Why volunteer at camp?
If you experienced camp as a camper or working as a staff member, you understand just how magical and transformative the experience can be for a young person. Alumni volunteers play a critical role in running camp by filling in the gaps and taking on tasks to help lighten the load for the full-summer staff. By engaging alumni as volunteers, we also help bridge the differences between multiple generations, share stories, songs, and traditions, and give you a chance to relive your camp experience in a way the supports today’s kids and staff.
Our biggest need is for folks who can volunteer for a full week (one camp session), or more. If you want to help out but can’t do a full week, check out the other options listed below.
Full-Week Volunteers
Volunteer for one (or more) weeks as a guest staff member: you’ll be placed in a role that matches your talents and camp’s need for staff, such as roving, inclusion, cabin counseling, kitchen, store, or teaching an activity like nature or arts & crafts.
Eligibility
To volunteer for a week during summer camp, you must be at least 18 years old and have worked on the Camp Sealth staff for at least one previous season (some exceptions can be made – contact us if interested). You need to be able to commit to a full camp session (typically Monday to Saturday, or Wednesday to Saturday for a short session), pass a background check, and attend a one-hour virtual training session prior to volunteering. In addition, we are requiring that all camp staff and volunteers are up to date on their COVID vaccination. Current CPR/First Aid certification is recommended but not required.
If you work in a health care field and are currently licensed as a medical professional, you might also consider volunteering as a health care staff.
Dates
Summer camp sessions run from July 3 to August 26, with most sessions starting on Monday and ending Saturday. Our biggest need for volunteers is the end of the summer (Sessions 6, 7, and 8) when some of our staff start to leave to go back to school.
Payment/Exchange
With the exception of health care volunteers, we do not offer tuition exchange or other forms of payment for volunteering. However, if you are able to commit to 3 or more weeks, we may be able to offer a paid position.
The Process
First, fill out the Volunteer interest Form. The camp staff will contact you to confirm eligibility, dates, and details, then you’ll need to complete the Volunteer Registration. At the start of summer, you’ll be invited to join a one-hour virtual training (required) – we’ll send you a couple of different date options. We will also confirm the rest of your paperwork, including background check and health history. Then about one week before your session begins, we’ll be in contact with more details about what job you’ll likely be doing, where you’ll stay, and when to arrive.
Short-Term Volunteering
If you want to help out but can’t commit a whole week (or if you don’t live nearby), check out these other ways to help out during the summer:
- Alumni Day: This is a one-day event to connect with other alumni as well as this year’s summer staff. The day will include some projects to make sure we’re ready for campers to arrive.
- Staff Training Support: We’re looking for a few folks, especially those with kitchen experience, who would be willing to help out with food prep and dishwashing during staff training, to make sure that our kitchen staff are able to fully access training sessions.
- Adopt-A-Staff: Help us with a special project to give our staff extra love and support throughout the summer by sending a letter and care package. This is a great option if you live away from the PNW and can’t get here in person.
- Host a Staff Social: An easy way to show some appreciation for our staff is to provide some free, fun activities on their break between sessions – the options are endless! Host an ice cream party, yoga, therapy dog visit, craft project, or anything else the staff would enjoy.
There are links above for more information and signing up for Alumni Day and Adopt-A-Staff. If you’re interested in any other form of short-term volunteering, reach out to us at carriek@campfireseattle.org.
Questions?
Contact Carrie Lawson at carriek@campfireseattle.org with any questions about alumni volunteer opportunities.