- How do we assign volunteers to campers?
- Why does it take so long to pass medication?
- Can volunteers receive more information about their campers?
- How are the daily activities and schedules planned, and what is the volunteer's role?
How do we assign volunteers to campers?
To assign campers to volunteers we first decide which campers need to be with volunteers that have past experience at camp. We try not to assign new volunteers to campers that might need more assistance. We ask for recommendations from the campers' living areas to determine who would do best with an adult volunteer and who might respond better to a male or female volunteer.
Sometimes the ratio of female to male campers does not match the ratio of female to male volunteers. Because of this, volunteers may be paired with an individual of the opposite sex.
Why does it take so long to pass medication?
Passing meds does take a long time, however, it is extremely important for our campers to get their meds. When we pass medication we need to double check our records and the prescription labels to make sure the campers are getting the
- right dose
- right frequency
- right route
- most importantly, the right drug
Can volunteers receive more information about their campers?
We do our best to communicate campers' important attributes to the volunteers. However, in order to protect each camper's confidentiality, we share information with volunteers on a need to know basis.
How are the daily activities and schedules planned, and what is the volunteer's role?
On a typical day at camp, volunteers provide one-on-one attention to campers during scheduled camp activities. The activities often correlate with the year's theme; examples include chapel, arts and crafts, games, hay rides and much more. Below is a sample of a typical day at Camp Matz.
| Time | Activity |
| 7:30 a.m. | Volunteers eat breakfast |
| 8:00 a.m. | Campers eat breakfast |
| 9:00 a.m. | Announcements and chapel |
| 9:30 a.m. | Morning activities |
| 10:45 a.m. | Break time and lunch for volunteers |
| 12:15 p.m. | Lunch for campers |
| 12:45 p.m. | Rest time |
| 2:00 p.m. | Afternoon activities |
| 3:30 p.m. | Snack time and break time for volunteers |
| 5:00 p.m. | Dinner for volunteers |
| 5:30 p.m. | Dinner for campers |
| 6:30 p.m. | Evening activities |
| 8:00 p.m. | Campers prepare for bed and volunteers relax or do group activities |
The volunteers' role throughout the day is to help campers enjoy the camping experience. If an activity is too difficult or too easy for some of the campers, volunteers can make it fun by asking questions and explaining what is going on as the activity progresses.
For example, during a craft project, volunteers might ask their campers:
- What color is this piece of paper?
- Which color crayon would you like to use?
- Which paint would you like me to use?
No matter what the activity, volunteers help campers enjoy camp just by talking to them!
Some weeks there are several times when we ask volunteers to take their campers on a nature walk. Camp staff uses this time to clean up after lunch and dinner breaks and to prepare for upcoming activities.
If the nature walks get too repetitive, volunteers can add some fun by, once again, talking to their campers! Volunteers can ask their campers about what they see, touch, hear or smell on the walk.
The more effort and enthusiasm the volunteers put into the activity, the more enjoyment everyone will get out of it!
Camp Matz Contact Info
For more information or to register as a camper, volunteer, or servant event, contact Program Director Donna Winter at:
E-mail: donna.winter@mailblc.org
Phone: 920.261.3559
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