Volunteer
Work Teams
We welcome work teams in the Spring and Fall to work on various maintenance projects around the camp, including but not limited to: taking down dead trees and splitting wood, washing windows, cleaning roofs and gutters, cleaning up debris, etc. Work teams receive a free meal at the camp in addition to our gratitude. For work teams who desire to spend the night, Makemie Woods will provide the housing, and the group pays for their meals.
Numerous Scouts have done projects at the camp to earn Eagle Scout or Gold Awards. We welcome these enthusiastic youth and their service to the camp. Please contact the Director about potential projects. Previous Eagle projects have included landscaping and adding benches to our Observatory, and terracing our amphitheater worship space.
We also welcome individuals who would like to work on a specific project. Retired persons who enjoy working outdoors in the middle of the week are particularly invited and welcome. We are interested in groups willing to adopt a cabin exterior to paint.
For youth groups, we have found the experience to be most effective for all if:
We welcome work teams in the Spring and Fall to work on various maintenance projects around the camp, including but not limited to: taking down dead trees and splitting wood, washing windows, cleaning roofs and gutters, cleaning up debris, etc. Work teams receive a free meal at the camp in addition to our gratitude. For work teams who desire to spend the night, Makemie Woods will provide the housing, and the group pays for their meals.
Numerous Scouts have done projects at the camp to earn Eagle Scout or Gold Awards. We welcome these enthusiastic youth and their service to the camp. Please contact the Director about potential projects. Previous Eagle projects have included landscaping and adding benches to our Observatory, and terracing our amphitheater worship space.
We also welcome individuals who would like to work on a specific project. Retired persons who enjoy working outdoors in the middle of the week are particularly invited and welcome. We are interested in groups willing to adopt a cabin exterior to paint.
For youth groups, we have found the experience to be most effective for all if:
- the group size is 2 - 15 people
- there is at least one adult for every 8 or fewer youth (one adult to every four youth is optimal)
- the youth are at least 9th grade or older
- the youth bring their own work gloves, and the group brings some of its own tools appropriate for the project
The DOVE Program--Summer Camp Volunteers
Many youth and adults who can't commit to a whole summer at camp but would like to help out are encouraged to participate in the DOVE training program. All of our volunteers must undergo an application, screening and training process along with the paid staff, which helps to insure a safe camp environment for all. DOVES can volunteer for a week of camp at a time, and are usually assigned to work with specific cabin groups with persons with special needs. Interested persons must be at least 16 years old by June to be eligible.
What is DOVE? This program recruits and trains persons who are interested in serving as Volunteer Staff during the summer camp program at Makemie Woods. DOVEs are trained to specific tasks within the camp program, especially helping with campers with special needs.
Who can be a DOVE? Anyone aged 16 (finished 11th grade) to 116 with a sincere desire to work with children, and to serve Jesus Christ. Because there will be some physical aspects to this service, and because it is required by the American Camp Association, we do require that DOVEs have a physical exam prior to volunteering (a physical already completed for some other purpose is fine). In some cases, the physical aspects may simply involve being able to walk a half-mile; for those who will be working with mobility impaired persons, there will be some lifting involved. We will make every effort to match your skills and abilities to the appropriate tasks, and would certainly not ask you to do anything that would be unwise for your health.
How do I become a DOVE?
How long is this training good for? Once a DOVE, always a DOVE-- assuming you uphold the camp policies and contribute positively to the program. We will need you to keep up with policy changes and you will need a new physical every two years. When you complete your training, you will receive a certificate and a special staff T-shirt with the DOVE logo. You will also receive a written evaluation of your service.
How often can I volunteer? DOVE's serve for one week. Stays beyond one week must be negotiated with the Program Director and will take into account the DOVE's performance and contribution to the program.
Many youth and adults who can't commit to a whole summer at camp but would like to help out are encouraged to participate in the DOVE training program. All of our volunteers must undergo an application, screening and training process along with the paid staff, which helps to insure a safe camp environment for all. DOVES can volunteer for a week of camp at a time, and are usually assigned to work with specific cabin groups with persons with special needs. Interested persons must be at least 16 years old by June to be eligible.
What is DOVE? This program recruits and trains persons who are interested in serving as Volunteer Staff during the summer camp program at Makemie Woods. DOVEs are trained to specific tasks within the camp program, especially helping with campers with special needs.
Who can be a DOVE? Anyone aged 16 (finished 11th grade) to 116 with a sincere desire to work with children, and to serve Jesus Christ. Because there will be some physical aspects to this service, and because it is required by the American Camp Association, we do require that DOVEs have a physical exam prior to volunteering (a physical already completed for some other purpose is fine). In some cases, the physical aspects may simply involve being able to walk a half-mile; for those who will be working with mobility impaired persons, there will be some lifting involved. We will make every effort to match your skills and abilities to the appropriate tasks, and would certainly not ask you to do anything that would be unwise for your health.
How do I become a DOVE?
-
Download the application
packet using Adobe
Acrobat.
Or email Sherri Egerton, our Program Director, to have her send you a 2012 DOVE application packet. - Submit the application.
- Have two persons who are adults (not relatives and not recent Makemie Woods staff) fill out and return the reference forms. One of them should be your pastor.
- Have an interview with the Program Director and/or Director
- Sign and return the Volunteer Covenant and Contract
- Submit a physical form and a health history form. If you are over 18 at time of application, we may also require a background check.
- Attend and satisfactorily complete the training event scheduled for June 8-10, 2012 and do some brief reading and/or watch training videos in advance of this event.
How long is this training good for? Once a DOVE, always a DOVE-- assuming you uphold the camp policies and contribute positively to the program. We will need you to keep up with policy changes and you will need a new physical every two years. When you complete your training, you will receive a certificate and a special staff T-shirt with the DOVE logo. You will also receive a written evaluation of your service.
How often can I volunteer? DOVE's serve for one week. Stays beyond one week must be negotiated with the Program Director and will take into account the DOVE's performance and contribution to the program.
The Makemie Woods Committee
If you are a member of a church that belongs to the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia, we would welcome your input on our oversight committee. Meeting the third Tuesday of each month (usually at 10 AM), this devoted group make decisions about budget, improvement projects, program, and assists with the hiring of summer and permanent staff. Our current moderator is Ann Moore, from Stone House Presbyterian Church. If you are interested in serving, please contact the director.
If you are a member of a church that belongs to the Presbytery of Eastern Virginia, we would welcome your input on our oversight committee. Meeting the third Tuesday of each month (usually at 10 AM), this devoted group make decisions about budget, improvement projects, program, and assists with the hiring of summer and permanent staff. Our current moderator is Ann Moore, from Stone House Presbyterian Church. If you are interested in serving, please contact the director.
