In the Yuppi camps there are 3 types of roles you can sign up for: Cottage Elves, Playful Elves, Medical Elves. Regardless of the chosen role, within the camps, each Elf is there to provide children, teenagers and families with memorable experiences from which they can gain the energy, courage and enthusiasm needed for everyday life.
Cottage Elves are like older brothers or sisters to children, who accompany them all day, managing and providing their daily needs: go with them to every camp activity, play, tells stories, manage arising conflicts and encourage them to take on the playful challenges of the programs. They ensure the safety of children throughout the whole camp, including the nights, during night watch (in certain camps). They also ensure translations into the native language of the participants if necessary.
Playful Elves prepare and run daytime activities intended for children, and in the evening, they dress up as different characters and plan interesting adventures to all participants. They can choose to host an activity from the following list: equestrianism, rowing, climbing, archery, acting, handicraft, magic, photography and courier. Playful Elves ensure the access of each participant to the daily programs, also ensuring their physical and emotional safety during activities. If necessary, they translate the program descriptions into the participants’ native language. They are also responsible for the safety of equipment and props for the day/ evening activities.
A Medical Elf is a doctor, nurse, dietitian or physiotherapist. They are the ones who guarantee the medical assistance of children with chronic diseases and, if necessary, also of volunteers, throughout the camp. They also provide medical assistance to volunteers upon request; emergency medical assistance (e.g. accidents, severe hypoglycemia), and give referral for specialist medical assistance (e.g. ambulance, hospitalisation).
In order to become a Yuppi Elf, volunteers must go through a professional selection and training process, since we want to make sure that our Elves will be very well trained and dedicated to children. You can read more about the Yuppi training process in the Training section.
Application criteria
If you want to become a volunteer in the Yuppi camps, after you register, you will also partake in a selection based on several criteria, where the following conditions are mandatory:
- At the end of the registration period you will be at least 18 years old (if you signed up for the activities during the year, voluntarily) and 20 years old (if you signed up for the camps, voluntarily);
- You will attend the volunteer training and training session before the camp. For all information related to trainings, please read the information in the Training section;
- You like to play and communicate with children and young people, and you are willing to do everything possible for their well-being and good mood;
- You can be present throughout the whole camp, implicitly before the camp throughout the preparation and training days, and also during the closing day(s) after the camp.
Enrollment periods for the camps are February-March 2024. We look forward to hearing from you!
If you want to volunteer throughout the year, please send us an e-mail to volunteer@yuppicamp.ro, with a short description of yourself, also describing why you want to become a Yuppi Camp volunteer.
In order to become a Yuppi Elf, volunteers must go through a professional selection and training process, since we want to make sure that our Elves will be very well trained and dedicated to children. You can read more about the Yuppi training process in the Training section.
If you want to become a volunteer in the Yuppi camps, after you register, you will also partake in a selection based on several criteria, where the following conditions are mandatory:
- At the end of the registration period you will be at least 18 years old (if you signed up for the activities during the year, voluntarily) and 20 years old (if you signed up for the camps, voluntarily);
- You will attend the volunteer training and training session before the camp. For all information related to trainings, please read the information in the Training section;
- You like to play and communicate with children and young people, and you are willing to do everything possible for their well-being and good mood;
- You can be present throughout the whole camp, implicitly before the camp throughout the preparation and training days, and also during the closing day(s) after the camp.
If you want to sign up to become a volunteer in one of the camps, then press the ‘I apply button above and fill out the registration form.
***If you want to volunteer throughout the year, please send us an e-mail to volunteer@yuppicamp.ro, with a short description of yourself, also describing why you want to become a Yuppi Camp volunteer.
- Why should I volunteer? On the one hand, it gives you the opportunity to develop professionally. For many, volunteering at camp allows them to develop leadership skills; to practice working with young people; to facilitate and carry out activities; to develop their time management; to develop a creative problem solving skill; to exercise endurance; to strengthen their communication skills; to work with a diverse team; recognise and make good use of personal and other strengths; and gain experience with young people of different ages, abilities and health needs. On the other hand, if you are open-minded, the camp also gives you the opportunity to develop on a personal level. Just as children are encouraged to step out of their comfort zone and try new things (safely!), so are volunteers. You may discover interests in yourself that you didn't know you had. Volunteers leave with new perspectives, not only about others, but also about who they are and what they can do. At Yuppi Camp, you don't sit on the sidelines, you're right in the middle of the action, with the leadership.
- What happens after I sign up? First of all, we will ask for your patience. In order of registration, we will contact everyone by phone to set up a date for a short meeting. At the end of the recruitment period, we will start the selection process, and in mid-April we will let you know about the results: which camp you were assigned to, in which role we see you. Some camps may have a large number of applicants for the same role, so if you end up on the waiting list, don not be upset, because if someone drops out, you still have a chance to get into the camp .
- Do I have to attend all the camps to be a volunteer? No. At the beginning, we will assign you to only one camp. We consider your priority, but it helps us (and you) a lot if you opt for more than one camp. Your availability and priorities will be clarified at the interview.
- Can I participate only partially in the camp? No. Each camp has an arc and a kind of privacy due to its therapeutic nature. You are expected to attend the entire camp, including the preparation days before the participants arrive and the closing day, too.
- What happens if I don't attend the training weekend at WeCan? A lot happens in the camps in a short time, and there are many things to be aware of. To ensure the maximum safety of the children, we share a lot of important information at training and strive to provide you with the most comprehensive training possible for your role at camp. This weekend is not only about passing on information, but also about team building and getting to know the location and programs of the camps. On the other hand, if you are a new volunteer, your chances of getting to the camp are lower, as you will most likely be put on the waiting list because of this.
- How will I get to the camp if I do not have a car? Before WeCan and before the camps, we will send you a carsharing table, where drivers can indicate their route and their available spots. You can use this table to find your transport and travel partner.
- How much will it cost me? During camp and training, Yuppi Camp pays all accommodation and meal expenses. You only have to cover your travel costs.
- What happens when I get to the camp? If you have attended WeCan, you are most likely already familiar with the location and know your coordinators. They will be waiting for you, and after check-in, which involves a few signatures and some paperwork, you will find out where you are staying and then you will be able to prepare your name badge. If you arrive at the location before the meal, there will most likely be lunch, after which the whole camp will open for the volunteers. The program continues in a similar way to WeCan: you prepare for your role and for the arrival of the children.
- Who runs the camp? The management of the camp consists of 5 members. Camp Coordinator, Deputy Camp Coordinator, Cottage Elves Coordinator, Playful Elves Coordinator and Medical Coordinator. You will already get to know them at WeCan. They are responsible for the safety of everyone, participants and volunteers, but also for the program to run smoothly.
- What happens after the camp? You will officially be part of the Yuppi Camp family. After the camp, you will be invited to a social media group where we will keep you up to date with everything. If you and other several volunteers live in the same city, you will be part of that city’s Yuppi Community. Last but not least, you will be invited to the Fall Elf Meeting.
