Volunteer for Muscular Dystrophy Camp!
As part of MDA’s lifesaving mission to help kids live longer and grow stronger, we provide a summer camp program for kids ages 6 – 17, at no cost to their families. Kids living with neuromuscular diseases that limit strength and mobility often face many unique challenges. These diseases progressively weaken muscles, often taking away everyday abilities like running, walking, hugging and even breathing.
Each year, over 85 kids from the Western Washington area attend MDA Summer Camp in Gig Harbor, WA. Kids look forward to MDA camp year-round, and they almost all agree “it’s the best week of the year.”
More than half of our camp volunteers are typically students from local colleges pursuing a variety of majors and career paths. Our volunteer team also includes many fire fighters, paramedics, and medical professionals from our community.
Here’s a short video about volunteering at MDA camp: MDA Summer Camp
The 2017 MDA camp will run from June 24 – July 1
In addition to bringing joy to our campers, this is an amazing opportunity for your students to gain hands-on experience in education, recreation, family social sciences, and medical care. As camp volunteers, they will acquire a week of experience working with children living with neuromuscular disease, as well as 150 volunteer hours. They will also be in a position to receive letters of recommendation supporting applications for postgraduate opportunities.
MDA staff and the camp medical team provide all the medical training your students will need for the week. The only request we have is that your students enjoy working with kids, have an open heart, and are willing to learn. (Note: Food and lodging are provided to our volunteers at no cost.)
We truly can’t do this without the help of caring individuals like you and your students. I hope that you will forward this email to your students, and encourage them to volunteer at MDA Summer Camp. All interested parties should use the following link to begin the camp application process. http://www.ultracamp.com/info/sessiondetail.aspx?idCamp=521&campCode=md4&idSession=133207
Please feel free to call or email me if you have any questions or would like additional information. You can also reach out to the camp director, Rachael Burris at 206-283-2183 or RBurris@mdausa.org
Thank you
Wayne Johnson, wjohnson@mdausa.org
