Volunteers Needed: at Camp Fatima of NJ New Jersey’s ONLY all-volunteer one-on-one camp for handicapped children

Camp Fatima of NJ is an organization that runs a week- long, sleep-away camp for mentally-handicapped children. The camp is staffed entirely by volunteers, and there is no charge or cost to the campers or their familes.

Camp Fatima of NJ provides a safe, loving week of fun for children with mental and physical disabilities. It also provides a week of respite for the families of these children, some of whom provide round- the-clock care for their child, all day, every day, all year long.

Camp Fatima is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian organization. It is funded by private donations and fundraising activities. Camp Fatima does not receive any government funding, and no participant, neither camper nor staff member, is ever charged a fee to attend.

Camp Fatima takes place in mid-August in northwest New Jersey. This year, Camp runs from Saturday, August 16, through Saturday August 23. It is held on the 110-acre grounds of the Baptist Camp and Conference Center in Lebanon, NJ.

Aerial view of Baptist Camp Lebanon

Activities include swimming, arts and crafts, a week-long play developing the week's theme, cooking classes, nature hikes, singing, sports, dancing, campouts, and lots and lots of playing and having fun.

Every camper that comes to Camp Fatima is paired with their own one-on-one counselor, who stays with and cares for the child throughout the entire week. The counselor receives special training, specific to their camper, and extensive support.

Each day at Camp Fatima is filled with activities to engage and involve each camper. The primary focus of every action of each member of every staff is to provide a wonderful, safe, happy week of fun and adventure for every disabled child.

Camp Fatima is in need of responsible, friendly, mature people who are willing to give up a week of their time, without getting paid… …and help to change someone's world

Each summer, Camp Fatima provides this fun-filled experience for over FIFTY disabled campers. This requires at least FIFTY volunteers to be counselors, as well as over a HUNDRED other volunteers on other supporting staffs.

Counselor : provides companionship and care for one camper for seven days. Kitchen : prepares the food, and feeds all the people at camp, three meals a day. Waterfront : certified lifeguards provide safety at the pool and lake. Reserve : help keep the camp clean, and provide arranged breaks for counselors. Arts & Crafts : help campers and staff with projects, costumes and decorations. Volunteer Staff Opportunities

Volunteering at Camp Fatima is a BIG commitment. Volunteers are required to stay for the entire session, from one Saturday through the next Saturday. It is physically demanding and mentally tiring. But... the emotional rewards are vast and unmeasurable.

As a Camp Fatima Volunteer... You will work hard, and give help to others. You will wake up early, and go to bed late. You will eat well, and often, and get lots of exercise. You will earn 168 Community Service hours. You will help make the world a special place for many children. You will see that there is much goodness and beauty in the world. You will meet amazing people, and experience things that can change your life forever.

All applications must be submitted online before the deadline. Two positive character references and a satisfactory interview are required. For further pictures or information, or to start the application process, go to Summer Camp Application deadline is April 15, 2014 !!