Volunteer
Volunteer to Make a Difference
Camp Volunteer
Camp Volunteer
Volunteers are essential to the success of our programs.
We strive to provide the best experience for the children and families we serve, therefore we choose the ‘best of the best’ volunteers. Our volunteers help make the ‘magic’ of Camp Rainbow happen. By applying today, you can help make magic for our campers!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering your time and talent with Camp Rainbow!
Camp Volunteer Positions
- Camp Rainbow Volunteer - Overnight: These volunteers form both our Cabin Crews and Programming/Logistics Team. The Cabin Crew consists of the volunteers in the cabins providing guidance, support, and assistance to campers throughout the week of camp. The Programming and Logistics Team are the volunteers helping to create camp magic behind the scenes which may require early mornings and late nights. All must commit to participation in orientation. These volunteers will be spending the night at camp.
- Camp Rainbow Volunteer - Day Only: Help create camp magic DURING the weeks of our summer camps. These volunteers will be responsible for managing assigned program activities or areas throughout the week of camp. Depending on the activity, the position may require specialized skill or certification as appropriate to activity (art, fishing, lifeguarding, etc). These volunteers are not required to commit to a full day of camp nor will they be spending the night at camp.
The above volunteer opportunities are available at Oncology Overnight Camp, SIBS Camp, and Teen Camp.
Volunteer Requirements
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- Read, understand, and abide by the rules, policies and procedures found in the Camp Volunteer Manual.
- Attend the mandatory training session as well as required on-site orientation.
- Must be able to lift, carry, and stand for extended periods of time. May also be exposed to temperatures greater than 80 degrees.
- Camp Rainbow strongly encourages volunteers to be up to date with all vaccinations including covid.
- Requires a successful background check if 18 years old or older.
- Requires two (2) positive references.
- Must be 17 years old by June 1st
Interested in volunteering at camp but can’t commit to the full session? We always welcome individuals and groups to come and volunteer for a day during camp sessions. Individuals typically come to speak about a topic or lead an activity.
- Meals: Providing, preparing and serving breakfast, lunch or dinner
- Activities: Interested in sharing your special skill or talent? Our campers love to learn new things! We’ve had groups come and teach campers art, stem, sports, and even fencing!
- Speakers and Demonstrations: Whether you’re a motivational speaker or have something neat you want to show our campers, we’d love to hear your ideas!
Please email us at tricia@camprainbow.com to discuss further volunteer options.
Year-Round Volunteer
Year-Round Opportunities
Volunteers are essential to the success of our programs.
We strive to provide the best experience for the children and families we serve, therefore we choose the ‘best of the best’ volunteers. Our volunteers help make the ‘magic’ of Camp Rainbow happen. By applying today, you can help make magic for our campers!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering your time and talent with Camp Rainbow!
Year-Round Volunteer Positions
- Camp Rainbow Volunteer: Help Camp Rainbow staff with duties and tasks as requested and assigned. This volunteer will provide support to the Camp Rainbow team by counting, packaging, and sorting programming items. This volunteer should be able to lift, carry, and stand for extended periods of time.
- Camp Rainbow TNT Volunteer: Help Camp Rainbow staff and program volunteers create camp magic through participation as a chaperone at various events throughout the calendar year.
- Camp Rainbow Camp-In Volunteer: Bring the magic of camp into the local children's hospitals. Volunteers spend time playing games, creating craft projects, and entertaining children currently being treated in the clinic and floors of the hospital.
Requirements
- Camp Rainbow strongly encourages volunteers to be up to date with all vaccinations including covid. Any volunteers working Camp-In must have current covid vaccination per hospital rules.
- All volunteer positions with direct camper contact require a successful background check.
- All volunteer positions with direct camper contact require the successful completion of orientation session(s)
- Camp-In volunteers may be required to complete additional training and/or provide additional documentation to the local hospital.
Medical Volunteer
Medical Volunteer
Volunteers are essential to the success of our programs.
We strive to provide the best experience for the children and families we serve, therefore we choose the ‘best of the best’ volunteers. Our volunteers help make the ‘magic’ of Camp Rainbow happen. By applying today, you can help make magic for our campers!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering your time and talent with Camp Rainbow!
