KITA VOLUNTEER PAGE
Welcome to Camp Kita 2026! We are so excited to have each one of you. Your experience and compassion will be a meaningful addition to our team, helping to create a safe, supportive, and healing space for campers navigating life after suicide loss.
This webpage will be updated regularly to provide you with current and helpful information. Questions? Email lwirsing@campkita.com
DATES and ADDRESS
In-Person Expanded (Optional) Training: July 10, 2026
In-Person Training Day (Mandatory): July 11, 2026
Camp Kita Week (Mandatory): July 12-18, 2026
Address: The Kita Center | 114 E Shore Drive, Acton Maine
Digital Trainings/ Links
REQUIRED
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When in the class, click "TO DO" on the left-hand side to access your assignments. You will get a link to access your assignments also.
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Volunteer Liability Waiver- To be signed upon arrival, you may review it prior by clicking on the link.
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Background Check:
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A link will arrive to your phone or email DISA or Crimcheck usually with the h the subject “Background Authorization Request from Camp Kita.”
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Please ensure that you complete the details and permissions for us to complete the background check as soon as possible after receiving the link. The link does expire.
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Insurance: (Clinician Staff Only):
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We ask that clinical staff purchase insurance. You know your coverage best, if you need to purchase liability insurance to cover this type of program, and have not done so already, please procure it. We suggest HPSO.com to attain this coverage. For reimbursement, please submit a receipt to smosher@campkita.com and let us know the best address to send you a check. If you have your own private insurance, please make sure the address 114 E Shore Drive, Acton Maine is included in coverage.
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Please inform Lindsay or Sydney if you have any dietary requirements or allergies.
Resource Links
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR REVIEW
Volunteer Health Form (can be filled out upon arrival)
Staff Handbook (subject to revisions)
Camper Handbook- Coming soon
WHAT TO EXPECT
Training Agenda Sample - Coming soon
Downloadable Packing List
OPTIONAL TRAININGS
Transplaining Course:
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We will be encouraging all volunteers to complete the inclusion training provided by Transplaining if you have not done so already or would like to refresh your knowledge! Email smosher@campkita.com to receive the training login.
Training Available for Nurses:
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Recognizing Childhood Bereavement as a Public Health Issue Impacting Students, Advocacy and Action: How School Nurses Can Help LGBTQ Students Thrive.
OPTIONAL LISTEN TO CAMP SONGS
Camp Song: HEY Burrito
Camp Song: Pizza Man
Camp Song: Boom Chica Boom
Camp Song: Milk
Camp Song: Peel Banana
Camp Song: Milkshake
Who's Who At Camp:
Operations
Lindsay Wirsing (Director)
Sydney Mosher (Admin)
Morgan Mosher (Admin)
Amey Skladony (Culture /Archery)
Nicole Wise (Kitchen Director- New!)
Becca Stouges- Culture
Waterfront
Maddie Matewski (Director- New!))
Sarah Stouges- Lifeguard- New!)
Emily Stover- Lifeguard -New!
Day Visitors:
Zach Hale - Maine Guide
Kitchen & Maintenance Assistance
Medical Care
Melissa Morin (Nurse)
Craig Matewski (Nurse)
Alyssa Goodwin (Dr. & Float)
Navigators
Lily Randolph- New Role!
Hannah Card- New!
Anna Muskopf- New! & Aqua Support
Preston Hendrix- New Role!
Rhyan Gallagher- New Role!
Kita Zone
Erin Bell
Jared Auten
Khabir Edwards (& Archery)
Stacey Jenkins- Staff Support
Activators
Vivian Ivory
Gianna Russillo (Evening Programs)
Elizabeth Buisch
Robert O'Hara
Chris Holmes (Nurse)
Group Facilitators
Mercy Machado
Ryan Lowell
Steven Karaiskos- On Call
Champions
Joshua Jamison
Daniel Lee
Bill Stouges
Kassidy Tolbert
Pooja Metha
FAQ
1. ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE Location: The Kita Center 114 E Shore Drive Acton, Maine Staff Training → In-Person Expanded (Optional) Training: Friday, July 10, 2026 → In-Person Training Day (Mandatory): Saturday, July 11, 2026 All volunteers are expected to attend the full mandatory training day on July 11th. Camp Week → Camp Kita Week (Mandatory for Volunteers): July 12–18, 2026 → Camper Arrival: Sunday, July 12th between 2:00–3:30 PM → Camper Departure: Saturday, July 18th between 9:00- 10:00 AM → Volunteer Check-Out: Saturday, July 18th at 1:00 PM (or earlier if all responsibilities are completed and the campus is fully packed and cleaned). For those traveling long distances and coordinating air travel, we understand schedules can be complex. We are happy to work with you to make appropriate arrangements as needed. Unless otherwise noted, all volunteers are expected to stay for the full duration of camp week.
