The Camp Blue Skies experience depends on dedicated volunteers to make each session as enriching and safe as possible.
Around 60-80 volunteers are needed at each camp as cabin counselors, weeklong volunteers, day volunteers, and program assistants. Ages range from college students to empty nesters to retirees. Volunteers wear yellow T-shirts to make knowing who to turn to for help easy.
From fostering a sense of inclusion to creating cherished memories, explore the benefits that make our volunteer opportunities uniquely rewarding!
Volunteer with Camp Blue Skies
Volunteer expectations
Our ideal ratio is one volunteer for every two campers. Training is provided, and smiles are guaranteed. Sign up for the full session, a few days, or a day!
Commit to the session, if possible, to be a cabin counselor, a nurse, or one of the options below.
Complete the online training video
Participate in a camper/volunteer “social” event before camp (if possible)
Remain camper-focused while at camp
Participate in activities with campers
We require at least two volunteers to be with campers at all times
Have a lot of fun!
Volunteer options
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Full-session volunteer: Cabin counselors are community volunteers who attend the full session and stay with campers in the cabin. Two counselors are assigned per cabin. Counselors work with a team of volunteers to provide daily supervision to a small group of campers. Counselors participate in cabin life with campers and fellow counselors and support campers throughout the day during activities and programs. No experience in camping or caring for individuals with developmental disabilities is required.
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Full session (preferred) or partial session volunteer: Most recreational activities will be led by Camp Blue Skies staff or the host camp staff. However, we welcome volunteers with special skills and experience who wish to lead recreational or life skills activities. Program Instructors will teach approximately five 2-hour lessons per camp session. No more than 12-14 campers will participate in each class. Assistant Program Instructors, Counselors, and Day Volunteers will provide support. The camp will provide teaching supplies and facilities. Experience in teaching life skills or camp activities is required.
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Full or partial session volunteer: Program Instructors will lead camp activities, but volunteer assistance is greatly appreciated. Program Assistants will be assigned to a specific activity and support the Activity Instructor daily throughout the week.
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Full session preferred: Registered nurses and health services workers in conjunction with the Health Services Director attend to the medical needs of the campers and staff. A physician will either be on-site or on-call during the camp session. Health services volunteers will triage and treat accidents, illnesses and emergencies, distribute prescribed medications to campers and complete the necessary documentation. Medical qualifications are required.
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Single-day or multi-day volunteer: Day volunteers will work in one of two capacities, either assigned to a cabin group or a camp activity. Day volunteers who wish to volunteer multiple days and stay overnight will most likely stay in a “staff cabin.”
Cabin group volunteers are assigned to a group of campers and will accompany them through the day, following the group’s schedule.
Activity volunteers are assigned to specific life skills or recreational activities to assist the instructor throughout the day. These volunteers stay with the assigned activity while the various camper groups rotate during the day’s schedule.
What happens after you sign up to volunteer
First-time volunteers
Contacting Camp Blue Skies via email or by calling (704) 266-2267. A team member will contact you within 5 business days to discuss volunteer roles and requirements.
Interview
Once the application is received, a Camp Blue Skies team member (usually the Volunteer Director/Coordinator for that session) will reach out to confirm your role, discuss expectations, and answer questions.
References for new volunteers
For the safety of our community, new volunteers must provide two or three references to ensure compatibility. References simply need to contact the Camp Blue Skies Volunteer Director/Coordinator. No forms or recommendation letters are required.
Required forms
After confirming your role at camp and checking references, the volunteer must complete these essential forms: Health/Emergency, Liability Release/Consent to Treat, and Requirements Confirmation.
Pre-camp communications
Before camp, you will receive emails, including a Volunteer Handbook that details expectations, camper information, facilities, schedules, a packing list, and directions. You will receive a reminder to confirm your arrival/departure time.
Volunteer FAQs
For more information about daily life at camp, please see the general FAQs.
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Camp Blue Skies provides a traditional experience in a comfortable, accessible setting. All cabins are heated and air-conditioned. Cabins have bunk beds and an attached bathroom area with multiple showers, sinks, and toilets.
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Morning/Afternoon: Campers will participate in group activities. Recreational activities may include a high ropes course, basketball, soccer, bocce, nature walks, canoeing, fishing, arts/crafts, dance, etc. Life skills activities – with the emphasis on greater personal independence – may include healthy eating classes and good nutritional decision-making, fitness, stretching and exercise, and arts and crafts.
Evening: All campers will have an opportunity to explore their artistic talents and improve their social skills. Activities include dancing, music and singing, skits, board games, variety shows, and a campfire with story-telling and s'mores.
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Since our campers are adults (21 years and older), counselors must be at least 21 years old.
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Alcohol is not allowed. Smoking and other uses of tobacco are not permitted.
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Yes, all volunteers must view the online volunteer training video and read the volunteer handbook before coming to camp. All weeklong volunteers must attend our Volunteer Orientation before campers arrive.
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No. Counselors will work in groups. Groups will typically be comprised of two cabins, which is approximately two counselors and 12-14 campers.
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Yes. Since counselors are working in groups, if you need to take a break or have a specific time you need to get away, you will have others to back you up. We will also have "Floater Volunteers" who can watch campers while you are away.
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No experience is necessary. Each cabin will have at least one counselor who has extensive experience with our population. Otherwise, you need to have a caring, patient, and enthusiastic personality and focus on the campers.
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No. Camp Blue Skies instructors will lead the activities. Volunteers will simply participate with and assist campers as needed during each activity. You are a guide and helper. However, if you have experience in teaching activities or would like to assist with a particular activity, please indicate that on your application.
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Yes! Some opportunities include being an extra set of hands at an event and special projects. For more information about volunteering, Volunteer@CampBlueSkies.org.
Why our volunteers keep coming back!
Want more information?
Need more information before applying? Click the button to fill out our volunteer inquiry form, and we’ll get back to you. If you’ve volunteered in the past 5 years, please click here to complete a volunteer application.
Volunteer stories
Like our campers and their families, our volunteers often tell us their lives are transformed by their experiences, and many return year after year.
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Woody Appleby
Woody Appleby has known about Camp Blue Skies before most of us did. He’s a dear friend of founder Dick Sesler, like many of our volunteers. His stepson, Brandon, is one of our first campers.
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Doug Sheffield
Doug hadn’t planned to volunteer. He didn’t have any experience with adults with developmental disabilities. And he hadn’t grown up going to camp. Doug realized, though, he needed to volunteer.
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Carrie Guerrette
A TV news report about Camp Blue Skies piqued Carrie Guerrette’s interest.
“I always loved the idea of camp when I was younger but never had the opportunity to go,” Carrie said. “So, I thought this would be a great way to experience camp and help others in need.
