Please note that teen volunteers must be registered by adult caretakers for legal reasons.
Make a Difference in Your Community this Summer
Every summer, adults and teens join us to help create a world of fun and belonging for our campers. Campers spend the day exploring and learning as they are led by counselors of teen leaders, adult volunteers and paid staff. They’ll try out games, sports, outdoor cooking, science, camp crafts, and more – there is something for everyone at Day Camp!
Help Kids Gain a Sense of Belonging
Our volunteers and staff at create an environment that allows kids to feel welcome and safe. We know that now, more than ever, kids need the security of a welcoming atmosphere so that they can build important social and emotional connections.
All About Camp Fire
Camp Fire Central Puget Sound has operated Day Camp in the Puget Sound region for more than 50 years. Evolving to meet the needs of youth today, camp might look a little different than the first year, but the spirit of welcoming everyone to our program remains the same. Camp Fire has a strong commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and participates in the American Camp Association accreditation process to help ensure that our programs meet industry-wide safety standards to keep all of our participants safe and healthy.
Teen Volunteering
Teen Volunteers have opportunities to participate based on their grade level in the fall, and all teens will learn new leadership skills! Grades 9-10 participate as volunteer Day Camp Aides, and grades 11-12 as volunteer Head Counselors. Teens will fill out an interest form before their camp begins, expressing whether they’d rather lead an activity or work with a group.
All volunteers will receive training to prepare them for their roles, including sessions on child supervision, activity planning, and conflict resolution. Throughout the camp, teens will have the chance to collaborate with peers, gain hands-on experience, and receive mentorship from camp staff. Volunteer hours can also count toward community service requirements, making this a rewarding experience both personally and professionally.
In this environment, teens will develop essential leadership skills, including:
- Punctuality: Learning the importance of getting to work on time and staying on schedule.
- Professionalism: Understanding how to interact respectfully and responsibly with campers, peers, and staff.
- Dress and Appearance: Dressing appropriately for camp activities and ensuring they are ready to lead by example.
- Teamwork: Working effectively with other volunteers and staff to create a positive experience for campers.
- Communication: Practicing clear and respectful communication with both children and adults.
- Problem-Solving: Learning how to handle challenges or conflicts calmly and thoughtfully.
- Time Management: Balancing their responsibilities, whether leading activities or supervising groups.
- Responsibility: Taking ownership of their assigned tasks and understanding how their role contributes to the camp’s success.
- Adaptability: Being flexible and ready to adjust plans based on the needs of the group or activities.
These skills will help teens grow as leaders while building confidence in a fun, supportive atmosphere!
Teen Volunteers will earn 48 service hours by participating as a volunteer at Day Camp! Camp Fire will provide you with a record of your service or complete any necessary paperwork verifying your service.
Adult Volunteering (18+)
Depending on your interests, others volunteering, and the group of campers would depend what we’d have you do! There’s a few common things adult volunteers do:
- Program lead! We’ll provide the supplies so you can teach something you’re passionate about. Examples from the past are zero waste art projects, theatre games, group games, pet show and tell, etc. This could be all day every day or once or twice during the week.
- Assist with Head Table, Arts and Crafts or Science.
- Group leader.
- A combination of all of the above.
- We’re open to ideas! Feel free to reach out and ask if what you thinking would be a good fit.
Adult Volunteers receive 2 free camper registrations! Their campers also get immediately removed from the waitlist.
Day Volunteers
Join us as leading an activity, craft or class for our campers! Other options include helping clean camp, extra supervision or prepping materials.
Our camps are run with three 40-minute sessions in the morning and three in the afternoon. Ideally special guests come for one or two full days, two mornings or two afternoons. Ideally every camper gets to do your activity, so depending on how many campers your activity can accommodate will determine the amount of sessions needed.
Day Volunteers can be going into 10th grade to retired. All ages encouraged. The only perk for Day Volunteer is volunteer hours if interested.
Successful guest examples in the past have included:
- Reptile show
- Zumba
- Woodworking
- How to Juggle
- Improve Classes
- Unique crafts
- Team Building Activities
- DIY Paper airplanes
- Scavenger hunts
Counselors-in-Training
Please note that CITs must be registered by adult caretakers for legal reasons.
Youth going into 8th grade have the opportunity to be a Counselor-In-Training and learn valuable leadership skills! Learn more about this program.
Get Ready with Pre-Camp Training
We provide training before camp begins to get everyone up to speed on how things work and what to expect. One Off-Site training must be completed prior to camp and is offered as a virtual webinar and one in-person training. Additional On-Site training specific to your volunteer week and location is also required prior to the start of camp.
FAQ
Where are your Day Camps located?
For the summer of 2024, Camp Fire is operating Day Camp at Westcrest Park in West Seattle, Carkeek Park in North Seattle, at Blyth Park in Bothell, and at Lake Sammamish State Park in Issaquah. Choose your day camp site and apply today!
When is the training?
ALL volunteers are required to do training. This is on your own time of a google classroom and on site.
Can I really bring my child for free?
Yes! Adult Volunteers can bring up to two of their own children or grandchildren to camp for free. Additional children may attend at a 50% discount. Children of adult volunteers skip our waitlist to make sure that you can attend together.
What age of campers do you serve?
Our standard camper age range is grades K-7 for campers and grades 8+ for CIT and Teen Volunteers. For volunteers only, preschool-aged children may also attend. Contact us for more information if you have a young child who you’d like to bring to camp.
What hours are volunteers on site?
Carkeek:
Teens: Monday 8:00 am – 3:45 pm, the rest of the week 8:45 am – 3:45 pm.
CIT – CITs are not technically volunteers, they’re campers in a leadership program. They follow the same hours as campers! 9:00 am – 3:30 pm. They have the option for extended care if needed.
Adult – Week: They can come and go with their campers, 9:00 – 3:30.
Adult – Day: 9:00 am – 3:30.
Hans Jensen/Blyth/Westcrest:
Varies by site and year. But can safely assume 8 am – 4 pm most days. Reach out if you want more information!
More questions? Contact us!
Contact Day Camp Director, Corey Gerberdolan, at info@campfireseattle.org.