The Painted Turtle

Give children with serious medical conditions a Camp experience they’ll always remember!

Every child deserves to experience the life-changing power of camp. The Painted Turtle provides year-round camp experiences for children with serious medical conditions. Located in Lake Hughes, California, The Painted Turtle is a proud member of the global SeriousFun Children’s Network, founded by Paul Newman. Every aspect of the intentional and adaptive programming at Camp – from a wheelchair-friendly ropes course to exceptional on-site medical care – is designed to allow all campers to participate in all activities. Since opening in 2004, over 200,000 children and their families have experienced The Painted Turtle completely free of charge.

We are looking for volunteer cabin counselors for our week long Summer Sessions over several dates in the Summer season, where kids with serious medical conditions get to experience fun and independence by spending a week at camp on their own. Volunteers work directly with our campers to facilitate the joy of camp and bring smiles to their faces while cheering them on in activities such as Horseback Riding, Archery, Boating, Fishing, Arts & Crafts, Woodshop, and so much more!

Volunteer Cabin Counselors join a cabin team during a summer session to care for, supervise, and cheer on campers throughout their time at camp. They encourage friendships and teamwork within the cabin, role model camp spirit, and help campers to get the most out of their camp experience. Our medical team provides any needed medical support so counselors can focus on engaging campers in activities. Volunteers live in cabins with 7-10 campers and 6-8 adult counselors. As a volunteer, you’ll contribute to the team-oriented experience of leading your cabin, planning activities, and creating a lifetime of unforgettable memories.

We provide food, housing, and transportation from LAX for volunteers – so all you have to worry about is having fun with your campers!

Summer Sessions:

• Skeletal Dysplasia & MPS: June 4-9 (Volunteers arrive June 3)
• Kidney Disease & Transplant and Adrenal Insufficiency: June 13-18 (Volunteers arrive June 12)
• Fanconi Cancer Family Program: June 21-25 (Volunteers arrive June 21)
• Muscular Dystrophy: June 29-July 3 (Volunteers arrive June 28)
• Neuromsuclar, Genetic, and Epilepsy: July 11-15 (Volunteers arrive July 10)
• Hemophilia/vWD and Thalassemia: July 19-24 (Volunteers arrive July 18)
• Liver Disease & Transplant, PIDD, TPN, and IBD: July 28-August 1 (Volunteers arrive July 27)
• Sibling: August 5-9 (Volunteers arrive August 4)

Requirements

• Background Check
• Must be at least 19
• Orientation or Training
• 6-7 Day Commitment at residential camp
• Volunteers must complete an application including references, phone interview and medical clearance.

For a snapshot of a day in the camp life, check out our video: A Place Where Kids Can Just Be Kids!
https://vimeo.com/223696479

Give children with serious medical conditions a Camp experience they’ll always remember!

Every child deserves to experience the life-changing power of camp. The Painted Turtle provides year-round camp experiences for children with serious medical conditions. Located in Lake Hughes, California, The Painted Turtle is a proud member of the global SeriousFun Children’s Network, founded by Paul Newman. Every aspect of the intentional and adaptive programming at Camp – from a wheelchair-friendly ropes course to exceptional on-site medical care – is designed to allow all campers to participate in all activities. Since opening in 2004, over 200,000 children and their families have experienced The Painted Turtle completely free of charge.

We are looking for volunteers for our Family Weekends over several dates in the Spring season, where the entire families of children with a medical condition get to come to camp together. Volunteers work directly with our campers and families to facilitate the joy of camp and bring smiles to their faces while cheering them on in activities such as Horseback Riding, Archery, Boating, Fishing, Arts & Crafts, Woodshop, and so much more! We provide food, housing, and transportation from LAX for volunteers – so all you have to worry about is having fun with your campers and families!

SPRING SESSIONS:

• Neuromusuclar and Genetic Family Weekend: February 28-March 2
• Burn Survivor Family Weekend: March 14-16
• Liver Disease & Transplant, PIDD, TPN, and IBD Family Weekend: March 28-30
• Thalassemia Family Weekend: April 11-13
• Pulmonary Hypertension Family Weekend: April 25-27

Requirements

• Background Check
• Must be at least 19
• Orientation or Training
• Family Weekends- Friday late afternoon to Sunday afternoon
• Volunteers must complete an application including references, phone interview and medical clearance.

For a snapshot of a day in the camp life, check out our video: A Place Where Kids Can Just Be Kids!
https://vimeo.com/223696479

Do you have a few extra hours a week you would like to donate to a great cause? If you are organized and like administrative projects, we could use your help behind the scenes. If you are 16 years old or older, and would like information about volunteering in our Santa Monica office, contact us.

Volunteer Cabin Counselors join a cabin team during a summer session to care for, supervise and cheer on campers throughout their time at camp. They encourage friendships and teamwork within the cabin, role model camp spirit, and help campers to get the most out of their camp experience. Our medical team provides any needed medical support so counselors can focus on engaging campers in the activities. Volunteers live in the cabins with 8-10 campers and 3-4 adult counselors. As a volunteer, you’ll contribute to a team-oriented experience of leading your cabin, planning activities, and creating a lifetime of unforgettable memories. Each session is 6-7 days at our camp site in Lake Hughes. Volunteers must be 19 years of age at the time of volunteering.

Family Weekends are an opportunity for campers and their families to enjoy a weekend together at The Painted Turtle. Volunteers play an important role during the weekends by helping families to experience all camp has to offer. Volunteers join us at camp from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon to work as Family Pals or Program Pals (2.5 day weekend sessions at our campsite in Lake Hughes). Volunteers must be 19 years of age at the time of volunteering.

If you are interested in volunteering with our Equestrian Team and assist with side walking, leading horses in lessons, horse education and activities with campers, or working directly with the horses in our schooling program please contact us. Volunteers must be 19 years of age at the time of volunteering.

Camp reserves special work-day projects for corporate partners who make a significant financial impact on the mission of Camp. These days can be tailored to your company’s philanthropic goals and can be used as a remarkable team-building experience.

We have two annual day events at our site in Lake Hughes each year: Spring Into Camp and the Camper Holiday Gathering! Day events are open to all our campers and families to enjoy camp for a day. Volunteers run program areas, crafts, games, and other activities. During some of these events, we welcome participation for volunteers under the age of 19. All volunteer participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

Specialty performers and program guests are kid-friendly performers or workshop leaders who contribute unique performances or workshops to a day event at camp. If you have a hobby, talent, or craft that you would like to share, please let us know. Volunteers must be 19 years of age at the time of volunteering.

Each year, we host volunteer days where our corporate partners and general volunteers can bring their team or families to help prepare our beautiful camp site for the arrival of campers. Light breakfast, lunch and camp tours are provided. These annual volunteer opportunities include our General Volunteer Day (February), Corporate Volunteer Day (May), and Aerospace Volunteer Day (September).

The unique outreach program brings the fun and spirit of our camp program into hospital playrooms and community events throughout California. Individuals who have previously volunteered at The Painted Turtle for a Family Weekend or a Summer Session are eligible for this program. Learn more at our Outreach Programs page. Volunteers must be 19 years of age at the time of volunteering.