Position
Camp Rainbow Medical Volunteer: Be part of the team that keeps us safe! The medical team provides both routine and specialized treatments to our campers throughout the week of camp.
Requirements
- Camp Rainbow strongly encourages volunteers to be up to date with all vaccinations including covid. Any volunteers working Camp-In must have current covid vaccination per hospital rules.
- Requires successful background check
- Must complete an orientation packet prior to arrival at camp
- Must have current medical licensing in good standing
- Preference is given to those team members willing to commit to a minimum of 24-hour shirts.
Camp
Guest Application
Guest Application
Thank you for your interest in being part of Camp Rainbow through your business or organization. Our special guests bring the magic to camp through unique programming such as yoga, support dogs and sports guests.
Volunteer Magazine
Camp Volunteer
Volunteers are essential to the success of our programs.
We strive to provide the best experience for the children and families we serve, therefore we choose the ‘best of the best’ volunteers. Our volunteers help make the ‘magic’ of Camp Rainbow happen. By applying today, you can help make magic for our campers!
Thank you for your interest in volunteering your time and talent with Camp Rainbow!
Camp Volunteer Positions
- Teen Camp Volunteer: Be part of creating the magical teen camp weekend for our campers 14-18 years old. Volunteers at Teen Camp will have increased moments to have camper connections and really experience the magic of our camp through activities, camp programming, and meaningful conversations and moments.
- Oncology Overnight Camp & Day Camp Counselor: Become a counselor at our camp this summer to truly impact the life of a child dealing with a pediatric cancer diagnosis. Counselors laugh, play, and connect with campers in small groups throughout the week. Because our counselors are often our youngest volunteers, they will have the support and guidance from a strong team of seasoned volunteers and camp staff. (Must be 16 years old by June 1st)
- Oncology Camp Unit Heads (Leaders In Training): Oncology Camp Unit Heads (Leaders In Training) support and guide the cabin counselors. Throughout the week of camp, these individuals are supported to learn the skills and knowledge needed to become future leaders at one of our camp programs.
- SIBS Cabin Crew Team: SIBS Cabin Crew members assist the Cabin Leader in creating camp fun throughout the week of camp. This is a big role! Cabin Teams will be responsible for the fun, magic, supervision, and care of 9-12 campers assigned to their cabin. (Must be 18 years old by June 1st)
- Oncology Camp & SIBS Camp Support Specialist (Cabin Leader): Be part of leading the camp magic throughout the week. The Support Specialist (Cabin Leader) is a role model to both campers and our leader volunteers. This important position brings the energy, confidence, and leadership skills to our camp family. In this role, you are the leader of your assigned cabin team. Ideally, you are also CPR/FA certified as you are the first emergency responder as well.
- Oncology Camp and SIBS Camp Logistics / Program Team: Make the magic happen by loading, moving, building, leading, and implementing the camp activities and programs throughout the week. This too is a high-energy role at camp.
Requirements
- All vaccinations (including COVID) must be up to date.
- Read, understand, and abide by the rules, policies and procedures found in the Camp Volunteer Manual.
- Attend the mandatory training session as well as the required on-site orientation.
- Must be able to lift, carry, and stand for extended periods of time. May also be exposed to temperatures greater than 80 degrees.
- Requires a successful background check (18 years old or older), interview process, and two (2) positive references.
- Will likely not have a cell phone, wifi, email access or availability during camp.
- Can provide own transportation to and from camp and/or are comfortable coordinating transportation with other camp volunteers.
- Can remain flexible about on-site responsibilities – camp management works to place volunteers in desired roles, but sometimes other placement/tasks may be required.
- Must love children and be willing to have fun, try new things, let loose, and be silly!
Interested in volunteering at camp but can’t commit to the full session? We always welcome individuals and groups to come and volunteer for a day during camp sessions. Individuals typically come to speak about a topic or lead an activity.
- Meals: Providing, preparing and serving breakfast, lunch or dinner
- Activities: Interested in sharing your special skill or talent? Our campers love to learn new things! We’ve had groups come and teach campers art, stem, sports, and even fencing!
