What is Camp Champions? Camp Champions is an overnight residential summer camp that takes place at Camp For All. The Arc provides staff, volunteer counselors, a medical team, and 150 campers. Camp For All serves as the host site and provides housing, food, and staff to facilitate activities. Campers enjoy typical camp activities such as ziplining, horseback riding, canoeing, fishing, archery, arts & crafts, swimming, and more! Camp For All provides all activities in a barrier-free environment to ensure every camper can participate fully to their comfort level. Camp Champions strives to promote independence, self-advocacy, and facilitate friendship amongst our campers in an emotionally safe and inclusive environment.
Where is Camp Champions? Camp Champions takes place at Camp For All, which is located at 6301 Rehburg Rd, Burton, TX 77835. All volunteers and campers are responsible for their own transportation to and from camp. When is Camp Champions? Volunteers and staff will arrive at camp on July 23rd, 2023. There will be onsite training to prepare for camper arrival on the 24th. Campers and counselors will depart from camp on Friday, July 29th. Additionally, there will be mandatory training prior to camp for all staff and volunteers. The date is still TBD.
Tell me more about the campers: Our campers have a diagnosis of an intellectual or developmental disability, also called IDD, with varying function levels. This may include several severe, chronic conditions that are due to mental and/or physical impairments. People with IDD may have problems with major life activities such as language, mobility, learning, self-care, and independent living. Our campers are ages 18+. The oldest campers last year were in their late 60’s.
What makes a good counselor? A good counselor puts the needs of their campers above their own. It is a challenging task to genuinely care for another, but this position demands it. A good counselor communicates well and works with a team of other volunteers to support their cabin. A good counselor is not afraid to ask questions or ask for help from leadership staff.
What are essential duties of a camp counselor?
- Behave in a mature and responsible manner that supports the mission of The Arc of Greater Houston and ensures safety for all.
- Treat campers, staff, volunteers, and camp property with dignity and respect always.
- Know where your campers are always.
- Assist campers with personal care as needed, including but not limited to assisting with feeding, changing clothes, toileting and showering assistance, and other aspects of daily living.
- Actively facilitate friendships between campers, and handle group issues in a fair and age-appropriate manner.
- Ensure your cabin follows the daily schedule and arrives at activities on time.
- Participate in all camp activities to a level that ensures the most enjoyment for the campers.
