For one, you’ll find an opportunity for professional development. Where else can you eat s’mores, sing campfire songs, and network with other professionals all at the same time? You never know if the person you’re dancing next to holds the key to your future career or passion! At SeriousFun camps, you encounter people from the medical field, small business owners, college students, camp professionals, corporate executives, community members, and lifelong advocates.

Plus, volunteering at camp enables many people to do the following: develop leadership skills; share best practices for working with youth; facilitate activities and command a room; improve time management; engage in creative problem-solving; practice flexibility; strengthen communication skills; engage with a diverse team of people; recognize and leverage personal strengths and those of others; and gain experience with youth of varying ages, abilities, and medical needs.

You’ll also grow as a person. At camp, staff, volunteers, and campers alike are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and (safely!) try new things. In this way, camp can bring out interests you didn’t even know you had. Volunteers leave with fresh perspectives, not only about others, but also about who they are and what they can do. At SeriousFun camps, you are not on the sidelines but on center stage, right alongside the team of staff. Perspective, empathy, and self-confidence are yours to discover in new and deeper ways, even for the most experienced volunteers.

Applicants must be at least 19 years old to volunteer at a SeriousFun camp but each camp is independently managed so please confirm the age requirement for the camp and position of your choice prior to applying.

SeriousFun camps look for fun, energetic, creative, responsible, and compassionate individuals who will be dedicated to giving our campers the best experience possible. For certain program areas (for example, lifeguarding, ropes course, etc.), specific skill certifications are required. Each volunteer position is also contingent upon submission of requested medical documentation and the successful completion of a background check or other screening by the camp.

SeriousFun camps are specialty medical camps, and we must take every measure to protect campers’ health and safety. Camp staff and volunteers are required to submit a variety of medical documentation, including proof of childhood vaccinations, an updated physical and other medical information.

There are many ways to volunteer at SeriousFun camps, including week-long and/or weekend camp programs, day programs, hospital and community outreach programs and events, and more. There are even volunteer opportunities where you may not interact directly with children, working behind the scenes to make the camp magic happen.

Each camp will have their own process for applying. You will need to fill out an application, provide medical information, and a criminal background check. From there, you’ll likely have an interview with a year-round staff member.

There are lots of opportunities to volunteer at camp, including weekend camps, day programs, events, camp cleaning, session preparations, and more. Each camp will have a list of these opportunities on their website.

While you are at camp, all of your needs will be met, but in most cases, travel to camp will be your responsibility. Keep this in mind when choosing where you would like to go. Some fraternity or sorority members may be entitled to stipends; ask your chapter for more information.

When you arrive at camp, you’ll receive a tour and an orientation that will last about a day before campers or families arrive for overnight programs, with shorter orientations for day programs. Some camps even have online orientation or training you’ll complete before you arrive. For those volunteering for residential sessions, you will be given a secure place to sleep — sometimes with campers and fellow volunteers, or sometimes just with other volunteers and staff. Meals at camp are a highlight and almost any dietary need can be met. Be sure to tell your camp contact about any specific dietary needs you have before you arrive so food can be arranged for you.