Volunteering at a Children's Summer Camp

Many of us would like the opportunity to spend time working with children and being able to offer them our help and support where needed. Likewise there are many of us who would like the opportunity to travel and to see some of the world while we are single and have no responsibilities of family or work. There is a way to combine the two – volunteering at a summer camp.

What is Summer Camp?

Summer camp is primarily an American idea; the idea being that children can have the opportunity to mix with other children of their own age and slightly older with a view to broadening their own horizons and also fitting in.

The concept is one based around the idea of personal growth and summer camps all across the United States seek to offer these children – from many different backgrounds – the opportunity to communicate and build friendships with others as well as having fun.

How Can I Get Involved?

Each year many of these summer camps advertise – primarily on the Internet – for volunteers to act as Student Counsellors and Activity Leaders. There are a variety of different styles of camps such as Non-Profit, Faith Based, Special Needs, Girl Scouts and Independent camps that require large numbers of volunteers to help them with the number of children who visit them. The number of children visiting these camps through the summer can number many thousands.

What Sort of Person Do These Camps Look For?

The summer camps look for individuals who are:

• Outgoing
• Fun-loving
• Sensible
• Able to relate to children
• Have the ability to listen

You don’t need to have a degree in Psychology or any formal qualifications but you do need to possess some – or all – of the aforementioned traits in order to fit in. Many of the children who attend these camps do so as a way of escaping their normal everyday lives which may be fraught with their own difficulties such as poverty, emotional dysfunction and the likes, the list really is endless.

How Can I Apply?

The majority of these camps as we have already said advertise on the Internet and offer you the opportunity to download both their application forms and camp brochure. You should also be aware that although you are volunteering to help at a summer camp you will need to pay. Each camp charges their own fees so these will differ from place to place.

It is worth noting also that you should be available to travel between May and September so applying in plenty of time is always a distinct advantage.

All prospective volunteers are vetted carefully so you should be prepared to supply references and also have a CRB check carried out. The Criminal Records Bureau check is essential and anyone without a CRB check will not be considered. This is simply a matter of precaution and applies to all applicants.

It’s also worth noting that interviews for the positions are held in the United Kingdom so there is no requirement to travel to the United States in advance of your volunteering trip.

Will I Be Staying at the Camp the Whole Time I’m Away?

There is the opportunity for travel when you are in the States and most camps will provide you with a level of spending money depending on the level of your volunteering position. There will also be opportunities to attend seminars and lectures held by camp staff and field trips with the children whilst there.

Volunteering is a worthwhile endeavour and one that has changed the lives of many people. If it is something you feel you might be interested in there are a wealth of websites dedicated to a variety of different camps available on the Internet.