Q: How do I get to camp?

A: Local Staff: you can drive (download directions), or take the bus from Port Authority NYC to Torrington (see below)

Non Local Staff: Fly into a NY area airport, take a shuttle to Port Authority bus terminal, then take the Bonanza bus from Port Authority to Torrington. You can buy your ticket from the Bonanza ticket desk in the south terminal. The cost is approx $25. The bus leaves from Gate 13 (also in the south terminal) at 10am (arriving at 12:40). This is the only bus to Torrington. Please call camp on 1-800-842-1143, (free phone so you don’t need any money) before you get on the bus so that we can arrange for someone to collect you in Torrington. If there is no answer please leave a message. It’s important for every person to call so we know what size vehicle to send for you!

PLEASE CHECK GATE AND TIME DETAILS WITH THE DESK CLERK WHEN BUYING YOUR TICKET!

Q: What will my address be?

A: INTERNATIONALS: For your visa paperwork: The physical address of camp is:  

246 Great Hill Road, Cornwall, CT, 06753

Mail for you should be addressed with your name and the word ‘Staff’ or ‘Counselor’

REGULAR MAIL: YMCA Camp Mohawk, P O Box 1209, Litchfield, CT, 06759.

FEDEX: 246 Great Hill Road, Cornwall, CT, 06753.

UPS: 1 East Cornwall Road, Litchfield, CT, 06759

Q: How can my family contact me?

A: By mail or they can leave a message for you at the office. Your messages will be brought to the next meal and given to you directly or put in your mail box. The phone number for the office is 860-672-6655. To dial from outside the U.S. add 001 to the front of the number. Remind them there may be a time difference. They can also keep up with what’s going on through the daily updates on this site.

Q: What if there is an extreme emergency?

A: If they have an emergency and need to contact you, they should call the office on the number above. If there is no answer they can call: 860-672-3349 or 860-806-2677. These numbers are for extreme emergencies only.

If there is an emergency here, they can keep updated by checking the website. We ask that they do not block the phone lines by calling. We will post all important info on the site as soon as possible.

Q: What facilities are there for me?

A: We have a staff lounge with internet, cable TV and phones. Local calls are free. For long distance or international calls you should purchase a phone card. We have them for sale in the camp store or you can pick one up at a local super market.

Laundry is available for those who sign up. The cost will put added to your store account. You will have a scheduled day to do your laundry to allow fair usage. It is cold water only and you are responsible for your own detergent. (Liquid dissolves best in the cold water)

Q: What is my ‘store account’ and what can I buy at the store?

A: Your store account allows you to buy things without using money. We keep track of your purchases then total it at the end of each session. You must pay the balance before you receive your paycheck and go for your day off. Payment will be accepted by cash, personal check, Mastercard or Visa. You will not be able to use your pay check to pay your store balance.

At the store you can buy water, soft drinks and snacks, batteries and insect repellent. From the office you can buy postage stamps and phone cards.

Q: How will I get paid?

A: You will receive a check per the terms of your individual contract.  Direct deposit is available for a nominal fee.  Paperwork will be sent to you prior to your arrival at camp.  Except for pay checks issued on August 16th, Mohawk will be unable to cash your check or provide any cash advances. You cannot charge cash to your store card.  We will assist you with cashing your last pay check as it is issued on your last day of employment and most staff leave directly from camp for home or New York.

Q: When will my days off be?

A: Days off: With the exception of six staff who will be assigned to work Change-Over weekends (volunteers are solicited first), you may count on the following days off:

Friday, June 20, 1:00pm to Saturday, June 21, 1:00pm

Saturday, July 5, 11:00am to Sunday, July 6, 11:00am

Saturday, July 19, 11:00am to Sunday, July 20, 11:00am

Saturday, August 2, 11:00am to Sunday, August 3, 11:00am

The balance of your days off will be scheduled by Nadine or Kristin. You will be scheduled for one day off during the course of each two week session for a total of eight days off (for those of you working a nine week contract).

Q: What can I do on my day off?

A: We will provide transport into Torrington in the evening for mid session days off and during the day for change over days off. There is a movie theatre and shopping in the center of Torrington which is all walkable from the drop off point. A variety of places to eat from fast food to pizza or some thing more sophisticated if you prefer! Also a park and a library.

When there has been enough interest in the past we have also arranged buses to take the staff to an amusement park.

Q: What other free time will I have?

A: You will usually be scheduled to teach activities for 3 out of 4 periods allowing a 1hr break during the day. After the first 3 days of each new session you may have additional time off during siesta, after dinner and between 10 and 11:30pm if you are not on OD duty.

Q: What can I do on my free time?

A: You cannot travel off site. There are plenty on things to do at camp; hang out in the staff lounge, play ping pong or darts, watch TV or a movie, play sports, sun bathe.

My personal favorite way to spend free time is taking a shower and sleeping!

Q: What sort of things should I pack?

