How does Kents Hill keep campers safe and healthy?
Sending your daughter to camp is a big decision, and her health and safety come first in everything we do. At Kents Hill Sports Camp in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, we have two resident nurses and a certified athletic trainer on site around the clock, a local pediatrician’s office on call, and a hospital just half a mile from campus. Our waterfront is supervised by a Waterfront Director and Red Cross certified lifeguards at all times, there’s one counselor for every four campers in the dorms, and a night watchman patrols campus every night.
Health care on site
Our Health Director, Mia Burek, is a registered nurse with more than 15 years of emergency department experience. Mia and her team, two resident nurses and a certified athletic trainer, live on site and are available 24 hours a day all summer. Our athletic trainer takes care of sports injuries right on site, from sprains and strains to concussion evaluations, so campers get expert care the moment they need it. When a camper needs a doctor’s opinion, we have a local pediatrician’s office on call and use tele-health visits so a physician can weigh in quickly. And if anything ever needs a hospital, there’s one just half a mile from campus.
Medications, allergies, and dining
Daily medications are prepackaged by a pharmacy service before camp and given out by our nurses, so everything arrives organized and ready. Our dining hall is completely nut-free, and we accommodate gluten-free campers along with a wide range of food allergies and dietary needs. Campers who need an EpiPen carry their own, and our health center always keeps a backup.
Keeping parents in the loop
We’ll always call you if your daughter stays overnight in the health center, sees a doctor or has a tele-health visit, goes to urgent care or the hospital, or starts a new medication. You’re always welcome to call camp anytime to check in.
Water safety comes first
Water safety is the most important part of our day. Our waterfront is run by a dedicated Waterfront Director, with Red Cross certified lifeguards stationed on the boats, the docks, and the beach at all times. Campers swim and boat in small groups, so there are always plenty of lifeguards watching every girl in the water. Every camper also takes a swim test before using the waterfront, so we know each girl’s comfort level from day one.
Beating the heat
Summer days can get hot, and we plan for it. Counselors make sure every camper has a full water bottle and sunscreen on before leaving the dorm each morning and again after rest hour. On really hot days, we adjust the schedule to make the most of the waterfront and our air-conditioned spaces, including arts and crafts, ceramics, theater, and the boathouse.
Supervision, day and night
Our dorm counselors live with the girls and are responsible for them throughout the day, with one counselor for every four campers. At night, counselors sleep in the dorms with their campers, a staff member is on duty in every dorm, and a night watchman patrols campus. When our hockey players head to Pop Whalen Arena, they travel in camp vans driven by our staff.
Feeling at home
A little homesickness in the first few days is completely normal, and our counselors are there for every bit of it. From the moment your daughter arrives, her counselors make it their job to get to know her: what she loves, what makes her laugh, and what helps her feel comfortable. They set up a bedtime routine so nights feel familiar, check in with her throughout the day, and quickly become someone she looks up to. That bond is what helps our girls feel safe, settle in, and find their footing, and it’s often the part of camp they remember most.
Staff screening and training
We take hiring seriously. Every staff member goes through an interview, multiple reference checks, and a background check, along with several conversations to make sure they share our values. Before campers arrive, our full staff completes a week of orientation, including abuse prevention training, mandated reporter training, CPR and first aid, and emergency drills.
Experience you can count on
Kevin and Wendi Kooperman direct the camp. Before starting Kents Hill, Kevin spent 10 years as assistant director of Bridgton Sports Camp for Boys. Our Assistant Director, Alyson Lee, has more than 40 years in camping as a camper, counselor, head counselor, and assistant director.
Have a question we didn’t answer?
We’re always happy to talk. Request more information or give us a call at 866-271-9691, and one of our directors will get back to you.
