Apply to Volunteer


PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING APPLICATION!!

Applications open until June 20th, 2026!

We are so grateful to have lots of volunteer interest every year, but we receive more volunteer applications than we can feasibly use, so not everyone who applies can be brought on as a QC volunteer. That said, even if you are not selected to work at the youth summer camp, we can still use your help staffing our other events, like Queer Camp Lite, QC Generations, or our NWA Pride booth!

Applicants can expect to be contact beginning in April and May regarding the status of their applications, instructions for background checks, and potential volunteer roles.

To ensure child safety, our volunteers are required to have a verified background check less than 2 years old. To reduce costs, we ask that volunteers pay for their own background checks (approximately $24) if they have the means to do so. If you have a good background check that is less than two years old, you may upload it below or email it to us. If you want to volunteer full-time at camp but you cannot pay for your background check, please let us know. 

To ensure camp security, we will wait until May/June to release information about orientation/training dates, schedule details, and camp location. A lot of important Queer Camp communication is sent via email, so please add [email protected] to your email contact list to ensure you receive our messages.

You can contact us with any questions or concerns at: 479-387-7934 or [email protected]

Personal Information

Queer Camp & You

All volunteers must pass a background check within 2 years of camp's start date to be eligible to participate with Queer Camp. 

If you are unsure if you have a recent background check or if you need time to obtain your recent background check, you can send it to us via email after applying. Background checks must be completed no later than June 23rd 2026.

Health & Medical Information


Below you will be asked questions about your availability during the week of camp. Please provide any details you can about your potential availability, even if you aren't completely sure what your availability will be yet.

Although the camp schedule is not finalized for 2026, the Queer Camp schedule typically looks something like this: 

  • 8:00am: Volunteer meeting
  • 8:30am: Campers check in and join their Color Groups with Parentals (camp counselors)
  • 9:00am: Morning announcements and Color Group games
  • 9:30am: Empowerment Groups (group therapy/processing)
  • 10:30am: Camper Tracks (A weeklong group project in theater, gaming, gardening, art, etc.)
  • 12:00pm: Lunch for all campers and volunteers
  • 1:00pm: Various Activities
  • 5:30pm: Campers rejoin Color Groups to discuss the day's Highs and Lows with Parentals
  • 6:00pm: Campers check out and volunteers clean up


Queer Camp needs lots of different kinds of volunteers to support the various aspects of our unique summer camp. Below you will find brief descriptions of different roles; read them carefully and select the role(s) that fit your skills and availability best! 


Empowerment Group Leaders

Queer Camp provides 1 hour Empowerment Group sessions each morning to all campers, allowing them the space and support to process feelings and experiences around their 2SLGBTQ+ identity. 

The Empowerment Group Leader role could be the perfect fit for you if: 

-You can donate one hour of your time each morning of camp
-You are an affirming licensed mental health professional with experience with queer youth and/or leading group therapy
-You would consider donating one (or more) whole day to being an on-campus mental health emergency support therapist


Meal Support

Queer Camp provides healthy and delicious daily lunch, daily snacks, and one family-night dinner to all our campers, volunteers, and staff. 

The Meal Support Staff role could be the perfect fit for you if:

-You are a person who loves to prepare food
-You are available for most of the camp day (especially in the morning and through lunchtime)
-You like to be in the background as a support role


Transportation Support

Queer Camp offers one afternoon of field trips for campers, and we need volunteers to help us transport campers on their field trips. No activities will be held during the afternoon fieldtrip excursion, so Parentals and Activity Leaders are especially encouraged to help with transport if they are able to do so. (Please note, we will not turn away interested volunteers simply because they are not comfortable providing transportation.)

