Camp Laurel - A Camp for Children Living with HIV and AIDS

"Volunteers do not necessarily have the time; they just have the heart."
- Elizabeth Heart

In an age seemingly where more is never enough, where we are a society focused on self, and where the idea of community is falling into the shadows, it's comforting to know there are individuals out there who look beyond themselves. In fact, statistics show that volunteerism is on the rise. An estimated 63.4 million people, or roughly 26.8% of the population engaged in volunteer service during 2009, almost 2 million more then in 2008. With an increasing number of volunteer participation comes the need for Camp Laurel to develop new and creative volunteer opportunities.

In February of 2010, Camp Laurel created the Administrative Volunteer position, a new opportunity for those individuals who enjoy volunteering their time in the office, and are not able to make the time commitment required for a counselor. We are currently working on a volunteer opportunity that will partner a volunteer with a family we serve. That volunteer will spend their time to assist their assigned family in making medical appointments, babysitting, filling out paperwork, tutoring, etc.

Over the next year, we will continue to work diligently to expand on our current volunteer opportunities, as well as include a variety of new opportunities that will appeal not only to our current volunteer community, but also those potential volunteers that have yet to join the Camp Laurel family. We appreciate volunteer participation; so if you have any ideas for potential volunteer opportunities, email your ideas to Amanda Chung, Director of Volunteers.

As we continue to move forward in the 21st century, let's continue to work together to create a society, which supports those individuals affected by HIV and AIDS. Let's continue to work together to create a society that not only tolerates, but also embraces diversity. Let's continue to create a society that our children can be proud of.

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