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, camper support, 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, have worked on the Camp Sealth staff for at least one previous season, or participated in the LEAD Program (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. 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 June to August, with most sessions starting on Monday and ending Saturday. Our biggest need for volunteers is the end of the summer (Sessions 1, 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 4 or more weeks, or can come at the end of the summer through cleaning, we may be able to offer a paid position.
The Process
First, fill out the Volunteer Interest Form. A camp staff will contact you to confirm eligibility, dates, and details. You will be interviewed and then required to complete a short training around what to expect as a volunteer. 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.
Questions?
Contact Omar Malik at omarm@campfireseattle.org with any questions about alumni volunteer opportunities.