The Camp Kesem Health & Wellness Team at each camp is made up of, at a minimum: two nurses, one mental health professional, and one Camp Advisor. Members of the Health & Wellness Team work collaboratively to ensure the emotional and physical well-being of campers and staff. Compensation for nurses and mental health professionals will be agreed upon after an initial interview with chapter leadership. If selected, you will be compensated as an independent contractor and will be required to sign an independent contractor agreement and provide a signed W-9 form. Reimbursement of agreed-upon travel expenses may also be provided for members of the Health & Wellness Team. If you would like to join us at camp and receive a personal email once Health & Wellness Team applications launch, please fill out this interest form.
Nurses should be passionate about ensuring the well-being and general safety of children and staff members. The nurse works as part of the Health & Wellness Team (mental health professional, another nurse, and one Camp Advisor).
Nurse Responsibilities:
Additional Nurse Information:
Mental Health Professionals (MHPs) should be passionate about ensuring the well-being and general safety of children and staff members. The MHP provides multiple layers of support as needed to campers, their families, counselors, and other staff at camp, most of which is focused on emotional and behavioral needs that emerge. The MHP works as part of the Health & Wellness Team (potentially another mental health professional, at least 2 nurses, and one Camp Adviser) and reports to the Camp Adviser (point-person at camp) and Hotline Operators (who will provide assistance remotely).
Mental Health Professional Requirements:
Mental Health Professional Responsibilities:
Additional Mental Health Professional Information:
Interpreter Position Requirements:
Interpreter Professional Responsibilities:
More Interpreter information:
Support Aide Requirements:
Support Aide Responsibilities:
Camp Kesem is the flagship program of Kesem. It is a free overnight sleepaway summer camp (typically 5 or 6 nights long) for youth ages 6-18 impacted by a parent’s cancer. To see a video about camp, please click here.
The Health & Wellness Team works together to apply Camp Kesem National guidelines on the chapter level in order to maintain the safety of all campers and staff at camp. This team manages all situations at camp, making it necessary for these individuals to work together collaboratively. Although each team member has a specific role (outlined below), the goal is for consensus to be reached so that professional judgement is considered and valued while ultimately abiding by established Camp Kesem National rules and policies.
Our program is organized around 100+ college-based chapters, with college students from those colleges or universities working year-round to operate the Kesem programs.
Kesem chapters run the summer camps. A chapter is a division of our Camp Kesem National program. We have over 100 chapters based out of colleges or universities (most of the volunteers then come from that school). The camp is not held at the college or university and is held at a rented campsite. Many of our chapters also offer bus transportation from their area to the campsite. For assistance determining which chapter or campsite is closest to you, please contact us.
Check back here on December 1st to apply for openings near you!
You can apply to be a member of the Health & Wellness Team beginning December 1st! The application can be accessed through Camp Kesem’s website. If you would like to receive a personal email when applications launch, please fill out this interest form!
Yes! Our Health & Wellness Team application can be completed on a smartphone or tablet, as well as using a traditional desktop or laptop computer.
Yes! Each chapter of Camp Kesem will offer a stipend to members of the Health & Wellness Team, though the amount offered will differ from chapter to chapter. Please contact your local chapter if you are interested in learning more.
No. Our student leaders provide a warm and loving environment where children are free to share their feelings with one another. Our model focuses on providing a strong peer-based support network where children can find strength, hope, compassion and fun. Please visit the “A Day at Camp” section of our website to see a sample schedule for a day at Camp Kesem.
Yes! When completing an application, you will have the option to select which chapters you are interested in attending. If you select that you are willing to travel to other camps in your application, a member of our staff will reach out to you about upcoming opportunities throughout the late spring/summer.
Absolutely! Visit the Get Involved tab of our website to learn more or reach out to your local chapter directly.
Where do I sleep at camp?
It depends on the camp. Members of the Health & Wellness Team usually sleep with the Admin Team and Camp Advisor(s). Check with your chapter about what your accommodations will look like.
Each Camp Kesem chapters may provide transportation assistance or transportation reimbursement for members of the Health & Wellness Team. Please contact your local chapter to inquire about their ability to provide transportation support for you.
Athletic, comfortable clothes are highly recommended. Something light and loose that you don’t mind getting messy! Closed-toed shoes are required except when at the pool (crocs count!).
What is the best part of serving on the Camp Kesem Health & Wellness Team?
Each member of our Health & Wellness Team has something they love most about supporting our chapters. Here are just a few highlights of being a part of the Health & Wellness Team: s’mores, providing campers with an escape, building relationships with campers and counselors, and growing in your abilities as a professional!
What is the most challenging part of serving on the Camp Kesem Health & Wellness Team?
It can be difficult working in a system where you have limited control. There are structures, activities, and policies that you may not be used to, however they are still necessary. Organization and adapting to a camp environment - it’s so different from every other job!
Each Camp Kesem college chapter holds their camp in an off-site camp facility for the week of camp. These campsites are not tenting campsites, but are well-equipped campsites with cabins, activities, cafeterias, etc. Campsites that we rent are held to high standards, and are often YMCA, Girl Scout, or other professional camping venues. Campsites are typically located within 2-3 hours of the college chapter. Please visit each camp’s website for details on their specific site.
We serve three nutritious meals a day, along with snacks. Our menus vary but may include things like burritos, pizza, sandwiches and salad, or burgers all with sides of vegetables or fruit. Breakfasts can include sausage, pancakes, cereal, eggs, etc. We have plenty of snacks available at camp for throughout the day.
There are always vegetarian options available. Our campsites are committed to accommodating allergies and special dietary needs. Please be sure to note your dietary restrictions on your application.
Our camps are staffed by highly trained college student leaders. These students are carefully screened through a competitive interview process, and undergo extensive training prior to camp. In addition, our student leaders work year-round to raise funds, conduct outreach in their communities, and plan the programming necessary to make camp a truly unique and unforgettable experience. Each camp is also staffed with a Health & Wellness Team consisting of Nurses, Mental Health Professionals, and an experienced Camp Advisor. Every volunteer and staff at camp also receives a comprehensive background check.
No, Camp Kesem is a secular camp and we welcome student volunteers and campers of all backgrounds.
The health and safety of your children has always been, and will continue to be, our number one priority. To help ensure their safety, every volunteer who attends camp must first complete over 30 hours of training, which includes modules on how to address bullying, prevent harassment, and support campers’ mental health. Additionally, Camp Kesem performs a background check on all our camp volunteers. Finally, our policies ensure campers and staff are never alone, and our high 3:1 camper to counselor ratio allows an excellent standard of supervision – far more than you would see at any traditional summer camp.