- Speakers and Demonstrations: Whether you’re a motivational speaker or have something neat you want to show our campers, we’d love to hear your ideas!
Please email us at tricia@camprainbow.com to discuss further volunteer options.
FAQ
Camp Rainbow volunteers should have the desire and ability to work with children in an outdoor setting and should be committed to Camp Rainbow’s mission of providing free camps to children and families dealing with a pediatric cancer or blood-related disease diagnosis.
Additionally, Camp Rainbow volunteers must:
1. Be able to meet the time commitment for the program with which they are volunteering;
2. Meet the essential functions of the position for which they are applying as described in the application;
5. Be willing to comply with Camp Rainbow’s background check policies, complete a health history form as requested, and participate in assigned training/orientation sessions.
In response to the modification of our camp delivery models, we have updated our volunteer descriptions. Please take a moment to review the descriptions at the beginning of the application to choose the correct role for you at Camp Rainbow.
In a typical summer, volunteers at our Overnight Camp and SIBS spend about nine days – two days of staff training and seven days with the campers.
Family Camp volunteers commit to being at Camp on Friday evening and leaving Camp on Monday afternoon over Labor Day Weekend.
Camp-In volunteers commit to at least one 6 hour day in the hospital bringing camp activities to children in-patient or in-treatment.
Teen Camp volunteers commit to being at Camp on Friday evening and leaving on Sunday around lunchtime.
All volunteers will also complete the mandatory orientation sessions as appropriate to their role at Camp Rainbow.
Yes, we’d love to have you. Generally, volunteers are welcome to apply for more than one camp session. However, in an effort to give everyone a chance to volunteer at Camp Rainbow, volunteers may not be chosen as a volunteer at each camp session to which they applied.
All volunteers receive a copy of the Camp Rainbow Volunteer Handbook. This important document can answer many of your questions as well as provide important training information. Each volunteer is asked to complete an online quiz demonstrating sufficient knowledge of the training content.
Individuals who volunteer at Overnight Camp, Day Camp, and SIBS Camp will also attend onsite training prior to their session with campers.
Individuals who volunteer at Family Camp, will participate in a training prior to the arrival of campers.
The goal of all of our staff training is to make volunteers feel comfortable, informed, and ready to greet campers and families, welcome them to camp, and work with them during their time at camp. During staff training, you will meet the other volunteers that you will be working with. You will also learn skills for working with kids of different age groups. Finally, you will learn a great deal about Camp Rainbow.
Camp Rainbow Activity Lead Volunteer- Bring the magic of camp into the into our campers' homes through virtual programming. Lead Volunteers must be 19+ years old and have good wifi, computer access (not smartphone or tablet), and at least 1 year of Camp Rainbow volunteer experience. Must commit to at least 2 days of availability.
Camp Rainbow Asst. Activity Lead Volunteer - Bring the magic of camp into our campers' homes through virtual programming. Asst. Volunteers must be 19+ years old and have at least 1 year of Camp Rainbow volunteer experience. Must commit to at least 2 days of availability.
Camp Rainbow Program Support - Bring camp magic to our campers through high energy, enthusiasm, and a willingness to engage with campers during virtual programs. Program Support volunteers are typically younger (ages 17+) with no in camp program volunteer experience. This volunteer is helping with virtual programming in a support role.
Volunteer Box Packaging - Provide support to the Camp Rainbow team by counting, packaging, and sorting programming items. This volunteer should be able to lift, carry, and stand for extended periods of time.
Volunteer Box Pick Up - Provide support to the Camp Rainbow team by volunteering on May 22, 2021, at the box pick-up event for our summer campers. This volunteer should be able to lift, carry, and stand for extended periods of time. May also be exposed to temperatures greater than 80 degrees.
Volunteer Evening Support - Provide support to the Camp Rainbow team by participating in the evening programming. Additional ways to support evening programs include technical help (muting participants, spotlighting participants, creating videos, etc.)