A: You will definitely need some cold weather clothes, camp can be a bit chilly at night or after rain. Bring a rain jacket, (we usually get thunder storms after several days of heat and humidity). You will want a couple of towels, more if you are a life guard.  An appropriate swim suit, 1 or 2 piece is fine (no thong bikinis!)

 Don’t bring your best clothes as everyday clothes- they will get ruined. You should bring ‘nice’ clothes for your days off, the dance and banquet.

 Label everything!! Because there are 70 other staff using the same laundry facility as you who will have clothes that look very similar!

You will need a pair of sneakers/ trainers/ tennis shoes. Flip flops/ sandals are only permitted from your cabin to the light house (bathrooms). They are not an appropriate footwear for the camp environment.

Special event clothes: Watch this space. We will be posting a list of possible special days (funky socks day, crazy hair day etc.) so you have an idea of the schedule.

Bedding: If you are flying to camp we will provide you with sheets, pillow and blanket. If you are traveling to camp any other way you are responsible for your own bedding.

 We will provide you with a staff T-shirt that must be worn on the opening and closing days of each session. For the rest of the time most staff prefer to wear tank/vest tops or T-shirts with shorts. Please don’t bring any clothes that display inappropriate graphics or text (such as ‘naked volleyball team/ girls pro mud wrestling’ etc. and including French Connection apparel)

To view camper packing list click here.

Q: How can I keep my belongings secure?

A: I suggest leaving anything of high value at home. If you are bringing items that you are concerned about, purchase a small padlock that will fit through the zippers on you back pack or suitcase.

Q: What access do I have to electrical outlets so I can charge my camera/phone/ipod etc?

A: All cabins have at least one outlet. (Although they are not all easy to reach) Please limit the number of electrical items you bring to camp. Don't bring fans and other high voltage equipment! If you are from overseas, please check that your charging units are multi voltage and will work on 110v here in the US.

Q: What else should I know?

A: In the past, our counselors from countries like Scotland and Ireland have told us that they were not expecting the heat to have such an impact on them. Some days are very hot, you should think about a high factor sunscreen, hat and sunglasses to protect you and a water bottle to keep you hydrated.

   European counselors seem to be particulaly prone to insect bites. Camp is buggy, you will be grateful of some insect repellent. It's best to buy one here as it is designed for the type of bugs that are common to the area.

Notes relating to the part of your job as Activity Instructor:

1. All staff employed as Cabin Counselor/Activity Instructor as stated in your Agreement of Employment will instruct three out of four classes a day, Monday through Friday.

2. Those of you that have indicated Horseback Riding as an area of expertise may teach four classes and be given an alternative time off. Most Riding staff will only teach three classes a day.

3. If you have indicated “Able To Lead” or listed a “#1” next to an activity on your application, you can expect to teach this activity for at least one period a day. You may actually teach this activity all three periods, however, some classes are not offered every period.  If you are not teaching your number one skill, you will be assigned to classes based on the level of expertise you have listed on your application. If you have listed “proficient” on your application, there is a strong possibility you will lead that activity.

4. Each activity instructor is required to prepare lesson plans for their classes. We use a standard form to make planning the activity easier, the form includes: goal of the program, materials needed, time schedule broken down into: attendance, introduction, risk management {rules}issues, demonstration, process, doing the activity, clean-up, evaluation, etc. 

5. Activity instructors also need to prepare plans for rainy days and for days when adaptations are required due to extreme heat.

6. A word about our expectations for activity leaders: We do expect that classes will be well planned, progressive in nature in order to meet the needs of campers who have previously taken that class, age appropriate, challenging, safely conducted and fun.

Activity instructors are expected to be involved with the classes, not sitting on the sidelines. Our goal is for each participant to feel that her time has been well spent in your class, that she has increased her personal proficiency in that particular activity, that she has enjoyed learning from an excellent role model and that she be eager to return to class the next day.

Notes relating to your responsibilities at 4:00 Monday to Saturday and from 12:00 to 5:00pm on Sunday;

This time period is referred to as Optional Recreation.

During this time, staff are assigned to various areas of camp to supervise campers or to provide an activity. All lifeguards and other staff who have demonstrated a proficiency in swimming or boating are usually assigned to the waterfront. Other staff are asked to prepare “Specials”. These are activities that you prepare and offer to campers that are not offered during the Activity Classes, for example, a session on Irish Step Dancing or a frog hunt or a tetherball tournament. Other staff are assigned to be ODs (Officer of the Day) in each Unit to supervise campers who stay in their cabins. Some staff will be assigned to prepare a one hour crafts program. Riding staff may be assigned to the stables for this time period depending on the number of lessons being taught that week. There are also staff assigned to play recreational sports games, tennis and supervise farm activities.

Lesson plans are not required for Optional Recreation.

Tattoos and body piercing: Hopefully you have read the Staff Policy that accompanied your Agreement of Employment and noted the section relating to tattoos and body piercing.  If you have any question whatsoever about the acceptability of a tattoo, please contact Nadine Thompson immediately at nadine@campmohawk.org.