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Volunteering

Rochester Day Camp Older Girl Volunteer Information (Program Aides)

Girls in grades 7 – 12, who have completed Program Aide Training are encouraged to use their leadership skills and work as a team to run our units.  Yes, we mean run.  At Rochester Day Camp our PAs are leading the units with support of unit adults. PAs are the ones who follow the program as set out by the organizing committee and lead the campers in their badge work, outdoor cooking, Girl Scout traditions, singing, games and all the camp fun. PAs are the heart of our camp and the reason so many campers come back year after year.

 

Rochester Day Camp Adult Volunteer Information

Our camp is 100% volunteer organized and run.  Volunteering at day camp is a chance to support and celebrate our girls and get outdoors. Camp is lively, rewarding, and always entertaining. Join us and spend the best week of the summer at camp! Adult volunteers are guaranteed a camp spot for their campers.

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What Is Rochester Day Camp?
At day camp girls going into grades 1 through 6 in the Fall of 2024, learn outdoor skills, try new activities, work in groups, and make new friends.  Girls are placed in units with 10-15 other girls their age and one to two adult leaders, and two or more older girl Program Aides.  Activities at day camp include outdoor cooking, arts and crafts, exploring nature, playing games, and earning Girl Scout recognitions. Camp runs from 9am - 4pm each day for the campers. Volunteers arrive an hour before camp begins for daily briefings and stay one hour after camp each day for debriefing. Volunteers who have children attending may bring their children to the briefings/debriefings (we have Program Aides who are happy to help keep them entertained).

 

Where is it held?
Day Camp is held at Camp Edith Mayo, located in Rochester MN, is the perfect place to experience “camp in the city.” This 40-acre Girl Scout property allows girls to connect to nature and friends while having engaging, dynamic, and magical outdoor experiences.  Checkout the "Camp Edith Mayo" page on the River Valleys website for location information.

 

Adult Unit Leader Role
Each unit consists of 10-15 campers, 2-4 Program Aides and 1- 2 adults. In addition, there are 6 - 8 adults who “float” to units that are in need of extra help. The primary responsibilities of the Adult Unit Leader are to supervise the campers, mentor the Program Aides (PAs), serve as a backup resource for PAs leading the unit, ensure safety for all, assist with disciplinary issues, and help with activities as needed. As our PAs are learning to be leaders, we ask that adults guide them and encourage them. For many, this is their first time leading a group of this size or perhaps working with a particular age group. We are looking for adults to foster their confidence and grow their skills.

 

PAs are leaders-in-training. Their leadership skills and confidence increase as they gain experience by progressing through the PA levels and taking on more responsibility at camp. The goal is for them to become comfortable, confident, and successful with this added responsibility.

 

We expect the PAs to lead the unit with guidance from the Adult Unit Leaders. 

  • Help keep PAs on task and on time.

  • Assist PAs in working with campers, especially if a PA is having difficulty with a particular task or camper.

  • Contact the Planning Committee if you are unable to successfully resolve any PA or PA/camper issue.

  • Work with PAs to keep the unit running smoothly. If you see a PA having a difficult time, guide her through it, taking over leadership only as needed to maintain safety and fun for the campers.

  • Assist in keeping the unit on time and in the right place for the various activities. Ask your PAs how you can help.

  • Help campers adjust to camp; being away from home, outdoor life (the bugs); heat and exhaustion. We walk a lot at camp, and we all are tired by the end of the week.

  • Be sure everyone (including you and your PAs) stay hydrated and fueled with good food. Encourage drinking water often!

  • Help the campers with the activities when needed. We have other volunteers leading activities and often they need your assistance in helping the campers to accomplish the tasks put before them.

 

Typical Day at Camp for an Adult Volunteer

  • Immediately, upon arrival at camp, all adults and PAs attend a daily briefing meeting.

  • Each day begins and ends with an all camp flag ceremony.

  • A detailed schedule is provided; you and your group just need to follow it.

  • Typical activities are archery, art, badge work, and unit bonding time.

  • Lunch is in the unit every day. A bag lunch needs to be brought from home on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. There will be 2 outdoor cooking over the fire meals.

  • Friday afternoon we also have our popular water fun day. Campers, adults, and PAs are asked to wear clothes and shoes that can get wet and bring a towel and change of clothes. Adults can choose if they would like to get wet or stay dry.

  • Wear comfortable closed-toed and closed-heeled shoes. We do a great deal of walking at camp.
     

What should I bring to camp?

What to Wear

Weather appropriate clothing and shoes with socks (no open toed, no heeled shoes, no sandals, no crocs and no flip-flops) - we will be outside all day, weather permitting

Socks are a necessity - You will be in a wooded area where ticks are prevalent

Shorts or pants are better than skirts or dresses as you will be sitting on the ground 

On Friday Everyone should wear their new camp t-shirt (provided)

 

What to Bring in a large backpack 

  • Rain Gear (no umbrellas please!)

  • Reusable water bottle filled with ice or a frozen disposable water bottle

  • Monday and Friday: Lunch in a container that will protect it from the outdoors

  • No Peanut Butter – Help us protect anyone allergic to peanuts.

  • No Beverages - we have water and Lemonade 

  • No Snacks or Candy - We provide a morning and afternoon snack, as well as freeze pops to stay cool

  • Lunch will not be kept cold at camp before it’s time to eat.

  • Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday we are cooking out, so bring a mess kit and a dunk bag (A homemade version would be a hard plastic plate, bowl and cup, knife, fork and spoon and a mesh laundry bag - all labeled with girl's name)

  • Hair ties for people with long hair (fire and archery safety)

  • Situpon - a small, weather resistant cushion or fabric square to put down on wet surfaces and "sit upon"

  • Sunscreen and insect repellent

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What to Bring on Water Day

  • Water day is only held in the afternoon so please send your camper in "regular" clothing in the morning

  • A swimsuit or clothing that can get wet

  • Closed toed shoes are required for all of water day so please send crocs or water shoes for your camper's safety. No flip flops please

  • Towel

  • Bag for wet clothing

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To Sign Up to Volunteer:

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