OTHER REQUIREMENTS

19 years of age or older
Applicants must be 21 or older to apply for the weeklong teen camp and Jr/Sr Weekend.
Desire and ability to work with children outdoors
Ability to relate to one's peer group
Ability to be a positive member of a volunteer team
Ability to accept supervision and guidance
Enthusiasm, humor, patience, and self-control
Commitment to attend the entire week or weekend of camp

Who are the staff?

All the volunteer counselors (cabin, activity and misc. counselors) combined make up the staff members. The staff is a widely diverse group of caring individuals. Each session includes approximately 40-45 volunteers between the ages of 19 and 60 + years, averaging 25 years old. June Camp volunteers are ages 19 or older. Teen Camp volunteers are age 21 or older. Approximately 80-85% of our volunteer staff returns to camp again and again.

Camp SAM volunteers come from all walks of life. They include, teachers, lifeguards, managers, doctors, nurses, pharmaceutical salespeople, pharmacists, waiters, pediatric oncology counselors, coaches, homemakers, business executives, child life specialists, firemen, former campers and college students.

What are the different roles for Volunteer Staff Members?

Cabin Counselors - depending on the campers needs, each cabin counselor will be assigned two to four campers, joining in activities, eating meals, sleeping in the same cabins and providing guidance, safety, friendship and supervision.
Activity Counselors - instruct or assist in one of the many program activities offered during a session. Through the activities they help with, they also get the opportunity to meet many campers and volunteers.
Nurse and Doctors - volunteers that provide 24-hour health care to our campers and staff. Their job includes handing out the daily Band-Aids for scrapes, distributing medications at mealtime, bedtime and monitoring the health of all campers and staff.
Unit Heads - a group of volunteers with previous camp experience that provide support to the cabin counselors and activity staff.

What are we looking for in volunteer staff?
Camp life can be a rewarding and supportive experience. We also realize that camp is not the best volunteer experience for everyone since it can challenge an individual's patience, flexibility, and privacy. We are looking for individuals that can work in and appreciate a rustic outdoor environment, promote healthy personal interactions with campers and staff and be a positive role model for our campers. Staff must show enthusiasm for the program and our mission, be flexible to try new challenges, and be able to deal with conflict. We are a team of motivated individuals that have a healthy vision for the needs of our campers.

We are also looking for volunteers who are willing to make a commitment to our organization, the mission of the program and our campers. There can be considerable time between you returning your application and your session- many things can change between now and then. We understand that, however, we need your cooperation and commitment to communicate with us, as well as follow through with our orientation and training program. We can't run this program without volunteers and we count on you to help make the magic happen.

VOLUNTEER COUNSELOR POSITION DESCRIPTIONS

Cabin Counselor
General Responsibilities

Live with your group of campers serving as their volunteer counselor and leader.
Work to develop a group/team feeling in your cabin and the Camp as a whole.
Carry out cabin duties as assigned.
Identify and meet camper needs.
Monitor the daily health and safety of each camper assigned.

Essential Functions

Observe camper behavior and assess its appropriateness,
Enforce appropriate safety regulations and emergency procedures.
Maintain consistent supervision of campers.
Participate in the planning and implementation of Camp programming.
Guide and direct your group in a variety of camp activities.
Know the whereabouts of your campers at all times!
Set a good example for your campers through your actions and words
Establish individual relationships with each of your campers.
Participate in volunteer training and meetings.
Actively follow the General Camp Rules and Operating Policies.