• Registered Nurses: Each session we recruit 4 or 6 volunteer registered nurses (RNs) to assist with camper and staff care. Volunteer nurses work side-by-side with our staff nurses to provide primary to a group of campers with specific diagnoses. Care includes: following each camper's individual plan of care as detailed by their home physician or specialist, providing needed treatments, medications, and lab draws, and assisting with camper personal care needs. Volunteer nurses also spend a portion of the session triaging and treating the unexpected camper or staff illness or injury.
• Health Care Professionals: LPNS, RNs, respiratory therapists, physical therapists, EMTs, and other medical professionals or students are needed as cabin counselors. Volunteer cabin counselors are expected to be "on duty" 24 hours a day participating in the full range of camp activities, and assisting our campers in reaching our main goal - having FUN!!! As a healthcare professional, you will also assist with campers' ongoing health care needs and personal care needs. Please reference questions/answers pertaining to volunteer cabin counselors for further information.
• Physicians: There will be 2-3 volunteer physicians each session including specialists and general practitioners. Physicians work closely with the nurses in providing routine and emergency care to campers. Resident physicians at the PFY-2 or greater level may assist in the Body Shop, with supervision.

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What are the licensure requirements for medical volunteers?

• Nurses :  Nursing volunteers must be RNs and have a current North Carolina nursing license . The North Carolina Board of Nursing is a member of the Nurse Licensure Compact, an interstate organization.  This means that the North Carolina board of Nursing recognizes and honors nursing licenses issues by other "compact" states.  These states include:  Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin.  If you do not hold a nursing license in NC or one the compact states you must obtain a NC nursing license to volunteer as a nurse at camp.  Information about obtaining a NC nursing license is available on-line at www.ncbon.com .  The fee for this is approximately $150.  Nurses must also carry Nursing Liability Insurance, the cost of which is reimbursable.  Please contact the Nursing Director for more information on obtaining insurance. Finally, all nursing volunteers most hold current CPR certification .
• Physicians :  The General Assembly of North Carolina passed a bill (1177) in May 2003 that allows physicians who are licensed in another state to "practice medicine or surgery at a camp that specializes in providing therapeutic recreation for individuals with chronic illnesses" for < 30 days/year.  Physicians must carry their own medical malpractice insurance to volunteer at camp. Resident physicians should check with their insurance carrier to ensure coverage while at VJGC.

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What is the time commitment for medical volunteers? Are partial sessions an option?
A 6-day commitment is required of all volunteers. For continuity of care, partial sessions are not recommended.

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What are the living arrangements for medical volunteers?
Volunteer physicians and nurses do not live with the campers as do the volunteer cabin assistants. Expect to share a room with two or three other volunteers. All housing options are air-conditioned and indoor bathrooms and showers are provided. Meals are provided in our dining hall and are taken with the campers and other staff.  Unfortunately, due to a housing shortage, families are not able to accompany medical volunteers at this time.

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Is there any training for Medical Volunteers?
Every medical volunteer, new and old, is expected to arrive at camp the day before his or her session starts for an Orientation to camp. Camp provides an extensive orientation on medical care, and behavioral modification techniques.. as well as all the fun stuff like songs and cheers.

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Are there any restrictions I should be aware of?

• There is no smoking permitted anywhere on camp grounds.
• Drinking and drug uses are also strictly prohibited.
• Except for scheduled time off, all medical personnel (volunteer and staff) are expected to be "on-duty" 24 hours a day. Night call is taken by full-summer staff only, however, volunteers may be called upon to assist should the need arise.

If you have any other questions please contact our Nursing Director, Emily Alfeld Parenteau, or our Medical Director, Dr. Peter Sim.

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How can I help?
Victory Junction welcomes your energy in all areas of operation! From being a volunteer cabin counselor, to helping the kitchen staff and support staff (maintenance, office, housekeeping), our organization thrives on the participation of volunteers like you! Volunteer applications are currently being accepted for spring family weekends and summer week sessions. For a detailed listing of our volunteer program, please see our Volunteer Opportunities.

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Is there a cost to volunteer?
There is no charge to be a volunteer. However, we will be not be responsible for your transportation to and from Victory Junction, though we do offer pickups from local airports, bus and train stations. Room and board is provided for session volunteers only. (Lodging may be provided to volunteers helping out with programs, theme- and family-based programs.)

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What are the living arrangements for volunteers?
Volunteers who make a weekend or week-long pledge will have on-site accommodations provided. During the day, you are assigned to a camper cabin or program area, and in the evening, you will sleep either in a cabin in a room adjacent to the campers or in our program housing. Meals are taken with your cabin; a vegetarian meal is optionally available.

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Are there any restrictions and/or requirements of which I should be aware?
There are some which are necessary, given the special needs of our campers and the emphasis of camp.

• Volunteers must be at least 19 years of age when volunteering, have references checked, and sign a background release form in order to ensure the health and safety of the children we serve.
• Smoking is not permitted anywhere on the camp property.
• Drinking and drug use are prohibited.
• Vehicles brought to camp must be registered upon your arrival.
• Everyone at camp, adults as well as campers, need to deposit all medications with the camp infirmary. (They will be dispensed on schedule by the medical staff.)

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Do you accept disabled volunteers?
We do not exclude disabled staff or volunteers. Work as a counselor is sometimes strenuous, and ultimately the safety of all of our participants is of utmost importance. If you are disabled, we expect that you will help us to make a reasonable assessment of your ability to supervise and assist both able and disabled children. Our site is accessible to the disabled.

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What are the specifics of being a "volunteer cabin counselor"?
Volunteer cabin counselors are an integral part of our summer program. These men and women serve for a full camp session (6-7 days) as cabin counselors and are assigned to one of our cabins, together with full-time counselors and campers. Volunteer cabin counselors must be 19 years of age or older and are expected to be “on duty” 24 hours a day. We need to be able to count on them to help as the need arises, so we ask that they not leave the camp. Volunteer cabin counselors participate in the full range of camp activities, assisting our campers in reaching our main goal - having FUN!!! Generally there are 2-3 volunteer cabin counselors per cabin, per session.

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How do I sign up? Is there a deadline?
Fill out a staff/volunteer application! You can download it; receive it by postal mail or fax. Our application allows you to request placement in any of our programs throughout the calendar year. You will need to provide us with 2 references, as well as give us permission to perform a background check in order to ensure the safety of our campers. There is no official deadline for volunteer applications, as we accept people on a first-come, first-serve basis with preference given to repeat volunteers. Upon receipt and review of your application, we will contact you regarding interview arrangements. Send us your application - We can’t wait to hear from you!

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Who should I contact if I have any further questions about volunteering?
If you have additional questions about volunteering, do not hesitate to contact our Volunteer Director, Claire Rutan, by emailing her at crutan@victoryjunction.org.

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