Volunteer This Summer!

As the days become a little bit longer and those of us in Upstate New York can see the light at the end of the tunnel and anticipate the relief from snow, sleet, and bitter cold, many of us start to think about the coming spring and summer months and our plans for warmer weather.

I invite you to become a part of our family here at Camp Good Days by volunteering with one of our summer residential camping programs. If you have ever considered volunteering, but were unsure as to how to take the next step and wondered what you could contribute, I encourage you to sign up for Camp Good Days’ Project Feel Good, which will be held at the Headquarters & Volunteer Training Center on Saturday, April 12, 2008. At Project Feel Good, you will have the opportunity to learn about the many volunteer opportunities available with Camp Good Days and meet other volunteers and staff members who will be able to answer all of your questions and address any concerns you might have. You will also be able to learn how to take the next step in your volunteer efforts and sign up for a session of our residential camping programs. And…don’t worry! Training is provided for all of our volunteers so you will be equipped with all of the skills and information you need to make the most out of the experience!

Oftentimes after I have spoken to a group about Camp Good Days, people will approach me and say that they would love to get involved with Camp Good Days but that they think it would be far too emotional to volunteer with one of our camping programs or they think that they do not have something special to offer. I always feel bad when people say this, as I know they are truly missing out on something very special and uplifting.

When Jim Valvano was in the end stages of his battle with cancer, he was selected as the second recipient of the Arthur Ashe Courage Award at the ESPYs. He was so weak that he needed to be helped onto the stage by Duke University Men’s Basketball Coach, Mike Krzyzewski and Dick Vitale, the great commentator. After his acceptance speech, he was asked by one of the media personalities how he was able to continue, being so sick. His response (and I am paraphrasing for sure) was that everyday he tried to laugh…at himself and at the world. Everyday he tried to learn…something about himself and something about the world. And everyday he tried to bring his emotions to the point of tears…either tears of joy or tears of sadness. Valvano said that if everyday you could achieve those three things, you would have a pretty full day.

The one thing I can promise you, as a volunteer at Camp Good Days, you will experience a number of full days during which you will have the chance to laugh, at yourself and with others; you will have the chance to learn a little bit about yourself and about others; and your emotions will be brought to tears, sometimes tears of joy and sometimes tears of sadness. It will be an experience you will never forget and will be one of the best things you do this summer!