• Sneakers/Cleats/Boots
• Flashlight
• Hat
• Water bottle
• *Blankets (2)
• *Pillow
• * Twin-sized sheets (2 sets) – Adults with private housing should bring queen-sized sheets and bedding.
• *Towels
• *International Staff – We will provide you with bedding, pillows, and towels, however you may bring your own if you’d like
• Staff are not allowed to keep cell phones in camper cabins so we recommend you bring a screen-free music only listening device for use in your cabin, we recommend something like this one.  A fitbit watch also allows you to download music and stream through bluetooth.

Specialty Items

Staff must bring their own sports equipment including items specific to your program.  For example, baseball staff must bring their own gloves and golfers their own golf clubs.  Staff must use their own equipment, you will not be allowed to borrow a campers equipment. If you aren’t sure – please feel free to ask 🙂

If you would rather SHIP your bags to camp…Please use UPS or FEDEx/DHL to get a tracking number for your items, you can ship to camp anytime after May 10th;

Camp Mah-Kee-Nac
c/o YOUR NAME
6 Hawthorne Road
Lenox, MA  01240
UNITED STATES

Below you’ll find all the information you need in order to book your to/from travel. If at any time you have a question, please Email Kevin, or call 800-753-9118 (US & Canada), +1 413 274 4092 (International).
Once you’ve read this, please make your travel plans and then fill out our online travel form.

US/CANADA Staff
By Air
If you are flying within North America, you should plan to arrive at Albany, NY (ALB) or Hartford/Bradley, CT (BDL) airports. Both airports are within 1 hour of camp. We will pick up at these airports at 12pm and 4pm on June 15th. (Please note it may be necessary for you to wait at the airport for the next pick up time)
By Train
If you are planning on taking the train (Amtrak), you should plan to arrive in Albany, NY, or Pittsfield, MA. If arriving at Albany, pick-ups will be made in conjunction with the above noted Albany airport times. If Pittsfield, we will pick up upon arrival.
By Bus
If you are planning on arriving by bus, you should plan to arrive in Lenox, MA or Pittsfield, MA. We will pick you up upon arrival.

INTERNATIONAL Staff
New CampAmerica Staff
New staff coming through CampAmerica. CampAmerica will provide you with the travel instructions applicable to you based on your arrival date.
Traveling by Air to JFK/NEWARK
Upon arriving in the US and clearing customs, please find the shuttle to Port Authority Bus Terminal. Once at Port Authority, you will travel by Peter Pan Bus to LENOX, MASSACHUSETTS. Once you have your tickets and know your arrival time in Lenox, contact the office at 800-753-9118; email kevin@campmkn.com; text/whatsapp +1 413 446 9892 OR fb messenger – facebook.com/kaylil and someone will pick you up upon arrival.
Traveling by Air to BOSTON
Upon arriving in the US and clearing customs, please find the Ground Transportation desk and ask for the Peter Pan Bus to LENOX, MASSACHUSETTS. Once you have your tickets and know your arrival time in Lenox, contact the office at 800-753-9118; email kevin@campmkn.com; text/whatsapp +1 413 446 9892 OR fb messenger – facebook.com/kaylil and someone will pick you up upon arrival.

Before coming to camp, please do some thinking about your program area. Consider what you want to teach the campers and make a rough outline of what you think your program should encompass. Bring along any teaching aides you may have such as instruction books or drill guides. The Directors and Program Heads will spend time helping you form the structure of your program and the style of your teaching.

We spend a lot of time during Orientation working on program preparation and organization. It is critical that each program has a set of goals and plans, including specific drills, games, etc. to be used during the first week of camp.

During the daytime, cell phones may only be used in the camp office or counselor lounge during periods off.  In the evening time, after 10:00 pm, cell phones may be used around camp, but not in or near the cabins.  Cell phones should NEVER be used in a bunk or unauthorized camp building.  The same applies for any and all portable computer devices (laptop, ipad, etc.).  Staff members are never allowed to give their phone to a camper to use or to contact a camper’s parents/guardians.

*** Some staff are asked to carry a device for camp business only.  Personal calls, texts, or use should not occur during staff camp hours.

If you are living in a cabin with children and your music is important to you, please consider bringing a music-only screen-free listening device.  You will not be able to use your cell phone for music in the cabin.

If you have any certifications in the area that you are hired to work (WSI, Lifeguard, First Aid, etc.) please send us a photocopy or bring the original to camp and we’ll copy it for your file.

We ask that all of our staff come to camp with their own health insurance coverage.  Domestic staff, we can help you obtain temporary health insurance if you do not have insurance.  If you are international, your insurance will be covered by the insurance agency of your visa provider and includes your 30 day travel waiver after camp.
If you have a pre-existing condition that is aggravated at camp, you will be expected to have your own insurance to cover any costs for treatment. Injuries sustained while not participating in camp activities, such as on evenings or days off, are not covered by workers compensation.  Staff are responsible for the cost of any medications that may be prescribed while at camp.

While most days during the summer are warm, it can be quite chilly during the early morning and evening, especially towards the end of summer. Please be sure to bring a couple of warm things. Rain gear (even though it never rains at Mah-Kee-Nac) is also essential, along with footwear for muddy conditions.

Camp provides a laundry service once weekly. More information will be provided during orientation.