Hello, potential applicant! I am writing this message to hopefully give you a sense of the role that you would play as the museum intern at Camp Kawanhee, as it is a very unique and special position.
When I first applied, I spoke with Tom, who was very helpful and easy to contact. Even after those conversations, I was a bit nervous going into the job as I didn’t exactly know what my day-to-day would look like. I was unsure how I was going to approach the summer from a museum perspective. So much history is packed into the museum building, which makes for an endless number of avenues that can be taken in this job. Looking back, that uncertainty became one of my favorite parts of the position.
There is no “correct” way of doing this job. There are so many projects that can be tackled each day. But there is also space to create something of your own. I worked on the website at least twice a week, which was a project created by a previous curator. I would also create historical activities of my own for the campers who had an interest. There is so much history and material in the museum, so finding something to work on is very easy.
No one or nothing is stopping you from starting a project and working on it for a bit, and then moving on to something else. Tom would constantly tell me that I can pivot and be incomplete in my tasks. He wants the position to be filled by someone with an interest and passion in the work. It is a bit daunting in the beginning if you are someone who enjoys a task list or being under the supervision of “management”, so to speak. I was a bit thrown off by how independent this position can be, considering it is called an “internship.”
In my time at Camp Kawanhee, I experienced so many positive aspects of the role. Pre-camp, the first week of training, no children were present, which was a wonderful way to meet everyone and start to learn about the camp. The counselors are all very excited to meet everyone and expand the community. As I walked around the camp on the first day, multiple people came up to me and asked me my name, where I was from, and other questions with genuine curiosity. I became close with many people and truly felt secure and excited about the position because of pre-camp. As summer went on, I formed relationships with others, and those bonds are definitely a big part of why I enjoyed the job as much as I did.
Once the kids arrived, each day was different. Some days I wouldn’t leave the museum at all. This season, I worked on creating a more complete inventory, organizing the museum, researching and completing new displays and interactive materials. Other days, I would be out at activities, documenting the summer, or working with campers directly. Some of my favorite projects this summer include the history scavenger hunt, the matching staff game, and creating a generational map for Kenley and Cat to use. Those projects mixed working with the history of the camp and interacting with the campers and staff, which made it feel both meaningful and fun.
I set up daily history trivia and did “Word of the Day”, which the campers really enjoyed. I gained a large group of kids who would come every day, and I would then ask for their wants in other history-related activities, like the scavenger hunt.
This job, no matter your specific museum or history intrest can foster that. For instance, I want to go into museum education, and I now have experience with working with children, historical preservation, and creating programs. It is truly about making the most out of the role and being actively involved.
There also isn’t a set schedule of what you have to do or the times you have to be in the building. Tom urged me to try new things and get a true sense of what camp is like. This summer, I water skied, tried ropes, and canoed, all things I have never done before.
While the museum is the responsibility of the history intern, it is a collaborative effort. Tom, B.A., Mike, the Yales, and many others all help out and are more than willing to assist with any challenge or idea that you may have. Everyone at camp has an understanding of how special this place is and wants to see you succeed. Don’t hesitate to ask for help or have a million questions. Museum work isn’t just about the preservation of history; it is about making that history meaningful and accessible for others, which requires help from the community.
When I interviewed, I made it clear I wanted to help out in other aspects of camp. Because of this, I was assigned to a group as their “non lodge” helper, ate meals with them, assisted in times of need, and became someone they could rely on. I also volunteered for ER/urgent care trips, airport runs, nightwatch duties, and occasionally helped B.A. in the store. I was not forced to do any of these tasks. I easily could have said no, but I wanted to be a member of the community in various ways and enjoyed all of my side adventures.
To be in this role, you have to be curious, adaptive, and willing to take initiative. Explore not only the museum but the camp, ask questions, and act on your ideas. The summer goes by incredibly qucikly and it is easy to get lost in all that is going on that the tasks you truly want to focus on get forgotten. You have a really special opportunity, and I urge you to take advantage of all that Camp Kawanhee has to offer. But don’t forget to give back to the camp and the people who make it so wonderful.