Support grieving children & teens at Camp Erin! Variety of roles available!

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Camp Erin Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteering at Camp Erin is an exciting and memorable experience. As a camp volunteer, you play an important role in the lives of grieving children and teens as they learn to explore their emotions, grow their coping skills and cultivate healing connections with others who have experienced loss.
All Camp Erin volunteers work as a team to ensure the experience is emotionally and physically safe for all campers and together, with staff, work to cultivate an empathetic, empowering team culture. All Camp Erin Volunteers must be compassionate and responsible. They also must be 18 or older, successfully pass a background check, complete all required paperwork, and participate in all required training. All new volunteers are also required to meet (in person or by phone) with the Volunteer Programs Manager, prior to final acceptance (except where noted).

Below you’ll find detailed descriptions of each Camp Erin volunteer role and what is required.
For answers to frequently asked questions about volunteering at Camp, please review the Camp Erin
Volunteer FAQs page on www.tunidito.org

CAMP ERIN VOLUNTEER ROLES:

CABIN BIG BUDDIES (CBBs)
Cabin Big Buddies are our energetic, creative, responsible cabin counselors. Each CBB is assigned, for the entire weekend, to a specific cabin, with a specific age range (ex. Cabin 1 Boys or Cabin 1 Girls, ages 6-8). Cabins are assigned
based on the intersection of need and volunteer preference (as identified in the application). Each cabin has approximately 4 CBBs, including one Lead CBB as well as a designated Support Leader to assist as needed. Each cabin will have no more than about 10 campers. CBBs are provided food, lodging, support and gratitude for the full weekend.

Before Camp: In addition to completing all required paperwork and training, as well as meeting with the Volunteer Programs Manager (if new), and successfully passing an annual background check, CBBs are required to attend at least one "Save Your Spot" meet and greet event to get to know their peers and to help campers and their families feel prepared for camp. This is also a great opportunity for new volunteers to ask questions and to learn more about what to expect. SYS events are held once in Tucson and once in Phoenix, on a Saturday or Sunday in late September or early October. Please see the Important Dates for Volunteers document for details (when available on our website: www.tunidito.org).
During Camp CBBs work as a team to:
 Review cabin roster and familiarize yourself with your campers’ needs.
 Welcome campers, ensure all campers feel included, respected and supported
 Create a positive, fun, and caring atmosphere for campers and one another
 Know where campers are at all times, be responsible for their safety at all times, and accompany them
to all activities, assisting as needed
 Facilitate camper and cabin-group bonding and closing, cabin activities, discussion, tone setting and
behavior redirection/de-escalation (when needed)
 Work collaboratively and communicate openly with CBBS to cultivate a cabin culture that supports the
camp schedule and assist with daily routine (bedtime rituals, meal times, getting ready, etc.).
 Listen openly and with empathy
 Communicate with their Lead CBB, Support Leader, staff member, or Nurse (as appropriate) if any
concern and/or issue arises
 CBBs report to their Lead CBB and assigned Support Leader, and take direction from staff (Volunteer
Programs Manager, Camp Director and Camp Clinical Director)

Following Camp: CBBs are asked to provide feedback about the successes and challenges within the Camp experience.

LEAD CABIN BIG BUDDIES (LEAD-CBBs)
Lead Cabin Big Buddies are reliable, experienced CBBs who have demonstrated leadership capacity and, typically, have attended Camp Erin before as CBBs. Each Lead CBB is assigned, for the entire weekend, to a specific cabin, with a specific age range (ex. Cabin 1 Boys or Cabin 1 Girls, ages 6-8). Cabins are assigned based on the intersection of need and volunteer preference (as identified in the application). Each cabin has approximately 4 CBBs, including one Lead CBB as well as a designated Support Leader to assist as needed. Each cabin will have no more than about 10 campers. Lead CBBs are provided food, lodging, support and gratitude for the full weekend.

