Volunteering FAQs
Whether we can use your vocal talents (yes), what your duties might be, and additional answers.
The mission of Flying Horse Farms is to make it possible for children with serious illnesses to heal, grow, and thrive.
We are committed to providing a safe camp experience. Our medical team, with our medical advisory board, is continuously evaluating the status of COVID-19 locally and nationally.
If you have questions, please reach out to our or call 419.751.7077.
Throughout the summer, Flying Horse Farms hosts week-long diagnosis-specific residential camp sessions. During each session, counselors will help foster connections between campers, facilitate high-quality camp programming...and of course, have some fun!
As a summer camp volunteer, you will be working as a cabin counselor, activity counselor, or on our medical team.
Throughout the spring and summer, Flying Horse Farms will hold weekend-long family camps (beginning on Friday evening and going through to early Sunday afternoon). Families get to play, relax, create, unplug and reconnect while they are at Flying Horse Farms. Our goal is to provide families of children with serious illnesses the opportunity to experience what camp can do for the child and their family.
As a family camp volunteer, you will be placed as a Family Sidekick, Activity Counselor, Medical Volunteer, or on our kitchen crew.
From archery to boating to Angie’s Arts and Crafts, the activities at Flying Horse Farms are a large part of the magic.
Campers and families use activity spaces to explore, create, laugh and get a little bit messy. Activity areas include archery, arts and crafts, boating and canoeing, fishing, nature and discovery, indoor/outdoor sports and activities, woodworking, performing arts and more.
Activity counselors are responsible for planning fun projects for our campers, preparing the space and materials and operating any equipment necessary in their area. Activity counselors also have the important job of making sure that all campers can participate in all activities. They are responsible for setting up, leading the activity and cleaning afterward. Activity counselors must be at least 19 years old.
Campers come to Flying Horse Farms with a range of unique needs. Our medical staff is responsible for helping to meet these needs. During family camp weekends, families will bring any equipment, supplies and medication that their child may need. The medical team acts as a resource for the family and provides general first aid.
We do! Flying Horse Farms has a handful of water activities including swimming, boating and fishing. We need lifeguards to help keep campers, families, volunteers and staff safe at these activities. Lifeguards will work lakeside or poolside during any time that water activities are open to campers and families. Lifeguards can choose to volunteer for an entire camp session, for a day or for a shift during a family or summer camp. Lifeguards must provide proof of current lifeguard certification and current CPR for the Professional Rescuer with AED certification.
Yep! All volunteers, new and returning, attend an orientation. Orientation, or Volly-O, consists of two parts. E-Learning is an online course designed to give you an overview of Flying Horse Farms and your role. This will consist of videos aimed at going into a bit more detail about camp policies and procedures. And maybe learning a camp dance or two along the way! Then, before campers arrive, we will meet in person for additional training. We’ll put it all together and make sure you’re prepared for your time at camp!
Camp days typically begin at 8:00 am (sometimes there are early morning activities beginning at 7:00 am) and end at 10:00 pm. Time is provided for counselors to take breaks during the day.
Summer Residential Camps run for a week. The first day is dedicated to volunteer orientation and arrival times depend on whether you are a new or returning volunteer. Campers arrive the following day and stay at camp for 5 nights. The final day is camper and staff departure. Typically staff and volunteers head home by early afternoon.
Family Camps run from Friday-Sunday. Volunteers arrive Friday in the late morning and participate in orientation. Campers and their families arrive around dinner time and depart Sunday morning. Volunteers typically head home early afternoon on Sunday.
As long as you’re 18 or older, we would love to have you join us as a Flying Horse Farms volunteer! We’ve had students, professionals and retirees all volunteer their time at camp. Anyone can apply!
We ask all of our program volunteers (counselors and activity leaders) to stay at camp the entire session.
There will be a place on your application to list your availability. If your free time matches our staffing needs, we may place you in more than one session.
After you are approved to come to camp, we’ll send you a confirmation email. The email will have a packing list, driving directions and other information. Along with your sunscreen, positive attitude and willingness to have fun, please remember to bring clothes that you won’t mind getting a little bit messy.
WE WANT CAMP TO BE A SAFE EXPERIENCE FOR EVERYONE. PLEASE FOLLOW OUR DRESS CODE:
- Always wear closed-toe shoes or open-toe shoes with a heel strap (you can bring your flip flops for the pool and showers)
- Make sure your shorts are below your fingertips or just above your knees (at least)
- Feel free to wear tank tops, but please leave the tube tops and spaghetti straps at home
- All clothing must cover your stomach/midriff
- Keep necklines of shirts appropriate
- Please bring camp-appropriate bathing suits
- Clothing and any visible tattoos that reference drugs/alcohol/obscenities/anything offensive are not allowed
- Avoid wearing perfume or cologne as some campers are sensitive or allergic
Deadlines for applications will be posted on the online application site, but volunteer positions are all filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Space fills up quickly so we recommend getting your application in ASAP.
REQUIRED:
- Background Check
- FHF General Liability Waiver
- FHF Health History Form
- Vaccination and Health History Attestation
- Proof of COVID-19 Primary Series Vaccination
- Proof of a TDaP Booster within the last 10 years
- Flu Vaccine Proof (FALL CAMPS ONLY)
Unfortunately, no. But we’d be more than happy to connect you with other volunteers from your area, and you can arrange carpools, etc. If you are willing to carpool with other volunteers, please let us know at .
We try to keep camp low-tech so our campers are focused on exploring and having fun. You can bring your cell phone, but we would love if you try not to use it. Computers and valuable items should be left at home. We have computers at camp, but only for emergencies.
Click here to begin the application process. If you need help applying, please download our application guide.
Please! Camp relies on a variety of different volunteers to keep camp running, and not just during the camp season. Check out all of our volunteer opportunities on the site, or .