Policies and Procedures of Camp Sunshine:

Here are the basic policies and procedures.

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What is expected of me as a Camp Sunshine Volunteer:

As a Camp Sunshine Volunteer Counselor you are expected to act in a professional manner to provide our guests a quality and memorable stay at camp.  Volunteers in any position are expected to follow our Policies and Procedures, be on time when the program starts, dress appropriately for a family camp, engage with the children and families as appropriate, and be respectful and kind to everyone at camp regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.

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I volunteered last year, do I have to submit another volunteer application and medical form?

Camp Sunshine is an accredited member of the American Camp Association, which requires a new application and medical form each year.  Applications and medical forms are good for an entire calendar year, but must be submitted again the following year.

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I have a 15 year old who is almost 16, can they volunteer?

Volunteers must be 16 on the first day of camp. Volunteers that are 16 or 17 years of age wishing to stay on site, must be accompanied by a volunteering chaperone 21 years of age or older.  A chaperone may act as a guardian for up to five 16-17 year old volunteers.  Volunteers that are 16 or 17 years of age that are commuting each day, are not required to be accompanied by a chaperone.

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I would like to bring a volunteer group to camp, how do I proceed?

Many school and club groups make yearly pilgrimages to volunteer at camp. In order for Camp Sunshine to accommodate your group, please make sure you follow our criteria. Volunteers 16 or 17 years of age must be accompanied by a chaperone 21 or older volunteering with them. The ratio of 16 and 17 year olds to chaperones cannot exceed 5 to 1. First time groups are limited to 5 participants and 1 or 2 chaperones.  All chaperones are expected to be the point person and guardian for those that are under 18 in their group, while also seeing to their volunteer duties. Documentation regarding attendance permission with listed chaperone for all 16 and 17 year old volunteers from their parent/guardian is required.

 

Group placements are limited & usually assigned 2 weeks after the program dates are released.  Any group applying after that will be placed into sessions based off of availability.

 

More information can be found here or contact Beth Packard, Volunteer & Program Coordinator.

 

Evening Activities: What is expected?

Each night has a special activity or show for the entire camp. During a full length session, we will have the following entertainment: Evening entertainer, Masquerade party, Talent Show, Parent's Night, and Celebration Show. Shorter sessions will have some of these nights or combine two into one night.

 

The first night of camp we bring in an entertainer, such as a magician, to bring smiles to faces. Following that is a bonfire to roast marshmallows on.

 

The second night is our Masquerade Party. Both campers and volunteers can dress up in costumes and dance to music. Dressing up is not required, but the kids love to see their volunteer counselors in costumes. If you do not have a costume, Camp has plenty to choose from.

 

The third night is the Talent show where the children step onto the stage and dazzle the audience with their performances.

 

The next night is our Parent's night, and is the only night when it's mandatory for volunteers to be on duty. We treat the parents to an evening to themselves while volunteers take the children to evening activities. On this night the 9 to 12 year-olds get the unique opportunity to camp out for the night in our yurt village nestled in the woods. The night includes a cookout and a bonfire for making smores. The 6 to 8 children and older tot lot'ers have a special evening entertainer and the teens have an evening swim and volley ball game under the lights.

 

The last night is the Celebration Show. Each age group goes on stage with a performance as we close out the week with style.

 

I was assigned or am Interested in volunteering as one of the following counselor positions.  What does it entail?

 

The nursery takes care of our youngest campers while the parents are enjoying their own activities. The nursery has a camper to volunteer counselor ratio of one to one. Nursery counselors can expect to help with diaper changes, story time, and stroller walks. For more information, please click here.

 

The tot lot counselors care for the toddlers and provide a fun atmosphere with age appropriate games and activities. The tot lot has an outdoor play area where young campers can run around and enjoy the playground equipment. As with our nursery counselors, tot lot counselors can also expect to help with diaper changes. For more information, please click here.

 

The 6 to 8 group hosts some of our more active children, engaging in games such as parachute play, enjoying our waterfront, and mini golf. For more information, please click here.

 

The 9 to 12 age group not only engages in traditional camp activities such as arts and crafts, waterfront, or kickball, but they also are able to scale the climbing wall, participate in the high and low ropes course, and try their skills at archery. The 9 to 12 group also participates in the overnight camp out. If you are assigned to be a 9 to 12 volunteer counselor, you are expected to camp out with the children. If you do not have a sleeping bag, Camp will provide one for you. For more information, please click here.

 

The teen group includes our oldest children, 13 to 18 years of age. Even though teens can be fairly independent and motivated, we still provide a group structure in which they can enjoy the program. Activities not only include the high and low ropes course, archery, waterfront and mini golf, but teens also get the opportunity to compete against the parents in the Super Dooper Blooper games for Camp Sunshine's coveted love cup trophy. For more information, please click here.

 

Adult volunteer counselors work with our parents to make sure that they have the supplies they need for their activities when they are scheduled in the program. Additional responsibilities include helping at the Parent’s Dinner with greetings, seating and interaction (when scheduled). For more information, please click here.

 

A one-on-one volunteer counselor is someone assigned to a camper who may need a little extra help to navigate around camp and various camp activities. The goal of a one-to-one counselor is to stay within the age group the child is assigned to, and encourage the child to engage in the program with the group. For more information, please click here.

 

A food service volunteer is responsible for helping camp food service staff finish prepping the food for serving, serving food to the camp, and help with clean up. Closed toed shoes (no flip flops!) and hats/head covering are required by state law. For more information, please click here.

 

Arts and Crafts volunteer counselors prepare supplies for the children when they have arts and crafts scheduled and assist them with their crafts. Each session children work on their wish boats, center pieces for the dining tables on parent's night, as well as other creative crafts. For more information, please click here.

 

Marina volunteers unlock and set up the boats at the waterfront every morning, groom the beach, and help the children and adults into various watercraft. At the end of the day marina volunteers make sure to lock up the boats and put equipment away for the night. For safety please no Flip Flops.  Recommend use of water shoes, sneakers, or closed toed footwear. For more information, please click here.

 

Lifeguards must be certified by an accredited organization (e.g. American Red Cross, YMCA, etc). Duties include guarding either our pool/waterfront, reviewing rules of the pool/waterfront with the children, organizing a quick swim test the first time a group goes swimming, and keeping the deck of the pool clean, safe, and organized. For more information, please click here.

 

The camp photographer takes photos throughout the session with direction from our Development Team. Parents don't see everything their children are doing during program time, so the photos are a nice way for them to see their children having fun. For more information, please click here.

 

The activities window volunteer oversees the distribution of equipment to the different camp groups throughout the day. Duties also include maintaining records of equipment usage and keeping the activities area organized. For more information, please click here.

 

Sports Center Fitness Area Volunteers are responsible for overseeing the use of the fitness room and equipment while being utilized, and keeping things organized, neat and clean. For more information, please click here.

 

Landscaping / Maintenance volunteers work closely with our maintenance staff to work on a variety of projects on our campus. Projects can include campus beautification, landscaping, and other outdoor work. For more information, please click here.

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