Before Camp: In addition to completing all required paperwork and training, as well as meeting with the Volunteer Programs Manager (if new), and successfully passing an annual background check, Lead CBBs are required to attend at least one "Save Your Spot" meet and greet event to get to know their peers and to help campers and their families feel prepared for camp. This is also a great opportunity for new volunteers to ask questions and to learn more about what to expect. SYS events are held once in Tucson and once in Phoenix, on a Saturday or Sunday in late September or early October. Please see the Important Dates for Volunteers document for details.

During Camp Lead CBB responsibilities include:
 Review cabin and volunteer roster and familiarize yourself with your cabins’ needs.
 Welcome campers and CBBs, ensure all campers and CBBs feel included, respected and supported
 Work with your cabin’s assigned Therapy Dog Welcome Team to ease any camper’s first day worries
 Assist your cabin in creating and maintain a positive, fun, and caring atmosphere for campers and for
one another
 Know where campers are at all times, be responsible for their safety at all times, and accompany them
to all activities, assisting as needed
 Facilitate camper and cabin-group bonding and closing, cabin activities, discussion, tone setting and
behavior redirection/de-escalation (when needed) and support CBBs in doing the same
 Work collaboratively and communicate openly with fellow CBBS to cultivate a cabin culture that
supports the camp schedule and assist with daily routine (bedtime rituals, meal times, getting ready)
 Listen openly and with empathy
 Provide support and supervision to CBBs in your assigned cabin
 Be available to assist CBBs with safety, rule, and behavior reinforcement and work with (and take
direction from) assigned Support Leader and staff, as needed.
 Shares responsibility with Support Leader for carrying supplies, medications and other items campers
may need throughout the day (including emergency medical supplies, ex. Epi pens, as needed).
 Help communicate and manage the camp schedule (including break schedule) to CBBs in the cabin and
support them in getting the self-care they need during Camp weekend
 Be responsible for the cabin’s walkie-talkie and communicate with CBBs, assigned Support Leader, staff
member, or Nurse (as appropriate) if any concern and/or issue arises, and to ensure all campers and
cabins are accounted for at all times.
 Lead CBBs report to their assigned Support Leader, and take direction from staff (Volunteer Programs
Manager, Camp Director and Camp Clinical Director)

Following Camp: Lead CBBs are asked to provide feedback about the successes and challenges within the Camp experience.

DAY BUDDIES (DBs)
Day Buddies are Cabin Big Buddies who are filling in with a cabin that is short staffed during the day. They fulfill all CBB responsibilities and requirements: before, during and following Camp, but may sleep with a cabin that has extra space or with Grief Guides, as space allows. Often DBs are assigned to a cabin that doesn’t match their own gender (for example: a woman who is a Day Buddy supports a boys’ cabin and then sleeps in the girls’ cabin). Please see the description for Cabin Big Buddies (CBBs) for more detail. Day Buddies are asked to present for the entire camp weekend. DBs are provided food, lodging, support and gratitude for the full weekend.

SUPPORT LEADERS (SLs)
These skilled volunteers have significant experience in grief/bereavement, crisis intervention and/or mental health. Many Support Leaders have previous camp experience as well, but it is not required. Support Leaders are assigned one or more pairs of cabins. Each pair includes a boys’ cabin and a girls’ cabin for the same age group. Support leaders evenly divide their time between their cabins and provide emotional, behavioral and logistical support to campers, as needed. SLs also provide guidance, support and supervision to their assigned cabins’ CBBs and Lead CBBS to ensure a safe and healing experience for all. Support Leaders sleep in one of their assigned cabins, along with campers and CBBs. Support Leaders are asked to be present for the entire camp weekend. SLs are provided food, lodging, support and gratitude for the full weekend.

Before Camp: In addition to completing all required paperwork and training, meeting with the Volunteer Programs Manager (if new), and successfully passing an annual background check, Support Leaders are invited, but not required to attend a "Save Your Spot" meet and greet event to get to know their peers and to help campers and their families feel prepared for camp. This is also a great opportunity for new volunteers to ask questions and to learn more about what to
expect. SYS events are held once in Tucson and once in Phoenix, on a Saturday or Sunday in late September or early October. Please see the Important Dates for Volunteers document for details. Support Leaders are required to attend a Volunteer Training prior to Camp; however, many SLs will be eligible for an exemption from this requirement, due to comparable experience. For more information about this possibility, please review the Camp Erin FAQs page.