Family Camp volunteers are assigned to groups. Within the groups, volunteers are in charge of the campers! Depending on the age of the kids, this includes playing games with them, taking them to different activities, etc. Afternoons and evenings are filled with programming for the whole family. Volunteers provide logistical support to set up, clean up, and run these activities.
Camp Rainbow understands a pediatric oncology diagnosis affects the entire family and it is therefore important that the needs of each family member is recognized. Our camper population embraces every family member. Our campers include
Summer Overnight Camp is for children ages 6 to 13 years old who have had or are currently dealing with cancer or other blood-related disorders.
Day Camp is for children ages 4 to 6 years olds held during the same week as overnight camp from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The camp is specifically designed to meet the unique needs of younger children who are battling cancer or blood related disorders.
SIBS Overnight Camp for children ages 7 to 17 years old who have had or are currently dealing with a sibling's diagnosis of cancer or other blood-related disorders.
Teen Camp is for teens ages 14 to 18 years old who have had or are currently dealing with cancer or other blood-related disorders.
Family Camp is a place for kids with cancer and their families to have fun and enjoy a camp experience in a safe atmosphere.
Camp-In is an in-hospital camp aimed at providing a 2-day camp experience for children who are inpatient at the 3 area hospitals – St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital, and Mercy Medical Center.
Teens-N-Twenty (TnT) program provides Half and full day social events for teens 14-20 years old who have had or are currently dealing with a cancer or blood-related disorder years old as well as their siblings ages 14-18 years old.
All of Camp Rainbow’s campers are looking for a fantastic, friendly environment for children suffering from cancer or blood-related diseases, and their families to be able to take a breath and just have a fun and interact with others who are in the same situation.
We really encourage you to consider volunteering at a week of SIBS Camp. Siblings of children diagnosed with cancer are also dealing with the weight of their brother/sister's pain. They can often feel overwhelmed by the strong emotional and social impact.
And though it's unintentional, parents and other family members can overlook these siblings needs. Just as a child with cancer needs support, attention & care, we know their strongest supporters need the same - their brothers and sisters.
Camp Rainbow's SIBS Camp is a one-week camp for children ages 7 to 17. Hosted at Camp Manitowa, SIBS Camp is a treasured week and have over 100 siblings attending each year!
Volunteers are responsible for being aware of the general health and safety of their campers and should refer any questions or health issues to the medical staff. During staff training, all volunteers will receive a medical orientation that addresses camp procedures, as well as any concerns volunteers, may have regarding the health of their campers.
Yes, meals and housing are provided for the duration of your volunteer commitment. There is no fee for volunteering but volunteers are encouraged to participate in our annual fundraising events.
Volunteers are responsible for their transportation to camp.
Cell phones have limited reception at camp. Camp Rainbow does have an emergency contact number and urgent messages from home will be relayed to volunteers as quickly as possible.
Contact Tricia at tricia@camprainbow.com to complete forms, obtain a letter, or with additional questions.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to tricia@camprainbow.com. We would love to talk with you and answer any additional questions you have.
Volunteer Spotlights
Each year more than 400 volunteers help to create special and magical camp experiences at Camp Rainbow.
We are so proud that many of our volunteers choose to return year after year. While we are grateful for and want to celebrate all of our volunteers, we especially want to spotlight the following volunteers celebrating a milestone anniversary at Camp Rainbow.
5 Years!
- Maggie Bohannan
- Brianna Pfieffer
10 Years!
- Kylee Lowes
- Barbie Ricken
15 Years!
- Debbi Braunstein
20 Years!
- Mary McKee
25 Years!
- Jessica Davis
- Stephanie Dummerth
Camp Rainbow Volunteers
Thank you to all of the Camp Rainbow volunteers!
Together with the Camp Rainbow Board of Directors, Camp Rainbow Medical Advisory Board, Camp Rainbow Leadership Team, and the Staff of Camp Rainbow they work magic to create fun, exciting, and amazing camp experiences.
For a complete list of our previous year's volunteers, please click on our Volunteer Magazine tab above.
Make a Difference In a Child's Life
Join us in giving children the adventure of a lifetime! Donate today to change the life of a child diagnosed with cancer or a blood-related disease.