2. TRAVELING TO CAMP --> Camp Address: 295 Maple Ln, Livermore, ME 04253. This location is an hour and a half away from Portland, Maine. --> Air Travel Details: Portland airport would probably be best to fly into! Bangor and Boston airports are also an option, but would be challenging to arrange carpools around. If you would like to arrange shared transportation from the airport to camp, please share your itinerary with us and we will try to figure out a plan! There is a Google Sheet that you may add your travel details to if you wish to support car pooling, or want to find a rideshare.
3. MEALS & LODGING... --> Lodging: All Kita people will be sleeping in cabins on-site, unless other arrangements have been made. Kita people will be sleeping in either camper cabins with campers, volunteer-only cabins, or at an abutting property in cabins. For those people sleeping in camper cabins, bathrooms are available in a nearby bathhouse. Please note that even with the best planning, it is possible that your lodging quarters may be changed at any-time depending on needs. --> Meals: You will dine with the campers in the dining hall for breakfast, lunch, dinner. Please plan to bring your own non-refrigerated (allergen free) snacks if you expect to need to eat more frequently. --> Connectivity: Camp Kita has a no cell phone or electronics policy with the campers. However, there are breaks throughout the day where you will be able to sneak away to a break zone and check your email and phones if needed during afternoon siesta and after the campers go to bed. The camp does have access to the internet in particular zones on campus, but the signal may not be strong enough in your cabin for reliable access. Please do not plan activities that require reliable internet access during camp week, and do not plan on any specific office materials to be available.
4. TRAINING DAY Volunteer training day is a casual opportunity to get to know everyone, learn about the goals and objectives, and get to know everyone. This is meant to work in tandem with the digital trainings that are required prior to camp arrival. More info soon....
5. PREPARING FOR CAMP SELF-CARE: This week can be challenging, both mentally and physically. We will have a mental health professional dedicated to care for our staff and volunteers during camp. While we hope you can spend as much time with the campers as possible, we also expect and encourage you to take mental and physical breaks as needed to care for yourself. We ask that champions prioritize participating in your daily Kita Group, and schedule your down time accordingly. Ahead of camp, please reflect on what you may need for support during the week, and communicate that with us. We will have a dedicated mental health support resource for all of us on-site all week–Stacey Jenkins. POST-CAMP SELF CARE: Reacclimation back to the “real world” after camp can sometimes be challenging. Not only because you may have work that piled up during your time away from work, but also because you’re exhausted and have had an emotionally and physically charged week. Consider what you can arrange prior to camp that will help you to transition home successfully. Ideas may be: * Scheduling an additional session with your therapist * Planning your workload to require less intense deliverables or meetings for the first few days upon your return * Cleaning your space before you leave so you can arrive home to a calm environment * Scheduling a meet up with friends or family upon your return * Taking an additional vacation day from work * Telling those close to you that you may need additional support when you arrive home, and letting them know how you would like to receive that support.
6. PACKING LIST Assuming seasonable weather, here is our suggested packing list: Shorts Socks T-shirts Sandals that secure to feet Sneakers One sweatshirt or thin coat Pants or sweatpants Bathing suit 2 towels (one for beach / one for shower), optional: hand towel Bathroom accessories (toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, soap, menstrual products) Pillow Fitted Sheet (the majority of beds are twin-sized, but there are a couple random queen-sized beds off campus) Sleeping bag Water bottle Eyeglasses and case (where applicable) Sunglasses Sun Hat Watch Eye Mask & Ear Plugs (optional for common sleeping) Sunblock / bug repellent Chargers Headlamp or flashlight Self Care Items (books, journals, etc.) Umbrella (if weather permits) Rain jacket Small personal fan for sleeping (if you want) Shower Shoes Fanny Pack Please check the weather forecast to determine if you should make some additions to this list. We have had weeks where it is entirely rain, and weeks where temps reach the upper nineties. August is typically Maine’s warmest month, with average high temperatures ranging from the mid-70s to the low-80s during the day and high-50s to low-60s at night. There are a handful of rainy days each month, but the summer is typically dry and sunny.
