Volunteer Camp Roles
Every role at Anytown Leadership Camp is filled by a volunteer. Here’s what each one involves and what we’re looking for.
What we look for in all our staff
We’re a leadership program, and that starts with our staff. Whatever your role, we’re looking for people who lead by example.
Initiative
You see something that needs doing, and you do something about it. You don’t sit back and wait for someone else to fix it.
Flexibility
Camp changes by the hour. You roll with it and adjust when plans shift.
Big-picture thinking
You understand how your piece fits into the whole week and what we’re working toward together.
Trust in the process
You lean into the experience, even when you can’t see where it’s headed yet.
Explore each role
Volunteer Camp Director
We’re hiring two Directors to serve alongside our Executive Director in the Camp Director role. Directors recruit and select our summer volunteer staff and play a key role in planning and running one week-long diversity and leadership camp. The role includes selecting, coaching and leading volunteer staff, and supporting delegate recruitment. Directors receive a small $1,500 stipend as a thank-you for their time. This is a volunteer leadership role.
Time commitment
The Director role runs February through July, with weekly meetings that pick up as camp gets closer. Some weeks are heavy, like hiring season and interviews. Others are more flexible and relaxed.
You have to be a chameleon
Directors hold humor, fun, seriousness, depth and support, often in the same day and sometimes in the same hour. You’ll switch between them depending on what the group needs, what program we’re in or what situation we’re stepping into. It takes a good attitude, remembering what we’re there for, and being able to step into the fire without flinching.
We know this all sounds like a warning, but it’s a truly rewarding role. You get to see the results of all your work: the community you built and the lives you changed.
What you’ll do
- Hire and keep a strong, qualified volunteer staff team
- Oversee the health and well-being of every participant, including food, housing, medical care and mental health
- Lead staff training, development and team building, including Duty to Warn and confidentiality
- Plan the camp agenda and programming, and identify equipment and supply needs
- Carry out the Anytown program model and keep camp programming excellent
- Serve as the link between the Board of Directors, participants, guests and contractors
- Help recruit delegates through your community connections and social media, and get staff involved in recruiting
- Support fundraising and use resources responsibly
What we’re looking for
- Experience in a lead staff role (Counselor or Advisor) at a ’town program: Anytown, Minitown or Unitown
- Ability to share the Anytown mission with staff, volunteers and donors
- Ability to engage diverse volunteer groups
- Strong leadership and a commitment to high-quality camp programs
- Passion, integrity, a positive attitude and self-direction
- Strong planning, delegating and organizational skills
- Strong written and verbal communication
Required: An Arizona Fingerprint Clearance Card (or willingness to get one)
Volunteer Camp Counselor
Counselors are the backbone of Anytown. They set the tone for camp from the moment delegates arrive, live in the cabins with them all week and are the morale builders, song leaders and advocates delegates remember most. Counselors work alongside the Directors and Advisors to make Anytown a positive, meaningful experience for every delegate.
Our most competitive role
Counselor is the most competitive role at Anytown. We select 10 Counselors each year: four men, four women and two gender-expansive Counselors.
What you’ll do
- Sleep in and supervise a cabin, and lead cabin bonding, discussions and activities
- Co-lead a small group with an Advisor
- Help plan evening programs like Talent Night and Culture Night
- Rally your cabin and bring the energy for Cabin Olympics
- Join and encourage participation in Morning Sing and Evening Close
- Run cabin orientation and coordinate cabin duties
- Keep delegates on time, engaged and supported, and report concerns to Advisors and Directors
- Attend daily counselor and staff meetings
What we’re looking for
- If you’re within delegate age (14–19), you’ve attended Anytown as a delegate. If you’re older, no prior Anytown experience is required.
- Leadership and strong judgment
- Some experience leading small groups
- Familiarity with issues of diversity, including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, interfaith, gender identity, sexual orientation and ability
- A cooperative attitude and maturity
- Self-awareness and the ability to handle emotionally charged topics with care
- Comfort addressing conflict among delegates or staff
Required: A cleared criminal background check (if 18 or older)
Volunteer Camp Advisor
We’re bringing on six to eight Advisors for camp. Advisors are adult volunteer staff who support the Directors with daily operations, lead large-group programming on social justice topics, and support their partner Counselor in creating a strong experience for delegates.
Heads up: you’ll be leading the room
At any time, Advisors may be in front of 80 to 100 people leading a discussion, and you’ll be in charge of it. Programs can run from one to three hours. You need to be truly comfortable leading a large group for an extended period of time.
What you’ll do
- Partner with a Counselor to oversee a cabin and co-lead a small group
- Co-lead large-group programs and discussions for 80–100 people at a time
- Be a first responder to conflicts or situations that need an adult to step in
- Make sure Counselors are supported and fulfilling their roles
- Help collect daily evaluations from delegates
- Communicate regularly with the Directors about delegates
- Mentor delegates and keep an eye out for anyone who needs extra support
What we’re looking for
- 21 years or older
- Leadership, strong judgment and calm decision-making under pressure
- True comfort standing in front of a large group for hours at a time and being in charge of the room
- A strong understanding of diversity issues, including race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, interfaith, gender identity, sexual orientation and ability
- A cooperative, adaptable attitude
- Comfort addressing conflict among delegates or staff
Required: A cleared criminal background check
Volunteer Mental Health Staff
We’re bringing on two Mental Health Staff for camp. Mental Health Staff help keep delegates and staff safe and well. As part of the Health & Wellness Team reporting to the Directors, they support delegates, families, counselors and staff with emotional and behavioral needs that come up during camp. Mental Health Staff are not therapy providers. They are a trusted resource and support for the whole camp.
What you’ll do
- Oversee the mental health and wellness of all delegates and volunteer staff
- Serve as a mandated reporter and help report situations as required by state law
- Support and check in with staff throughout the week
- Be present for staff training and all parts of camp with delegates
- Keep an accurate log of mental health incidents and decide when emergency care is needed
- Train staff on camp mental health policies and share needs with staff confidentially
- Partner with the Directors to call parents when needed
What we’re looking for
- A professional background in mental health, such as school counseling, social work, psychology or therapy
- 21 years or older
- Trauma-informed training and willingness to train staff on it; restorative practices and conflict mediation training preferred
- Experience working with children and youth
- Experience with mandated reporting
- Ability to make decisions under pressure
- Familiarity with issues of diversity and a sincere desire to work with youth from all backgrounds
Required: A cleared criminal background check, a professional background in mental health, and trauma-informed training
Volunteer Medical Staff
We’re bringing on one Medical Staff member for camp. Medical Staff are responsible for all medical care at camp, including caring for ill or injured delegates and staff, giving medications, communicating with parents and camp leadership, and keeping health records and medical supplies organized.
What you’ll do
- Oversee the camp health program and follow all procedures
- Check in every delegate at arrival for illness, injuries and medical needs
- Collect and give out medications on schedule
- Keep health forms, emergency contacts and an accurate incident log
- Put together a medical bag of general supplies (Anytown provides the supplies) and keep it with you during camp
- Train staff on camp health policies and share medical needs with staff confidentially
- Be on call by camp phone throughout camp and decide when emergency care is needed
- Partner with the Directors to call parents when needed, and join camp activities when not treating delegates
What we’re looking for
- Medical training or experience, such as nursing, EMT or another health background; a medical license is a plus but not required
- 21 years or older
- Current CPR and First Aid certifications
- Experience working with children and youth
- Ability to make decisions under pressure
- Familiarity with issues of diversity and a sincere desire to work with youth from all backgrounds
Required: A cleared criminal background check and current CPR and First Aid certifications