Trail Ridge Volunteer FAQ’s

Do you really need my help?
YES! There are always different areas for people to be able to serve!
We have opportunities in the following areas:

-Kitchen Crew:
~Assist in cooking
~Serve food in a buffet line to campers
~Wash Dishes
~Clean up the dining hall after meals

-Snack Shop/Country Store Workers:
~Selling snacks and souvenirs to campers at scheduled times throughout the day

-Grounds Crew:
~Mowing with tractors, zero-turn lawn mowers, yard tractors and push mowers
~Weed whacking around buildings
~Painting projects
~Splitting wood
~Landscaping projects
~Setting up a campfire for bonfire night
~Watering and weeding flower beds

-Activities Assistants:
~Assist program director in preparing, facilitating and cleaning up activities

-Cleaning Crew:
~Clean washrooms at the campsite
~Clean washrooms at other locations around camp
~Various cleaning jobs around camp

-Counselors:
~Male or Female
~Lead and supervise a cabin of boys or girls

-Lifeguards:
~Current certification required
~Be in good physical condition
~Supervise all pool activities for about three hours every afternoon

-Nurses:
~Must be a Registered Nurse (RN) or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), EMT, Paramedic or Doctor

What are some of the qualifications to be a counselor?
-Spiritual maturity
-Be able to share the gospel effectively to a child
-Be physically able to do a lot of walking (example: it is about ¼ mile from the cabins to the dining hall)

Where will I be staying at camp?
~All single volunteers (except counselors) will be housed in gender restricted, air conditioned dormitories in the Thomas Center (Administration building).
~All married volunteers (except counselors) who have their spouse at camp will be provided with an air conditioned modular home. These homes have 2 bedrooms, a full bathroom, kitchen and living room. These homes may be shared between two couples depending on the number of available modular homes that week.

What will I do with my car during the week at camp?
A designated parking lot is available for all volunteers who bring vehicles to camp.

Can I just volunteer for a day or a weekend and not the whole week?
Absolutely! You can call us at the VCY office and ask for information about volunteering for a time shorter than one week. There are many day and weekend projects available.

Do I have to volunteer during the summer, or is there off-season work that can be done?
There are many jobs at camp that can be done in the off-season. Things like mowing and cleaning especially are some examples of continuous projects at camp.

May I stay to volunteer for more than one week during the camp season?
Absolutely! It is a great help if you volunteer for more than one week to add consistency to the program.

How do I sign up?
You can download a form by clicking here: http://vcyamerica.org/trailridge or you can call in to the VCY offices to have an application sent to you.

Is there a fee to volunteer?
No, there is no fee to be a volunteer at camp. In fact, if you are a parent and volunteering and are interested in sending some of your kids to camp, you are eligible for a discount!

What discounts do I get for my children if I volunteer?
If you are a parent who is volunteering for a week of camp and you are interested in bringing some of your own children as campers:
-Your first child will receive a 100% discount.
-Any child of yours after that first child will receive a 25% discount.
-No other discount applies if you receive this discount
-This discount will not apply for any child other than your immediate children.

What do I need to bring?
All volunteers should bring:
-A Bible with a notebook and pen
-Bedding (unless you will be staying in a modular home)
-Towels and toiletries
-Any medications you will need throughout the week
-Sunscreen
-Swimwear
-Hat
-Appropriate walking shoes
-Enough clothes for a week appropriate to your duties

How old do I have to be?
Every Trail Ridge Kids Kamp volunteer must be at least 16 years old. However, counselors, lifeguards and nurses must be at least 18 years old. All Teen Leadership Camp volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

How long is a week of camp?
A week of camp for the volunteers starts at 5:30 on the Sunday night previous to the start of camp. Sunday night we will serve a staff supper, have a time of fellowship and a time of orientation and assigning duties. Camp lasts all week until Saturday morning after breakfast.

What training will I get?
Upon acceptance as a volunteer, orientation materials will be sent to you. Also, the Sunday night previous to your week at camp will be a time of orientation as well as a time to answer any other questions you may have.

• Links and Information

• Phone:
Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm CST
(800)-729-9829

• Email:
trailridge@vcyamerica.org

• Postal Mail:
Trail Ridge Camp and Conference Center
c/o VCY America
3434 West Kilbourn Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53208