Summer Day Camp Volunteer Application Packet Summer 2017 Read entire packet thoroughly so you fully understand requirements. Positions are filled on a first come, first served basis based on the date applications are received. Please return your application as quickly as possible- day camp positions fill quickly and there will be more applicants than day camp positions available. If applying after April 1, check our website for availability before applying as many spots will be filled by then. Please Submit Pages 5-8 Electronically to: fcb@tnaqua.org If you need to mail or fax: Tennessee Aquarium Volunteer Office 201 Chestnut Street Chattanooga, TN 37401 Fax (423) 756-1849
If you like kids, we have some summer fun for you! Day Camp volunteers help with crafts, snacks, hiking, canoeing and field trips for younger children during the Aquarium education department's summer camp. Choose to give a few weeks of your summer to mentor younger kids and have fun, too. Camp is held at the Tennessee Aquarium and IMAX Theater Complex. Tennessee Aquarium off site field trip locations that may include but are not limited to the Reflection Riding Nature Center, the Creative Discovery Museum, Stringer s Ridge, North Chickamauga Creek and Greenway, Raccoon Mountain Caverns, and the Ocoee Retreat Center. Qualifications: Day Camp Volunteers should: Be between the ages of 14-18 years old (must be at least 14 years old by May 1) o Eco Explorer volunteers must be at least 16 years old by May 1 st, 2017 Be a student in good standing in school Have a strong interest in working with young children Be enthusiastic and cheerful! Have some experience working with children (i.e. babysitting/siblings) Be a team player and participate in all aspects of camp Have reliable transportation to and from the Aquarium during the camp program Schedule: We require volunteers to commit to a minimum of 2 weeks. If you cannot commit to 2 weeks, please do not apply this summer. You may volunteer up to a maximum of four weeks with no more than two weeks in a row. Volunteers must arrive a half hour before campers arrive and stay a half hour after campers leave. This is to assist the camp leaders in preparing for the day ahead and cleaning up. Bullfrog and Eco Explorer volunteers are required to stay overnight with these groups once during the week. All Summer Camp Volunteers must attend a mandatory training session to help prepare you for your summer camp responsibilities. Mandatory Training Session: Saturday, May 20 st from 9am- 11:30am at the Aquarium o Treefrog Volunteers: In addition to above training, you will be travelling to Reflection Riding Nature Center at 12:00pm and should be picked up from there at 4:00pm.
Camp Group Descriptions Please review the descriptions for each age group to help find the best fit for you! Camp Ages Time Commitment Description Aquatots 4-5 Monday- Friday 8:30am- 1pm Tadpoles 5-6 Monday- Friday Polliwogs 7-8 Monday- Friday Treefrogs: Partner Camp with Reflection Riding Arboretum and Nature Center 7-8 Monday- Friday Help them learn about the Aquarium s animals and get to meet some face to face! Campers participate in handson activities, crafts, stories and outdoor fun. Join the Tadpoles as we become super scientists for a week! We will meet unique creatures, create fun experiments and learn how science can help us to understand nature. Our adventure will also take us to Creative Discovery Museum and Reflection Riding. Join the Polliwogs as we discover amazing animals from our backyard and all over the world. Polliwogs learn by doing as they touch, climb, splash and play at the aquarium and on field trips. Reflection Riding and Tennessee Aquarium join forces to bring campers nose to nose with animals indoors and out. Campers learn to canoe, hike and get down and dirty on Mud Day.
Bullfrogs 9-10 Monday- Friday *Overnight on Wednesdays* Eco Explorers 11-12 Monday- Friday *Overnight on Thursdays* Leap into fun as we discover the amazing world around us. Explore the Aquarium, visit with animals and their caretakers, hike, raft, sleep overnight alongside River Giants and go caving. Campers become Eco- Explorers inside the Aquarium and outdoors. Adventures include behind the scenes tours, a Thursday overnight and a trip to the water park at Horn s Creek NOC Resort. Number of Volunteer Spots Needed for Each Camp 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 June 5-9 June 12-16 June 19-23 June 26-30 No Camp July 10-14 July 17-21 July 24-28 July 31- Aug. 1 Aquatots (4-5) 5 spots 5 spots 5 spots 5 spots 5 spots 5 spots 5 spots 5 spots Tadpoles (5-6): 3 spots 3 spots 3 spots 3 spots 3 spots 3 spots 3 spots 3 spots Polliwogs (7-8): 2 spots 2 spots 2 spots 2 spots 2 spots 2 spots 2 spots 2 spots Treefrogs (7-8): 3 spots 3 spots 3 spots Bullfrogs (9-10) 2 spots 2 spots 2 spots 2 spots 2 spots 2 spots 2 spots NEW IN 2017! Join us for outdoor fun between volunteer sessions! High School Hellbenders Ages 15-17 at the time of camp 9:00 a.m. Wednesday July 5-7:00 pm Friday July 7 $345/Volunteer Participants will take leadership and environmental science to the next level through this three day outdoor overnight experience in the Nantahala gorge. We will sleep two nights in a cabin and spend our time rock climbing, paddling, rafting, and taking advantage of the outdoor classroom. Register at tnaqua.org/summer-camp. Volunteers qualify for the member rate!
