WANTED: Summer camp volunteers.
REWARD: Hands-on experience working with children with a variety of disabilities. Plus heaps of summer fun.
Camp Munroe once again will bring seven weeks of summer camp for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities to the Munroe-Meyer Institute beginning in June.
MMI’s recreational day camp 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.
“We are all advocates for this population,” said Savannah Bowling, volunteer coordinator with MMI’s Recreational Therapy Department, who pointed out that many former Camp Munroe volunteers go on to careers working with people with IDD. “This experience makes our volunteers better clinicians in the future. It teaches empathy and responsibility.”
Camp sessions are designed for campers between ages 3 and 21. The one-week sessions, held at the MMI building at 6902 Pine St., run Monday through Friday, starting the week of June 10 and ending the week of July 29.
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. Training sessions are slated for May 18, May 21 and May 29.
“Volunteers get a lot of hands-on experience,” Bowling said. “It’s a rewarding experience, and they make a difference in our kids’ lives every day that they’re here.”
To sign up, or for more information, contact Bowling.