Become a
Camp Counselor

Give a child affected by cancer an epic camp experience filled with fun, adventure, and memories they’ll cherish forever!

Apply Now

About Our Camps

At Camp Casco, we create a space for kids to reclaim their childhood- to laugh and play. All of our campers have been affected by childhood cancer, and suddenly, cancer becomes the least remarkable thing about them.

Research shows that summer camps for children with cancer reduce disease-related anxiety, improve self-image, increase independence, build social skills, and ultimately improve psychosocial outcomes. We provide these programs to New England kids free-of-cost, giving patients, survivors, and siblings the chance to make lasting memories and build lifelong friendships.

Why Volunteer?

Our camp counselors make a tangible impact in the lives of kids affected by cancer. And being a volunteer can help make a difference in your life, too!

Volunteering with us is a great way to grow your professional network, gain valuable work experience, build new skills, and even form your own lifelong friendships. Above all, helping our incredible campers thrive is a deeply rewarding experience unlike any other.

Whatever your reason, there’s a place for you at Camp Casco. Camp magic is for everyone!

What Our Camp Counselors Say

Qualifications

Every camp volunteer must be:
- At least 16 years old to volunteer at a day camp, and at least 18 years old to volunteer at a sleepaway camp
- Able to complete comprehensive background checks provided by Camp Casco
- Able to submit a recent physical examination
- Up-to-date on all immunizations, including COVID-19
- Aligned with our organizational values of community, compassion, and commitment
- Not related to a current camper at the same camp session
Accepted camp counselors will be expected to:
- Submit required forms in a timely manner
- Complete an online training course prior to arriving to your camp session
- Attend the entire duration of your camp session in-person. For sleepaway camps, that includes sleeping onsite in lodging provided by Camp Casco.
- Provide your own transportation to and from your camp session.

Training & Support

We’re here to support our camp counselors every step of the way. Here’s how we help both new and returning volunteers succeed:

Every counselor will complete a mandatory online training course prior to camp. This course will take around 3 hours to complete, and will cover key topics like how to create a welcoming environment, conflict management, and our safety policies, ensuring every camp counselor arrives with a foundational knowledge of what to expect.
In addition, we aim to help our volunteers gain experience and build skills that will continue to benefit you long after the camp week ends. To that end, in 2024, every volunteer will have the opportunity to complete an optional online course to earn a certificate in camp mental health.
Our camp counselors arrive to the campsite one day prior to camper arrival. This gives us time to set up our campsite, and complete additional training in person. Onsite training will cover topics such as camper wellness, working as a team, and specific information to help support our campers throughout the week. This also gives each counselor time to settle in and bond with co-counselors before the fun kicks off the following day.
Each camp is run by our leadership team, a group of volunteers with demonstrated experience in the camp setting who work throughout the year to create each magical camp session.
Throughout your camp session, you will be directly supported by a member of our leadership team— typically this is the Activities Manager or Head Counselor, based on your specific role at camp. Additionally, other members of the leadership team will be there to provide additional support and guidance as needed.
Every member of our team is invested in making sure that this is a great experience for every camper and every volunteer.