“I liked the way everyone said good morning when my son arrived and the same at the end of the day, everyone took the time to say good bye. Sometimes its the little things that make the biggest impression on kids and I think this made him feel good about attending everyday.”
A lot of camps say things like “we have qualified counselors”. But what exactly does that mean?
When you register your child at MKDC, you can rest assured that your camper will be taken care of by kid experts. MKDC is owned and operated by a certified, experienced teacher, and every member of staff is hired, trained and supervised directly by her. Our ONLY job is making sure that your child’s summer is the most amazing it can be. We aren’t museum workers, or lifeguards, or librarians, or even babysitters. Your kids are not a side gig for us – they are our main focus, year-round. We are first and foremost educators, fun facilitators, and role models.
Education. Staff in charge of planning and supervising activities must be over the age of 18 and have some post-secondary education, in addition to prior experience in lesson preparation and instruction. Every staff member has First Aid & CPR training as well as a proven track record working with children. All staff meet for “pre-camp” training sessions starting 6 weeks prior to the first day of camp to receive training and guidance in programming, behavior management, safety guidelines, and team building. By the time your child arrives at camp, staff have already received a minimum of 30 hours of formal training, and we continue this training with in-service sessions throughout the summer.
When it comes to staff, we are VERY picky. Our selection process includes a two-step written application, two interviews (first on the phone, then in person), an extensive reference check and activity ranking. We require two references who can speak directly to the candidate’s talent for working with children. It is a testament to our reputation for a positive working environment that we receive such a large number of applicants each year for a small number of positions. On average, only 10% of applicants are offered a position… so we are getting the best of the best. Most of our counselors are post-secondary students who are pursuing a degree in education, social work, or recreation.
Evaluation. Staff receive three formal evaluations over the course of the summer, to ensure that camp operations run smoothly and that staff receive the guidance and support that they need in their quest to give every child an unforgettable summer.
