Are you ready to create some serious fun?!
Do something rewarding and make a difference to others! Be part of a team, make friends and have fun, learn or develop skills including teamwork, creativity and communication. Experience something unique — it’s great for your wellbeing and you will have an awesome time!
Knowing the transformative impact role models can have, we want to ensure that our volunteers are reflective of our campers in terms of visible and non-visible disabilities, gender, ethnicity, sexuality, gender identity and all other characteristics.
Every year we need over 700 volunteers to help create an unforgettable camp experience for young people with health challenges and their families.
What does volunteering at residential camp look like?
Rise and shine!
Wake campers up! Can you find fun and silly ways to get the campers ready for their day of mischief and magic?
Breakfast with campers
You will be sat with campers while you all eat and chat together.
Climbing Wall
Supporting campers in feeling brave and confident to challenge themselves (this will look different for all) so you might be climbing a wall with a camper (if you feel comfortable to), being the best cheerleader on the sidelines, or chatting with a camper who doesn’t feel comfortable to approach a climbing wall.
Moving to the next activity
In this time while you wait, you might play a game, sing some camp songs together or be responsible for campers’ water bottles.
Graffiti art
Supporting activity leaders to deliver this session and help campers achieve by ensuring that campers have all the resources that they need, that they feel encouraged to have a go or that they have something else to do if they don’t feel up to taking part in that activity.
Lunch
Lunch with campers and dance party!
Rest Hour for campers
Team colour meetings for volunteers
Break
Each member of staff has one activity off per day and will return in time to help campers move to their next session.
Dinner and Dance Party!
Eating and chatting with campers while helping them clear away and retrieving their pudding at the end of mealtime. Completed with some fun dances at the end!
Evening Activity
For example, Campfire- sitting with campers, ensuring that they are safe and taking necessary precautions around the fire, assisting with toasting marshmallows.
Cabin Chat
With hot chocolate and biscuits- facilitating a reflective conversation about the day at camp, helping campers reflect and calm in time for bed.
Bed Time
Lights out for campers … and then we do it all again the next day!
What volunteering roles are available at residential camps?
Team Leader
Teammate
Media Crew
Activity Leader
Clinical Volunteers
Team Leader
Team Leaders play an important role of guiding a team of campers through the week and supporting the Teammates within that group. Team Leaders set the tone for their teams in creating welcoming, inclusive spaces where campers feel safe to try new things, take safe risks, and make new friends. This role requires excellent communication and people skills and is best suited for someone who has volunteered at Over the Wall before and is familiar with our programme.
Teammate
Our incredible Camp Teammates lead our campers through the residentials by being their fun, silly and authentic selves. As the most important cog in this camp machine, Teammates engage with each of the campers, keeping them laughing and dancing at every moment, helping them make lifelong friends and boosting their confidence with our inclusive activity programme. You would be a part of a team colour (these are grouped by ages) and inspire campers to challenge themselves. You will meet new people, make an impact and experience the magic that the camp bubble offers.
Activity Leader
Activity Leaders play the essential role of delivering our residential camp programming. They focus on facilitating fun, engaging, and safe activities for the children and families who attend Over the Wall Camp. We provide you with the plans and materials; you bring the magic by leading with enthusiasm, encouragement, and creativity. You will run activities that suit your hobbies and skills to campers of all ages. This role is the perfect opportunity to be adaptable, creative and organised in a fast-paced and unique environment.
Media Crew
You will be part of a team colour and carry out many of the duties of a teammate (see decription above). In addition to this, you will be tasked with capturing the mischief and magic that takes place in your team. All equipment will be provided, and support will be available. No media experience required, just enthusiasm and the willingness to learn!
Clinical Volunteer
Nurses, doctors and paramedics have a critical role to play at an Over The Wall Camp. They help provide safe and effective care for our campers who have a range of health challenges, whilst joining in the mischief and magic of camp. You will be a part of a team colour and participate in daily camper life to provide home from home nursing and medical care.
Health Challenge & Siblings Camps
Our Health Challenge & Siblings Camps are magical places where campers take part in fun activities including Sports and Games, Drama, Arts and Crafts and Discovery. Campers will be divided into teams based on their age groups of 8-10, 11-13, 13-15 and 15-17 years of age. Team mates help create a fun, safe and supportive environment for children with health challenges and their siblings to try new things, have amazing impactful experiences, build confidence and time for reflection on all their achievements. You will be part of a team of other incredible volunteers and will need a sense of fun with an energetic, enthusiastic and positive approach. If you are looking for an amazing and rewarding experience where you can make a real difference in young people’s lives, whilst developing your skills in communication, team work and creativity, then apply to be a Team Mate now! Camp is four days long and you will be required to arrive one day early for training. We will give you all the necessary training and support and provide your accommodation and food for the duration of camp.
Family Camps
Family camps provide a fun and engaging environment at camp for families to let their hair down, have fun and experience some amazing memories together. As a Team Mate you will join a family and be part of their magical journey at camp. You will provide support, play games, be an ear to listen and be an integral part to families reconnecting and having an awesome time together and with other families. Family camps are two days long, you will need to arrive at 10am of the first day where we will provide you with all the training you need, accommodation and food is provided for the whole of camp. If you love having fun, being part of a team and creating rewarding experiences sign up for one of our family camps.
Get in touch
Fill out the form or use the details below to get in touch.
volunteering@otw.org.uk
02392 477110
