Welcome Welcome Welcome to Camp Kudzu

It may be for the thirteenth time or for the first time.
So, Welcome Back or Welcome Aboard.

APPLY ONLINE - New or Returning Volunteers

In the summer of 2011, over 350 people volunteered to make our summer season of three weeks of Camp Kudzu an incredible experience for our campers! For the first time in the history of our organization, we were able to serve 585 campers because we had the helping hands of so many talented, caring adults. We will need at least that many volunteers as we begin our journey to stretch and serve 600 plus campers this summer.

We will begin to accept volunteer applications via our online application site starting January 11, 2012. Please apply early so that we are aware of your interest in joining our team! Late applicants may be at a disadvantage in getting preferred placement positions and dates.

Want to download a paper application?

I will be volunteering for the first time - packet includes 3 reference forms

I am a returning volunteer - references are on file. We don't need new references.

Our volunteers come from all over the United States and from all backgrounds and professions. From college students to business executives, doctors, teachers, firemen, healthcare professionals, each one gives a week of his or her time, talent and energy, knowing they make a difference in the lives of deserving children.

Staff are asked to remain at camp for the entire week of their choice. Knowledge of diabetes is not a prerequisite for volunteering at Camp Kudzu; we will teach what you need to know. Staff training is a very important part of our volunteer program; therefore, training and orientation will be held preceding camp.

New Staff Orientation Dates
For New Staff Volunteering in our May/June Programs
Tuesday and Thursday- May 1st and May 3rd or Saturday, May 12th
For New Staff Volunteering in our August Program
Tuesday and Thursday July 10th and July 12th or Saturday, July 21st

All Staff Orientation
Kudzu U, Its 3rd Year!
Saturday- April 28th noon to 4:30

Camp Kudzu offers a wide variety of activities including mountain biking, water skiing, horseback riding, canoeing, ropes course, arts and crafts, sailing, kayaking, campfires, singing, hiking, swimming, sports, vertical challenge course, zip line, soccer, tennis and much, much more! If you are ready to have an amazing week this summer, while making a difference in the lives of great children and teens, join us at Camp Kudzu 2012!

Volunteer Staff Minimum Qualifications:

• At least 19 years old and at least one year post high school life
  experience (e.g., a year of college, a year of work, etc.)
• High school graduate or equivalent
• Desire and ability to work with children outdoors in a camp setting
• Good character, integrity and adaptability
• Ability to be a positive member of a staff team
• Commitment to attend the entire week of camp
• Commitment to attend pre-camp training and orientation
• Possess strength and endurance required to maintain consistent
  supervision of campers for seven-day resident camping experience
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and respond to environmental
  and other hazards related to the activities of camp programs

So if I volunteer at camp, what do I do? What does that actually mean?
Below we share information about the roles and responsibilities of
our program and medical staff...

(For a detailed job description, click on the highlighted camp position)

Our cabin counselors are very important for a terrific week at Camp Kudzu. They live in the cabin with the counselors, accompany them to activities, and are the first people they hear as the alarm clock in the morning! Our counselors come from a variety of walks of life and add a unique dash and spice to the camper's stay at camp. In tandem with our medical team, they are there to maintain the camper's health and safety.

It takes many sets of hands to get Camp Kudzu going and keep Camp Kudzu going once the gate opens and the campers arrive. We have dedicated staff to support the operations of camp from filling up water coolers, to delivering the mail, to putting out the benches for an evening program, to actually opening the gate. We call this invaluable team the Logistics Staff. Typically, there are 8 to 10 members of this team, and there is a Head Logistics Staff Member.

Our host camps provide the facilities and some of the program activities. For instance, at Camp Twin Lakes and at Camp Barney Medintz, we use their food service, horseback, waterfront, archery, and adventure programs. For these components, the host facilities provide trained, certified staff to be food service staff, horseback instructors, lifeguards, archery instructors, and rock climbing instructors. Every summer, Camp Kudzu has talented volunteers who share their own skills to enhance the program offerings for our campers. These staff are called Activity Staff. While they may reside in the cabin, they actually facilitate the hustle bustle that the campers will participate in during the day.

• Our camps offer our campers the opportunity to Fish. When campers show up for fishing, that doesn't mean that they are well versed at baiting the hook or taking the fish off of the hook, either.
• Our campers enjoy soccer, softball, Frisbee, and kickball. It's the Field sports staff's job to make sure everyone gets a chance to hit one over the fence.
• As a fitness for life sport, Tennis is very popular with our campers and has been a program activity since we opened in 2000. Every summer, our tennis staff put the topspin back in the camper's backhand.
• Martial Arts certainly is a well-liked activity by the campers. They patiently wait to see if they get to break a cement block in half and pleasantly surprised when they realize all the training that must take place in order to have the ability and discipline to be able to do that.
• On the flip side, basketball is very popular... but there are other activities that can be done in the gymnasium. A break from the sun makes a stop with the Gym Games staff very popular.
• There are several opportunities for the camper's creative side to be balanced with the sports side at Camp Kudzu. We have a very popular and super creative Puppetry program run by our puppet dude; there's an opportunity for Song writing. The faint sound of Drumming can be heard throughout camp and it wouldn't camp if a tie dye t-shirt wasn't made by everyone in camp (including staff) in Arts and Crafts and the smell of the local home fix it box store wafts through camp with our Woodworking program.
• In order to prepare for a very popular evening program, campers enjoy fine tuning their skills at dance. Our Dance instructor spends time working with the campers to expose them to more than the most popular moves emphasis creative movement instead.
• And, of course, somebody has to report on all of this... that's why we have a camp Newspaper. The campers work to make sure the edition gets to the press on time!

