Camp Aldersgate is excited to announce the introduction of our NEW volunteer program, called the Counselor-in-Training Program. Participants will develop lifelong skills in communication, leadership and problem-solving through robust training and hands-on experience. This new program replaces our previous Youth Volunteer Program with a bolstered curriculum, training and hands-on experience.

Counselors-in-Training spend a week during the summer or a weekend during the school year, assisting counselors with the supervision of campers, camper personal care and facilitating camp activities.

You will have the unique opportunity to provide life-changing experiences for individuals with special needs, while adding a life-changing experience of your own to your resume.

Our 2024 summer camps are scheduled to take place from June 9th to August 2nd, spanning eight week-long camp sessions. Each camp session runs from Sunday – Friday. Click here to view the complete summer schedule. Weekend camps are typically offered once a month during the non-summer seasons. The 2024 weekend camp schedule will be announced soon.

Our Counselor-in-Training program provides volunteer hours for participation. For summer, the time commitment is a week of camp, which runs from noon on Sunday to noon on Friday, earning 125 community service hours! Participating in a weekend camp earns 42 community service hours.

The Counselor-in-Training Program has replaced our previous Youth Volunteer Program with a bolstered curriculum, training, and hands-on experience. There will also be more opportunities for networking and mentorship.

No. There is a separate application process for our paid counselor positions. While being a Counselor-in-Training doesn’t guarantee you a counselor position, it does give you great experience in a camp setting and working with special needs populations! Learn more about how to become a counselor here.

Camp Aldersgate provides programming for children ages 6-18 and young adults ages 19-35. We offer four medical camps which serve campers with a wide variety of medical conditions including muscular dystrophy, spinal disorders, diabetes, oncology, arthritis, hearing impairments; and other chronic conditions such as cardiac, kidney, and bleeding disorders.

Our two Kota camps serve campers who do not qualify for one of our medical camp sessions but have a physical or intellectual disability. Kota campers are encouraged to attend with a sibling or friend who do not have a disability. Our young adult camp is available for individuals with intellectual and developmental disorders including autism, down syndrome, and developmental delays.

Counselors-in-Training are required to undergo an extensive eight-hour training program. This training encompasses a guided tour of the campus, comprehensive insights into Camp Aldersgate’s history, details about our program goals and objectives, job responsibilities and expectations, specific information related to various diagnoses, training in person-first language, and basic personal care skills such as transfers, ankle-foot orthoses usage, and tying shoes, among other topics. The objective of this training is to ensure that all Counselors-in-Training gain a clear understanding of what to anticipate during a camp week.

It is always great to come into the Counselor-in-Training Program with prior experience; however, it is not a requirement. This program is a great opportunity if you’re considering working in a health or helping profession and would like hands-on experience.

Counselors-in-Training must be 15 years old by the time of their first assigned summer or weekend camp session.

Yes, Camp Aldersgate is a residential summer camp, which means that our campers, counselors and Counselors-in-Training stay overnight. Counselors-in-Training live onsite and in cabins, fully immersed in the fun and assisting counselors with the care of campers. Meals are provided during each week, Sunday-Friday.

Counselors-in-Training receive a two-hour break during each full day of camp.