During Camp Support Leader responsibilities include:
 Review cabin and volunteer roster and familiarize yourself with your cabins’ needs.
 Welcome campers and CBBs, ensure all campers and CBBs feel included, respected and supported
 Work with your cabin’s assigned Therapy Dog Welcome Team to ease any camper’s first day worries
 Assist your cabins in creating and maintaining a positive, fun, and caring atmosphere for campers and CBBs
 Work collaboratively and communicate openly with their CBBS to cultivate a cabin culture that supports the camp schedule and assist with daily routine (bedtime rituals, meal times, getting ready, etc.)
 Evenly divide their time between their assigned cabins, functioning throughout the weekend as an additional CBB; going with the cabins to all their activities and assisting as needed.
 Work with and empower your cabins to facilitate camper and cabin-group bonding and closing, cabin activities, discussion, tone setting and behavior redirection/de-escalation (when needed) and assist as needed.
 Listen openly and with empathy to both campers and to the CBBs in your cabins
 Provide support and supervision to CBBs in your assigned cabin
 Support and empower your Lead CBBs to guide their cabins, and be available to assist all CBBs with safety, rule, and behavior reinforcement, as needed.
 Share responsibility with Lead Cabin Big Buddies for carrying supplies, medications and other items campers may need throughout the day (including emergency medical supplies, ex. Epi pens, as needed).
 Work with your Lead CBB to communicate and manage the camp schedule (including break schedule) to CBBs in the cabin and support them in getting the self-care they need during Camp weekend
 Be available to Lead CBBs, who will report any issues to you. Work together to deescalate and respond
 Support Leaders share any issues with the Clinical Director and seek guidance from staff whenever needed.
 Be responsible for a walkie-talkie and communicate with CBBs, Grief Guides, Nurses, or staff (as appropriate) if any concern and/or issues arise, and to ensure all campers and cabins are accounted for at all times.
 The scheduled grief activities will be led by the Grief Guides who will be teaching the campers different coping skills. As volunteers with clinical/significant experience, we also encourage you to teach the campers any additional coping skills you know based on what is coming up in your cabins (Ex. If your cabins are having difficulty managing bedtime energy, consider leading a guided visualization that could be used at/after camp.)
 Support Leaders report to the Clinical Director and take direction from our Camp Director and our Volunteer Programs Manager. In case of nighttime emergency, immediately contact the Clinical Director and she and/or the Volunteer Programs Manager will assist with any needed response.

Following Camp: Support Leaders are asked to provide feedback about the successes and challenges within the Camp experience.

GRIEF GUIDES (GGs)
Grief Guides are our designated activity facilitators and will be assigned to lead or co-lead grief activities throughout thecamp weekend. Grief Guides are skilled facilitators with significant experience working with youth and are typically asked to be present for the entire camp weekend. Grief Guides must be able to work with all our campers (ages 6-17)but may be assigned to work exclusively with our younger/older campers as needed. GGs are provided food, lodging, support and gratitude for the full weekend.