Interested in the medical staff positions of Camp Kudzu?

These valuable, responsible and caring individuals bring their skills and a healthy attitude to our staff community. An entire spectrum of health care professionals supports our camp program each week. Their knowledge and expertise are relied upon to manage an entire camp of campers living with type 1 diabetes but they can easily blend into the to the day to day activities of camp by tie dye t-shirts, singing in the dining hall, or going off the zipline.

Medical Staff Volunteer Positions at Camp Kudzu

(Please click on each title to obtain a detailed job description.)

Endocrinologists

Camp Kudzu needs Endocrinologists who are able to supervise and participate in the diabetes management of campers at every session of camp. Endocrinologists at camp are expected to help clinicians with midnight rounds 2 to 3 nights per session as scheduled and be available for consultation about diabetes management throughout the day as needed. Even if you are only able to volunteer for 2 or 3 days, your help is greatly appreciated. This setting is much different than the clinic or office setting because Camp Kudzu is focused on promoting education in an exciting, camping environment. Most volunteers find that a week spent at camp is a time to renew their spirits and fervor for diabetes education.

Pediatricians

Camp Kudzu needs Pediatricians, Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Pediatric Physicians' Assistants every session. While at camp, the Pediatricians will help with general medical needs of campers and staff. The Pediatrician will play a vital role in medical check-in on the first day of camp. If you are able to fill this role, you will collaborate with the medical director and supervise the medical lodge nurses and volunteers. While at camp, you will be able to participate in exciting camper activities and network with other health care providers. It's a great chance to get away from the work setting and see children with diabetes practice healthy lifestyles and engage in active learning.

Medical Lodge Nurses

The Medical Lodge at Camp Kudzu needs nurses of all specialties to help with general medical needs. Med Lodge nurses will provide non-insulin medications to all campers and will practice appropriate triage for injured or ill campers and staff. Medical lodge nurses also play an important role in medical check-in on the first day of camp. If you enjoy camping and working with children, this could be a great fit for you as a nurse (NP, RN's, LPN's)! During free time, you will be able to attend camper activities and evening programs.

Medical Head Staff

The medical head staff position is filled by a health care provider (RN, NP, PA) who will serve as the liaison between the medical staff and the programming staff throughout the camp session. The medical head staff position is a vital role at Camp Kudzu and allows the medical director to have much needed help. To fill this position well, it is beneficial if you are well versed in carbohydrate counting, general diabetes management and camp programming and schedules. The medical head staff will fill the role of the medical director in case of illness or emergency. During free time, you will be able to enjoy activities with campers and other staff as well as evening programs.

Clinicians

Camp Kudzu is always looking for more clinicians (LPN, RN, NP, PA, MD, DO)! Clinicians allow kids to be kids without needing to worry about their diabetes getting in the way. Clinicians also teach "in the moment" when a child or teen participates in decisions regarding his/her diabetes management. A cabin clinician cares for 9-18 campers with insulin dependent diabetes. The main job of a clinician is to ensure that insulin adjustments are made appropriately for food intake and high blood glucose levels while taking into account the upcoming activities for the campers. Clinicians collaborate with campers on insulin doses and promote independence for campers at age appropriate levels. Clinicians are scheduled to rotate on midnight rounds 2 to 3 nights of the week. To fill this role, you need a base knowledge of type 1 diabetes and insulin dosing. It is also important that you are familiar with Camp Kudzu's policies and protocols for diabetes management while at camp. Benefits of volunteering at Camp Kudzu as a clinician include detailed education on diabetes management and networking opportunities with other clinicians, Endocrinologists and educators. Clinicians are encouraged to attend camper's activities. That includes pool, zip line, arts & crafts and many more exciting programs!

Dietary Head Staff

The dietary head staff, an RD, has a very important role at Camp Kudzu. Mealtimes are the highlights of the day, and dieticians lay the groundwork for tasty, nutritious foods and for the special dietary considerations of a varied camper population. Accurate carbohydrate counting is the key to well managed diabetes. If you are a Registered Dietician and are skilled in carbohydrate counting, take a break from the office or clinic and volunteer at camp! Your duties include reviewing the carb counts of meals and planning diabetes nutrition educational programs for campers and staff. You will work hand in hand with our host sites in planning for healthy, balanced meals for the duration of camp. You will supervise and aid the dietary team in preparing low blood glucose supplies for cabins and activity areas as well as ensuring that snack foods are appropriate. During free time, you are encouraged to participate in exciting camper activities and to build relationships with all staff.

Dietary Staff

Dietitians and Nutritionists, with college level education in nutrition, are needed to help prepare boxes of low blood glucose supplies, aid head dietary staff in carbohydrate counting and participate in diabetes/nutrition education of campers and staff as needed. This role at camp is also used to fill in for counselors during certain, scheduled breaks-that means you get to participate in camper activities like pool, zip line, arts & crafts and many more exciting programs.

Working at Camp Kudzu is an opportunity to have a positive influence on the
lives of children and teens living with diabetes.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call
404-250-1811 or e-mail kshreve@campkudzu.org