Volunteer counselors are the heart and soul of our camps

Sign up to volunteer

Fill out our volunteer intake form and we’ll reach out to schedule a training, then we’ll notify you any time there’s a camp in your state!


At Project:Camp we have seen first hand the incredible ways communities respond to disaster, which is why we actively recruit local volunteers to act as counselors at our pop-up camps. The benefit of familiar faces as counselors — people who know and represent the community — is enormous. They’re there before the disaster hits, and they’re around after.

Volunteer FAQs

  • Project:Camp volunteers will be assigned a cabin group to work with throughout the camp day. Cabins can range from 10-15 kids and are grouped by age, with campers ranging in age from 6 to 16. As a volunteer at our camps, you play a critical role in supporting children during disasters. Here are some expectations that we have of our volunteers during camp:

    • Provide leadership, role modeling, mentoring, limit setting, support, encouragement, and feedback to all campers in your cabin. Support your campers in building community and connections.

    • Ensure camper health & safety at all times (physical & emotional).

      • Be aware of each camper’s needs as they express them.

      • Supervise campers in assigned cabins at all times, including meals and transition moments between activities.

    • Facilitate camp programming and meals.

    • Communicate regularly with Project:Camp staff and the Camp Director, and keep them updated on your campers, how you are doing and what support you need, and anything they need to be aware of.

    • It starts with you - Counselors are responsible for self-regulating, and taking care of their own wellbeing and asking if they need assistance. You can’t support other’s safety without ensuring your own. 

    You can view our Counselor Code of Conduct here.

    • Volunteers must be 18 or older and have some experience working with children (teachers, babysitters, camp counselor, or similar).

    • Complete a Federal, state and county background check. 

    • Completed the 1-hour pre-camp volunteer training session

    • Minimum 1-day commitment (Camp in your community).

    • Minimum 5-day commitment (Camp in another state).

    • A typical volunteer's day at camp runs from 8am-4pm.

  • The pre-camp training for Project:Camp does not expire and volunteers do not need to complete the training more than once. During camp, volunteers will get a day-of training covering site-specific information, a refresher on trauma-informed tools for working with children and daily schedules. 

  • Project:Camp will have at least two staff members at every camp who are there to support you and the campers. Our staff can help cover you when you need a break or can provide further support to any campers who may need it. We train our volunteers on trauma-sensitive tools in order to help equip staff with some tangible strategies for working with kids and also create the program schedule each day. We always encourage volunteers to bring new ideas to our camp program! Additionally, volunteers will receive a Project:Camp shirt to wear during camp, and lunch and snacks will be provided.

  • At Project:Camp we have seen first hand the incredible ways communities respond to disaster, which is why we actively recruit local volunteers to act as counselors at our pop-up camps as they're there before the disaster hits, and they’re around after. If local volunteers are not readily available, we will reach out to our volunteer database and may be able to provide air transportation or accommodations depending on the camp.

Have Questions About Volunteering?

 
 

Contact our volunteer team with any questions to learn more!

Hear from people who have been there

 

“It was a wonderful experience to be part of Project:Camp. Thank you for letting me join you! It's truly inspiring to see [camp’s] impact on the kids.”

— Monika

“Volunteering with Project:Camp was a privilege that I will never forget. My only regret was not volunteering sooner.”

— Donna

“You want so badly to help but don’t know where to start and that’s where Project:Camp came in and provided the framework and organizational power to make this miraculous thing happen for these kids.”

— Carrie

 Volunteer Requirements

 

  • Background check (Including SSN & valid government photo ID)

  • Completed volunteer training session

  • Minimum 1-day commitment (Camp in your community)

  • Minimum 5-day commitment (Camp in another state)