Summer Camp Volunteer Application Application Submission Date: _ Name: First M.I. Last Birthdate: Age as of May 1 st, 2017: Street Address: City: _ State: _ Zip: Primary Phone Number: Type: Email address: Camp Preferences Order of Preference 1 2 3 4 Camp Group Sessions I am Available List all if you have no preference I have volunteered at the Tennessee Aquarium Summer Camp in the past. Y N Years: I have attended Summer Camp at the Tennessee Aquarium in the past. Y N Years:
General Information Do you have reliable transportation to and from the Aquarium? Y N Adult T-Shirt Size Small Medium Large X-Large XX-Large Work & Volunteer Experience Organization: City & State: Position: _ Dates: _ Duties: Organization: City & State: Position: _ Dates: _ Duties: Experience with Children Type of Experience: Siblings, cousins, baby-sitting, camp, etc. Ages & Number of Children: What types of activities did you do? What do you like most about spending time with children?
Other Information How did you hear about the Summer Camp Volunteer Program at the Tennessee Aquarium? Why would you like to be a Summer Camp Volunteer at the Aquarium? Do you have any skills or hobbies that would make you an ideal candidate and why? Tennessee Aquarium Day Camp Volunteer Expectations Volunteers provide a valuable service to the Tennessee Aquarium and the community. We appreciate each volunteer s time as it is vital to the success of our camp. In order to provide excellent opportunities for both volunteers and campers, all selected summer camp volunteers will be expected to follow guidelines during the course of all camp activities. Parents and Legal Guardians, please read carefully! By your child becoming a summer camp volunteer, you BOTH are agreeing to adhere to these guidelines. Volunteers can be dismissed from the program at the discretion of their leaders and the Summer Camp manager. Please sign (e-signatures are encouraged!) the bottom and return pages 5-8 to fcb@tnaqua.org
Volunteer Initials (typed is acceptable) Each Summer Camp Volunteer will: Be a student in good standing at school. Participate in all aspects of summer camp and actively engage with the campers by playing games, singing songs and interacting. Remain at the Aquarium with your camp group and counselors during camp hours including any overnights. You should bring your own lunch with you each day to camp. Be aware of and responsive to campers at all times as extra eyes and hands are essential to day camp. Stream play and field trips are especially important times to be visually aware of the campers. Demonstrate appropriate behavior at all times during summer programs. Do not discuss topics not suitable for young children while in the company of campers. (i.e. contents of adult-related television shows, songs, jokes, slogans, etc). Dress in comfortable clothing such as tennis shoes, shorts and your Tennessee Aquarium camp t-shirt. Shorts should be mid-thigh length. Shirts must cover your stomach. Chacos may be worn during stream time only. Closed-toe shoes with closed heels or straps are required. NO FLIP FLOPS at any time! Only bring a cell phone for emergency use. Phones will not be used or brought out during camp hours. Notify your lead camp counselor at least a day before if you must be late or leave early from a day of camp due to an appointment (i.e. doctor, dentist). Camp volunteers are a vital part of the success of each camp day and we need to plan accordingly if you must be out on a scheduled day. Please call the summer camp cell phone at (423) 356-1276 if you wake up sick and can t attend camp on your scheduled day. I (volunteer name) have read and understand the camp guidelines. Our signatures and initials indicate that we agree to adhere to these guidelines throughout my experience as a Tennessee Aquarium Summer Camp Volunteer. Our signatures also verify that the applicant has filled out this application honestly and to the best of his or her ability. Volunteer Signature (e-signatures are encouraged!) Date Parent or Legal Guardian Signature Date