Be a Camp Volunteer!

►Camp Deans and Volunteer Camp Counselor
►Summer Curriculum
►Be a Shepherd

Camp Dean and Volunteer Camp Counselor

We are so excited to work alongside you for what promises to be another great summer at your camps!  Thank you so much for your gifts of time, commitment, leadership, and love with the children, youth and adults of the Dakotas and Minnesota UMC  Conferences.  There are a lot of exciting things happening in camp and retreat ministries and we're eager to share some highlights with you. 

All persons interested in serving as a camp deans/volunteer counselors in the Dakotas-Minnesota Area Camp and Retreat Ministries program are required to complete a Volunteer Application and an annual background check.  Simply Register Online for the camp you will be assisting with.  Once registered, the Volunteer Application will be available in the Online Forms section of your registration Dashboard.  This application should be completed a minimum of two weeks before camp to allow time to complete background checks.  Thank you for serving in this ministry! 

Below are some new opportunities for you as a camp dean/volunteer camp counselor and also  forms and helpful resources for a positive experience  at camp for you and the campers. 

Dean/Volunteer Counselor Required Documentation

The forms and documents listed below can be found in the Online Forms section of your online registration Dashboard. **Signature required annually

• Volunteer Application
• Volunteer Dean/Leader Agreement (included in Volunteer Application)
• Social Media and Communication Guidelines (included in Volunteer Application)
• Child Abuse & Neglect Policy Statement and Appendix (included in Volunteer Application)
• Annual Background Check (included in Volunteer Application)
• Dakotas-Minnesota Area ADULT Camper Medical Information Form
• Dakotas-Minnesota Area Release of Liability Waiver

Dean/Volunteer Counselor Helpful Information 

• Camping Finance Report for Deans
• Camping Mission, Core Values, and Outcomes
• Dean's Job Description
• Volunteer Camp Counselor's Job Description
• Dean Packing List (Coming soon!)
• Parent-Camper Handbook
• LGBTQIA+ Guidlines

2021 Summer Curriculum

The theme for 2021 is This is Our Prayer.  Some people pray by speaking their thoughts aloud or quietly clearing their mind.  Others pray through music, art, dance, and being active.  God is longing to connect with us. Campers will experience many different ways to pray and connect to Christ, Creation, & Community in our special places apart. 

If you would like the 2021 This is our Prayer curriculum and resources, please contact the site where you will be volunteering!

Be a Shepherd

A shepherd is a person who helps to ensure our youngest campers have a great camp  experience! Shepherds should plan to: be responsible for up to five campers, participate in all camp activities, supervise cabin time, and assist staff and deans as needed. Whenever possible, shepherds will be placed in cabins with the child/children they’re bringing to camp. However, when moms come with sons and dads with daughters, or if additional staff of the same gender is needed to meet required supervision ratios, shepherds may be placed in sleeping rooms away from their own child/children.

All adults working with campers (including shepherds) must complete an annual background check. All shepherds must register at least seven days prior to the beginning of camp to allow time for the background check to be completed. 

Register early! There are a maximum number of shepherds for each camp. The fee for shepherds is $90.00.