Before Camp: In addition to completing all required paperwork and training, as well as meeting with the Volunteer Programs Manager (if new), and successfully passing an annual background check, Grief Guides are invited, but not required to attend a "Save Your Spot" meet and greet event to get to know their peers and to help campers and their families feel prepared for camp. This is also a great opportunity for new volunteers to ask questions and to learn more about what to expect. SYS events are held once in Tucson and once in Phoenix, on a Saturday or Sunday in late September or early October. Please see the Important Dates for Volunteers document for details. Review your assigned activity and familiarize yourself with what will be needed. Consider multiple strategies/back up plans to support campers with different needs and/or ages.
During Camp Grief Guide responsibilities include:
 While curriculum and supplies are provided, all Grief Guides are responsible for setup, facilitation, and clean-up of all activities that they are assigned to.
 In addition to activities, Grief Guides serve as key members of the camper welcoming committee: greeting
campers, gathering and arranging luggage and helping to ensure everyone gets where they need to be, safely.
 They also provide meal time support with campers on Saturday and/or Sunday when the CBBS & Support
Leaders are debriefing with staff.
 Grief Guides have separate accommodations from the campers but are able to partake in all the other
wonderful aspects of Camp!
 Grief Guides must be able to work with all our campers (ages 6-17) but may be assigned to work exclusively with our younger/older campers as needed.
 Grief Guides also assist, as Floaters (when not facilitating or on break): providing extra support to cabins, helping to gather/move supplies, packing up cabins, welcoming families (on the final day), etc.
 Communicates openly and promptly with CBBs, Support Leaders, Nurses and staff (as appropriate) when/if
concerns arise. This may or may not include the use of walkie-talkies, as needed.
 Grief Guides report to the Clinical Director and take direction from our Camp Director and our Volunteer
Programs Manager.
Following Camp: Grief Guides are asked to provide feedback about the successes and challenges within the Camp experience.

Self-Care Center (SCC) Support Team
These caring staff and volunteers ensure that a calm, supportive space is available to all volunteers and staff throughout the weekend. Individuals selected for this role will be experienced in the provision of grief support to children and adults and possess the emotional support tools to care for their peers. SCC Volunteers are provided food, lodging, support and gratitude for the full weekend.

Before Camp: In addition to completing all required paperwork and training, meeting with the Volunteer Programs Manager (if new), and successfully passing an annual background check, Self-Care Center volunteers are invited, but not required to attend a "Save Your Spot" meet and greet event to get to know their peers and to help campers and their
families feel prepared for camp. This is also a great opportunity for new volunteers to ask questions and to learn more about what to expect. SYS events are held once in Tucson and once in Phoenix, on a Saturday or Sunday in late September or early October. Please see the Important Dates for Volunteers document for details. Self-Care Center volunteers are required to attend a Volunteer Training prior to Camp; however, many SLs will be eligible for an exemption from this requirement, due to comparable experience. For more information about this, please review the Camp Erin FAQs page.
During Camp:
 Work collaboratively with the Self Care Center Lead (our Volunteer Programs Manager), to ensure that the SCC is consistently staffed, stocked with snacks and other self-care supplies, and that it remains a safe, camper-free space for volunteers to debrief, relax, and re-fuel.
 Provide support to any visiting volunteer or staff member, including (as needed): helping orient them to
available items, checking in about how they’re feeling, listening openly, and honoring the silence or processing that is needed.
 Communicates openly and promptly with Volunteer Programs Manager, Nurses and/or Camp Directors (as
appropriate) when/if concerns arise. This may or may not include the use of walkie-talkies, as needed.
 SCC volunteers report to the Volunteer Programs Manager, and take direction from the Clinical Director and Camp Director.
Following Camp: Self Care Center volunteers are asked to provide feedback about the successes and challenges within the Camp experience.

Camp Nurses
These skilled professionals handle the distribution of any approved medications, administer basic first aid and liaise with the volunteers, the Camp Erin Clinical Director, the Camp Director and the Volunteer Programs Manager, as needed to ensure all safety needs are met. Nurses are provided food, lodging , support and gratitude for the full weekend.

Before Camp: In addition to completing all required paperwork, and successfully passing an annual background check, Nurses are encouraged to attend a Volunteer Training, but are required to meet with the Volunteer Programs Manager prior to Camp (if new), to ensure they are well oriented to Tu Nidito’s grief support model and to the camp experience. Nurses are also invited, but not required to attend a "Save Your Spot" meet and greet event to get to know their peers and to help campers and their families feel prepared for camp. This is also a great opportunity for new volunteers to ask questions and to learn more about what to expect. SYS events are held once in Tucson and once in Phoenix, on a Saturday or Sunday in late September or early October. Please see the Important Dates for Volunteers document for details.

