Camp Volunteers
Camp MYDA operates several programs that need your help! Knowledge about diabetes is not required for volunteering at Camp MYDA; we will provide education to ensure the safety of our campers and volunteers.
Staff training is crucial to our volunteer program; all volunteers must complete online training and attend mandatory training orientation before camp.
Camp MYDA is dedicated to teaching children with Type 1 diabetes how to live a normal and active lifestyle. We rely heavily on volunteers to make the camp experience a memorable one for our campers. Our volunteer camp staff have an incredible impact on the lives of our campers, and because of this, we put the utmost importance on choosing the best volunteers. Being a volunteer at Camp MYDA is a very rewarding experience. We need physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dietitians, and counselors who are willing to volunteer their time and energy. Many health professional students appreciate the opportunity to learn about diabetes firsthand by living in a cabin with campers and being involved in the many recreational activities and monitoring duties. Not only do our volunteer staff members help MYDA campers learn about managing diabetes, but they also gain a wealth of knowledge during their time at camp. All volunteers are required to participate in training sessions focused on working with children, keeping them safe, diabetes education, and diabetes management. All staff complete annual background checks and participate in an intensive interview process to ensure they meet the highest of standards.
Camp MYDA would not exist if it weren’t for our volunteers! Come spend a week impacting the lives of kids with diabetes! These positions are unpaid but guaranteed to provide you with a million-dollar experience.
There are so many ways you can help with summer camp; read the descriptions below:
Please note that we strongly prefer volunteers remain at camp for the entire week.
Cabin Counselors
Cabin counselors reside with campers, accompany them to activities, and are the first people they see in the morning! They help the campers get to know each other, check blood sugar levels, carry backpacks with diabetes and camp supplies, and ensure that every camper in their care stays healthy and safe.
Join our Busy Bee Team
This team supports camp operations by keeping everything running smoothly, from opening the gate, filling water coolers, emptying trash, helping with dietary, setting up activities, and more.
Life-Guards
Our campers love to swim, and we need experienced licensed lifeguards responsible for up to 25 children in the water at a time. We rotate the groups throughout the day. This position does not require you to stay on-site.
Activity Volunteers
Every summer, talented volunteers share their skills to enhance program offerings for the campers, such as Arts & Crafts, campfire, nature hikes, dance, and much more!
Medical Volunteers
Our helpful, caring medical staff bring their skills and a healthy attitude to the Camp MYDA community. An entire spectrum of healthcare professionals supports camp MYDA.
We rely on their expertise to manage an entire camp of children living with Type 1 Diabetes, but they can easily blend in with the day-to-day activities of camp, such as tie-dying t-shirts, singing in the dining hall, or playing gaga ball. While any type of specialty is welcome, we especially seek the following positions:
Endocrinologist
Our camp endocrinologists supervise clinicians and advise on insulin adjustments each day. Endocrinologists at camp are expected to help Med staff with 2 am BG rounds by taking calls 2 to 3 nights per session. Even if you can only volunteer for 2 or 3 days, your help is greatly appreciated. This setting is very different from your typical clinic or office setting – Camp MYDA focuses on promoting education in an exciting camping environment.
Clinicians
We’re always looking to add to our team of clinicians. Whether you’re an MD, DO, PA, or NP, we have a place for you! Each clinician typically provides direct diabetes care for up to eight campers with Type 1 Diabetes. Our clinicians’ main job is to ensure that insulin adjustments are made appropriately for food intake and high blood glucose levels while considering the campers’ upcoming activities. Clinicians collaborate with campers on insulin doses and promote independence for campers at age-appropriate levels. To fill this role, you need a base knowledge of Type 1 Diabetes and insulin dosing.
Dietary Staff
Nutrition students in college or graduate school are needed on the dietary staff to help prepare boxes of low blood glucose supplies, aid dietary head staff in carbohydrate counting and participate in diabetes/nutrition education of campers and staff as needed. For students in Dietetic Internships (DI) or Coordinated Programs (CP), preceptorship and supervised practice hours are offered.
Medical Clinicians in Training (MCIT)
Licensed medical professionals (PA, NP, PharmD, RN, LPN) who are new to Camp MYDA or nearing graduation can volunteer as Medical Clinicians in Training while under the supervision of a clinician or endocrinologist. For students, preceptorship and supervised practice hours may be offered.
Medical Lodge Nurses
Camp MYDA needs nurses (RN, LPN’s) of all specialties to help with general medical needs. Medical lodge nurses will provide non-insulin medications to all campers and practice appropriate triage for injured or ill campers and staff, along with changing CGMs and pump sites.