Volunteer Camp Counselor

The Laurel Foundation is seeking caring, compassionate, kind, and fun mentors to volunteer as camp counselors for Camp Mulberry - a free summer camp for transgender and gender-diverse youth ages 6 - 17!

Join us for the best week of the summer, June 27th - July 4th, 2026.

We are currently accepting applications for:

Camp Counselors

Camp Medical Team: MD, RN, NP, PA etc.

Camp Help Team: Social workers, Therapists, etc.

What is the Laurel Foundation? The Laurel Foundation serves transgender/gender-diverse youth, at-promise youth, youth from marginalized communities, LGBTQ youth, and youth at risk of HIV, through life changing camping and educational programs.

What will you do? Be part of a team of two co-counselors that help supervise a small group (4 - 7) of campers, who have been sorted into cabins by age and gender. You'll stay in the cabin with them, guiding them through a traditional residential camp experience and joining them at meals and activities.

Who can volunteer? The Laurel Foundation welcomes great volunteers and mentors from all walks of life. All of our volunteers are at least 18 years old, can pass a criminal background check, and attend two days of training. Our volunteers come from all walks of life and share a common goal to empower and support children and teens. We especially welcome volunteer applications from LGBTQ+ community members, all are welcome.

Ready to apply? Email: EDowens@Laurel-Foundation.org

Minimum Qualifications:

Be an adult who can be fully responsible for children in your care!

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Commit to the entire week of camp, including attendance at our mandatory training the weekend before camp, June 20th & 21st 2026
• Complete all pieces of the application process, including online application, phone interviews, and three references, background checks, live scan, Child Abuse Mandatory training, CPR/First Aid certified (Not yet CPR certified? Ask us how we can help!)
• Pass a criminal background check run by The Laurel Foundation
• Visual and auditory ability to identify and immediately respond to environmental and other hazards
• Ability to lift 25 pounds without assistance
• Physical endurance to run ¼ mile
• Possess strength and endurance, physical and mental, to maintain constant supervision of campers for seven days around the clock while at resident camp
• Capacity to deal with highly stressful (physically and emotionally) situations with composure

Be ready for an intense and meaningful week!

• Have the physical and mental capability of caring for campers and upholding all safety standards
• Emotional stability to endure stressful situations, think critically and calmly resolve conflict
• The capacity to work hard for sustained periods of time
• Ability to put the needs of others ahead of your own
• Ability to accept supervision, guidance, and constructive feedback
• Ability to be flexible and to respond and adapt to a fast-paced, changing environment

Be excited about this unique opportunity!

• Desire and ability to work with children in the outdoors (prior experience working with children is beneficial)
• Have knowledge and/or experience working with transgender/gender diverse youth or adults
• Ability to relate to one's peer group and work well with people from diverse backgrounds
• A positive role model for children and peers (exemplary character, good judgment, approachable, etc.)
• Ability to provide necessary guidance and support to campers and peers
• Ability to observe camper behavior and assess appropriateness, implement suitable behavior management techniques, and enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures