Volunteer Opportunities

Hands to Love is sustained by our incredible corps of volunteers, made up of healthcare providers and other professionals, high school students, college students and adults with upper limb differences, who all work together to support our events. Each volunteer is recruited for their varied gifts and talents as well as for their passion, commitment, and ability to serve Hands to Love families.

2024 Hand Camp will be held at Keystone Camp and Conference Center in Starke, Florida, Friday April 12th through Sunday, April 14th, 2023. If you are interested in volunteering for this event please contact info@handstolove.org.

Our current COVID-19 Policy is now available.

Hand Camp 2024 Volunteer Application

Please Note: Volunteers must be 18 years old, willing to serve for the entirety of Hand Camp weekend and are subject to a background check. There is a $25 application fee, no other costs are required once a volunteer arrives at Hand Camp. The application fee assists with lodging, meals, and background check fees. Each volunteer will recieve a t-shirt upon arrival.

Activity Rotation Leader

Activity Rotation Leader: Leads one of four groups of elementary and middle school aged campers during activity times. *This position reserved for AULDs

Family Pal Leader

An experienced family pal in each rotation group is assigned as a Lead and responsible for relaying information to all the family pals in their group. *This position reserved for SOTA club members

Family Pal

Assigned to each Primary Camper (K-5th grade) and their family to accompany them throughout the weekend, family pals are part big brother/sister, part schedule-keeper and serve as a liaison and guide for the family throughout the weekend event. When appropriate family pals assist during activity rotations.

Activity Program Leader

Experienced hand camp volunteers who lead at camp activity stations such as Archery Art, Music, Tennis, Special Sports and STEM.

Activity Pal

Assists at an activity station and serve at the direction of the Activity Program Director.

Special Program Leader

Organizes special aspects of the hand camp program such as Cool Inspiring Teens, (middle school aged campers), Parent Support Programming, Saturday Night Event, Tiny Tots, and Theme/Special Invited Guest throughout the hand camp weekend.

Special Activity Assistants

Assists the Special Program Director throughout the hand camp weekend.

Camp Operations Staff

Assists in logistical operations such as: loading of H2L supply trailer, transport of supply and dispersal at camp, equipment setup and take down, loading of trailer and clean up etc.

Health & Safety Staff

“Red Hat” wearing Health & Safety volunteers staff the camp clinic, administer medications and offer first aid as needed.

Hands to Love Administrators

Please note, this is not a Hand Camp volunteer position

Hands to Love Administrators

Our administrative volunteers serve on camp planning committees and provide organization and oversight to all Hands to Love programs throughout the year. Other duties include ordering of activity supplies, equipment and insurance.

Special Event Volunteers

Please note, this is not a Hand Camp volunteer position

Event Volunteers

Volunteers who help with Hands to Love events work at any of our events throughout the year (such as The H2L Gala, golf tournaments or spa night) to set up, coordinate, and take down related activities. *please note, this is not a Hand Camp volunteer position

Fundraising Volunteers

Please note, this is not a Hand Camp volunteer position

Fundraising Volunteers

Fundraising volunteers are individuals or business owners who donate time or services and/or products to Hands to Love to help raise money for the organization. These activities can include participating in networking and letter-writing campaigns, organizing a school or work fundraiser, grant writing, or helping connect Hands to Love with potential donors.

Who are our volunteers?

Healthcare Professionals

Orthopedists, occupational and physical therapists, dentists, mental health counselors and nurses have all enriched our families’ Hands to Love experience. Our volunteer medical professionals give their time to help families adapt and thrive both physically and emotionally.

Students

Hands to Love enjoys a special relationship with the University of Florida College of Medicine, College of Public Health and Health Professions, and Occupational Therapy program. OT students typically begin volunteering with Hands to Love during their undergraduate studies and stay with the organization through graduation from their doctorate program. Typically serving as “Family Pals,” this arrangement gives our student volunteers and families the chance to build relationships over the years and provides a practical forum for healthcare professionals and older students to mentor younger ones.

”AULDS”: Adults with Upper Limb Differences

Adults with Upper Limb Differences (AULDs) are a mix of former campers who have grown up with Hands to Love and those who discovered Hands to Love as adults. Our AULDs have a very special connection to Hands to Love families and help both children and parents through sharing their own personal experiences and serving as the best possible role models of success.

Educators and School Counselors

Many of our volunteers work in the school setting and can offer expertise about how to adapt learning activities and how to frame or bring perspective to experiences for students with upper limb differences.

What Our Volunteers Say

“I first came to Hands to Love camp as a Certified Hand Therapist wishing to volunteer my time serving a special group of kids. I had no idea the impact that first year’s experience would have on me. I found myself so amazed and inspired by these kids and their parents, and also so impressed with the genuine love the staff and other volunteers showed all weekend! Plus we had so much fun!! I was hooked! I have attended camp for 8 years and have been fortunate enough to share the experience for 3 year as a “Family Pal”, with a special little girl and her family who are now near and dear to my heart. Words can’t really describe the experience, but it has changed me (for the better) as a therapist and a person.”

Laurie Thurber OT, CHT, Hand Camp Family Pal

Interested in becoming a Hands to Love volunteer?

Apply to Volunteer Here