Volunteer

Description

Volunteers at Barretstown are known as Volunteer Cara’s (the Irish word for Friend). Training is provided for all new volunteers.During the spring and autumn we run Family Camps and Bereavement Camps for families. The commitment for Family camps is (Friday – Sunday) and Bereavement Camps (Thursday-Sunday). We also run one children’s camp run over the Easter and Halloween breaks.

During the summer we run children and teen camps. These camps are 8/9 days in duration. As the children come to camp from Europe during the summer we also require Chaperones and Interpreters. Chaperones escort the children to camp and home again from their country of origin and act as volunteer cara’s when at camp. Interpreters translate for the children during activities etc.. All Chaperones and Interpreters must be fluent in English.

Volunteering at Barretstown is a truly unforgettable experience – fun activities, lots of laughs and the knowledge that you are directly helping seriously ill kids and their families turn their lives around. Every year Barretstown requires approximately 1500 volunteers to take part in our life-changing programme.  

As a volunteer you perform a key role in supporting and encouraging each child to take part in all aspects of camp, while making sure they're safe and supervised at all times. Most importantly you'll help them have fun!  You will be assigned to work with a family and/or activity group of children depending on the camp you attend. You will encourage and support the children and parents to partake in all activities and to act as a Cara “friend”.

Barretstown is a residential camp - Food and accommodation is provided. 

Please log onto www.barretstown.org for our camp calendar and further information.

Is training provided?: Yes

Please note that Garda Vetting is required for this position.

Tasks that the volunteer(s) will be expected to undertake:

New volunteers for our spring and autumn camps who are based in Ireland must attend one of our mandatory training days. Summer volunteers your training day is part of your summer sessions so you don’t need to attend separately. Oversees volunteers will  be trained on arrival at camp.

Spring Training: Saturday 4th February (9.30am – 1pm) or  Thursday 9th March (5.30pm – 9pm)        

Autumn Training: Saturday 2nd September (9.30am – 1pm) or Sunday 10th September(9.30am – 1pm)

Skills required for this role:

NA

Details of time commitment needed for role:
Commitment from 3 - 9 days depending on camp you sign up. Residential with food and accommodation provided.

Minimum time commitment per week:
10+ hour p/week

Additional screening required for this role:
Spring places are being offered on a rolling basis. Summer closing date 17th Feb 2017. Volunteer Requirements and Application Process • Must be at least 19 years or over • All candidates must be fluent in English • All camps are residential with food and accommodation provided • Completed Application form • 2 Written References (Completed on Barretstown’s Reference Form) • Barretstown Garda Vetting (all applicants) • Criminal Background Check from Country of Residence (overseas volunteers) • Successful phone interview (15-20 minutes)