Volunteering for an afternoon of transportation support could be a good fit for you if:

-You love to hang out with our campers and want to accompany them on a fun afternoon outing
-You have your own vehicle, driver's license, and a good driving record
-You like to be in the background as a support role

Security Team

Queer Camp is dedicated to ensuring the comfort, safety, and security of all our campers, volunteers, and staff. We rely on a small volunteer security team to monitor the Queer Camp campus and assist with secure check-in and check-out for our campers. Security volunteers are not typically asked to confront a security concern, only to quickly assess, report the threat to camp leadership, and contact law enforcement if necessary.

The Security and Check-in/out Support role could be the perfect fit for you if:

-You are a person who doesn't mind being outside for most of the day (shade, fans, and water are provided and security volunteers are encouraged to take breaks from the summer heat)
-You are available for most or all of the camp week (July14-18th 8am-6pm)
-You like to be in the background as a support role


Parentals

Queer Camp Parentals are our essential camp counselors, encouraging connection and fun while supporting our campers throughout the week. Parentals assist in morning and evening Color Groups, games, and afternoon activities.

The Parental role could be the perfect fit for you if:

-You have past experience working with youth
-You are a fun, patient, and joyful person
-And you are able to commit full-time to the week of camp (July 14-18th 2025, 9am-6pm)


Activity Leaders

Queer Camp relies on volunteers to lead various fun and educational activities for our campers. Any volunteer who has a special skill, passion, or interest is encouraged to share that with our campers in 1-2 hour afternoon activity blocks.

Activity Leader could be the perfect fit for you if:
-You have availability for at least one day during Queer Camp
-You have experience teaching or working with youth
-You have skills or knowledge in any of these key areas:

  • Theater, Music, or Dance
  • Arts or Crafts
  • Film or Photography
  • Writing or Activism
  • Education, Self Care, or Personal Development Done
  • Fashion, Hair, or Makeup 
  • Outdoor Recreation or Gardening
  • Video Games or Tabletop Games


Scheduling Preference

We will always make efforts to schedule volunteers in a way that helps them function and thrive. Let us know what kind of scheduling you prefer.

Favorite Treats

Participants in Queer Camp volunteer activities and all related activities, including any activities incidental to such participation (“Volunteer Activities”), the undersigned Volunteer (hereafter referred to using “I”, “me”, or “my”) releases and agrees not to sue the Queer Camp or its officers, staff, sponsors, agents and affiliates (“the Foundation”) from all present and future claims that may be made by me, my family, estate, heirs, or assigns for property damage, personal injury, or death arising as a result of my participation in the Volunteer Activities wherever, whenever, or however the same may occur.

I understand that participation in Volunteer Activities involves certain risks, including, but not limited to, serious injury and death. I am voluntarily participating in the Volunteer Activities with knowledge of the danger involved and I agree to accept all risks of participation. I understand and agree that the Queer Camp is not responsible for any injury or property damage arising out of the Volunteer Activities. I also agree to indemnify and hold harmless the Queer Camp for all claims arising out of my participation in the Volunteer Activities.

I understand that this document is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the state in which the Volunteer Activities take place and agree that if any portion of this Agreement is invalid, the remainder will continue in full legal force and effect.

I also acknowledge that the Queer Camp has not arranged and does not carry any insurance of any kind for my benefit or that of Volunteer , trustees, heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.

I represent that, to my knowledge, I am in good health and suffer no physical impairment that would or should prevent my participation in Volunteer Activities, and that if such impairments exist, I have appropriately disclosed this information to Queer Camp staff and/or leadership.

I also understand that this document is a contract that grants certain rights to and eliminates the liability of Queer Camp.

Thank you for applying to volunteer at Queer Camp!

Unfortunately, not everyone can join us as a Queer Camp volunteer. If you are selected to volunteer with Queer Camp, we will contact you directly to confirm your place as a volunteer, discuss your role, and create your personal schedule. If we are unable to accept you as a volunteer at camp, we may contact you in regards to other volunteer or support opportunities related to Queer Camp. If you have any questions or concerns, you can always reach us by email at [email protected].

Thank you so much for your interest and support! We couldn't make Queer Camp happen without amazing people like you.

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