With an extra week added to Camp Munroe, organizers are seeking additional volunteers.
Camp Munroe, the Munroe-Meyer Institute’s recreational day camp for children and youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities, provides a summer camp experience for youth who might face challenges participating in other summer programs without special assistance.
Campers get the chance to practice their communication skills while volunteers gain health care experience.
“It’s an excellent opportunity for people to gain knowledge and experience in the clinical health care field,” said Nicole Giron, director of the MMI Department of Recreational Therapy. “Often, our volunteers end up going into health practice areas. This is definitely a pathway.”
Camp sessions at MMI at 6902 Pine St. are designed for campers between ages 3 and 21. The one-week sessions run Monday through Friday, starting June 5 and ending July 28.
Student volunteers, who must be 13 or older, will help supervise campers. Volunteers will take part in activities including sports, swimming, dancing, art, cooking and games.
Volunteers must commit to one full week, for a total of 33 hours. They may volunteer up to three weeks.
Volunteers also must complete a training session before camp.
The camp can benefit many students on the UNMC campus, too, Giron said. More than 30 local and national colleges and universities have sent students to develop in-depth experience.
It falls under the department’s pre-service practicum opportunities offered for nursing, special education, psychology, therapeutic recreation majors and other fields.
“For volunteers, regardless of what field they go into, the experience they get in our program really helps them build confidence and leadership skills,” Giron said. “They’re learning to work with a wide variety of people.”
Volunteers for previous camp sessions have said seeing campers make new friendships with their peers, volunteers and staffers has been the most rewarding part.
“They want to be part of the campers’ experiences and help them have a fantastic week,” Giron said. “They want to know they’ve made a difference for someone.”
To sign up or for more information, contact Savannah Bowling, volunteer coordinator.