Volunteer

Volunteer Opportunities and Requirements

  • Four Half-Days – (Time Commitment) Volunteers should be present for each day (T-F) of Vacation Bible School from 8:45 am – 12:00 pm.  If you are unavailable for all four days, with prior approval, we can make arrangements for a substitute.
  • SPECIAL NEEDS FOR DADS – FIELD GAMES for Grades 1-6!  We would like to have 1-2 Dads each day from 9:15-11:50 to help supervise this activity.  There will be an Adult in charge of the Field games, so duties will be explained when you arrive.  We can divide the days, so that fathers will only need to commit to one morning.
  • VIRTUS – Arlington Diocese’s Volunteer Requirements for Adults 19 and older.
    All adult volunteers working with youth in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington MUST maintain compliance with the Diocesan’s Office of Child Protection and Safety.

VIRTUS COMPLIANCE FOR ALL ADULTS OVER 19

VIRTUS – Arlington Diocese’s Volunteer Requirements for Adults 19 and older.
All adult volunteers working with youth in the Catholic Diocese of Arlington MUST maintain compliance with the Diocesan’s Office of Child Protection and Safety.

  • Background Clearance The Office of Child Protection is now offering the ability to apply online.
  • Attend the VIRTUS training “Protecting GOD’s Children” (approximately 4 hours). Register at VIRTUS® Online for class.
  • Please note, the background check and clearance process takes approximately 4-6 weeks.

Adult Volunteers

FAITH LESSON LEADER:  Each day there will be 5 repeated rotations of a mini-lesson on an aspect of the Catholic Faith that is related to our theme of Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope.  When possible the lesson may be delegated to a Teen Camp Counselor under the supervision of an Adult.

CRAFTS, MUSIC, SNACKS and PreK/GAMES SUPERVISION:  We try to provide an opportunity for teens to develop leadership skills.  So, when possible, we give them the responsibility for the delivery of services to younger children.  We need Adults to supervise and provide support to the Camp Counselors in the Craft, Music, and PreK/K Games Stations. 

DADS. WE NEED YOU FOR JUST ONE MORNING! – FIELD GAMES!  Grades 1-6 have field games.  We would like to have 1-2 Dads each day from 9:15-11:50 to help supervise this activity.  There will be an Adult in charge of the Field games, so duties will be explained when you arrive.  We can divide the days, so that fathers will only need to commit to one morning.

GROUP LEADERS:  Supervise groups of campers as they rotate from station to station and assist with the activity at the station as needed. 

NURSE/FIRST AIDE:  Occasionally, we have a camper with a minor medical issue or injury.  We would like to have a designated volunteer available with First Aide/nursing competence.  This role can be shared if volunteers unable to attend all 4 days.

SKIT DIRECTOR:  The opening each morning includes a 5-10 minute skit performed by our Camp Counselors.  We need an adult to direct the “actors” each morning to assure a smooth opening.  Rehearsals for the skits occur in the weeks before VBS camp and can be scheduled around the director’s time.  Flexibility of time to accommodate the needs of the director can occur.

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING FOR ADULTS:  The most fun you will have all year!  Parents of STS students can receive service hours for VBS volunteering.  In addition, children of adult volunteers receive a discounted camp fee.   We also will provide snacks and lunch for all volunteers and their children each day.  If you and your family will be joining us for lunch, please RSVP the day before by 2:00 pm so we can assure enough food Volunteer lunch RSVP. When you register, you can select your preference for volunteer duties and where appropriate days you will be available.  All Volunteers over the age of 19 must be Virtus certified.

CAMP COUNSELORS (RISING 7TH-12TH GRADERS)

We try to provide an opportunity for teens to develop leadership skills.  So, when possible, we give them the responsibility for the delivery of services to younger children.  When they are given the primary role, we will also have an adult in the room as a resource to assist with questions that may arise or with discipline issues.  We will have special meetings before VBS for all camp counselors to assure that they understand expectations and are comfortable with their roles.  

There are 2 levels of camp (PreK/K and grades 1-4)  Each level has 5 rotations:  Craft, Games, Snack, Music and Faith.  When selecting your volunteer choice, consider the ages of the children you prefer to work with.  Discuss this with your parents who can explain more about the developmental abilities of the different age groups.

GROUP LEADERS:  Supervise groups of campers as they rotate from station to station and assist with the activity at the station as needed. 

CRAFT:  Camp Counselors take responsibility for explaining how to make the simple craft and assisting campers.  The group leaders who come with the campers will also help with the craft.  All supplies and directions will be provided.

MUSIC:  Camp Counselors will teach campers the lyrics and movements of the songs for the camp.  They will use a video download on the smartboard in the classroom as a guide.  During the Family Picnic, the campers will perform one of the songs for their parents.  So the week of camp, is really a rehearsal for Saturdays! Performance!

GAMES:  Camp Counselors can take primary responsibility (with an adult looking on) for PREK/K Games.  These are movement type games for 4-5 year olds.  For elementary age kids (grades 1-4) adult supervision is required because of the rambunctious nature of the games.  Camp Counselors are needed to help with the relays and other activities in the field.

SNACKS:  An adult will supervise, but camp counselors will take primary responsibility for preparing and serving the snacks for each group to maintain a smooth operation.  Snacks are simple and do not require special culinary abilities! 

FAITH:  Faith classes are mini lessons on the Catholic Faith related to our theme of Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope.  The lesson will primarily be provided by an adult, but Camp Counselors may be called on to provide elements of the lesson, simple crafts or demonstrations.  All materials and instructions will be provided.

SKITS:  Each morning the opening program begins with a skit.  We need camp counselors to perform in the skits.  This would require rehearsals in the weeks prior to the VBS and then performance each morning at 9:00 am.  Please indicate on the registration form if you would like to participate.

BENEFITS OF VOLUNTEERING AS A CAMP COUNSELOR:  The most fun you will have all year!  Camp counselors can receive service hours for honor societies, Confirmation, etc.  We also will provide snacks and lunch for all camp counselors each day.  If you will be joining us for lunch, please RSVP the day before by 2:00 pm so we can assure enough food Volunteer lunch RSVP.

CONFIRMATION:  Service Hours from VBS to fulfill Confirmation Acts of Mercy

Confirmation Candidates are required to provide one hour of service toward three (3) Corporal Works of Mercy and three (3) Spiritual Works of Mercy.  Candidates may use VBS Counselor Volunteer Service toward one (1) work of Mercy per day, ( i.e. four days of volunteering will allow for 4 distinct works of mercy).

To claim service using VBS, candidates must provide a written description of the work of mercy (at least 6 sentences) including specifics about the action/incident, the role the candidate performed, the impact of the work of mercy on the candidate and the recipient of the work of mercy, and how/why it prepares the candidate for Confirmation.  Please do not use real names or identifying information about the recipient of the work of mercy.

HONOR SOCIETIES/GENERAL SERVICE HOUR REQUIREMENTS:  The number of hours per day available for Camp Counselors is 3-1/2 (8:45-12:15).  All 4 days – 14 hours.  If you attend the picnic on Saturday – an additional 2 hours.  If you participate in the skit, add each rehearsal hour that you attend to the total.

All students who need confirmation of service hours via email should contact sttimchantillyvbs@gmail.com.

Program Director: Denise Masiello, DRE ● Email: sttimchantillyvbs@gmail.com