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Volunteer as a Counselor at Camp Starlight!
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Description
Camp Starlight is an amazing and rewarding volunteer experience. Camp provides a caring, safe and FUN camp experience for children whose lives are affected by the stigma against the LGBTQIA+ community and/or HIV/AIDS and allows the kids to just be kids for one glorious week in the woods.
- Volunteer dates for Camp Starlight 2026 are July 25-31. The time commitment is for the full week. We arrive at camp in the morning on Saturday, July 25 and leave in the afternoon on Friday, July 31. You must be able to commit to the entire week.
- We are recruiting for cabin counselors, who are each assigned to a group of kiddos in a particular age group. You can indicate your preferences for cabin assignment in our online application (see below). We do our best to assign volunteers to the cabins that will be the best fit for them.
- The week of camp is extremely busy. There is a lot of walking, playing, and general physical activity throughout the long days.
- Camp is located outside Portland, OR. We don’t share the exact location broadly, in order to protect campers’ privacy.
- Camp is amazing. The kids are amazing. The volunteers are amazing. Camp will change your life.
APPLY ONLINE: Once you let us know that you are interested in joining us, I will send you the online application. You will be asked about your volunteer experiences and interest in camp, as well as personal details. Volunteer slots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis; apply by June 15 to be prioritized in the first round of applications.
Camp is the most magical week of the year, and to become a Camp Starlight volunteer is a joy and an honor. Camp is 100% volunteer-run, and we depend on dedicated folks to make it all go - and provide a fun, safe, welcoming experience for youth in the LGBTQIA+ community and/or affected by HIV.
Thank you for your interest in volunteering at Camp Starlight. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or concerns. I look forward to hearing from you very soon!
Location
About 1 hour outside of
Directions
The location of camp will be given to approved volunteers approximately 1 week before the beginning of camp. This is to protect our camper's and volunteer's privacy.
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Physical Requirements
The physical expectations outlined below reflect the general abilities needed for volunteers to carry out the core responsibilities of this role. We are committed to supporting qualified individuals with disabilities, and reasonable accommodations can be made as needed.
This position includes active participation throughout the day and evening — standing, walking, and engaging in outdoor activities with campers. Volunteers should be comfortable lifting and carrying supplies (approximately 25–50 lbs), offering assistance to campers when needed, and responding appropriately in the event of an emergency.
The role also involves supervising campers overnight, staying attentive during later hours, and working outdoors in a range of weather conditions. Camp Starlight sits on 60 acres of varied terrain, including some hills, and volunteers will regularly move around the property as part of their daily responsibilities.
Camp Environment
Volunteers can expect to spend most of their time outdoors, experiencing the full range of Oregon summer weather. Camp life is lively — generally moderate in noise, with some wonderfully energetic moments during meals, talent shows, and big group activities.
Housing for this role is in cabins with campers. At Camp Starlight, we believe every member of our community deserves to feel seen, safe, and celebrated. To honor the diverse identities of our campers and volunteers, we use a gender‑liberated cabin structure.
Each cabin includes up to nine campers of a similar age and at least three adult counselors. Cabins are equipped with private hot showers, private toilets, and private changing areas. Across the rest of camp, you’ll find all‑gender facilities so that everyone — regardless of gender — can move through their camp experience with comfort and dignity.
