Volunteer

Anyone 13 or older is eligible to volunteer in some capacity! Nurses and doctors are also needed to work in our clinic.

Crew (completed 6th-8th grade) – This is a role for middle school students ages 12-14. There are around 12 girl and 12 boy crew each week and they are supervised by 4 crew leaders (2 girls and 2 guys). Each crew member is assigned to a camper cabin and they are responsible for serving meals to them throughout the week. Another responsibility they have is to keep the cabins clean. Finally, they get to spend some time at activities and parties with their camper cabin and get to know their campers a little more. In the evenings, our crew leaders facilitate a devotional and a fun activity.

Cabin Hands (completed 9th grade) – Serve hand-in-hand with Counselors and Cabin Leaders by providing them with assistance and filling in in the cabin where needed. "Cabin Hands" are 15-16 years old, who act as an extra set of hands in the cabin.

Buddy (completed at least 10th grade) – This role is for high school sophomores through seniors ages 16-25 years old. Each "buddy" is paired up with a camper to be with all week. Some campers are very independent and just need a friend while other campers might require more assistance and need help with getting dressed in the morning, eating, going to the restroom, etc. There will be 6 campers, 6 buddies, 1 cabin hand and 2 summer staff members in each cabin. The cabin leaders facilitate daily devotionals for both the campers and the volunteers.

Cabin Parents (Ages 26+) –Some of their main responsibilities are doing laundry for their cabin, sitting with the cabin during FOB (relax time) and volunteer devo time, and encouraging and getting to know the campers, volunteers and staff, passing out snacks, and really helping out with whatever is needed.

Clinic Volunteers –Each week, we try to get at least 2 clinic volunteers to work in the clinic. This is a certified or licensed medical professionals. We have a full time clinic manager on site. Our clinic team organizes and passes out medications, assists with any feedings, illness, injuries, etc.

You can see what a typical day looks like here.

Feel free to contact us with specific questions!

Being a Christian camp for children with special needs, our focus is not on intensive lecture style teaching. Each night we have a joyful time of worship and a Bible study for volunteers. Here they can debrief with their cabins and have time to get to know each other better and be vulnerable. Volunteers also experience Christ as they love and serve their camper buddy.

While it is possible for groups to take time during the week to meet and process how things are going, it is important to remember Camp Blessing is totally structured around our campers’ unique needs. This limits the ability of a group to be together at a specified time each day. Girl cabins and boy cabins are also segregated, which makes interaction with the whole group harder to come by. We highly encourage groups to meet after the week is over to debrief and celebrate what God has done.

No experience is needed; only the heart to serve! Training covers topics such as personal care, safety, behavior management and diagnosis specific care. Volunteers receive 24 hours of training before campers arrive.

Yes, volunteers pay $450 to help cover the cost of room and board for the week.

The youth leader, youth intern and adult volunteers can sign up to serve as a cabin parent. This allows you to be involved in the lives of your students while also filling a need at camp. Cabin parents oversee a cabin or two as a parental figure, providing encouragement, support and prayer while also helping with laundry and snacks.

We can accommodate groups up to 50. Our ratios are critical to our ministry and we encourage you to underestimate the number of volunteers you can bring as we depend on each volunteer to fill an important role at camp.

We strive to glorify Jesus Christ in everything we do. We especially want Campers to see our Staff and Missionaries as living examples of Christ. We have specific policies designed to allow you to understand what we believe is right and true in the eyes of our Lord. These policies are also designed for your safety and wellness during camp. If you have any questions about these policies, please call or email us. 

Alcohol, Illegal Drugs & Tobacco: Our Staff does not condone or personally use illegal drugs or tobacco. We do not condone the abuse of alcohol or allow for drunkenness. 

Sexual Behavior: We love all of God’s people and we know sin takes many forms. We do not condone premarital sex and homosexual relationships in accordance with God’s laws. 

General Appearance: Everyone should keep a neat appearance. If you have long hair, it’s recommended to keep it in a ponytail for your safety. 

Shirts: T-shirts should reflect a Christian image and not have inscriptions or advertising for questionable products (i.e., beer products or slanderous sayings). No spaghetti-strap, tight-fitting, or low-cut shirts. Straps on shirts must be at least the width of two fingers and completely cover bra straps. Shirts must cover the abdomen, even when hands are lifted in the air. 

Shorts/Pants: Our standard length for shorts is finger-tip length. Shorts must also be loose-fitting. No shorts or pants with words across the seat are to be worn at any time. Shorts must be visible under longer shirts. Leggings are appropriate only if and when front and back areas are completely covered. 

Shoes: Shoes must be worn at all times. Closed toed shoes must be worn at horses, no exceptions.  Closed-toe shoes or shoes with a strap going across the top of the foot and around the heel (i.e., Chacos or Tevas) are required during all activities, with the exception of to and from the pool.

 Swimsuits: Men must wear swim trunks (no Speedos). Women must wear modest one-piece swimsuits. Two-piece swimsuits will be permitted provided they completely cover the abdomen area even with hands in the air. No low-cut swimsuits are to be worn. If necessary, girls may wear shirts over their swimsuits as long as the shirts are not white. It is highly recommended for girls to wear shorts over their swimsuit. 

Tattoos & Body Piercings: While at camp, it is suggested that all piercings be removed for safety reasons. If you do not choose to remove, please only use studs. Our missionaries will wear no naval, eyebrow, or tongue jewelry at camp (this is a safety issue). At the discretion of the camp directors, any tattoo that may be viewed as inappropriate will need to be covered at all times. 

Cell Phones & Laptop: To avoid distraction and fully immerse yourself in the Blessing experience, laptops are not to be brought to camp. We do not allow the use of cell phones at camp for any reason. If you need to make an emergency call, there are phones available. (Exceptions are made to this policy for group leaders and adult leaders - 30 and over).

Please email us your refund request for any remaining amount beyond your non-refundable deposit fee.  We will honor all requests postmarked and received prior to the May 1st full payment due-date. Any cancellation beyond this date, not due to Camp Blessing, will result in the loss of all fees.  Unless a 3rd party payer is involved, any payment that is not paid in full by May 1, will result in the loss of your volunteer's reservation.

Refunds cannot be given if a volunteer is sent home due to behavioral concerns, sickness, injury, or if he/she decides to leave before the end of the camp term.