Volunteers

There are so many reasons why you should volunteer! Here are just a few benefits to volunteers: 

• You get to be a part of a community of compassionate, enthusiastic, hard-working, service-minded people. You can make life-long friends and connections! 
• You obtain practical experience working and interacting with people who have disabilities. If you have never done so before, even the act of being exposed to this often-underrepresented population of people will expand your worldview, teach you about yourself, and help you become a more compassionate, thoughtful person.  
• You’re providing valuable respite for the full-time caregivers of our campers. 

What type of volunteers do you need at the Weekend programs? 

We accept volunteers of all backgrounds! If you have an interest in public service or want to engage with individuals who have disabilities, you should think about applying! We are always in need of volunteers with medical or special education backgrounds.

How old do you have to be to volunteer at a Weekend?

You must be at least 16 years old to volunteer at Camp Fatima, with parental consent. There is no age limit for our volunteers!

Where are the Weekends held?

Weekend programs are held at a location in New Jersey. We have rented several campsites in the NY Metro area. Currently Weekend programs are held at the Baptist Camp and Conference Center in Lebanon, NJ. Check out their website here. http://www.camplebanon.com/. 

When are the Weekends?

Adult Weekends occur twice every fall and twice every spring, for a total of 4 weekends each year. Check the Adult Weekends page of website for specific dates. 

How many weekends can I volunteer for? 

You can apply for and potentially attend all four weekends.

What is the application process?

All volunteers must register with our application platform, CampDoc. Then select the program(s) you are interested in attending and fill out all required information. Applications are complete when they show a status of 100%. Acceptances are not on a rolling basis. All applications are reviewed by staff after the deadline. After a review of all applications, you will be notified via email of your acceptance status. 

Do I have to sleep at the Weekend program? 

Yes, volunteers are expected to stay on the campsite for the duration of the program, which includes sleeping there overnight. 

Can I volunteer for only part of Camp? 

All volunteers are expected to stay for the entire duration of the Weekend program to best support our campers and general Camp operations. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Director if notice is given far in advance. However, preference will be given to volunteer applicants who intend to stay for the entire program.

Can I get service hours for volunteering at a Weekend?

Yes, by volunteering at one of our adult weekends, you can earn approximately 40 hours of community service that can be officially documented upon request.

I’ve never worked with people with disabilities before. Will you train me? 

Volunteers are required to attend an orientation before the program begins. All activities occur in a group setting and new volunteers will be grouped with veteran volunteers whenever possible.

Is Camp religious?

Camp Fatima of New Jersey is a non-denominational Camp. While it was modeled after a Camp that shares the same name and is associated with a group of Catholic Brothers, we are not affiliated with any religious entity.

Summer Program Volunteer FAQ

Why should I volunteer?

There are so many reasons why you should volunteer! Here are just a few benefits to volunteers: 

• You get to be a part of a community of compassionate, enthusiastic, hard-working, service-minded people.  
• Create life-long friends and connections! 
• You obtain practical experience working and interacting with people with disabilities.  
• Expand your worldview,  learn about yourself, and help you become a more compassionate, thoughtful person.  
• By volunteering at one of our Summer Camp weeks, you can earn approximately 168 hours of community service that can be officially documented upon request. 

What type of volunteers do you need? 

While you must be at least 16 years old to volunteer at Camp Fatima (with parental consent as a minor), we accept volunteers of all backgrounds! If you have an interest in public service or want to engage with individuals who have disabilities, you should think about applying! 

Can I volunteer to be paired with a specific camper?

If you are applying as a counselor, the application will ask for camper preference. While it cannot be guaranteed that you will be assigned a specific camper, the resource staff will review your preferences and contact you if they have any questions. 

Where is Camp? 

Baptist Camp & Conference Center, located in Lebanon, New Jersey, is the campsite we lease out for both Summer Camp weeks in August. It is a large campsite with plenty of grass and many hills, but everything is accessible. See the attached map of the campgrounds and check out their website for more specific information at http://www.camplebanon.com/. 

When is Camp? 

Summer Camp occurs for two full weeks in August, referred to as Week 1 and Week 2. Volunteers are only able to attend one full week each year.

Do I have to sleep at Camp?

Yes, everyone who volunteers at our programs is expected to stay on the campsite for the entire duration of the program, which includes sleeping there overnight.  All volunteers stay in cabins.  

At Summer Camp, there are typically 16 people assigned to each cabin, which is split between two 8-person rooms for campers, their counselors, and other volunteers in both. Your cabin mates are your  immediate support network throughout the week.

Can I volunteer for only part of Camp?

All volunteers are expected to stay for the entire duration of the Camp program to best support our campers and general Camp operations. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Director if notice is given far in advance. However, preference will be given to volunteer applicants who intend to stay for the entire week.

Can I get service hours for my school for volunteering? 

Yes, by volunteering at one of our Summer Camp weeks, you can earn approximately 168 hours of community service that can be officially documented upon request.  

What is the age range of volunteers? 

You must be at least 16 years old to volunteer at Camp Fatima, with parental consent. Additionally, you must be at least 18 years old to be a counselor at our Summer Camp program. There is no age limit for our volunteers! 

I’ve never worked with people with disabilities before. Will you train me?  

All new volunteers and counselors receive an orientation prior to camper arrival.  This orientation includes staff specific operations information, as well as instruction on how to engage with campers appropriately and authentically throughout the week. Staff heads and resource members will continue encouraging and facilitating interactions throughout the week, providing guidance as needed.

Is Camp religious?

Camp Fatima of New Jersey is a non-denominational Camp. While it was modeled after a Camp that shares the same name and is associated with a group of Catholic Brothers, we are not affiliated with any religious entity.