Join MHKC as a College-Credit, Volunteer, or Junior Counselor!
Learn more about Camp & the Counselor Experience
“I had the most amazing experience during my two weeks at camp. I had come with anxiety and left with confidence. I made friends with my fellow counselors that I will treasure the rest of my life. I am so thankful for the opportunity that MHKC provided me to learn and gain a greater understanding and love for people with disabilities.” -2024 Counselor
Camp Dates & Training
All training is mandatory.
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Counselor Orientation– Provides an in-depth look at Camp life, the Counselor role, and logistics; approximately 3 hours; format & Date depending on role & school program. *required for all College-Credit & Volunteer Counselors
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Online, Asynchronous Training– Emailed to counselors about two weeks prior to their session and due prior to arriving at Camp; approximately 2-4 hours. *required for all college-credit, volunteer, & junior counselors
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Onsite, In-Person Training– Occurs at the beginning of Counselors’ respective session all day Sunday & Monday morning. *required for all college-credit, volunteer, & junior counselors
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Session 1 (weeks 1 & 2): June 21-22
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Session 2 (weeks 3 & 4): July 5-6
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Session 3 (weeks 5 & 6): July 19-20
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Session 4 (weeks 7 & 8): August 2-3
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Counselor Positions
College Credit Counselor: This is a two-week volunteer position for students 18+ receiving credit through their college/university program. Counselors are typically paired 1:1 with a camper, assisting with their activities of daily living and helping them have fun participating in the various camp activities. Counselors work in small teams of campers, counselors, and two supervisory staff that support them throughout their time at Camp. No experience required!
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- College Credit Counselor Job Description
- See the “Partnerships” tab for more information regarding MHKC’s academic partnerships. If you are interested in receiving college-credit through your school for this experience but are not sure if that’s an option for you, reach out to our Partnerships Coordinator, Sarah Doty, at sarah@mhkc.org.
Volunteer Counselor: This is a 1-2 week position (full session highly encouraged) for individuals 18+. Counselors are typically paired 1:1 with a camper, assisting with their activities of daily living and helping them have fun participating in the various camp activities. Counselors work in small teams of campers, counselors, and two supervisory staff that support them throughout their time at Camp. No experience required!
Jr. Counselor (volunteer): This is a one-week position for volunteers that are 16-17 years old. Junior Counselors are assigned a group to be a part of and support throughout their week. They assist with camper care and program engagement.
Apply Here
Partnerships
Academic, Experiential, and Interdisciplinary Learning Partnerships
t. Hood Kiwanis Camp has strong, ongoing partnerships with local universities, colleges, and high schools providing students with the opportunity to earn academic credit while gaining impactful, hands-on experience. MHKC continually seeks to expand academic partnerships, providing students from diverse disciplines— including special education, occupational therapy, speech and language pathology, social work, psychology, medicine/nursing, family studies, and kinesiology— with invaluable opportunities for interdisciplinary practice and collaboration. MHKC collaborates closely with faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and high school students to incorporate best practices in the field of developmental disabilities. This experiential learning opportunity allows students to apply their academic knowledge in real-world contexts, while developing practical skills and deepening their awareness and understanding of disabilities. Over 7,000 students have had the opportunity to work one-on-one with individuals with disabilities, broadening their perspectives and fostering a greater appreciation for diversity and inclusion. These experiences equip students to carry their learning forward into the community as they complete their degrees and enter their professional careers.
Contact our Partnerships Coordinator, Sarah Doty (Sarah@mhkc.org), to learn more or discuss establishing a new partnership! To learn more about our partnership with Portland State University, visit their MHKC page.
