ROLE SUMMARY

This role acts as the bridge between families and the camp program, overseeing the "Buddy" system, managing sensory resources, and providing on-the-ground support during the week of camp. This individual will also play a strategic role in refining our year-round Sunday Buddies Ministry.

This is a temporary/seasonal position starting on June 15th, 2026, through September 6th, 2026.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Family Liaison & Individualized Planning

• Review all registrations indicating special needs or IEPs. 
• Conduct pre-camp screenings and interviews with parents to understand the child’s unique strengths, triggers, and support requirements.
• Develop a personalized "Action Plan" for each camper with a disability, ensuring their specific needs are documented for their assigned Buddy and Grade Leader.
• Create visual schedules, social stories, or "First/Then" boards to assist with transitions and behavioral expectations.

Volunteer Management

• Strategically match campers with volunteer Buddies based on personality, experience, and the child's specific needs.
• Design and lead specialized training for Buddies, focusing on disability awareness, behavioral intervention, and safety protocols.
• Provide on-site supervision during camp week and offer immediate support to Buddies and children if challenges arise.

Environment & Collaboration

• Design, set up, and manage a dedicated sensory room or "cool-down" area for campers to use throughout the week.
• Partner with Grade Leaders and camp staff to ensure they understand the inclusion plans and are equipped to support campers within their groups.
• Maintain open lines of communication with parents during camp, providing updates on their child’s progress and experiences.

Ministry Development (Post-Camp)

• Conduct a post-camp evaluation of the Buddy system to identify successes and areas for improvement.
• Devote 5–10 hours to enhancing the Sunday Buddies Ministry, including recruiting new buddy volunteers, updating training materials, and training buddies for the upcoming school year.

TIME COMMITMENT

Schedule & Hours

• Mid-June – July: ~5-10 hours/week + 2 hours on Sundays
• Family calls, screenings, and plan development.
• Attend all general camp staff training sessions.
• Sunday Buddies Ministry enhancement.
• Camp Week: ~40 hours total
• Mon-Fri: 8 am – 4 pm
• Full-time on-site presence required.
• Post-Camp: ~5 hours/week
• Parent follow-up and volunteer debriefs.
• Finalize Buddies Ministry fall programming.

PASSIONATE ABOUT:

• Belonging: You find deep joy in seeing the one child who usually feels left out finally feel like they are the guest of honor.
• Advocacy: You are a natural voice for those who may struggle to communicate their needs, and you enjoy educating others on how to see a child’s heart rather than their diagnosis.
• Empowering Others: You get excited about equipping volunteers and watching them grow in their own confidence and compassion.
• Strategic Growth: You are energized by the idea of building a sustainable, year-round ministry that makes the church a home for every family.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Experience in Special Education, Occupational Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, or a related field.
• Proven understanding of various disabilities (Autism, ADHD, sensory processing disorders, etc.) and familiarity with IEP/504 goals.
• Proven ability to train and motivate volunteers, particularly teens or young adults.
• A heart for inclusive ministry and a desire to see all children belong in the church community.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current certification in CPR/First Aid or Crisis Prevention Intervention (CPI) training.
• Experience with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles or specialized experience working with non-verbal children and alternative communication (AAC) devices.
• Bachelor’s degree or progress toward a degree in Special Education, Occupational Therapy, Speech-Language Pathology, or Social Work.
• Previous experience serving in a church setting or a faith-based non-profit, with an understanding of how to integrate disability support into a spiritual environment.
• Fluency in a second language (e.g., Spanish or American Sign Language) to better assist diverse families or campers with hearing impairments.