During Camp, Nurses responsibilities include:
 Work with Clinical Director to ensure adequate first aid supply inventory and that all camper medical needs are clear and a match for the setting and nursing team capacity.
 Management of daily camper medication schedules and distribution of all medications
 Provide basic first aid, support and medical consultation to campers and (less frequently) to volunteers, as
needed, and advise staff if additional medical attention is needed.
 Work collaboratively and communicate openly with other Camp Nurse(s).
 Camp Nurses report to the Clinical Director and take direction from our Camp Director and our Volunteer
Programs Manager.

Following Camp: Camp Nurses are asked to provide feedback about the successes and challenges within the Camp experience.

Therapy Dog Welcome Teams
Therapy dog teams are an integral part of welcoming campers as they arrive at camp and ease into the camp experience. Teams participate in Friday afternoon and evening activities only. Teams arrive no later than 1pm on the first day of Camp and stay until approximately 9:30pm (when the Memory Boards Ceremony ends). Teams will participate in some all-camp and some cabin-specific bonding activities. Each team is matched with one or two cabins of campers who are between the ages of 6-17, based on the intersection of volunteer preference, and camper needs. Teams are warmly invited to join us for dinner between opening activities and evening activities. Teams may be certified by any area authority (ex. Gabriel’s Angels or the Humane Society’s Pet VIP or Comfort Dog programs). This role may
require a significant amount of walking.

Before Camp: In addition to completing all required paperwork, and successfully passing an annual background check, Dog Teams are encouraged to attend a Volunteer Training, but are required to meet with and review materials from the Volunteer Programs Manager prior to Camp (if new), to ensure they are well oriented to Tu Nidito’s grief support model and to the camp experience. Prior to final placement, Dog Teams will communicate any details that may influence placement (If the dog is hypoallergenic, is better with a particular age range, or if the human has mobility issues, for
example). Reflect on what helps your dog feel safe, when nervous (as an available discussion topic with any nervous campers), and identify some simple activities (tricks or ways to interact) that highlight your dog’s strengths. Teams are asked to arrange for their own transportation to and from camp and may arrive individually or in carpool groups.

During Camp, Therapy Dog Team responsibilities include:
 On arrival, and find the Volunteer Programs Manager (VC), who will provide confirmation of your placements, make any needed adjustments and help orient you to the space. Familiarize yourself with the camp layout and the location of your assigned cabin(s) and the locations of key activities.
 Gather near the arrivals bay and warmly greet campers as they arrive (via bus or with family members)
 Exercise care and respect for the boundaries of any campers with dog allergies, fears or cultural disinclinations.
 Accompany your assigned cabin(s) to the opening activity space and join them in the activity, if appropriate for your dog (joining your cabin, seated on the floor, creating cabin skits/cheers, for example).
 Accompany your assigned cabin(s) as they settle in to their cabin space and begin to get to know each other, dividing your time evenly, if assigned multiple cabins.
 Be a safe supportive presence. During unscripted times: assess camper interest and, if appropriate, offer to
share any prepared activities (tricks, etc.) or initiate trust-building conversation (ex. what makes your dog feel
safe when nervous)
 Accompany your assigned cabin(s) to the Memory Boards Ceremony (evening activity), following dinner,
providing calm support and companionship as each child shares a picture of the special person in their life who has died.
 Therapy Dog Teams report to the Volunteer Programs Manager and take direction from the Clinical Director, Camp Director as well as the CBBs, and Support Leaders paired with their assigned cabins.

Following Camp: Therapy Dog Teams are welcome, but not required, to provide feedback about the successes and challenges in their experience.

Camp Photographers
These charismatic, professional volunteers are present throughout the Camp weekend capturing memories and helping to build a supportive environment for all in attendance. Camp Photographers are the ONLY people authorized to take photos of campers. Camp Photographers have strong professional ethics and experience photographing sensitive, confidential settings and a range of ages. We recognize that capturing this experience is an all-encompassing art, so Photographers are not responsible for programming or camper support and will be accompanied at all times by trained volunteers who are focused on camper care. This role requires a lot of walking, strong time management and collaboration/ability to smoothly divide tasks (if multiple photographers are present). Photographers are not responsible for the collection or management of Media Releases.Two photographers are preferred.

