You too can help make a difference in the lives of the other abled at Sharing Meadows. Just take a look at some of the volunteer positions currently available:
Camp Counselor
All you need is love, understanding, and patience in working with other abled adults 18 and over. Each counselor is assigned about three campers for the camp period. He or she is responsible for being a friend to his or her campers, simply making sure they are getting involved in the activities, and being aware of the camper’s needs and feelings. Don’t be overwhelmed – camp is a family atmosphere and every counselor helps one another and each counselor has the opportunity to interact with all campers. Room and board for the camp is provided and a small grant is awarded.
Camp Nurse
We are always on the lookout for nurses with previous medical experience. The nurse has two responsibilities: dispensing medications and providing first aid as needed. After nursing duties are fulfilled, the nurse is welcome to join the campers in their activities. The nurse has the unique opportunity to visit with each and every camper during the administration of medicine. The nurse will have meals provided with the rest of the campers. A nurse is essential to the safety and enjoyment of camp!
Camp Cook
No special culinary background is required to be a chef at Sharing Meadows; just a giving heart and a basic knowledge of the kitchen. Only five meals are served at a mini-camp: breakfast, lunch and dinner on Saturday and breakfast with an easy lunch on Sunday. Cooks are required to be at camp about 7:00AM to start cooking and they can leave around 7:00PM when the clean up is completed. When they’re not busy in the kitchen, the cooks are welcome to join the campers in their activities or stay longer to participate. Cooking is not a hard job, and seeing the gratitude on the hungry camper’s faces after a great meal makes it all worthwhile.
Newsletter Volunteer
Each month the SHARE Foundation sends out it’s Good News newsletter to over 10,000 homes across the country. This is a massive undertaking, considering each individual newsletter must be addressed with a label before it can be sent out. On the first Monday of each month, volunteers meet in the St. Timothy Center not only to label newsletters, but also to work hand in hand with the villagers, socialize with other volunteers, and enjoy a cup of coffee in a beautiful atmosphere.
Special Event Volunteer
The SHARE Foundation has four major fundraising events every year: the Spring Luncheon, the SHARE Classic Golf Outing, the Leprechaun Hunt, and the Share Our Dreams Gala and Silent Auction. Each of these events would not be possible without volunteers to work the event so that all of our guests can enjoy a special day. For example, volunteers are needed during the Leprechaun Hunt for parking cars, selling crafts, serving food, cleaning the dining room, setting up games for children, serving pop, and so much more.
Friend to the Villagers
The simplest way of being a volunteer at Sharing Meadows is to spend time with the villagers. Several groups have come in the past to build relationships between themselves and the villagers, relationships that are beneficial for both parties. Whether the activity is off-site such as bowling, dinner, or an on-site activity such as swimming or boating, just spending time together helps everyone become a better person.
Relief Steward
Give our stewards a much-needed respite. We’re always on the lookout for warm and loving individuals to assist the stewards in their many activities, help to enrich the lives of the Villagers, and, with a willing heart, grow and experience more from life through Sharing Meadows.
Become a part of the dream that Sharing Meadows and SHARE Foundation as a whole has truly become. Volunteering is one big thing you can do to help out and it makes a world of difference. Here’s some of what you can expect as a volunteer:
Interaction with other-abled villagers and campers
At Camp Sharing Meadows, campers and counselors are side by side during the entire camp experience. Equality is always top priority all around Sharing Meadows. Relationships are formed and bonds are made between campers and counselors that carry into future camps, and result in communication outside camp via phone calls and letter writing. Friendships develop easily among villagers and volunteers who frequently visit Sharing Meadows.
Meeting other volunteers
Each volunteer has a loving and caring spirit that brought him or her to Sharing Meadows. Working with these amazing individuals of all ages is an enriching experience.
Fellowship
Each camp has a theme that challenges campers and counselors to think about God and how He is working in their lives. Sharing personal experiences helps bring people closer to one another at camp and also with the villagers. The villagers have a prayer service each morning and are eager to share how God is working in their lives.
Great food
In addition to our counselor volunteers, several cooks volunteer for each camp session to serve delicious meals at Sharing Meadows. Our cooks have been known to serve excellent turkey dinners, chicken stir-fry, stuffed green peppers, and much more.
Spending time in a peaceful atmosphere
Camp Sharing Meadows is located on 185 acres that is home to several buildings as well as fields, trees, wildlife, a pond with a dock and boats, and even a swimming pool.