Volunteering at City Camp
City Camp thrives because of volunteers who show up with compassion, energy, and heart. To give you a glimpse of what it’s really like, we asked Shivam and Mia, both Summer 2025 City Camp volunteers, to share their experience.
Meet Shivam
When did you volunteer at City Camp?
I started volunteering during the Summer of 2025.
What was your favourite thing about volunteering at camp?
My favourite memories about volunteering at WCK were being able to spend so much one-on-one time with the campers. I guess being one of the only male volunteers, a lot of the time, made some of the campers grow closer to me. So I took on a lot more one-on-one campers, and looking back at it, I’m glad I did. I feel like I got to share a lot more moments and connections with some of these campers, especially in the chill room (it’s literally the best place ever). Having some of the campers be able to share things they’re interested in, like Roblox, Minecraft, Ronaldo, or anything else, created such great things for us to bond over (especially because I tend to get interested in anything).
What would you say to someone considering volunteering at camp?
You will make memories here. It is such a fun time meeting people who share similar interests and want to provide an entertaining and enjoyable experience for not just the campers, but also for yourselves. It’s a new experience for many, as it was for me, but in all honesty, you’ll leave feeling really fulfilled with everything you did. It’s silly, it’s goofy, it’s serious at times, and others perhaps not. But just have fun being there because you’ll miss it as soon as it’s done.
Meet Mia
When did you volunteer at City Camp?
I was fortunate to be able to volunteer for all three weeks of City Camp this year! I found out about West Coast Kids through the SD36 partnership program, which allowed me to be part of camp while earning course credit at the same time. I am so grateful for this program as it put WCK on my radar and opened so many possibilities that I would not have known about otherwise.
I was immediately drawn to the work being done at West Coast Kids Cancer Foundation and found myself wanting to continue my involvement after the three weeks had ended. The great thing about being part of WCK are the countless opportunities available that allow you to stay involved. I have continued my volunteerism with the foundation through Smoothie Sundays, where once a month, I go to BC Children’s and help make smoothies for families undergoing treatment, and the incredible staff that work at the hospital.
What was your favourite thing about volunteering at camp?
Making connections with each camper was an invaluable part of my experience. Nothing beats the feeling of walking through the building doors and being swarmed by a group of kids who are so excited to see you. Witnessing the impact that I was making, first-hand, allowed me to serve with a purpose.
At the end of the three weeks, I was so sad to say goodbye to all of the campers, and will never forget when one of them asked for my address so we could “hang out after camp was over”! It made me realize that I was truly making an impact on their experience. I’ve made many promises, to many campers, that I will be back at city camp next year – and you best believe I will be sticking to my word!
What would you say to someone considering volunteering at camp?
Coming into this experience, I was nervous and unsure of what to expect. I remember walking into the first training session, so nervous to meet all the other volunteers and scared that I would do or say something wrong. I remember checking in, and meeting Kelsey - the very first thing she said to me was, “we keep it casual here at WCK.” For some reason those words stuck with me, and my worries went away. I took that mentality with me throughout camp, and was able to live in the moment, and enjoy my time with the campers and the other incredible volunteers.
As a high school student, this experience can seem intimidating, but you will never feel like you are alone. Whether I was working 1:1 with a camper, or fostering connections within a larger group, I constantly felt supported by the other staff and volunteers. From daily debriefs, to quick check-ins throughout activities, I always felt like someone had my back.
Volunteering at City Camp was the highlight of my summer, and it’s hard to put into words how much it impacted me. To anyone who is considering volunteering at camp, I truly couldn’t recommend it enough.
Ready to volunteer at City Camp? Applications for our Spring Break City Camp are now open.