Information for Volunteers

 

Be a Camp Counselor

 

2025 Camp Details

Camp Quest NorthWest will host two in-person camp sessions in 2025.

  • Camp Waskowitz (North Bend, WA): June 28 to July 5, 2025

  • Camp Kirby (Samish Island, WA): August 17-24, 2025

Volunteers start one day before campers arrive and will typically stay for a day after campers depart. This is reflected in the dates listed above.

Qualifications

You must be 18 or older by the first day of camp. There is no upper age limit.

You must have a desire and ability to work with campers age 8-17, to ensure their health and safety, to observe and manage their behavior, enforce safety regulations and emergency procedures, and lead or assist in leading group activities.

You must physically be able to move yourself through camp, participate in camp activities, and assist in emergency situations. If you have physical limitations then we can discuss how to work within those limitations to find a fulfilling role at camp.

You must be willing and able to work with other adults, to accept guidance and supervision, and to follow the staff policies and guidelines as they are presented to you.

Radio Weekend

Camp Quest counselors who have their HAM radio license, or who are interested in getting their license, are invited to attend the Radio Weekend event at the Radio Club of Tacoma the weekend of January 17-20. There is no cost to attend, but there may be costs associated with sitting for the exam and/or obtaining your radio license. Register now to volunteer for this event. Space is limited and volunteer positions are not guaranteed.

Spring Retreat

Our annual Spring Retreat will be held at a date and location TBD. There is no cost for volunteers to attend.

LT campers will be in attendance at the Spring Retreat, so a background check will be required to attend the retreat.

 
 

Staff Grants

Staff who have a financial need can apply for a grant to cover airfare or other costs of travel, or a stipend for other financial assistance. Contact the Staffing Coordinator for details on how to apply.

General Staff Travel Grant. Brings in staff from out of the area to volunteer at a CQNW camp session.

Staff Ambassador Travel Grant. To send CQNW staff members to other Camp Quest affiliates to foster informational exchanges and goodwill.

Leadership Summit Travel Grant. To send CQNW staff members to the annual Camp Quest Leadership Summit.

Staff Assistance Stipend. To provide financial assistance to volunteers who would otherwise not be able to attend a camp session due to financial obligations.

 

Other Ways to Get Involved

 

Come to a Board Meeting

Our Board of Directors meets every month to discuss camp planning and related topics. Meetings are always open to the public. Volunteers, parents and other interested parties are always welcomed to attend! You can always find the time and place of our next board meeting in the most recent Meeting Minutes.

Join a Committee

We have several committee groups that meet regularly to plan camp and handle other camp operations. Contact us for more information about these and other committees.

The Staffing Committee processes volunteer applications, conducts interviews and background checks, and does outreach to prospective volunteers.

The Programming Committee puts together the camp program. This is where we come up with the camp theme, plan our morning programs and all camp events, and put together our lists of supplies and materials. This is the fun stuff!

 

For More Information

Got questions? They might be answered in our Volunteer FAQ. You can also contact our Staffing Coordinator at staffing@campquestnorthwest.org.

 
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