Before Camp: In addition to completing all required paperwork, and successfully passing an annual background check, Photographers are encouraged to attend a Volunteer Training, but are required to meet with the Volunteer Programs Manager prior to Camp (if new), to ensure they are well oriented to Tu Nidito’s grief support model and to the camp experience. Photographers are also encouraged, but not required to attend a "Save Your Spot" meet and greet event to get to know their peers and to help campers and their families feel prepared for camp. This is also a great opportunity for new volunteers to ask questions and to learn more about what to expect. SYS events are held once in Tucson and once in Phoenix, on a Saturday or Sunday in late September or early October. Please see the Important Dates for Volunteers document for details.
During Camp, Photographer responsibilities include:
 Capture candid and posed moments of individual campers, cabins, volunteers/staff and multiple group shots of the entire camp (120-180 people). Note: a tried and true location for all-camp group shots is used annually and includes a raised vantage point for Photographers.
 Provide and maintain any needed equipment
 Provide Tu Nidito with post-production photos (within 3 weeks following Camp) and relinquish all photo
permission to Tu Nidito/Camp Erin Tucson/Phoenix. Photos should be in JPG format and delivered on a thumb
drive or disc. Each year the number of photos (for all three days combined) averages about 750 images.
 Refrain from using photos without the express permission of Tu Nidito (who honors a strict confidentiality policy and ensures any pictures shared are accompanied by media releases and the appropriate context).
 Camp Photographers are provided food, lodging, support and gratitude throughout the camp experience and are assured sleeping arrangements with other volunteers/staff, but not with campers.
 Work collaboratively and communicate openly with other Camp Photographer(s)
 Photographers report to the Clinical Director and take direction from our Camp Director and our Volunteer
Programs Manager.

Following Camp: Photographers are invited to provide feedback about the successes and challenges within the Camp experience.

Camper Registration and/or Bus Riding
Select volunteers and staff will be on site in either Tucson or Phoenix at the designated meeting sites for campers to facilitate camper registration, luggage check, and respond to any camper families’ questions. Staff on-site will be in charge of medication check in. Once all campers are checked in, two (or more) staff/volunteers from each site will join campers on the buses to camp. Additional volunteers or staff will follow the bus to provide return transportation for staff/volunteers not remaining at Camp. Volunteers selecting this role must be available until mid-day (for Registration) and early afternoon (for Bus Riders) on the first day (Friday) of Camp. Typically, volunteers who select this role are current Camp Erin, Tu Nidito, New Song or Billy’s Place volunteers or staff, unable to participate in the full Camp weekend.

Before Camp: Registration and Bus Riders must complete all required paperwork, successfully pass an annual
background check, participate in a pre-camp meeting with the Volunteer Programs Manager (if new) and attend all required training (if new, unless granted an exemption).

Following Camp: Registration volunteers and Bus Riders are welcome, but not required, to provide feedback about the successes and challenges in their experience.

Pre/Post Camp Special Projects
Special Projects volunteers are typically current Tu Nidito volunteers or are affiliated with a group/club/organization with a pre-existing relationship with Tu Nidito. However, individuals and groups who are new to Tu Nidito are welcome to assist with the preparation of materials and any special projects prior to camp and with the clean-up, organizing and inventory of supplies following camp, as needed. Special Projects volunteers do not need to attend volunteer training, complete paperwork or background checks as they typically have no contact with campers (and if limited contact is approved, it will be fully supervised). To inquire about possible special projects, contact our Volunteer Programs at: info@tunidito.org or (520)322-9155.

Visit www.tunidito.org for answers to Camp Erin Volunteer FAQs, our Volunteer Application,
descriptions of general Volunteer Opportunities, and more. For additional information,
please contact our Volunteer Programs at: info@tunidito.org or (520)322-9155.