• Volunteering at LifeCamp

  • Volunteers are one of LifeCamp’s most precious resources. They strengthen our programs and contribute their unique gifts and talents in invaluable ways. We have a small staff that depends on enthusiastic volunteers of all ages and abilities to fully serve the needs of our campers. We take pride in the number of dedicated volunteers who return year after year to camp, and the many who support the work of LifeCamp year-round. We have a variety of ways that you can make a meaningful difference at LifeCamp.

    Learn more: With questions or to organize your group, please contact Lisa Stafford at Lisa@greaternewarklifecamp.org or call the LifeCamp Office 973-867-3213.

    Volunteer Registration for the Summer of 2024 Opens April 1st. 

    Application (please check back April 1st):  For individuals volunteering during camp season.

    Health History Form (click here for Word document): Required for all volunteers, individual or group, who will be in contact with campers.

    Individual Volunteering

    LifeCamp welcomes and thrives on the help of individuals who volunteer at the camp, during the summer or year-round.  There is no upper age limit to volunteer at LifeCamp, but many of our volunteers are young people seeking to make a difference.

    Summer Volunteers: Our summer volunteers and staff create opportunities for campers to laugh and be silly, and to support their growth by taking healthy risks. They help kids learn to swim or ride a bike, work with robots or drones, and they support young readers. They also help LifeCamp operate safely and smoothly with maximum levels of fun, connection, and learning.

    • Summer volunteers under 18 must have completed the 9th grade and must have their parent or guardian’s permission.
    • Summer volunteers are required to commit to a minimum of 2 consecutive weeks of volunteer time.
    • Summer volunteers must attend the staff training which takes place at camp the week before camp begins (usually the last Thursday in June.)
    • Camp has three sessions – July 1 – 12, July 15 – 26 and July 29 – August 9

    Year-Round Volunteers: Our off-season or year-round volunteers help with a variety of activities keeping the camp strong and ready for kids. During the off-season, volunteers may help us at any age, but anyone younger than 18 must have their parent’s permission. Children younger than high school must be accompanied by an adult while they are volunteering on the camp property.

    Corporate & Group Volunteering

    We have many opportunities for groups to volunteer throughout the year, remotely or on the LifeCamp grounds. Our corporate and group volunteers make a big difference for the camp. Organizers who want to bring a group should get in touch with Lisa Stafford to learn about the camp’s needs, when to come, and our rules about including children and youth in your group when you volunteer.

    During July and August with Campers

      • Reading books during story time
      • Completing science projects in the woods area
      • Pool games with campers
      • Lunch with campers – serving, eating, setting the table, etc.
      • Fitness workshops
      • Music time
      • Assisting with arts & crafts
      • Maintaining bicycles
      • Working in the garden with campers
      • Bring your talents and interests to camp to share with our campers

    In Your Office, Place of Worship or Throughout the Year

      • Pack camper breakfast bags with individual serving-size cereal, bowl, spoon, napkin
      • Assemble camp bags with goggles, bug spray, sunscreen, juice box, keychain
      • Host a fundraiser: lemonade stand, walk-a-thon, skate-a-thon, used book sale
      • Compile art supply kits with a paint brush, watercolor set, construction paper, markers, glue sticks
      • Design literacy kits with a book, bookmark, highlighter, and flashlight

    At LifeCamp Throughout the Year

      • Building, painting, and staining picnic tables and designing games on them
      • Painting, repairing, and maintaining rooms and outdoor spaces
      • Hiking trail clean-up
      • Planting and maintaining gardens