volunteer for camps during school breaks
We're serious about play and invite you to be part of the fun! Youth camps have a distinct aesthetic: playful, hands-on, and creative. Volunteers help students explore their creativity throughout one or more camp. Expertise in the subject of the camp is never required to make it a success!
Camps occur every extended school break (winter, spring, and summer). Parents drop their kids off and generally are not present, although a camp like Girls Rock Lab may include a public concert parents can attend. Staff members are always present at camps, as volunteers are expected to have fun and enjoy their time - not stress over habits the kids may have.
Time Commitment:
Camps typically last two or three hours each day and run for 3-4 consecutive days.
If you can commit to 30 minutes before and after the camp times to help with set-up and clean-up, we’d greatly appreciate it!
See below for specific details for each upcoming camp as well as dates and times that they run.
2024 CAMPS
GIRLS ROCK LAB
This camp takes place at the Spokane Public Library’s Central Branch.
GRADES 3 - 8 · Girls Rock Lab provides workshops, mentors, and a space where underrepresented genders in the music industry are empowered leaders and collaborators. Participants join a band, write their own music, and play a concert.
CAMP DATES & TIMES · volunteer for one session or both!
Session 1: Tuesday, July 9 - Friday, July 12 · 9 - 11:30 AM
Session 2: Tuesday, July 16 - Friday, July 19 · 9 - 11:30 AM
Concert: Friday, July 19 · 6 PM - 8 PM-ish
volunteer role
Roadie: Participants of the camp are split up into their bands (4 or 5 kids per band), and they all move together from station to station. We like to pair them with a "roadie" who can stick with them for the whole day, and preferably the whole week (but we'll take you for however much time ya have to give!). Roadies let the kids do their thing, but help them keep track of their lyrics and song, explore ideas if they are stuck, and maybe focus in from time to time. No musical experience necessary, just be willing to make noise and try stuff like all the amazing kids in camp do! This is a super fun role, and you really get to know a small group of kids well!
Girls Rock Lab Volunteer Info Session: Tuesday, June 25 · 6-7 PM
LEGO ROBOTICS CAMP
GRADES 4 - 6 · In this camp, kids will work together to design, build, and program a LEGO robot to tell a story. Participants will make it move across their own DIY map to tell a familiar story or make a new one!
CAMP DATES & TIMES
Tuesday, July 23 - Friday, July 26 · 9:30 - 11:30 AM
volunteer role
Assistants to the Engineers: Help kids problem solve! Volunteers will support kids as they plan what they want to build and draw for their project! Kids will work in groups of 4-5. Volunteers will help them explore ideas if they’re stuck or focus in as needed. Coding experience a plus but not necessary.
Camp Volunteer Info Session: Wednesday, June 19 · 6-7 PM
STAR STORIES
GRADES 2 - 4 · Kids will listen to powerful celestial stories and myths from around the world, learn theater and performance skills, design constellations, and create a story to go with it. Participants will step into our DIY planetarium where they’ll poke their constellations, then transport fellow star explorers to distant galaxies as they share their celestial tale.
CAMP DATES & TIMES
Tuesday, July 30 - Friday, August 1 · 10 - 11:30 AM
volunteer role
Galaxy Guide: We need volunteers who are comfortable engaging their inner theater nerd. We’re looking for volunteers of all experience levels to make big movements, big expressions, and demonstrate what it might look like to be brave in front of an audience. Astronomy lovers welcome but not required.
Camp Volunteer Info Session: Wednesday, June 19 · 6-7 PM
CAMP MIXTAPE
GRADES 5 - 8 · Using instruments and beats from Garageband, kids will work together with mentors and peers to produce a medley of beats, instruments, and lyrics!
CAMP DATES & TIMES
Tuesday, August 6 - Thursday, August 8 · 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
volunteer roles
Camp Lead or Co-Leads: We’re seeking volunteers who are familiar with music production, specifically through GarageBand. Basic qualifications include comfort talking about and teaching music concepts to kids in grades 5-8. There will be possibilities of performing for the kids if interested (e.g., live DJ performance as part of the camp). We have iPads for this camp!
Beat Booster: Must enjoy music! It helps to have a basic familiarity with iPads, passion for mentorship, and a desire to learn with the kids to support them through their musical journey.
Camp Volunteer Info Session: Wednesday, June 19 · 6-7 PM
CODE KIDS
GRADES 4 - 8 · Throughout this camp, participants will learn to use core computer coding concepts on Scratch and will collaborate on a project with other participants.
CAMP DATES & TIMES
Tuesday, August 13 - Friday, August 16 · 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
volunteer role
Code Coach: Coding experience is a plus but not necessary. Volunteers should enjoy troubleshooting simple block coding and talking about goals with kids in grades 4-8 to help make their code successful. We will have some helpful tools on hand to show what Scratch blocks do.
Camp Volunteer Info Session: Wednesday, June 19 · 6-7 PM
ORIGIN STORIES
GRADES 3 - 8 · Kids will create a short comic based on a myth, legend, or anything else that inspires them! They could be based on themselves, the challenges they’ve faced, and the things/people that help them along the way.
CAMP DATES & TIMES
Tuesday, August 20 - Friday, August 23 · 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM
volunteer role
Comic Coach: Good fits are volunteers who are imaginators, ideators, brainstormers, and generally open to anything a kid might create (within reason). These volunteers might take dictation for kids who struggle with writing, throw spaghetti at the wall for kids to pick from if they’re stuck, or check in on their progress as they explore the writing process. No experience with writing or drawing necessary. Comic lovers welcome — but also not required.
Camp Volunteer Info Session: Wednesday, June 19 · 6-7 PM