Located on the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe reservation, Camp Marrowbone is an overnight facility providing summer support and life skills to Lakota youth.
Choose to spend four or eight weeks working as a YMCA camp counselor. You'll serve as a positive role model to younger children living in extreme rural poverty.
A once-in-a-lifetime experience that will transform the way you see the world. Your housing and three meals per day are provided at no cost. You'll gain work experience and complete service hour requirements.
Email us at info@folvhs.org if you cannot find an answer to your question.
Volunteer camp counselors' main job is to keep kids safe and have fun! They work hands-on with youth Monday through Friday facilitating water games, leading group activities, putting on performances, and eating meals. Teen volunteers provide mentoring and a sense of safety to campers (ages 5-12) who do not otherwise have access to enrichment or food when school is not in session.
Lake View High School students ages 16+, including current seniors who will be graduated by summer 2024.
No. In fact, this experience may be well suited for students who struggle with tardiness, absences, and testing, as long as they are responsible and committed to being a positive role model for campers.
No. Volunteer camp counselors will attend a YMCA-led training prior to traveling to South Dakota. The training will be held at Lake View High School and there is no cost to attend. There are also adult counselors and paid staff on site who care for the volunteers as they do the campers.
The date and duration of the training has not yet been decided, but will take place sometime in the spring at Lake View High School. All volunteers will be required to attend this training, with a virtual makeup option available.
Yes. Camp Marrowbone is run by the YMCA of Seven Council Fires in Dupree, South Dakota. There are adult professionals on site at all times to guide counselors and campers alike. The YMCA has many child safety policies and protocols in place to ensure an enjoyable experience for all. Camp Marrowbone is located in a very rural area, but does have running water and a landline. Leaving the camp is impossible to do without a car so camp counselors are in the exclusive care of YMCA staff during their stay. Email the Y's Associate Executive Director Brittany Brooks to inquire about specific safety concerns.
Volunteer counselors sleep in their own (bunk) beds inside cabins with the campers. For many of the young campers, counselors provide a safe and consistent presence through the night. Counselors will sleep in either a girls' cabin or boys' cabin according to their gender.
Volunteer counselors will be responsible for arriving at O'Hare airport and covering the cost of their roundtrip airfare (Chicago > Rapid City). Ground transportation in South Dakota is provided by the YMCA. The cost of roundtrip airfare is approximately $300. With room and board included for 4 or 8 weeks, this amount is between $5-10 per day depending on length of stay. If your teen is very interested in this opportunity, but your household is unable to afford the full cost of airfare, please reach out to Friends of Lake View High School for options.
Friends of Lake View High School
4015 North Ashland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60613, United States
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Contact us: info@folvhs.org