The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), the world’s largest nonprofit health agency dedicated to neuromuscular disease research, is accepting applications for volunteer camp counselors for its MDA Summer Camp at the Gold Coast Christian Camp in Lake Worth, Fla. The MDA South Florida chapter hosts this camp every year.
The MDA works to create recreational opportunities for those affected by neuromuscular disease. Samantha Radaelli, MDA administrative assistant, said the MDA Summer Camp is a weeklong, overnight camp for children between the ages of 6 and 17 to take part in the classic “camp experience”. This year’s camp will run from June 9 to 14.
Karina Lambertini, MDA camp coordinator, said, “We had four counselors from NSU last year, and they were a wonderful addition to the camp. We hope more NSU students will be interested this year.”
At the start of the camp, counselors will receive brief training in how to interact with their assigned camper, and how to assist them in performing basic tasks. Counselors do not need to be certified or previously trained to work with the disabled, because trained medical staff will be on-site for the entire week. All volunteer counselors will earn 140 hours of community service.
A high number of male counselors are needed, as more males have neuromuscular diseases than females , and campers are matched with counselors of the same gender. Over 40 campers are expected, which means over 40 volunteer opportunities are open to interested students.
Counseling responsibilities include daily trips to the pool, which, according to Lambertini, is a new and exciting experience for many of the young campers.
“Some of the children have never been swimming before, and because it is summertime, they spend a lot of time in the water,” said Karina Lambertini.
In addition to swimming, counselors will also be responsible for overseeing fishing, arts and crafts, adaptive sports, games and social events. Because each volunteer counselor works one-on-one with a camper, according to Lambertini, the camp is an unforgettable bonding experience.
“Most of the counselors become good friends with their campers, because they are not acting as babysitters, but buddies,” said Lambertini. “This experience is good for students who hope to go into pediatrics or work with disabled patients, because they learn to interact on a friendly level with them during our camp.”
Each year’s camp activities are centered around a theme. 2013’s will be “Festivals around the World”. Last year’s was “Welcome to the Jungle”.
Those interested in applying can visit MDA South Florida’s Facebook page at facebook.com/MDASouthFlorida or contact Lambertini at karinalambertini@mdausa.org or 954-971-3327.
